Average speed cameras catch 10,000 drivers on Suffolk stretch of A12

One of Essex's major roads the A12, between East Bergholt and Stratford St Mary. Picture: GREGG BROWN

By the end of November 5,783 cars had been caught speeding towards Colchester and London while another 4,185 were caught speeding towards Ipswich. It seems certain that December’s haul of speeders will push that figure over the 10,000 mark.

Meanwhile on the Orwell Bridge 2,135 vehicles were caught speeding on the eastbound carriageway while 1,539 were caught exceeding the limit on the westbound carriageway – those figures are also for the first 11 months of the year.

The average speed cameras have been operating on the A12 since the summer of 2015 and on the Orwell Bridge since the summer of 2016.

The figures are kept and published by Suffolk Constabulary who is responsible for telling drivers when they have been caught exceeding the limit.

Tim Passmore, Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner. Picture: Courtesy of Suffolk PCC. (Image: Archant)

On the A12 there is the standard 70mph limit, while the introduction of cameras on the Orwell Bridge co-incided with bringing the speed limit down to 60mph.

In 2016, the first full year of the cameras operating on the A12, 10,675 vehicles were caught speeding on that section of the road – figures published in mid-January will reveal whether that number was exceeded in the second full year of operation.

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said he was shocked by the figures – especially for the A12 where there had been no change in the speed limit.

He said: “I find it staggering that despite all the dangers along that stretch of road we are still catching more than 10,000 drivers a year who are prepared to put the lives of others and themselves at risk by driving so fast.

“I really don’t know what more can be done to get through to these people except repeating that you will be caught and punished.”

Sgt Scott Lee-Amies from Suffolk’s Roads Policing Unit said: “Speeding is one of the ‘fatal four’ offences, which make you more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a collision, as well as drink driving, driving whilst using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt.

“We would advise all road users to keep to the speed limits as every driver can make a difference just by slowing down.”