The Daily Echo reported that a Bournemouth inquest heard how the sight of a speed camera van could have led to an accident in which an experienced motorcyclist died on the A338 Spur Road at Bournemouth.

Timothy Rowsell, 64, from Burley, lost his life after braking too hard on April 9 when he crashed near the Cooper Dean flyover.

A speed camera van was parked on the verge at the time.

A Dorset Road Safe spokesman said: “Safety cameras are used as part of an overall road safety strategy.

“As a result, road fatalities have fallen from 52 in 2002/2003 to 18 in 2009/2010.”

Commenting on the inquest into Mr Rowsell’s death, Dorset’s Assistant Chief Constable Mike Glanville, chair of the Dorset Road Safety Strategic Partnership, said: “This was a tragic accident and our condolences go to his family at this difficult time.”

He added: “The matter was initially referred to the IPCC who concluded there was no concern regarding the actions of Dorset Police or Dorset Road Safe.

“It was also concluded that the siting of the speed camera was entirely appropriate and in line with force procedure.”

The Assistant Chief Constable added: “We have no plans, at this stage in time, to change the policy on the deployment of mobile speed cameras across the county.”