The 15 speed cameras that caught the most Somerset drivers | Chard & Ilminster News
The county’s busiest speed camera sits on the westbound carriageway of the A303 between the Podimore Roundabout and the Hazelgrove Roundabout, near Yeovil.
A camera on the eastbound carriageway of the same stretch of road detected 4,227 offences, with one driver caught breaking the limit by 56mph.
A temporary 30mph speed limit is in place in both directions as part of a National Highways scheme to upgrade a three-mile stretch of the A303[1] between Sparkford and Ilchester to make the road safer and more reliable.
Progress on the £155m Sparkford to Ilchester A303 improvements, pictured in October.
The cameras on the A303 top a list of Somerset’s speeding hotspots.
The data, which comes from a Freedom of Information request submitted by the County Gazette, has revealed the 15 speed camera locations that detected the most offences between January 1 and December 31, 2023.
Five of those were on the A303, and four were on the M5 motorway.
Avon and Somerset Police also confirmed the highest top speed recorded in Somerset last year was 159mph.
Chief inspector Robert Cheeseman, the force’s head of roads policing, said: “Speed limits are in place to keep our roads safe for everyone, and the statistics we are currently seeing in relation to speeding offences are extremely concerning.
“Excess speed is one of the ‘Fatal Five’ factors that dramatically increase a motorist’s likelihood of being involved in a fatal or serious injury collision, alongside drink/drug driving, careless driving, using a mobile phone at the wheel and not wearing a seatbelt.
“Travelling at higher speeds increases the distance it takes to stop and can increase the severity of a collision, the risk of loss of life and the extent of serious injury.
“Through education and enforcement, we are working to raise awareness of the Fatal Five and encourage behaviour change to prevent serious injury and fatal collisions on our roads.
“Our enforcement strategy is data-driven, targeting areas of concern identified through speed and collision data analysis and community intelligence.
“We remain committed to targeting road users who pose the greatest risk to others on the roads.”
Somerset’s 15 most prolific speed cameras in 2023
1. A303 between Podimore Roundabout and Hazelgrove Roundabout Westbound
Number of offences detected: 12,005
Speed limit: 30mph
Highest speed recorded: 85mph
2. A303 between Podimore Roundabout and Hazelgrove Roundabout Eastbound
Number of offences detected: 4,227
Speed limit: 30mph
Highest speed recorded: 86mph
Signage showing the 30mph limit on the A303 between the Podmore and Sparkford roundabouts, captured in August 2023. (Image: Google Street View)
3. M5 Between Junction 26 (Wellington[2]) and 27 (Tiverton)
Number of offences detected: 1,562
Speed limit: 70mph
Highest speed recorded: 107mph
4. A358 near the junctions for Lipe Lane and Stoke Road, Henlade
Number of offences detected: 1,417
Speed limit: 30mph
Highest speed recorded: 88mph
5. A38 Bristol Road, Rooksbridge
Number of offences detected: 1,245
Speed limit: 30mph
Highest speed recorded: 59mph
6. A303 Ilminster Bypass
Number of offences detected: 1,219
Speed limit: 60mph
Highest speed recorded: 104mph
7. A303, near the Chapel Cross overbridge
Number of offences detected: 1,150
Speed limit: 70mph
Highest speed recorded: 117mph
8. M5 Between Junction 25 and 24
Number of offences detected: 1,086
Speed limit: 70mph
Highest speed recorded: 107mph
Four of Somerset’s most prolific speed camera locations are on the M5. (Image: Newsquest)
9. A38, Thurloxton
Number of offences detected: 906
Speed limit: 50mph
Highest speed recorded: 95mph
10. M5 between Taunton[3] Deane Services and junction 26
Number of offences detected: 876
Speed limit: 70mph
Highest speed recorded: 104mph
11. A39 Bath Road, Bawdrip
Number of offences detected: 875
Speed limit: 30mph
Highest speed recorded: 75mph
12. A38 Wellington Bypass
Number of offences detected: 819
Speed limit: 30mph
Highest speed recorded: 52mph
13. M5 between junction 25 and Taunton Deane Services
Number of offences detected: 735
Speed limit: 70mph
Highest speed recorded: 115mph
14. A303 Ilminster Bypass near Boxstone Hill overpass
Number of offences detected: 697
Speed limit: 60mph
Highest speed recorded: 89mph
15. A38 Bridgwater Road, Cross
Number of offences detected: 673
Speed limit: 60mph
Highest speed recorded: 85mph
References
- ^ upgrade a three-mile stretch of the A303 (www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk)
- ^ Wellington (www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk)
- ^ Taunton (www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk)