Speed cameras catch 8,000 in just 6 weeks
MORE than 200 drivers have been caught every day by each of the new average speed cameras in Birmingham.
The eight sites were activated on August 8 and in the space of just six weeks, 7,915 people were caught driving too quickly.
If all received the minimum £100 fine, then almost £800,000 will have been raked in by the authorities, with at least 23,745 penalty points dished out to offending drivers.
With just eight camera sites in action, each one caught around 1,000 people in just over a month at a rate of 8.5 an hour all day, every day.
Some drivers will have been caught multiple times, unaware that the cameras have now been switched on.
Earlier this month the Post revealed operators had issued warnings, highlighting that one motorist had been caught seven times in a matter of days.
Anyone caught within 10 mph of the speed limit will most likely get a fixed penalty notice for speeding, which means they get three points on their driving licence and a £100 fine.
Those going over that will get a court summons. The maximum fine for speeding is £1,000 – and the driver’s licence could be revoked.
The official Twitter feed of the Camera Enforcement Team has been reminding drivers that the eight new digital cameras are online.
A spokesman said: “Please remember the average speed cameras are working!
“One driver has activated one camera seven times recently on different days.
“Please please please remember the new average cameras are now live. The same vehicle has activated the camera on three occasions within two days!”
There are also other speed cameras in the region on ‘smart’ motorways, where the variable speed limit sections are covered.
On a single weekend in September, 1,000 cars were clocked speeding on the southbound stretch of the M6 between junctions 8 and 7.
West Midlands Police also has a number of mobile speed camera vans. On September 5, one caught 189 people driving over the limit in one hour and 40 minutes.
The introduction of the eight average cameras is a partnership between Birmingham City Council, Solihull Council, West Midlands Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
And earlier this year, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson pledged to roll out new fixed cameras in the region.
He said: “Speed is one of the biggest causes of deaths on the road and one of the biggest issues that local people with me on a daily basis.
“Birmingham and Solihull are installing the cameras and the police are supporting them by processing and enforcing the fines. This shows that we are on the side of the overwhelming majority of motorists who drive safely and sensibly.”
Birmingham City Councillor, Coun Stewart Stacey, Cabinet Member for Transport and Roads wanted the message to be clear that this is not a cash-grab by the council, but instead a way to improve the roads for the majority of users.” raise