Most prolific speed camera in the UK has caught almost 50,000 drivers this year

Research has discovered that the most prolific speed camera in the UK managed to catch nearly 50,000 drivers in the past year.

It goes without saying that the speed limit is there for a reason, and you shouldn’t be going over that stated amount at any point.

However, if you do so near a speed camera – or a well-placed officer with a speed gun – you can expect the fat slap of a speeding fine on your doorstep within a matter of days.

That means that you could end up with a fine, penalty points on your licence, or having to attend a speed awareness course if you’re eligible.

Either way, it’s not great for your pocket, although speeding in itself isn’t great anyway, so there’s a double incentive to stay beneath the limit.

As it stands, there are around 1,300 speed cameras in the UK, and in the last year there were 1.74 million speeding offences, costing transgressive drivers a whopping £45.7 million in speeding fines.

The research conducted by Confused.com found that the most prolific camera of them all was on the A40 in North West London, reeling in nearly 50,000 drivers over the course of the last 12 months.

It doesn’t end there, though.

Greg Balfour Evans/Alamy

There are also speed cameras on the M4, M25, and M6 motorways that have taken in thousands of drivers.

However, not everyone takes the fine and points, of the 1.74 million caught last year, 698,115 decided to head on to the speed awareness course – although that still costs money.

Only 457,232 people were made to pay the £100 fine and three penalty points.

Again, the idea is simply not to get caught speeding by not speeding, which avoids the whole problem.

Alex Kindred, an expert from the researcher Confused.com, said: "A worrying number of drivers are being caught on the roads for speeding,

"Our research shows that nearly half of drivers (44%) have had a fine for speeding in the past. Although some motorists might feel that speed limits are an inconvenience, they're there to ensure our roads are safe for all.

"If caught speeding, motorists could land themselves with a fine, points on their licence or even a driving ban. In some cases, drivers could attend a speed awareness course instead, but the punishment depends on the seriousness of the offence.

"A speeding fine or points added on to your licence could also lead to an increase on your car insurance costs.

"If you're faced with a fine, there's a chance it could be calculated based on your salary, and may be heftier than you first think.

“Speeding fines are also often calculated depending on how far over the limit you are.”

Dave Ellison/Alamy

In case you are wondering – here are the top 10 cameras in the UK for catching speeding drivers:

· A40 between Long Dr and Wellands Gdns E/B - 49,050 - Metropolitan

· M25 Junction 7-16, Surrey - 23,134 - Surrey

· M4 Junction 20-19, Bristol- 18,317 - Avon & Somerset

· A5460 Narborough Road, Leicester, Jnc with Fullhurst Avenue - 16,634 - Leicestershirea

· M6 Junction 1-4 (Northbound and Southbound) - 15,410 - Warwickshire

· Garston Way/ Dock Road, Liverpool - 15,295 - Merseyside

· M5 Junction 4a-6, Birmingham - 15,062 - West Mercia

· A282 Dartford Tunnel Approach Road - 14,423 - Kent

· Lewes Road, Brighton, Jnc with Coldean Lane - 14,172 - Sussex

· M6 Junction 7 & 8 N/B, Birmingham - 12,762 - West Midlands