The re-education courses should be introduced as part of moves to change the belief that speed cameras are more about money than road safety, claims the RAC Foundation.
Reports that the Government is examining ways of offering courses instead of penalty points to motorists caught by safety cameras have been welcomed by the motoring organisation.
Traffic and road safety manager Kevin Delaney said: 'Speed cameras are an integral and essential part of the nation's road safety strategy, but they have polarised public opinion, politicised road safety and personalised the debate, as well as criminalising millions of motorists over the past four years.
'If they are to fulfil their potential as the prime achievers of ambitious casualty reduction targets, it is vital that the attitude of otherwise law-abiding motorists are changed toward remote enforcement methods.
'In the correct locations, cameras are a real road safety benefit, but we need to de-couple the belief that they are about money and this will only come about if we address those perceptions.'
The foundation wants money raised by the cameras to be applied more widely to include road-user education in schools.
As part of a four-point manifesto, it is also calling for improved signing of speed limits and ensuring the limit is always visible at both fixed or mobile speed camera sites; increased use of speed-related interactive signs and increased provision of speed awareness courses as an alternative to automatic penalties in the case of minor infringements or first-time offenders.
Delaney said: 'A speeding ticket through the post tends to harden rather than change the recipient's attitude, whereas driver training encourages those taking part to think about their behaviour and change it.'
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