SPEED cameras at accident blackspots across Kent have saved an estimated 37 people from being killed or seriously injured.

That's the claim made by the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership following analysis of accidents at mobile and fixed camera sites over the past 15 months.

The 40 per cent reduction was achieved with the installation of safety cameras at speed related hotspots across Kent and Medway to reduce road casualties.

The figures relate to the partnership's first 15 months of operation from July 2002 to September 2003 inclusive.

In the three years prior to July 2002 there were 189 killed or seriously injury accidents at all fixed and mobile sites, including 79 in the 15 month period. In the 15 months to September there were 42 people killed or seriously injured, which means statistically 37 lives have been saved.

KMSCP spokeswoman Rachel Moon said: "The significant reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on the county's roads is excellent news and confirms that speed cameras are a vital tool in reducing road casualties.

"Motorists who are helping us to cut crashes by slowing down deserve considerable praise.

"Sadly however there are still the minority who are breaking the law and we ask them to take responsibility for their own driving and stay within the limit."

The partnership comprises Kent County Council, Medway Council, Kent Police, the Highways Agency and Kent Magistrates' Court Service.

It aims to reduce death and serious injuries on Kent's roads by deterring drivers from speeding and to improve the quality of life for the community.

KMSCP is part of a national initiative that enables government to keep some of the money from speeding fines for more cameras at accident sites where excessive speed was a significant factor.

It also goes towards road safety education and publicity about the issues surrounding excessive or inappropriate speed.

The money can only be used for these purposes and cannot be used to pay for any other police or local authority activity. KMSCP is a non-profit making organisation.

In its first financial year the partnership invested £1.3m into road safety education and camera maintenance, none of which came from the public purse.