Police are warning drivers of the new speed restrictions in place on the M40/M42 interchange in Warwickshire

Police are warning drivers of the new 50mph speed restrictions in place on the M40/M42 interchange in Warwickshire following the launch of the scheme, and an increase in the number of drivers being caught multiple times for speeding.

Average speed cameras have been installed along the stretches of roadworks that are in place whilst important safety upgrades are made on the central reserve barriers on the M40/M42 interchange which includes replacing the steel central barrier with a stronger and more efficient concrete barrier.

The 50mph speed restrictions are in place on the M42 between junctions 3 and 3a, and M42 junction 3a to M40 junction 16.

They will remain in place until at least spring 2024 when the work is scheduled to be completed.   

Those caught will receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution from Warwickshire Police and face a range of sanctions starting with the National Speed Awareness Course if they are eligible.  If not they may be offered a £100 fine and 3 points. However excessive speeders will go straight to court.

Inspector Dave Valente of Warwickshire Police said “We are warning drivers that there is no excuse for speeding. The new 50mph enforcement on the M40/42 roadworks is in place for the safety of workers and other road users.

“Continuing to drive at motorway speeds in these restricted areas will run the risk of drivers being prosecuted. Drivers using this as their daily commute could find themselves in serious trouble if they drive with no regard to the new limits.”

“Our first choice is always to educate the driver to help change their behaviour and some drivers who are eligible will be offered speed awareness courses to enhance this learning process. “

Warwickshire Police is working as part of Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership on a range of measures to reduce collisions, deaths and injuries on our roads and we will continue to robustly enforce speed limits as this has been proven to do just this.

What will happen if I’m caught speeding?

Those drivers who admit the offence of speeding and are eligible may be offered the opportunity to attend a National Speed Awareness Course on the effects and dangers of speeding as an alternative to a speeding fine and penalty points.

The course aims to influence the attitudes and behaviour of drivers by directly challenging attitudes towards speeding, offering motorists’ insight, awareness and understanding about their speed choices, and helps equip participants to change their behaviour.

The course is not a way to consistently avoid fines however, you can only attend one speed awareness course every three years.

Warwickshire Police also offer a National Motorway Awareness Course where variable speed limits operate, and if this is offered only one can be attended every three years.

Speeding drivers who are eligible for and accept a conditional offer of a fixed penalty, receive 3 penalty points and £100 fine. Fines are collected by Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunal Service and go directly to the Treasury.

Excessive high speed offences will not get a course or conditional offer and will be prosecuted via the courts.

You could be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years. New drivers who receive 6 or more penalty points within the first two years of driving will have their license revoked.