A HEADTEACHER has joined calls to motorists to reduce their speed to save lives.

Alan Gill, assistant headteacher at the Manor College of Technology, in Hartlepool, is backing the Cleveland Safety Camera Partnership's campaign to force drivers to take their foot off the accelerator.

Latest figures show there are still 55,462 motorists regularly breaking speed limits across Teesside - two years after the introduction of roadside speed cameras.

This compares to 121,999 before the safety cameras were introduced.

Mr Gill said the problem, combined with irresponsible parking, meant there was "an accident waiting to happen" outside the school.

He said: "We fully endorse Cleveland Safety Camera Partnership in their efforts to reduce speeding and thereby saving lives through monitoring traffic on roads throughout our region.

"Over 1,000 pupils each day cross the busy road directly in front of our college. Motorists who choose to ignore the 30mph speed restriction are not only risking their own life, but the lives of others."

He said: "Owton Manor Lane is an extremely narrow road and the safety problem is further compounded when parents park in front of the school to drop off and pick up children.

"It is an accident waiting to happen.''

Speed cameras were installed on 33 roads on Teesside three years ago this month.

Former Cleveland Police traffic inspector Mick Bennett, of the Cleveland Safety Camera Partnership, said: "At the end of the day we are trying to get the message across to motorists that the safety cameras are there for their own safety.

"All we are asking is for drivers to stick to the speed limit.

"Camera warning signs should be a reminder to motorists that people have either been killed or seriously injured on these roads."

Motorists wanting more information about the partnership can visit the website at www.clevelandsafetycameras.co.uk