Speed cameras not too visible, AA insists

The AA has rejected road safety campaigners' complaints that policies to identify speed cameras — so that drivers know exactly where they are and don't get caught — have gone too far.

"Not far enough," insisted AA Public Relations Director Mr Toad as he took me for a spin in his Porsche during an attempt to beat the round-the-M25 speed record, currently held by his counterpart at the RAC.

Painting speeds cameras bright yellow to cut the number of motorists caught on film has not led to a big enough reduction in prosecutions for the AA. "We're only concerned that our members are not victimised. The odd thousand or two pedestrians a year killed is a burden we're willing to bear. But what about Ford Focus man who needs to keep his licence?"

The AA has unveiled a list of five measures that they hope will improve matters for drivers:

• All speed cameras to only to be switched on between the hours of three and four in the morning.
• All speed cameras to be illuminated by searchlights and flashing lights.
• All speed cameras to be sited only at the very end of residential cul-de-sacs.
• All speed cameras have a man waving a red flag standing 400 metres down the road to let motorists know what's coming.
• All speed cameras to have no film in.

The AA insists that they do not in any way condone speeding. "Of course not," huffed Mr Toad. "How could you suggest such a thing of a respected public organisation?"