MOTORWAY SPEEDING IS NOT SMART
Drivers are being warned of the risk of big fines from variable speed cameras on Britain’s motorways.
Hundreds of thousands of motorists have been hit with millions of pounds worth of fines since these cameras were first installed in 2013.
Research from Confused.com reveals 210,538 motorists got slapped with fines of up to £2,500 after being caught out by a sudden drop in speed on a motorway.
Variable speed cameras are used to enforce temporary speed limits, which can drop from 70mph to 20mph for congestion or poor conditions.
Figures in April revealed 13,000 motorists had received fines in just six months since variable speed cameras were installed on the M4 between junction 25 and junction 28.
Cameras on another stretch of the M4 between junctions 19 and 20 in both directions have raked in 40,320 penalty notices from 2015 to 2016.
The M5 is a penalty hotspot too with 27,398 drivers getting caught between Junction 16 and 17, while 21,751 were hit with speeding fines on the M1 from junction 10 to 11 at Luton.
Variable speed cameras are also being criticised for reducing safety as 3,000 accidents have been recorded in variable speed zones, nearly two-thirds of these on the Surrey stretch of the M25 between junctions nine and 16.
One in three drivers say they have had an accident or a near miss in a variable speed zone and they blame the sudden change in speeds.
A further one in five has witnessed an accident or near miss right in front of them.
More variable speed zones are planned as part of a smart motorways scheme.
TIPS FOR MOTORWAY DRIVING
Never drive in a lane closed with an X. Keep a safe distance from the car in front. Keep to the speed limit shown on the gantries. A solid white line indicates the hard shoulder – don’t drive on it unless directed to. A broken white line indicates a normal lane. If your car risks breaking down, exit the motorway at the next junction. In an emergency where there is no hard shoulder, use refuge areas and put your hazard warning lights on.