Motorists are being warned of new cameras being installed along a major motorway which will bring much lower speed limits and the potential for more fines to be handed out.
Temporary speed cameras will begin enforcing a 40mph limit on the M8 westbound between Junctions 13 and 14 as highway teams continue to resurface the road.
The scheme is believed to impact around 32,000 drivers every day with hopes that the changes will remove the need to resurface and maintain the road in the future.
The 40mph limits are set to remain on the motorway for “the coming months” with the Temporary Average Speed Cameras at Roadworks (TASCAR) system enforcing the new rules.
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Drivers are being warned to observe the new speed limits
PAOn behalf of Transport Scotland, Amey will be undertaking the resurfacing on the M80 southbound, leading into the M8 westbound between Junctions 14 and 13.
It is hoped that the TASCAR system will control speeds over a greater distance in areas of roadworks, in addition to boosting road safety.
Transport Scotland has warned drivers that the road layout and temporary surfaces can change regularly.
As part of the new speed limit warning, experts have urged drivers to stick to the appropriate speed to avoid posing a danger to other motorists.
Although the temporary speed limit of 40mph is not often seen on motorways, there will be signs and notices for drivers on the road to adhere to the changes.
Road users can be hit with a £100 fine for speeding, in addition to receiving three penalty points on their driving licence.
These fines can increase to a maximum fine of £1,000 or £2,500 if they were driving a lorry or bus.
In recent months, there have been calls from MPs and drivers to the Government to consider increasing the speed limit on motorways to reduce congestion and boost productivity.
Conservative MP Sir Bill Wiggin spoke in the Commons earlier this year suggesting that the M50 – which runs through part of his constituency – would be the “perfect motorway” to test higher limits.
While he did not suggest what the potential speed limits could be increased to, the MP for North Herefordshire said it would work alongside safer cars equipped with better brakes.
There have long been calls for a minor speed limit rise to 80mph on motorways, although they have always been met with criticism that it would lead to roads becoming more dangerous.
Responding to Sir Bill Wiggin MP, transport minister Guy Opperman said a number of factors would need to change before higher speed limits could be introduced.
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The temporary speed limits on the M8 are expected to last for several months
PA
A recent petition also called for speed limits to increase to 100mph on motorways and 80mph on dual carriageways in a bid to slash congestion.
The petition has more than 2,000 signatures and will receive a Government response if it reaches the 10,000 signature threshold.
