Cameras’ £54,000 fines in ten days
SPEED cameras at a stretch of roadworks in Peterborough are catching drivers at the rate of 1,000 a day – netting tens of thousands of pounds in fines.
Police are urging motorists to stick to the temporary 40mph speed limit through the roadworks on the A1139 Frank Perkins Parkway, close to the A47 roundabout, after an average of 1,000 motorists a day were caught driving over the speed limit.
In the two cameras’ first ten days of operation around 900 speeding tickets were issued netting £54,000 in fines.
Many of the drivers caught speeding did not get automatic fines because they were driving just below the 46mph cut-off point set by police, but the figures still make the cameras some of the busiest in the country.
The road normally has a 70mph speed limit but the temporary safety cameras and 40mph speed limit have been put in place through the roadworks because there are no metal barriers in the central reservation.
Clinton Hale, a manager of the Safety Camera Partnership, said they quickly became aware that 100s of drivers were flouting the law and driving at speeds of 50mph to 60mph, putting roadworkers’ lives at risk.
Mr Hale said: “It is vital that motorists slow down for the safety of the roadworkers, other road users and themselves.
“With no barrier there is no protection from a ‘crossover collision’ and the speed limit has been placed to reduce this risk.
“If people are driving at speeds of 50mph to 60mph and there is a head-on collision, there will be a combined impact speed of 120mph.
“Pedestrians are working in the road and could be at risk of being killed. By driving 50mph to 60mph instead of 40mph, drivers are only saving 10 to 20 seconds on their driving times.
“We do not want to prosecute any motorists but if drivers continue to ignore this restriction we will have no choice.
“We started monitoring the traffic and speeds a week ago and realised that speeding was excessive for the type of roadworks that were taking place.
“Hundreds of thousands of motorists use that road every day and we are seeing around 1,000 of those breaking the speed limit a day.
“The message we need to get out to people is to slow down. Speed limits are put in place to protect road users and pedestrians.
“It’s not as if there are not any signs, they are clearly posted.
“We have begun processing all of the speeding fines and those who have been speeding will be sent a letter notifying them of a £60 fine and three points on their licence.”
Extra signage is now being put on the road to raise awareness of the restrictions.
Ward councillor for Eye and Thorney, councillor David Sanders said: “I am not a great fan of speed cameras because I believe there should be more roaming police officers or the money should be spent on road traffic policing.
“However, in this instance, there are roadworkers’ lives at risk and their safety is paramount.
“To have 1,000 people a day speeding is absolutely shocking and I hope drivers will now think twice after reading this article.”
People caught speeding will be given a £60 fine and three penalty points. If the money is not paid within 28 days, motorists could face a fine of up to £1,000 and even a jail term.
Oddy
Mon May 31, 2010 6:37 pm
