THE number of deaths and

serious injuries has plummeted on roads in the two counties where speed cameras have been installed.

Annual figures from West Mercia Safety Camera Partnership compared the number of collisions from the three-year period before cameras were installed with the number after cameras were operational for at least 11 months.

On those roads that are monitored by cameras, there was an average of 2.1 collisions per year in which someone was killed or seriously injured - down from 17.7 per year before the cameras were put up.

Motorists have also reduced their speed on roads where cameras operate. Before installation, 63.2 per cent exceeded the limit, but that fell to 22.9 per cent.

Trevor McAvoy, the project manager of the Safety Camera Partnership, said the figures proved speed cameras worked.

"While much more remains to be done, these results show the valuable contribution being made by the safety camera programme," he said.

"It is very important for us to produce an annual review in order to report to the partner agencies and the public so we are giving out information and enabling people to understand what it is we are doing.

"This partnership has done everything that we can to answer questions. Letters that come to me very often get a prompt response. I get replies saying 'Thank you for the prompt response'."

In Worcestershire there are presently 11 static camera sites, such as City Walls Road, Worcester, and nine mobile camera sites, such as Woodgreen Drive in Warndon Villages.