A road safety expert today hit back at critics who attacked speed cameras as revenue-earners which don't save lives.

The popular TV programme Top Gear and some national newspapers have criticised cameras, saying they do little to reduce the tally of accidents and are merely money-making machines for the police.

But Emma Rogers, of the Sussex Safety Camera Partnership (SSCP), insisted cameras had saved lives in Sussex.

She said: "I believe road safety-conscious Sussex residents realise cameras are installed where crashes have happened to remind drivers to stick to speed limits, thereby saving lives."

New cameras at critical points on the A24 Horsham/Worthing road would slow traffic to 60mph and save lives.

Warning signs, including flashing vehicle-activated 60mph devices, would be installed before cameras.

"This should be enough warning and mean motorists drive at sensible speeds."

Ms Rogers insisted cameras were not there to raise funds for the police or any local authority.

"Speeding fine money is ploughed back into paying for camera maintenance, running and staff costs, publicity and associated road safety education projects such as the popular and newly-launched speed indicator device which smiles or grimaces at drivers depending on their speed.

"Fixed speed cameras, mobile cameras and red light-jumping cameras are installed at crash hotspots where people have been killed or seriously injured.

"If drivers thought cameras were revenue-makers, what reason would they give for them to be coloured bright yellow, well signed and publicised on the web site (www.sussexsafetycameras.gov.uk) and in local media?

"The SSCP is striving to have no one caught on camera. That would mean drivers and riders sticking to limits.

"There would be far fewer speed-related crashes and many lives saved.

"It's a well-publicised fact that each fatality in Sussex costs the community more than £1 million. The emotional cost is priceless.

"Slowing down through crash hotspots could mean the difference between life or death, not just for a driver or rider but for an unsuspecting pedestrian who is crossing a road.

"Instead of national campaigns against cameras, why not look at the life-saving benefits of cameras and lower speeds and campaign for drivers to stick to the limits instead?

"Fewer lives would be lost and no one would be fined £60.

"And surely the 'highway robbery' spoken of in the national Press is self-inflicted? No one is forcing drivers to speed through cameras.

"What about those who 'rob' families of their loved ones by travelling just one or two miles an hour too fast?

"The onus is on motorists to concentrate at all times when driving."

Ms Rogers said 87 people had been killed on Sussex roads this year, seven more than in 2002 but 15 fewer than in 2001.

She said: "Research has shown that about one third of crashes are related to inappropriate speeds, which means almost 30 people have been unnecessarily killed."

Sussex Police attributed the higher number of fatal crashes this year to an increased number of motorbike accidents.

The Argus reported in September how speed cameras were trapping up to 1,000 drivers a week in Sussex.

Each offender faced a £60 fine, meaning they collectively paid up to £60,000 a week.