Three new speed cameras were installed in Sussex yesterday, bringing the county's total to 56.

During a week-long survey at one of the sites, a massive 96 per cent or 11,400 vehicles were over the speed limit.

News of the new cameras follows criticism speed traps are just money-making machines for the Government.

One temporary set of cameras in Lewes Road, Brighton, netted fines totalling £750,000.

Most of the cash was ploughed back into more cameras and road safety improvements but some went into Government coffers.

The Sussex Safety Camera Partnership (SSCP), which installs cameras, argued they were only placed at crash black spots and were successful in reducing casualties.

Serious injury crashes and deaths were cut 31 per cent at fixed camera sites in Sussex last year. Saving lives by cutting speed was the reason the partnership gave for installing the new cameras.

They are on the A24 at Dial Post, the A264 at Slinfold and the A27 coming into Worthing from the west.

On the A24 southbound, the camera is designed to protect the crossover junction near a nursery.

The partnership said during a three-year period on a 750 metres stretch around the camera site there were eight injury crashes, three of which were serious or fatal, and 30 per cent of vehicles were travelling above the speed limit.

At Slinfold there have been eight injury crashes including four serious or fatal and 75 per cent of vehicles were above the limit. But by far the largest percentage of speeders were at the third site, on the A27 near Cote Street, Worthing. Ninety-six per cent of vehicles were clocked above the speed limit during a week-long survey.

During the three-year study there were ten injury crashes with four serious or fatal.

The SSCP said the reason for the high-number of speeders was drivers leaving the 70mph A27 not slowing quickly enough before reaching the 40mph limit near Cote Street.

Emma Rogers, SSCP communications manager, said: "These cameras are all on vulnerable stretches of road where many people have been injured or killed.

"If we can prevent just one crash happening by reminding people of the speed limits then we will have done a good job."

Ms Rogers said the cameras will go live within three weeks.

Friday May 13, 2005