YOU'VE got to slow down was the message to motorist Suzette Birch from the West Mercia Safety Camera Partnership this week.

Angry about receiving three speeding tickets when she claimed she was driving just slightly over the limit, Mrs Birch featured in last week's Malvern Gazette.

A disabled widow who would find life impossible without a car, she is just three points away from a court appearance that could result in her losing her driving licence.

"I couldn't get any worse treated if I was a drink driver," she said.

Richard Fowler, operations manager for the safety camera partnership, was so concerned he and communications manager Chris Ammonds visited Mrs Birch's Welland home to discuss the issue.

He revealed that, on the two occasions Mrs Birch was caught speeding in Drake Street, Welland, she was travelling at 43 mph and 44 mph respectively, not the 32 or 33mph she believed she was driving.

Showing her photographic evidence, he said: "It's not just slightly over the speed limit, it's a case of significantly.

"We're not out to get you, we're not in a position to.

"The only person to put yourself in that position is you, by the speed that you go through any of our sites."

Mr Fowler has arranged for Mrs Birch to have a driving assessment with the Institute of Advanced Motorists to help her maintain the legal speed limit more easily.

With her questions answered, Mrs Birch is now coming to terms with her situation.

"I just thought I was doing 30mph, but I obviously wasn't," she said.

"But the proof is there for me to see."

Questions and Answers: 1) What speed do you have to travel to be speeding?

You can travel 10 per cent over the national speed limit plus two mph before you are technically speeding. For example, in the case of a 30 mph zone this would be 35mph.

2) What is a conditional offer?

If you accept a conditional offer you agree you were speeding, pay the £60 fine, and accept the points.

Refusing to accept the offer involves a court appearance. If found guilty you will still get three points, but the fine may be increased.

Drivers travelling more than 20mph over the national speed limit go straight to court.

3) What happens if I am caught speeding a third time?

When a driver has eight or more points on their licence and are again caught speeding, they must go to court.

A magistrate will consider the situation but being disqualified from driving is more than likely.

Mr Fowler said only exceptional hardship would prevent disqualification and this did not include people such as lorry drivers, who drive to make a living.

4) Why are you punishing local people with speeding fines?

Mr Fowler explained that Welland Parish Council had requested the cameras due to the history of speeding and accidents in the village.

He said local people should be aware of camera sites, making it easier for them to slow down.

Speed limits and camera signs are clearly displayed. In the case of mobile cameras, speeds are not gauged until the vehicle has passed the recording van, which is also clearly marked.

"If we get speeds down then we bring casualties down. All we're concerned with is bringing casualties down. It's the sole purposed for our existence."

He added: "We're the only organisation I can think of that's trying to make ourselves redundant."

5) Are the cameras in Welland slowing drivers down?

Taking Drake Street as an example. In January 2005, 78 per cent of vehicles were exceeding the speed limit. In June 2006, after the camera had gone up, this reduced to 63 per cent. When Mrs Birch said "That's still a lot," Mr Fowler replied "That's why the cameras are there."

6) Statistics released last week show that more accidents are caused by drivers being distracted than by speed. Surely I'm distracted if I'm constantly looking at my speedometer?

According to Mr Fowler it only takes a momentary glance to check your speed.

With time, drivers can tell the speed they are travelling by the sound of the motor and what gear they are in. Slowing people down by just one per cent cuts casualties by five per cent.

7) Where does the money made from speeding fines go?

All fines go towards running the partnership, with any surplus going to the Government.

Department of Transport figures show that each fatal accident costs the community £1.3million. The figures also show that there is an 800 per cent drop in casualty rates at camera sites.

8) Why are the penalties so stiff? I wasn't driving at 60 or 70mph past a school.

Mr Fowler said he was unable to deal with legislation issues.

He did say that the Goverment was considering reducing penalties for people driving slightly over the legal limit, but Mrs Birch was driving too fast on the two occasions she was caught speeding in Welland for this to apply.

"All motorists must and should adhere to the speed limit," added Mr Fowler.