London's first yellow speed traps go to work

Speed cameras will have to be painted yellow to maximise their visibility for motorists, the Government ordered today.

Transport minister John Spellar also said that no camera housing should be hidden behind hedges, bridges or trees, after complaints from motoring organisations that drivers were being "tricked".

Some speed cameras have been tucked behind road signs or painted black, and are hard to spot at night. In future, cameras will have to be visible to drivers from 60 metres in areas controlled by 40mph limits or below. On roads with higher limits, they must be visible from 100 metres.

Camera warnings and speedlimit reminders must also be placed within 1km of fixed and mobile camera sites. Warning signs must only be placed in areas where there really are cameras, said Mr Spellar. He also said that police operating mobile speed cameras must wear fluorescent clothing, and their vehicles should be similarly marked.

Speed-camera sites will have to be reviewed every six months to ensure that the regulations are being observed.

Mr Spellar said the rules would be binding on every police force applying to join the "netting-off " scheme, where money from fines is re-invested in more cameras at accident blackspots.

He added: "I hope that this will reinforce the message that cameras are there to save lives at places where there is a history of speed-related accidents. They are not a means of raising money."