DRIVERS caught speeding on the M4 near Newport in the last year are only a small fraction of the number using the road every day, according to GoSafe.

The road safety partnership say the 35,348 people revealed to have been caught speeding represents less than 0.2 per cent of traffic that has passed through the variable speed limit zone since October 2016.

Theresa Healey, partnership manager for GoSafe, said that an average of nearly 49,000 vehicles pass through the area each day.

“Whilst 35,348 drivers may seem like a high number, this represents less than 0.2 per cent of traffic that will have passed through the scheme during that time,” said Mrs Healy.

“This shows that the cameras are doing their job as the majority of motorists comply with the speed limit.”

A Freedom of Information request (FOI) submitted by the Argus also revealed that 8,595 of those caught have settled their case by paying a £100 fine and having three penalty points on their licence.

As of September 1, offending drivers have been offered a specialised National Motorway Awareness Course to highlight the risks of speeding on the motorway.

The results of the FOI prompted widespread reaction from Argus readers across social media, with site user Cardiff12 writing: “Well there are enough warnings but whatever the speed there are always plenty of idiots who exceed it some times the restrictions actually cause traffic congestion. Hopefully speeders learn their lessons.”

Gasguy added: “As much as I don’t think they are always suitable they are indicated by giant signs over each lane.

“If you don’t notice that limit and stick to it and get caught then like it or not, your not paying enough attention to your driving.

“I went on a speed awareness course and actually found it very good as did most of the people there.”

Others have been more critical of the scheme, specifically in relation to low or “unnecessary” speed limits set outside of peak times.

Commenting on Facebook, Cai Lawson said: “The cameras cause congestion. Many times I have been through that area and they are on for no good reason. Even 5am on a Sunday when there are only 3 other vehicles on the road.”

A statement on GoSafe’s website states that limits seemingly set “for no reason” are enforced to allow maintenance work on the roads.

It adds that drivers might be seeing the signs just before safety cones are set out or just after they have been removed.

But Mrs Healy urged motorists to respect the speed limits set and to drive to the conditions within those limits.

“The variable speed limits will occasionally change in response to changes in traffic flow,” she said.

“If the limit changes as a motorist passes under the sign there will be a short, automatic delay before enforcement can begin against the newly displayed limit.

“In these situations motorists are not expected to brake sharply, but rather to reduce their speed so that they are within the speed limit as soon as it is safe to do so.”