Government speed camera shake-up - Reaction from motoring and safety groups

The AA Motoring Trust welcomed the changes, but said it would be 'watching closely to make sure that the £110 million extra safety funding will be additional to their road safety budgets,' as Darling had promised.

The AA accepted that new rules on placement which allow routes, rather than specific sites, to be monitored by cameras would introduce flexibility, but said placement still needed to be linked to accidents.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said it was particularly pleased over the promised improvements to signage. ROSPA head of safety, Kevin Clinton, said: 'The new funding will allow a far wider range of measures to be used and should bring positive benefits for road safety.'

The RAC Foundation was also pleased with the shake-up, saying it could help to reduce the scepticism which many motorists hold over speed camera policy.

Executive director Edmund King said: 'While speed cameras have their place, they should not be the first and last resort for road safety. Road and junction layout, clearer signing of limits, and better driver education all have a role to play.

'It is good news that the Government has recognised this in its review by committing increased funding for road safety.'

Road safety charity group Brake is also in support, particularly of plans to look at accidents over five years instead of three, which it said will give a more accurate analysis of risk. It called on Darling to ensure that cameras were an essential part of measures in the new £110 million pot funded by speeding fines.

Brake chief executive Mary Williams OBE said: 'Speed cameras are an effective enforcement tool which prevents people breaking an important safety law.

'We should not have to wait for death or injury before placing cameras in communities.'

Williams said she hoped the review of speed limits would create more 20mph limits around schools and homes.