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Urgent warning over new Scots speed cameras as hundreds of drivers caught in first week…

HIGH-speed drivers have been running up 100 fines a day in the first week of a scheme to protect road workers.

Average speed cameras were introduced on April 2 on a section of the M80 which merges into the M8 westbound near Glasgow[1].

The temporary speed cameras have caught 745 motorists in a week

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The temporary speed cameras have caught 745 motorists in a weekCredit: Getty – Contributor
Those caught will automatically receive three points on their licence

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Those caught will automatically receive three points on their licenceCredit: Alamy

The 40mph restriction – between junctions 13 and 14 – is designed to protect road workers creating a new carriageway.

But Police[2] Scotland yesterday revealed that 745 offenders have been detected in its first week, running up fines totalling £75,000.

Those caught automatically receive three penalty points[3] on their licence[4], which could lead to a ban for some serial offenders.

Some were caught clocking up 70mph through the roadworks putting road users in danger[5].

Safety[6] Camera Unit Manager, said: ‘Regrettably, 745 offences have been detected in the first week, with some motorists travelling at speeds of 70mph through the area, which is unacceptable.

“Most drivers are travelling responsibly, however there are some drivers ignoring the temporary 40mph speed limit and putting themselves and other road users at risk of injury[7].”

The essential roadworks began on Monday, February 12, on the eastbound carriageway of the M8.

Amey is carrying out the works on behalf of Transport[8] Scotland.

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As a result, the temporary average speed cameras have been set up around the affected areas.

They will stay in place for a few months while resurfacing works are carried out.

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This is expected to ensure the safety of all road users as well as workers carrying out the resurfacing works.

They will also monitor the speed of motorists[9] through the night while most of the works are carried out.

This is because drivers[10] are most often caught speeding at night when the roads are at their quietest.

The stretch of road covered by the new cameras includes the M8 off-slip road at junction 1.

The TASCAR systems, which are now in operation[11], cover a greater distance where roadworks are in place.

And as a result it reduced heavy breaking and quick acceleration which improves road safety[12] and reduces the number of crashes[13] and accidents[14].

Around 32,000 drivers are expected to be affected each day.

A statement on Safety Cameras Scotland read: “Temporary Average Speed Cameras at Roadworks (TASCAR) systems will be enforcing the temporary speed limits for the safety of road users and road workers.

“Much of the work[15] is carried out through the night by the road workers, when there is less traffic[16] moving through the area, and this is the time when speeding offences are found to be at their highest.

“By driving[17] at dangerous[18] speeds motorists are showing no consideration for the risk they pose to the road workers as well as putting themselves and other road users in danger.

“TASCAR are shown to control speeds over a greater distance in areas of roadworks, reducing heavy braking and acceleration, and in turn improving road safety.

“At major roadwork sites the road layout and temporary surfaces can change regularly, so it’s critical that motorists drive at a safe speed.

collision[19] at these locations are the road workers as they have no protective shield to absorb energy[20] from the impact.

Further information on Safety Cameras Scotland and camera locations can be found at safetycameras.gov.scot[21].

References

  1. ^ Glasgow (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  2. ^ Police (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  3. ^ penalty points (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  4. ^ licence (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  5. ^ danger (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  6. ^ Safety (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  7. ^ injury (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  8. ^ Transport (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  9. ^ motorists (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  10. ^ drivers (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  11. ^ operation (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  12. ^ road safety (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  13. ^ crashes (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  14. ^ accidents (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  15. ^ work (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  16. ^ traffic (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  17. ^ driving (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  18. ^ dangerous (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  19. ^ collision (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  20. ^ energy (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  21. ^ safetycameras.gov.scot (www.safetycameras.gov.scot)

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