PRESTON Police have reacted angrily to claims by the Association of British Drivers (ABD) that speed cameras are nothing more than 'roadside cashpoints for the police'.

ABD spokesman Mark McArthur-Christie claimed safety was now taking a back seat to raising cash.

His comments were in response to an article in Metropolitan Police's magazine, Metline, which reported: "Speed cameras have their limitations ... but when these matters can be overcome they will be a sure winner for raising revenue."

Mark said: "Coming soon after the Treasury's decision to allow forces to retain a proportion of camera fines, this must call into question the reason for cameras on our roads.

"Drivers are continually told that speed cameras are there to save lives - not to act as roadside cashpoints for the police.

"Studies in the UK and the USA indicate that speed is far less significant than some would have us believe, accounting for less than 10 per cent of accident causation factors."

But PC Dave Taylor, of Preston's Road Policing Unit, said: "I wasn't even aware that we recouped any money from speeding offences.

"Our camera sites in Lancashire are only situated at accident hotspots where there is a long history of crashes.

"Any speed enforcement work we do is targeted at these areas alone.

"But I do agree with Mr McArthur-Christie when he says that it's too simplistic to say that speed is the cause of accidents.

"It is usually inappropriate speed that causes accidents. Sometimes driving at the speed limit is going too fast.

"We should remember that the speed limit is a limit and not a target to be achieved."

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