We spoke to several...

We spoke to several safety partnerships - the groups which look after the cameras - and found workers are told to walk across busy dual carriageways to load new film cartridges.

One technician, who wanted to remain anonymous, told us: "We"ve got one central reservation camera, and it hasn"t been used for ages! You"re expected to cross the road and dodge cars, then stand between two crash barriers to do the work. There are health and safety issues, which is why the technicians don"t like doing it."

As the cameras are only supposed to be located at accident hotspots in the first place, it"s easy to see his point! A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers said: "Each site will have been assessed for health and safety requirements at installation. The police have a duty of care to all staff."