Motorists have been fined millions for failing to adhere to lower speed limits introduced across a popular region in the South West of England.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council lowered the speed limit on a major road in Dorset to 30mph from 40mph in 2023, with drivers still getting caught out by the change two years later.
According to new data, the speed limit change led to a 36,000 per cent increase in the number of penalty notices issued to drivers.
In total, since the speed limit was reduced, the police in the area have raked in £1.6million in fines through their camera on Ringwood Road in Bournemouth.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
The speed limit changed in 2023 to 30mph for the first time
GETTY/PA
Notably, research revealed that the same camera brought in a mere £3,600 a year when it retained its higher speed limit of 40mph.
But, once the limit was changed in 2023, the same camera recorded 11,594 speeding offences compared to 32 in 2022, 55 in 2021 and 39 in 2020. This year alone, the camera has recorded 3,054 speeding breaches.
Drivers in the area have now accused Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council of cash cow measures by reducing the speed limit.
One driver who was caught twice in a matter of days told The Times: "That road has been 40mph for decades. Fine, lower the speed limit by 10mph, but at least give motorists plenty of notice and warning signs about the change. A cynical person might wonder if the change in speed limit was due to this camera not catching enough drivers."
The speed limit change followed a consultation, which primarily saw support from residents
PAAnother person shared on Facebook that they were caught by the camera going 35mph in the 40mph zone. Someone else was left furious over the "absolutely ridiculous" speed awareness course she was forced to take after driving 34mph in the 30mph zone.
The council approved the lower speed limit in 2023 following a public consultation, which aimed to "reduce the likelihood of collisions" and "encourage people to walk or cycle".
It stated: "The speed limit between Longham Bridge and Longham Mini Roundabouts will be reduced to 30mph later in 2023. This is in line with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council's decision to reduce the speed limit to 30mph further south on Ringwood Road, towards Bear Cross Roundabout.
"The speed limit will be reduced to 30mph later in 2023 from approximately 45 metres in a north-eastern direction from Ringwood Road’s junction with Turbary Road to the existing 30mph speed limit situated approximately 15 metres south-west of the junction with Manor Close."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
According to reports, in the past 12 months, Ringwood Road has been subject to 16 collisions, which have impacted the dual carriageway.
Before the speed limit was reduced, the road saw two fatalities occur in 2018 and 2019. However, the council has explained that it did not receive any income from speeding fines.
Councillor Richard Herrett told the Times that the speed limit reduction on Ringwood Road formed part of a joint project to increase sustainable travel from Poole town centre to Ferndown and Wimborne.
He explained that the council recently installed a new toucan crossing on Ringwood Road to encourage more people to visit the retail park on foot more safely, as well as help lower congestion.
Since the speed limit was changed, drivers have paid millions in tickets
PA"These measures have made this busy dual carriageway safer and more pleasant for all road users, following on from fatalities in 2018 and 2019," he shared.
However, a driver shared on Facebook that the "great thing about dropping the speed limit to 30mph is they only have to take the 40mph signs down and all the locals get caught speeding. The motorist added that it was a "much needed cash boost".
Someone else shared: "Speed cameras should not be used to generate revenue by fining motorists, adding points to their driving licences, increasing motorists' insurance premiums, increasing the number of disqualified drivers and profiting companies selling Speed Awareness courses.
"Cameras should promote road safety. So what evidence is available, I wonder, to prove that this stretch of road merited the limit reduction to 30mph?"
Most Read
