Plymouth speed camera hands out more fines than any other

A narrow road in Plymouth has accrued the most fines for speeding by comparison to anywhere else in Devon and Cornwall. Data recently released by Legal Expert[1] via Freedom of Information requests has highlighted the top 20 roads which has resulted in more than 120,000 speeding tickets over the last three years years - and racking up an eye-watering GBP12m in fines from the force. The data reveals that there has been a 49 percent increase in speeding cases since 2021 with drivers hit with GBP4.5m fines in the last year.

Between April 2023 and April 2024, 45,490 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were handed to drivers by Devon and Cornwall Police[2]. The Freedom of Information request found that between 2021 and 2022, police issued a total of 30,460 speeding fines to motorists in Devon and Cornwall and a further 45,757 the following year. For those aware of the controversial decision to make Old Laira Road in Plymouth a 20mph zone - enforced with average speed cameras - it will come as little surprise that it has come out top of the list with 11,774 speeding fines in the last 12 months.

In May 2022 PlymouthLive reported how even before the cameras were set to go live and enforce the limit[3], the 20mph cameras had already detected more than 23,500 speeding motorists.

During a test period prior to activation, the cameras detected more than 1,100 speeding drivers in the first 24 hours alone. The bi-directional speed camera system was installed by Plymouth City Council[4] following a consultation carried out in 2021. Residents had told the council they would rather see an average speed system in place than traffic calming measures.

In October of 2022 PlymouthLive approached residents along Old Laira Road to ask what they thought[5] of the new speed enforcement. Each resident was in favour of the changes, claiming the road felt safer and quieter. However, by January 2023 angry motorists launched a petition to remove the 20mph average speed cameras[6].

The driver who started the petition claimed that speed was "not in any way justified" but added "this scheme, its cameras and the signage needs to be brought into question." Despite thousands signing the petition, the average speed cameras on Old Laira Road remain in place.

The next 'worst' road in the region was Tregolls Road in Truro where static cameras clocked a further 10,843 speeding offences. It became so hated that it was chopped down by vandals on January 3 this year. It was not until the following month that it was finally replaced with a more robustly mounted camera.[7][8][9]

Longdowns Village in Cornwall comes third with Alma Road in Plymouth fourth. A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Speed is a big contributory factor in serious collisions. Travelling too fast both reduces the time in which a driver can react and increases the risk of serious or fatal injuries in the event of a collision."

Here are the 20 roads in Devon and Cornwall where drivers have been caught speeding in the last year 2023/24

What happens if I'm caught speeding?

According to Government guidelines, the minimum penalty for speeding is GBP100 fine and three penalty points added to a driver's licence. Motorists who receive 12 or more points within three years can be disqualified from driving. Within two weeks of a vehicle being caught speeding, the registered keeper will be sent a 'Notice of Intended Prosecution', issued by the police informing a driver they intend to prosecute for a motoring offence, and a 'Section 172 Notice', a legal requirement of a registered vehicle keeper to provide details regarding the alleged traffic offence.

Dangerous driving offences in England and Wales can mean up to two years in prison, an unlimited fine, driving disqualifications or points.

If a death is caused by dangerous driving, it can lead to a maximum of 14 years in prison. LegalExpert.co.uk[10] has explained it has a team of experienced solicitors at hand for anyone who has suffered as a result of a dangerous or speeding driver. They operate a 24-hour helpline and live chat service which you can access on their website.

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References

1. ^ Legal Expert (www.legalexpert.co.uk)
2. ^ Devon and Cornwall Police (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
3. ^ how even before the cameras were set to go live and enforce the limit (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
4. ^ Plymouth City Council (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
5. ^ PlymouthLive approached residents along Old Laira Road to ask what they thought (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
6. ^ by January 2023 angry motorists launched a petition to remove the 20mph average speed cameras (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
7. ^ Tregolls Road (www.cornwalllive.com)
8. ^ chopped down by vandals (www.cornwalllive.com)
9. ^ finally replaced with a more robustly mounted camera. (www.cornwalllive.com)
10. ^ LegalExpert.co.uk (www.legalexpert.co.uk)
11. ^ Click here (tinyurl.com)
12. ^ Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)