In the forward to the new Philips Road Atlas released today, Stephen Mesquitacomplains that speed cameras are badly managed confusing and ineffective.

Safe Speed agrees and adds that the overall effect on road safety has proved tobe negative.

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign(www.safespeed.org.uk) said: "Speed cameras are supported only by dodgystatistics, false assumptions and a huge spin machine. They never havedelivered a general improvement to road safety and never will."

"Speed cameras are flawed to the core. and not fit for any purpose."