It’s thought that new ‘smart’ speed cameras on the M25 have already caught almost 700 speeding drivers in just two months – and they could be rolled out to more motorways across the country.

The devices, which use digital technology, have been introduced on one section of London’s orbital motorway between junctions five and six in Kent to catch motorists breaking the 70mph speed limit.

The new gantry models are painted grey to make them harder to spot than the standard yellow,  and it appears they are working – with 668 drivers receiving fines since they were introduced last year.

Of those, 148 penalties related to drivers exceeding 40 to 60mph variable speed limits, but the majority, 520, were for breaking the 70mph limit, The Times reported.

More of the devices, which have been dubbed ‘stealth cameras’, were installed on a northern stretch of the M25 before Christmas, and are set to be rolled out to parts of the M1, M3, M6 and M60.

It means that thousands of motorists could be at risk of paying out at least £100 in fines and getting points on their licence if they stray over the limit.

It is part of a plan by the Highways Agency to expand ‘smart’ motorways and so ease the flow of traffic. Other steps include using the hard shoulder as an extra lane at peak periods.

The cameras, which use front and rear-facing cameras to verify speed can scan four lanes at a time. But they have been criticised by motoring organisations, who say the move is designed to raise income through fines and is not about road safety.

They also claim that drivers will be penalised for driving only marginally over the speed limit on stretches of the motorway that have previously been unpoliced.

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Neil Davies

Motoring Lawyer at Caddick Davies Solicitors

Caddick Davies is recognised as one of England and Wales’ leading motoring law firms, offering specialist Speeding Solicitors, Drink Driving Solicitors & Dangerous Driving Solicitors.We provide advice and representation on all motoring offences including speeding, the avoidance of disqualification on penalty points or “totting up” (exceptional hardship), driving without due care and attention (careless driving), dangerous driving, drink driving, as well as a range of services related to medical revocation of a driving licence.

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