Drivers face new crackdown on motorway speeding

Motorists could no longer be reduce any slack when it comes to the 70mph limit thanks to the roll-out of a new wave of motorway speed cameras.

Drivers on motorways about the UK are facing a significantly greater danger of becoming fined for exceeding the 70mph speed limit.

This is due to the roll-out of the Smart motorway scheme, in which varying speed limits are enforced at various times of day to help smooth the flow of visitors.

‘Unfair approach’

Intelligent motorways, which so far contain components of the M1, M2, M6 and M25, handle targeted traffic utilizing a series of overhead gantries with variable speed-limit signs and speed cameras.

Nonetheless, official figures show that the cameras are not only being employed to catch motorists who exceed decrease speed limits.

Over current months, thousands of drivers are believed to have been caught – some going at only a small over the 70mph limit – by this new wave of cameras.

But critics say that this method is unfair – firstly simply because the cameras are painted grey and are tougher to spot, but also because motorway driving is comparatively secure and travelling a few miles per hour over the 70mph limit is normally unlikely to lead to a substantially greater threat of an accident.

Guidance gives leeway

Guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) says that motorway drivers must be provided some leeway and only fined or stopped for driving at over 79mph.

This policy is not legally binding but is generally followed by most of the country’s police forces.

Paul Watters at the AA added that the ACPO guidance mentioned drivers ought to be offered the option of attending a speeding-awareness course rather than getting fined and getting points on their licence unless they have been caught going above 86mph.

“Motorways are the safest roads – only about 4% of accidents occur on them,” he mentioned.

Must limit be strictly enforced?

Nevertheless, Watters added, the safety and effectiveness of smart motorways depended on drivers observing the speed limits.

“Although we can’;t expect the police and Highways Agency to divulge specifically what the method is we would like to consider that speed enforcement on motorways is safety and not revenue-connected.

“But if every thing is safe, the roads are clear and the national speed limit is set, there isn’t the identical justification to enforce the limit.”

Roger Lawson from the Alliance of British Drivers said: “These cameras are not painted yellow: they are essentially concealed and are set to trigger fines for anybody who breaks the 70mph speed limit.

No security advantages

“If there is a specifically dangerous stretch of road, speed cameras can be useful if men and women see them and slow down.

“But that is not the case right here due to the fact drivers do not know the cameras are there.”

Government figures show that speeding on the motorways is very widespread: Department for Transport figures published last year show that 47% of drivers go above 70mph in cost-free-flowing circumstances.

Around 12% of drivers go at 80mph or a lot more, the DfT also discovered.

Scheme to beat congestion

Watters said: “These statistics show that speeding is not that critical but some drivers exceed the limit by an even bigger margin and put other folks at threat.”

Sensible motorways had been introduced by the Highways Agency in 2013 for use on especially congested components of the road ne2rk.

At instances challenging shoulders are utilized as an extra lane, and central lanes can be utilised by traffic travelling in either path based on the time of day.

Compare car insurance coverage – you could find a great deal in minutes Get a car insurance quote

Drivers face new crackdown on motorway speeding