Almost 4,500 drivers were snared speeding in 10 months on one of Scotland’s busiest stretches of motorway.
Average speed cameras caught nearly 450 motorists a month breaking the 40mph speed restrictions imposed temporarily on the M90 at Halbeath in Fife as works were conducted.
Fines will amount to £267,540 for HM Treasury if most of the offenders accept the £60 penalty and three points on their licence rather than go to court.
Fife Constabulary released the figures for October 2011 to July 2012.
However, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife John Park reckons the cameras are being used to make money rather than protect road workers and other road users.
He said: ”It is vital that the drivers buy into safety measures. These figures don’t look good at first glance and appear to be about making money rather than keeping people safe.
”I recognise the importance of ensuring the safety of workers by making sure motorists drive at sensible speeds, but I spoke to many constituents who were concerned about the practicality of these cameras.
”Many complained that the signage was confusing in parts, particularly for those entering and leaving the motorway just north of the bridge, and this was endangering drivers.
”Many also complained that they could not understand why cameras were active for the full length of the works when the vast majority of the road did not have workers on it.”
SNP MSP Graeme Dey believes the cameras have done their job in convicting those putting road workers at risk.
He said: ”I think the figures demonstrate just how effective average speed cameras are in ensuring that motorists drive at safe speeds through areas where workers are going about their business.”
A leading road safety expert claimed not enough was being done to teach drivers about how average speed cameras work.
Andrew Howard, head of road safety for the Automobile Association, said: ”Normally speed cameras have a reputation for being self-enforcing people don’t break the rules.
”We’ve had this one on the M90 and another one on the M62 which has reversed that pattern.
”The authorities have to look at how well they are communicating the message. They consider that everybody knows what an average speed camera is perhaps people don’t?
”We ought to be learning why this type of camera seems to be catching people while other ones don’t.”
Drivers face even more delays on the M90 later this month with various planned works between September 14 and 28 at junctions eight and nine.