SPEED cameras have resulted in the number of people killed or seriously injured falling by 40% where they are installed, the Department for Transport (DfT) claims.

The DfT says its figures come from an independent report produced to evaluate the first three years of the camera scheme.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said: 'These figures prove cameras save lives. The number of people speeding has come down and there has been a significant reduction in deaths and injuries at camera sites'.

But the figures have been rubbished by anti-speed camera campaign groups.

Paul Smith, founder of Safe Speed, said: 'Problems arise because cameras are placed where there have been a high level of accidents over a fairly short period. When a camera is put where there has been a temporary upward blip in accidents, we should not be surprised the blip does not recur.'

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