SCOTLAND’s most lucrative mobile speed camera raked in more than £250,000 last year.
The site – on the A9 dual carriageway north of Dunblane – caught more than 4,000 speeding motorists – an average of 11 per day.
Figures released by Police Scotland reveal that mobile speed cameras earned a total of £2.75m in 2012/13 – far more than the £1.5m generated from fixed cameras.
Critics said the figures showed mobile speed cameras are better at generating cash than they are a cutting speed.
Police Scotland has revealed for the first time the stretches of road where more than 500 mobile cameras operate and the number of £60 fines handed out.
By far the most lucrative mobile camera site is the A9 Edinburgh to Perth Road, on the northern outskirts of Dunblane, where it crosses Allan Water.
Some 4,217 drivers were caught in the last financial year, paying a total of £253,020 in fines.
The next most-ticketed spot for mobile cameras was the A74M northbound at junction 13 where 3,163 drivers were caught paying £189,780.
The same motorway, just 4.5 miles north of Gretna Green, had the third most-ticketed site with 2,622 and £157,320 taken in fines.
Fourth place went to the A956 North Esplanade in Aberdeen where 2,027 drivers were caught at a cost to them of £121,620.
The fifth most-ticketed spot is also on the M74, near Lockerbie, where 1,196 drivers were caught, paying £71,760.
Caught
The sixth most lucrative mobile site, catching 1,033 drivers at a cost of £61,980, was the M80 between Glasgow and Stirling, near Falkirk.
A further hundred mobile sites caught between 100 – 1000 motorists over the twelve month period.
Police Scotland confirmed that fixed camera sites generated £1.5m over the same period but refused to say how many drivers had been caught by each camera in case the information led to vandalism.
The number of drivers caught by cameras has risen sharply in the past three years. The total fines from fixed, mobile and average speed cameras in 2012/13 was 70,906 compared with 62,832 in 2009/10.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Campaign Against Irresponsible Drivers (SCID) said: “At SCID we are only too aware of the devastating consequences following death and serious injuries on Scotland’s roads.
“From the figures it appears that when drivers are forewarned of fixed safety cameras they are more likely to adhere to the speed limit and as you know these cameras are located at areas of concern.
Speed
“The mobile cameras on the other hand appear to be highlighting the fact that outwith an “area of awareness” many drivers, almost twice as many, ignore their speed.
“What worries me is the fact that while speed cameras are helping reduce road casualties as it is a fixed penalty fine and points on licence, the courts continue to take a lenient view when there are no consequences of the standard of driving. How can drivers take bad driving seriously when the courts do not?”
A spokesman for Taxpayers Scotland said: “Everyone agrees that these devices should be used for safety purposes and not as a revenue generating method.
“Especially if that revenue is only to fund an ever rising number of cameras that become less and less effective at reducing speeding.”
“The public who pay for these cameras need to know that they offer a genuine contribution through a reduction in casualties and the promotion of responsible driving habits.”
The most lucrative mobile speed cameras
1. A9 Edinburgh/Perth Road Dunblane District of Stirling at a part near to Allan Water – 4217 offences – £253,020
2. A74(M)/M74 northbound Abington near to junction 13 – 3163 offences – £189,780
3. A74M near to Wicketthorn Kirkpatrick Fleming – 2622 – £157,320
4. A956 north of Esplanade west Aberdeen near Raik Road – 2027 – £121,620
5. A74M near to Torwood O/B J17 Lockerbie – 1163 – £71,760
6. M80 Glasgow/Stirling Motorway Dunipace District of Falkirk at a near part to Barnego Road Overbridge – 1033 – £61,980
7. The A90 Edinburgh between Burnshot Flyover and Cammo Road – 952 – 57,120
8. A74M near to north O/B J19 Ecclefechan – 825 – £49,500
9. M9 Edinburgh/Perth Motorway Kinnaird District of Falkirk at a apart near to Falkirk and south Alloa Road overbridge Stenhousemuir – 764 – £45,840
10. A9 (T) public road near layby 89 by Dalwhinnie Highland – 712 – £42,720
11. A68 Road Soutra Hill near to east entrance of Dunlaw Wind Farm Ettrick and Lauderdale – 712 – £42,720
12. A907 Halbeath Road Dunfermline near to Carnegie College – 687 – £41,220
13. A92 Crossgates to Cowdenbeath Road – 687 – £41,220
14. A9 (T) public road at Cuaich by Dalwhinnie Highland – 623 – £37,380
15. A74M near to Holms O/B Beattock – 618 – £37,080
16. St Michaels to Balmullo Road near to Moutrie College – 519 – £31,140
17. A90 Dundee to Perth Road at Walnut Grove Perth & Kinross – 507 – £30,420
18. A71 westbound Kilmarnock west of the Campbell Street slip road – 445 – £26,700
19. A95 (T) public road near Clachantura Cromdale (eastend of village) Highland – 441 – £26,460
20. A92 Greendykes Road at Carlochie Place Dundee – 424 – £25,440
