Eight out of 10 (79%) motorists believe average speed cameras are more effective at slowing vehicles and driving road safety than traditional cameras.

The RAC said its research suggests growing use of average speed cameras is promoting their purpose to drive road safety

That’s the finding of new research by the RAC that finds drivers are becoming more accepting of speed cameras and recognising their role in road safety.

In the survey of 2,172 motorists, 86% claimed average speed cameras were very (38%) or reasonably (48%) effective. Only 12% did not believe them to be very effective. Meanwhile, 70% of those questioned felt traditional speed cameras were effective at getting drivers to slow down at their specific location but 80% said they made little difference beyond where they are sited.

The research also showed acknowledgement from the majority of drivers that speed cameras play a valuable road safety role. A third of those surveyed (37%) believe they are intended to improve road safety by slowing down drivers at accident blackspots and places of danger while another third (36%) say they are there to both improve road safety and raise revenue from drivers. Just over a quarter (27%) are more cynical, claiming they are primarily about raising cash from drivers.

RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “We know that some drivers can be very cynical about speed cameras, with a significant minority having told us they believe they are more about raising revenue than they are about road safety. Interestingly, these latest findings show there is now a strong acceptance that they are there to help save lives and prevent casualties on the road.”