Speed cameras and lower speed limits urged

A study by Israeli and U.S. researchers indicates reducing speed limits and the use of speed cameras could reduce road deaths in the United States.

The study, led by Professor Elihu Richter of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, recommends a large-scale test of speed camera networks in the United States, where small increases in travel speeds resulted in a sustained death toll of more than 42,000 road deaths per year in the 1990s.

The use of speed cameras is commonplace in other nations, notably Britain, Australia and France, researchers said. In Britain, the installation of speed cameras, traffic circles and other measures during the 1990s were credited with reducing road deaths by 33.9 percent.

The researchers also noted the increase in U.S. speed limits in some states from 55 mph during 1995 resulted in a 15-percent rise in interstate highway fatal accidents.

The study appears in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International