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More traffic police officers call More traffic police officers call
(about 3 hours later)
A report by MPs is expected to call for more police officers to enforce speeding laws, and relaxation of rules limiting the siting of speed cameras. Britain's roads need more police officers to enforce traffic laws, a report by MPs is expected to warn.
The report by the Transport Select Committee is likely to say that, while the number of speed cameras has risen, there should be more officers too. The Transport Select Committee will say there are fewer officers on patrol and fewer breath tests being taken, but more people being injured or killed.
There are fewer officers on patrol than there were a decade ago. However, the MPs will also argue that there should be more speed cameras to help the police.
However, the MPs are expected to call for less stringent rules on where cameras are allowed to be installed. Committee chairman Gwyneth Dunwoody said cameras were a useful tool but could not replace officers.
In its report Roads Policing and Technology - Getting the Balance Right, the committee is expected to say the change in emphasis is because money from fines is spent on more cameras. The report, Roads Policing and Technology - Getting the Balance Right, is expected to call for a change in emphasis because money from fines is spent on more cameras.
More officers And Ms Dunwoody, a Labour MP, said senior officers often cut traffic policing to help to balance their budgets.
Camera rules
She warned that declining numbers of officers on patrol had led to fewer breath tests, but there has been many more casualties because of drink-driving.
"You can't assume that a camera is going to replace somebody who can assess when a driver has been drinking or has been taking drugs that make them unable to drive," she said.
"Many local people could tell you, there are very difficult areas where we think that a speed camera could make all the difference.
"It's a good tool ... but don't assume that it's automatically going to replace a policeman."
The government has already said fines will be spent on more safety measures than just cameras next year.The government has already said fines will be spent on more safety measures than just cameras next year.
Opponents have bitterly criticised the emphasis on electronic policing.Opponents have bitterly criticised the emphasis on electronic policing.
The committee is likely to say cameras should not replace people in enforcing traffic law and that more officers, as well as more cameras, are needed. Currently, cameras can only be installed in areas where there is a record of deaths and serious injuries.
It is also expected to call for relaxation of the rule which prevents cameras being installed unless there is a record of deaths and serious injuries in the area. The MPs are expected to call for relaxation of that rule.