by Brian Byrne. Fines based on traffic cameras in Britain jumped by 45 percent in 2003 compared to the year before, to 1.9 million.
The figures reflect the more than doubling of regional police forces which were part of a controversial traffic camera 'partnership' where they could spend a portion of the proceeds on increasing the camera network even more.
The UK-based RAC Foundation said cameras were not changing drivers' behaviour, but could even be endangering lives by failing to spot careless driving or driving while under the influence of drugs.
Legislation is currently under consideration in Ireland to allow similar 'partnerships', in effect a privatisation of the speed camera system.
