Arrive Alive brought in nearly �2m in fines in nine months

The Arrive Alive initiative was launched in 2001 in response to government targets to bring about a 40% reduction in injuries on UK roads by 2010.

A total of 38,000 tickets, totalling �1.84m were issued between April and December 2002, with the majority of fines being paid.

Under the project, a motorist caught speeding on the regions roads receives a fixed penalty of �60.

The scheme has been criticised by many drivers who claim North Wales Police are making money from the project.

Cost effective

However, speaking at a Police Authority meeting on Friday, Deputy Chief Constable Bill Brereton said the money goes straight back into Arrive Alive.

He said it was therefore neither operating at a loss nor a profit.

The cost of running the scheme - in partnership with other bodies such as county councils and the North Wales Health Authority - is �1.45m.

North Wales Police contribute �1.22m.

Police Authority chairman Barry Harrison said it is important to release the cost of running Arrive Alive to members of the public to dispel rumours that the scheme is expensive and reduces policing elsewhere.