Mobile speed detection units will be deployed to more locations

Police speed detection cameras are to be introduced at 43 accident hotspots in Avon and Somerset.

The locations - spread across the force area - will be visited regularly by mobile camera teams as part of a safety initiative.

Since the introduction of Safety Camera Partnership patrols six months ago there has been a 13% drop in the number of people injured in crashes on roads covered by cameras.

Project manager Dick Bowen said: "The enforcement of speed limits using camera technology has meant hundreds of people and their families have avoided the suffering and trauma resulting from a crash.

Injury accidents

"The reduction in road casualties has also helped to ease some of the pressures on our local emergency and health services.

"We will continue to monitor accident statistics to highlight locations where there appear to be high numbers of injury accidents.

"Action can then be taken to reduce traffic speed and the number of collisions and casualties."

There are now 58 yellow roadside safety cameras in the Avon and Somerset area with mobile speed detection cameras being used at a further 181 locations, including the 43 new sites.

The Safety Camera Partnership in Avon and Somerset was formed by local highways and health authorities, police, the magistrates' courts service, Crown Prosecution Service and Highways Agency.