Drivers fined £21 MILLION by variable speed limit cameras on smart motorways in just four years
HUNDREDS of thousands of drivers have been caught out by sudden speed limit changes on UK motorways and slapped with fines totalling at least £21 million.
The variable speed limit cameras that can dip as low as 40mph on smart motorways have trapped 210,538 motorists since 2013, new figures reveal.
And while many will have been fined £100 and handed three penalty points, new speeding laws introduced in April could mean some motorists are hit with a £2,500 penalty.
The latest figures obtained by reveal the stretch between J19 and J20 on the M4 near Bristol as the worst for motorists having caught 40,320 drivers since it opened in July 2014.
And a section at Newport between J25 and J28 of the M4 installed just six months ago has already flashed 13,000 motorists and looks set to join the top five list later this year.
Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, said: "There seems to be a perception among drivers that variable speed cameras on smart motorways are there to catch people out.
"We’d advise drivers to research their route before heading out to take note of any areas where there may be a dramatic drop in speed.
"Of course, speeding can land drivers with more than an expensive ticket as motorists with points for speeding can also face increased car insurance costs at point of renewal."
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Smart motorways now cover some 200 miles of the UK network with that figure set to double in the coming years.
The widespread introduction is aimed at reducing congestion and smoothing traffic flow by changing limits and opening and closing lanes on the go.
But they've been criticised by experts like the AA for targeting speeding and not dealing with other offences like tailgaters, lane hogging or drink-driving.
It's not just speeding fines that's causing drivers concern, either, with 2,840 accidents recorded in variable speed limit zones over the last four years - more than half of these on the M25 between J9 and J16.
Motorists said the sudden braking created by changing limits is dangerous and more notice should be given ahead of the drastic drops.
