By Ben Webster, Transport Correspondent March 11, 2002
DANGEROUS drivers are escaping punishment because police forces are increasingly relying on speed cameras to do the work of traffic officers.
Police are catching fewer people for stealing cars, drink and drug-driving, and careless or dangerous driving, according to Home Office figures for forces in England and Wales. The only type of motoring offence to have registered any increase is speeding, which leapt by 18 per cent in 2000 because of the huge rise in the number of speed cameras.................
.............The number of police devoted to traffic duties has fallen from 15 per cent of all officers in 1990 to less than 5 per cent..............
.................Stopping motorists helped to detect other crimes, Mr King [RAC Foundation’s executive director]said. More than 65 per cent of drivers committing serious traffic offences had criminal records...........
From:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2-232439,00.html