SPEED cameras could soon be cropping up at thousands of new locations if rules governing their siting are relaxed.

Motorists in Dorset and Hampshire face the prospect of mobile and fixed cameras on dozens more roads if the Department of Transport changes the current rules.

The government agreed to a review after police chiefs claimed more lives could be saved if they had more flexibility over where to put the controversial cameras.

The news is certain to anger thousands of motorists who claim the cameras are more about raising cash than saving lives.

Research reveals that drivers in the south are already subject to the highest concentration of mobile cameras in Britain.

"We want more flexibility in where we use cameras" said Ian Bell of the Association of Chief Police Officers. "People are slowing down for the cameras but the deaths are still happening elsewhere, where the rules prevent us from using cameras."

A total of £5.5 million was raised in less than two years by the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, which currently operates 45 fixed safety camera sites, 62 mobile safety camera sites and 24 red-light safety camera sites.

Pat Garrett, the DSCP's head of Fixed Penalties, said: "Our entire operation of safety cameras in Dorset meets the current criteria set down by the Department for Transport.

"The DSCP also has the ability to utilise up to 15 per cent of camera time in responding to local concerns, road works and speed complaints reflecting a direct response to communities' anxieties regarding road safety in Dorset.

"The DSCP is focused on reducing fatal and serious injuries on Dorset's roads. There is vast evidence to show that motorists who speed increase their risk of being involved in a collision and that this 'speeding culture' poses a real risk to other road users."

Fixed cameras:

A site qualifies for a camera if the following rules apply:

There have been at least four collisions involving death or serious injury in the previous three years.

At least 20 per cent of drivers exceed the speed limit.

Mobile cameras:

There have been at least two collisions involving death or serious injury in the previous three years.

At least 20 per cent of drivers exceed the speed limit.

In 15 per cent of cases, a mobile camera can be sited at locations "of local concern" and not necessarily fitting the above criteria.

First published: February 10