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www.eveningnews24.co.uk , 29 January 2007, Kim Briscoe
Drivers may complain about speed cameras but fewer are being caught in their glare on Norfolk's roads, new figures show.
Delighted road safety chiefs say the drop in fines is because cameras are successfully slowing down drivers and fewer are being caught.
The figures released by the Department for Transport show the government has seen its income from speed cameras across the county fall by more than £300,000 in just two years. The number of speeding tickets issued has dropped by more than 5,000 in the same period.
John Fairey, manager of Norfolk Casualty Reduction Partnership, said: "Although these figures do not represent the full picture, since they exclude those motorists being fined at a court, the fall is good news.
"From speed surveys at camera sites we know that average speeds are falling, people are becoming more compliant, and therefore fewer are being caught.
"Most importantly, there are fewer people being injured on Norfolk roads where safety cameras operate."
The money collected from the £60 fixed penalty notices in Norfolk was £1,629,420 in 2003-04. This dropped to £1,326,000 in 2005-06.
Stuart Hallett, casualty reduction manager at Norfolk County Council, said: "We anticipate the number of people detected to be speeding will reduce because it is an enforcement measure. People understand that if they keep their speed down they won't be liable and the law won't need to be enforced."
From April, local authorities will have greater flexibility over how cameras are used and where they can be put.
Currently, strict rules mean the cameras can only be used where a certain number of crashes causing serious injuries have happened over a fixed period of time.
Mr Fairey said the partnership was keen to look at using other methods of slowing drivers, such as speed-activated flashing signs which he feels have proved very effective on the county's roads.
Bryan Edwards, spokesman for the partnership, added: "The most effective camera is the one that doesn't catch anybody. It's not about how much money you get out of a camera."
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