M1 speed cameras in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire catch 8,000 drivers

About 35 people per day have been snared by speed cameras on a stretch of the M1 during seven months of roadworks.
M1 roadworks looking north towards junction 30M1 roadworks looking north towards junction 30
M1 roadworks looking north towards junction 30

Almost 8,000 motorists have been fined £100 each and had points put on their licences for exceeding a temporary 50mph limit on the 28 miles between junction 28 at Alfreton and junction 31 near Rotherham.

A speed limit of 50mph has been in place on both carriageways since November 5 last year as £54 million of barrier replacement works take place along part of the motorway in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

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Since that date, 7,799 motorists have been fined for flouting the limit. Money from speeding fines on motorways goes to the Government.

M1 roadworks looking north towards junction 30M1 roadworks looking north towards junction 30
M1 roadworks looking north towards junction 30

One motorist was even caught going at an average speed of 100mph through the 50mph zone.

A Freedom of Information request to South Yorkshire Safety Cameras also revealed dozens of motorists have been fined more than once.

A total of 23 people have two speeding offences to their name on the stretch of road, with one person fined three times.

Four drivers have even been fined four times each.

Drivers on the M1 in South Yorkshire.Drivers on the M1 in South Yorkshire.
Drivers on the M1 in South Yorkshire.
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A system of speed cameras which monitor a driver’s average speed over a set distance are in place along the motorway while the roadworks take place.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Safety Cameras said only a small proportion of motorway drivers had been fined, given around 95,000 vehicles pass through the section of the M1 every day.

He said: “Based on this figure and the number of offences, there has been less than one per cent of drivers caught over the limit.”

The works involve the removal of the old steel barrier and hardening of the central reservation with a new concrete barrier being put in place.

M1 roadworks looking north towards junction 30M1 roadworks looking north towards junction 30
M1 roadworks looking north towards junction 30
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The Highways Agency is carrying out the work as part of efforts to pave the way for the introduction of a ‘smart motorway’ system, which is designed to reduce congestion by using technology to vary speed limits.

A Highways Agency spokesperson said: “By speeding through the road works drivers are putting themselves and others at risk so we urge all road users to stick to the 50mph limit. It is there for their safety, and that of the people working on the motorway.

“Works between junctions 28 and 31 of the M1 are due to continue until summer 2015.”

The agency is also currently consulting people on whether the speed limit between junctions 28 and 35A on the M1 should be reduced to 60mph in a bid to reduce air pollution along the route.