EXTENSIVE use of speed cameras at 41 sites in Wiltshire have cut excessive speed, reduced casualties and saved the health service money, claims Wiltshire Road Safety Partnership.

Drivers have cut their speeds at 72 per cent of safety camera sites in Wiltshire. Since the safety camera project was set up in April 2002, there has been a steady increase in fixed and mobile cameras on Wiltshire's roads.

"For every one mph by which drivers cut down their speed, there is a five per cent reduction in collisions," said manager of the partnership's safety camera unit David Frampton.

There has been a corresponding reduction in the number of hospital bed days used by collision casualties.

From April until June 2002, 764 hospital bed days were taken by road traffic collision casualties.

But the latest available figures, from October to December 2002, show 718 bed days used.

An orthopaedic bed costs £1,000 per day.