Mixed messages on speed cameras

WARNING signs alerting drivers to the presence of speed cameras will continue to be removed from roadsides in France, and will be replaced at each site with an interactive speed display, the government has confirmed.

Interior minister Claude Guéant and prime minister François Fillon contradicted each other yesterday when asked about the controversial plan, which many MPs from the UMP party feared could alienate voters ahead of next year's elections.

Guéant appeared to announce a U-turn on the proposal, saying no more signs would be removed without a local consultation. However, Fillon announced a few minutes earlier that the government would not be going back on the plans.

Later that evening, Guéant changed his tone and announced in an interview with France 2 that the signs would still be removed. He insisted there was no disagreement between him and the prime minister.

Every sign that is taken away will be replaced by an interactive display telling drivers whether they are breaking the limit and allowing them to correct their speed before they reach the actual camera.

"There will always be a speed display before a fixed speed camera," Guéant said. The signs would be placed at a "random" distance ahead of the camera - sometimes a few kilometres.

Philippe Meunier, one of the MPs who had protested about the plan, said the group was happy with the changes.

However road safety body La Ligue Contre la Violence Routière said replacing static warning signs with interactive displays would not do anything to reduce the number of road deaths, which President Sarkozy wants to fall below the 3,000 mark next year.

Last year almost 4,000 people died in road accidents in France, and the first four months of this year have seen an increase on 2011.