SPEED cameras usually generate bad press but latest findings have shown that the majority of fleets believe cameras are reducing the number of road accidents.

More than 500 businesses were polled in research completed by LeasePlan which found that 66% of companies believe speed cameras are working.

However, 81% said they believed the main purpose for speed cameras was to generate cash for the police.

Kevin McNally, managing director of LeasePlan UK, said: ‘The business community seems broadly in favour of speed cameras, although there are concerns about their proliferation.

‘It is disappointing that cameras are thought of mainly as police money-makers, but perhaps that is inevitable given the growth in the camera network and adverse publicity over the number of tickets issued.’

The findings mirror studies completed by road safety charity Brake and Green Flag Motoring Assistance last year. Nearly two-thirds of drivers (62%) in the survey supported the use of mobile speed cameras.

McNally added: ‘Companies seem to be in favour of tighter controls on speeding. They need also bear in mind that if drivers speed because of unrealistic work deadlines, their employers could be held legally responsible.’

The LeasePlan research also showed that 65% of companies did not think congestion charging improved traffic problems and 61% objected to plans to increase the congestion charge levy.