To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the fourth year report into speed camera effectiveness took account of reduced traffic volumes at camera sites. (95508)

Data on traffic volumes are not routinely collected at camera sites. Traffic volumes can increase or reduce on a particular road for many reasons. Any significant changes to the traffic volumes at camera sites are likely to be reflected in the regular vehicle speeds surveys that are undertaken by partnerships.

The independent four year evaluation of the national safety camera programme analyses both 85th percentile and average speeds at over 3,800 camera sites. The report concludes that fixed cameras, which are permanently in place, have been particularly effective at reducing vehicle speeds at camera sites. These sites show a 70 per cent. reduction in the percentage of vehicles exceeding the speed limit, and a 91 per cent. reduction in the percentage of vehicles exceeding the speed limit by more than 15 mph.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made to the contribution to road safety made by speed cameras; and whether he has made an estimate of the number of road traffic fatalities avoided by the use of road traffic cameras. (95510)

The independent four-year evaluation report of the National Safety Camera Programme assessed the effectiveness of cameras and found that after allowing for the long term trend, there was a 42 per cent. reduction in death and injury at camera sites, including a reduction of over 100 fatalities per year. The report, published on 15 December 2005, is available in the Library of the House, and on the Department’s website.