THERE has been a drop of 64 per cent in the number of people injured in collisions each year at speed camera sites in Wiltshire, a report has shown.

The figures, released by the Department of Transport this week, show there has been an average reduction by 40 per cent of deaths and serious injuries at speed camera sites nationwide.

As well as a drop in deaths and injuries at sites where speed cameras are used, average speeds fell by about seven per cent or 2.4 mph and the number of vehicles speeding at new sites dropped by more than 70 per cent.

The Department of Transport said 79 per cent of people surveyed support the use of cameras.

Transport secretary Alistair Darling said: "These figures prove that cameras save lives.

"Up to 10 people are killed on our roads each day. We owe it to them and their families to do everything we can to improve road safety even further."

Executive director of the RAC Foundation, Edmund King, said: "A 40 per cent reduction in those killed or seriously injured at camera sites is a victory for all those campaigning for safer roads.

"We believe the Government should conduct a wider review of its policy on speeding, and also ensure better targeting of offenders of other crimes such as drink-driving."

The Association of British Drivers said road deaths were increasing.