The Safe Speed 'Camera Meltdown Countdown' was advanced from 2 days to 24 hours today.

Like its grandfather, the 'doomsday clock' of the cold war era, the Meltdown Countdown is a sort of 'temperature test', and is not a literal indication. It gives an indication of how close we are to finally scrapping all speed cameras.

The Camera Meltdown Countdown was launched in 2004, set at 90 days.

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign(www.safespeed.org.uk) said: "The  moment when speed cameras are finally removed from our roads draws ever nearer. It is no longer a question of 'if'; it is a question of 'when'."

"I am absolutely certain from my own research that speed cameras have made our roads considerably more dangerous, and the sooner they are scrapped the more lives we will save. It really is that simple."