The number of motorists caught by speed cameras each month in Staffordshire has halved, the county council claimed today.

Over the last two years the number of tickets issued to speeding motorists from fixed and mobile speed cameras reduced from over 7,600 to 3,500 each month, say highways chiefs.

At the same time Staffordshire has become the top road safety county in the United Kingdom.

Bosses at the council claim the figures are proof speed cameras are not about making money from drivers.

And they have pledged cameras will be removed from areas which no longer need them.

Road chiefs say the key aim of speed cameras has been to make roads safer.

Staffordshire does not financially benefit from the money raised from motorists who are fined.

The number of casualties at camera locations remains low, with an average drop of over 60 per cent compared to the pre-camera situation.

Staffordshire is officially the safest county in England for road accidents – with less than half the casualties of other comparative councils.

Staffordshire’s roads suffer just over three casualties per 100,000 miles, compared with more than four in Shropshire and Warwickshire, over six for Cheshire and Derbyshire, and eight for Nottinghamshire.

Staffordshire’s cabinet member for highways Mike Maryon said: “Cameras are just a small part of driving home the road safety message. Those who claim they are there to make money are simply looking for an excuse for their dangerous driving. Speeding can kill. Drivers have a duty of care to the communities they drive through,” he said.