Thousands of motorists have been hit with fines on the M6 in the West Midlands this year, despite travelling at speeds below the national 70mph limit. New data reveals the scale of penalties issued for breaching temporary, digitally displayed restrictions.
How Variable Speed Cameras Are Catching Drivers Out
Data obtained by West Midlands Police and shared with BirminghamLive shows that close to 30,000 drivers have been issued speeding tickets in the region this year. A significant portion of these were likely caught by variable speed cameras active on the M6.
These cameras are triggered when temporary speed limits are in force due to congestion, roadworks, or incidents. The limits, shown in red circles on overhead gantries, can reduce the maximum speed to 60, 50, or even 40 mph. Crucially, these are legally enforceable limits, not advisory warnings.
This means a driver travelling at 60 mph in a section where a 50 mph limit is displayed is committing a speeding offence, even though they are below the motorway's standard 70 mph cap.
M6 Speeding Hotspots Revealed
The police figures pinpoint the stretches of motorway where drivers are most frequently caught. The worst location for offences was on the southbound M6 between the M54 slip road near Wolverhampton and Junction 10 for Walsall. Here, a staggering 9,711 speeding offences were recorded.
Another major hotspot was identified on the northbound carriageway between Junctions 7 and 8 near Great Barr, where 8,941 vehicles were clocked breaking the speed limit.
The Importance of Heeding Digital Signs
The high number of fines underscores a common misconception among drivers. Many believe the variable limits are merely suggestions, but police and highway authorities stress they are mandatory. The speed displayed on the gantry is the legal maximum until another sign changes it.
Regular users of the motorway network are urged to stay vigilant and always obey the electronically displayed limits. With tens of thousands of fines already issued in 2025, the message from authorities is clear: ignoring the variable signs is a costly mistake.
