The number of motorists caught speeding in Suffolk has risen by about 5,500 in just one year – edging the total closer to the 50,000 mark, new figures reveal.
Speed cameras have now generated more than �2m over the past two years, even though the number of Suffolk motorists avoiding fines and points on their licence by completing 'educational' courses has reached a record high.
The figures, which have been revealed following a Freedom of Information request, show that 48,679 speeding motorists were captured by either a fixed or mobile camera in 2011 – up nearly 5,500 on 2010.
A total of 17,171 drivers received a standard �60 fine and three penalty points in 2011 – and this income, added to that netted in 2010, adds up to more than �2m. However, thousands more drivers kept their licence clean by signing up for a short speed awareness course.
Police and driving experts said educating rather than punishing drivers was 'beneficial to all' while they also expressed disappointment at the number still flouting speed limits.
David Ball, roads policing inspector and joint head of Suffolk Safety Camera Partnership, said that despite the increase in people being captured speeding on camera, he believed more people understood the responsibility that came with driving.
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