Forthcoming research from the University of Liverpool in England concludes that speed camera enforcement does not produce a significant safety benefit. "We could not detect a significant change in fatal and serious crashes at camera sites," the study concluded.

Led by Dr. Linda Mountain, the researchers examined data from 149 sites with a 30 MPH speed limit. The results suggest previous claims to a safety benefit rely on an error known as "regression to the mean." This happens when cameras are placed at locations that have a temporary spike in the number of accidents that -- with or without the cameras -- naturally drop back to normal. The UK government funded the study which will be published in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention.

"It was a surprise," Dr. Mountain said yesterday revealing the outcome of the investigation. "I had expected to find some reduction."

In response, Safe Speed road safety campaign founder said: "Far from saving lives [speed cameras] have displaced genuine life saving road safety policies resulting in considerable loss of life."