Speeding is one of the most dangerous habits that takes place on British roads, and speed cameras are in place to help catch drivers pushing the boundaries of safe limits.
Figures attained by the Daily Mail have shown which of the UK’s current cameras have been the 10 busiest over the last three years – with the top unit capturing, on average, 327 drivers per week breaking the speed limit.
Here is the top ten:
1. A3024 Maybray King Way, Southampton - 51,049 Speeding offences
2. M62 westbound J20 and J19, Greater Manchester - 38,836 Speeding offences
3. A282 Dartford-Thurrock crossing, Essex - 38,729 Speeding offences
4. A217 Southend arterial road, Essex - 37,950 Speeding offences
5. A12 near Straford St Mary, Suffolk - 36,753 Speeding offences
6. North Road, Cardiff, south Wales - 35,884 Speeding offences
7. A1 Barrowby Thorns, Lincolnshire - 30,835 Speeding offences
8. A45 Ryton Bridge flyover, near Coventry - 27,942 Speeding offences
9. M11 near Luxborough Lane Road, Chigwell, Essex - 26,810 Speeding offences
10. M4 Port Talbot, south Wales - 25,548 Speeding offences
The camera placed on the A3024 dual-carriageway in Southampton was the most prolific and driving groups told the Daily Mail how surprised they were by this figure – with many of them saying the speed limit should be upped from 30mph to help cut this figure.
Edmund King, president of the AA, told the Mail: “Our polls show that, over the last decade, more than 70 per cent drivers accept the use of cameras. Yet, obviously, they are not happy if they are caught or caught out.
Stay up to date on the latest driving laws. Subscribe to our newsletter >
“But a 30mph road generating the highest number of speed camera activations in England and Wales is astonishing.
“However, the Department for Transport acknowledges that speed limits should be evidence-led and it may be that the dualling of the A3024 at that point means many think it has a higher limit. It would be interesting to see how many offenders are new visitors to Southampton.”
Fines for speeding start from £100, but depending on the severity of the offence, drivers can get a £2,500 fine and six points added to the licence or disqualification all together.
