Industry News from Yes Insurance

A spokesman for the Association of British Drivers claims speed cameras "have made no difference to the number of deaths on the roads of Essex".

Figures reported by the East Anglia Daily Times state the death rate on Essex roads increased by 11 per cent to 100 in 2006.

The cameras were originally considered a success when the number of road deaths in the area fell to 86 in 2000, the year they were introduced.

Speaking for the company, Nigel Humphries blamed the recent increase on a driver-developed technique used to go undetected by the cameras – known as 'avoiding the sniper' – in which drivers speed up and slow down in quick succession.

"Once they passed the camera, drivers would accelerate away again - which really renders the cameras useless," Mr Humphries told the Independent.

The official would also like to see regulations in place to reduce the number of young drivers in powerful vehicles, rather than relying on car insurance costs. (as discussed)

"We would also like to see compulsory training for high-powered cars, especially for younger drivers - at the moment the only thing stopping them driving them is the insurance cost, rather than the law," he said.

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