DRIVERS are being urged to remain patient in the coming weeks during an expected surge in the number of cars on the roads.

The effect of speed cameras on 35 Teesside roads has been to almost halve the number of deaths and serious injuries.

But there are concerns that the good work will be undone as more traffic hits the roads with the new school term and the end of the summer holidays.

Inspector Steve Lawson, head of Cleveland Police's road policing unit, said: "There is no doubt that speed cameras have had a great influence on the manner of driving by people throughout Cleveland. The care they are taking, their consideration for speed and other road users has had this beneficial effect.

"However, this is the time of year when children are going back to school, roads get busier, the nights are cutting in and statistics show that unfortunately we can expect a rise in the number of fatal crashes.''

The police chief added: "So far this year serious accidents are down by almost 50 percent.

"The changing attitudes of drivers has made our roads safer and I want to encourage people not to drop their guard. We are heading in the right direction and we want to keep the momentum up.

"One fatal accident is one too many but we have now seen quite a dramatic reduction in such incidents and I would like this downward drive to continue.''

Road safety messages put out on local radio are being stepped up and next month will see a regional launch of a campaign appealing to drivers to observe road crossing patrols at Normanby, near Middlesbrough.

Eight people were killed on Teesside's roads in the first eight months of 2002. In the previous two years the figure has stood at 14 by the end of August.

Stockton Borough Council road safety team leader Neil Ellison said: "The increase in traffic from next week will cause a lot more frustration and there will be a temptation to cut corners.

"We would urge drivers to be patient and, in particular, to watch out for kids when driving."