Speed cameras have dramatically reduced the number of people killed or seriously injured in car crashes at danger spots.

New figures released by the Sussex Safety Camera Partnership (SSCP) show serious and fatal collisions dropped by 56 per cent at fixed camera sites during the 12 months to April last year.

The partnership's annual review found the reduction was even better at mobile camera sites, where serious and fatal collisions were cut by 69 per cent.

Gloria Marshall, from Crawley, whose son and daughter died in the major A23 crash at Pyecombe in May 2004, said: "There is a lot of opposition to speed cameras and I think it's because people have the perception that they are a money-making machine for the government.

"Anything that's going to make you slow down is there for all our benefit."

Mrs Marshall said the Government should take note of the figures, in the light of the recent announcement that road safety improvements to the A23 will be delayed until 2011 and no speed cameras are planned.

She said: "These things do work. We don't want people dying, or having to experience what we have experienced."

The number of drivers exceeding a 30mph speed limit at camera sites dropped from 60.1 per cent to 15.1 per cent.

The partnership inherited 30 fixed cameras and 28 red light cameras from local authorities when it was formed in 2002.

There are now 129 fixed, mobile and red light cameras across Sussex.

Andrew Heard, head of road safety at the AA Motorists Trust, said most camera partnerships showed similar dramatic results in their first few years as they tackled the most dangerous areas. However, these tended to slow up after the worst sites were tackled.

Mr Heard said that partnerships and local authorities should also consider other road safety initiatives.

Next year there will be a major change in the way cameras and road safety are financed.

Mr Heard said: "It will change from a system in which local authorities can get the costs of installing cameras back from fine revenue, to one where they can apply for a share of a grant."

Money from the grant can be used for any kind of road safety project.