Drivers say they are more effective in slowing down traffic.
Four out of five van drivers believe that average speed cameras are more effective and play a greater role in road safety, than traditional cameras that catch speeding drivers in one location, according to research from the RAC.
A survey of more than 2,000 found that 79% believe average speed cameras are better at slowing down vehicles compared to just one in 10 (9%) who felt single location cameras were more effective.
While 70% of those questioned felt traditional speed cameras were effective at getting drivers to slow down at their specific location, 80% said they made little difference beyond where they are sited.
In contrast average speed cameras, which work over longer distances between two or more locations, were thought to be far better at getting drivers to stick to the speed limit, with 86% claiming they were very (38%) or reasonably (48%) effective. Only 12% did not believe them to be very effective.
When asked if they felt one type of camera was fairer on motorists, nearly half (46%) said that it was not a question of whether one is fairer than the other, but that they are both there to improve road safety.
However, a quarter (25%) believe average speed cameras are fairer on drivers while one in five (18%) maintained there was no difference. Only 7% said fixed, one location speed cameras were fairer on motorists.
Among those who thought average speed cameras were fairer, 81% claim they promote a smoother driving style and more consistent driving speeds, rather than drivers hitting the brakes to conform to the limit briefly when driving past a single location camera.
Just over half (53%) believe they are fairer to drivers that accidentally drift above the speed limit very briefly and 17% think that the signage used to highlight them is better and easier for drivers to take in.
More than a third of those surveyed (37%) believe speed cameras are intended to improve road safety by slowing down drivers at accident blackspots and places of danger, while 36% say they are there to both improve road safety and raise revenue from drivers.
Just over a quarter (27%) are more cynical claiming they are primarily about raising cash from drivers.
These findings show there is now a strong acceptance that they are there to help save lives and prevent casualties on the road, although more than a third claim they are about both road safety and raising revenue
