The average number of people killed or seriously injured at road safety camera sites has dropped 56% since the cameras were enforced, a Scottish Government report has revealed.

Published by the Scottish Government under the safety camera programme, the report validates the case for the cameras based on data reviewed three years before their installation.

The report revealed that at mobile camera sites the number of people killed or seriously injured has fallen from 261 to 111 per year, while at red-light camera sites personal injury accident numbers fell from 119 to 62 per year.

The number of personal injury accidents per year at all safety camera sites are 39% lower after enforcement, which shows a reduction from 1,170 to 710 per year.

The number of people issued with a fixed penalty after being caught exceeding the speed limit or running a red-light at a safety camera site has also reduced by more than half over the past five years.

About 70% of respondents to the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2008-09 agree that safety cameras help discourage dangerous driving and help prevent accidents, while 80% say people should see the use of road safety cameras as a good thing.

The report showed understanding of the purpose of safety cameras is mixed, with most agreeing that safety cameras help to prevent accidents, while more than half believe safety cameras are no more than an easy way for the government to make money.

Director of policy Neil Greig said it is clear that safety cameras still provide good value for money and they should remain part of the road safety tool kit.