More than 3,200 drivers caught speeding across Devon and Cornwall in just two weeks
New speed cameras have been installed across several locations
Speed cameras have already caught more than 3,200 vehicles speeding across Devon and Cornwall, since they were installed earlier this month.
The new cameras have been installed at four locations after local councils and police received a number of complaints of collisions and speeding cars in those areas.
In total, the four cameras - which have been operational for between 7 and 17 days - have detected at least 3,280 speeding offences.
The highest speed recorded was at St Anne's Chapel in Cornwall, from a vehicle going at 73 miles per hour on a 30 mile per hour zone.
In Devon, the new digital cameras replaced older Gatso models on Exeter Road in Exmouth and the A385 Ashburton Road in Totnes, and funded by the Vision Zero South West Road Safety Partnership.
In Cornwall, the council funded two sets of bi-directional cameras which have been erected on the A390 at Drakewalls and St Ann’s Chapel near Gunnislake.
Adrian Leisk, Devon & Cornwall Police’s Head of Road Safety and chair of the Vision Zero South West enforcement committee, said he was shocked by the results.
"It is disappointing to see the number of vehicles that have been detected travelling at excess speed on these routes, but the speeds some of them have been travelling at are worrying.
“All of these cameras are located in 30mph zones and already two of them have caught drivers travelling at more than double that speed. It’s just not acceptable."
“We’ve gone to great lengths to publicise the fact that these new cameras have been installed at these locations, where they are sited in full view on bright yellow poles. It is disappointing drivers continue to put their own and other people’s lives at risk by failing to comply with speed limits."
Exeter Road recorded the highest number of speeding offenses, with cameras activated 1,671 times since the 14 June.
Mr Leisk urged motorists to adhere to the road signs and respect the speed limits, warning the cameras will catch those speeding.
“Please take this as another warning that these cameras are fully operational and are already catching far, far too many speeding motorists. The whole purpose of publicising this information is to slow people down. The success of the schemes will be measured by reduced activations as people lower their speeds.
“We have much to do in changing behaviour and will be installing many more schemes in the coming months, with similar publicity. It surprises me, that in a cost of living crisis and climate emergency people still travel in excess of speed limits, burning more fuel and increasing wear and tear on brakes and tyres. Slowing down saves you money too!
“As I’ve said many times before, there is a very easy way to avoid a speeding conviction, just stick to the speed limits.”