Ex-roads policing officer says speed camera is just for 'making money'

A HIGH-TECH speed camera at a busy junction in Exeter has issued nearly 4,000 fines to drivers since going live a year ago.

- by PAUL GREAVES

The device, on Alphington Road near Sainsbury's, was switched on in May 2024 and replaced an old red light enforcement camera at the junction with Church Lane.

But one member of the public has raised concerns that it is being used purely as an "exercise in making money." He points to the low number of recorded collisions at the junction since 2020 - none of which were down to excess speed.

The former roads policing officer, who wishes to remain anonymous, has questioned the criteria used to install the camera. He says the "staggering" number of tickets risks damaging public trust.

He made a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request to obtain figures from Devon & Cornwall Police. It revealed that 3,900 notices of intended prosecution have been generated by the camera - the equivalent of more than 10 a day.

The response added that since January 1, 2020, there had been eight collisions at the junction, with five reported injuries. Three were caused by people jumping the red light and none down to excess speed.