Radars to measure average speed

NEW speed cameras that measure a car's average speed over several kilometres are to be introduced on French roads by early next year.

Road safety bosses say the new devices will help get the number of deaths on the roads below the 3,000-a-year mark and give a more accurate reading than fixed cameras.

The system uses two cameras separated by several kilometres on a stretch of road. Both cameras scan the vehicle's number plate and calculate the time taken to travel from the first to the second.

This then gives an average speed over that distance, instead of a single reading from a fixed point.

The devices have been tested out on the A10 in Orleans since 2003 and are already used in the UK, Italy and Germany.

Road safety charities have welcomed the move. They say the system is more accurate because drivers tend to slow down briefly when they approach a fixed speed cameras.

Measuring average speed over a longer distance will encourage motorists to remain vigilant for longer.

Last year 4,292 people were killed on French roads - down by just 0.3% on the 2008 figure.