UK roads could be safer without speed limits and cameras, a campaign group has claimed.

FiT Roads cited the example of Swindon borough council, which has voted to stop the £400,000 annual funding for its speed cameras because it feels they are responsible for an unnecessary tax on motorists.

The body claims the move is a sign "some commonsense is filtering through", adding that posted speed limits license motorists to drive at that speed, and if they were abolished, motorists would be free to show they are a better judge of the appropriate speed to drive than absent regulators.

Chad Dornsife, a traffic researcher, said when speed limits were removed in the US state of Montana in 1995, fatalities fell to an all-time low, average speeds remained almost the same and there was an improvement in lane courtesy.

"The desired effect of speed limits is achieved by removing them," he added.

Earlier this week, price comparison website elephant.co.uk conducted research indicating experienced as well as novice drivers need to brush up on their knowledge of the Highway Code.