Midlands motorway drivers getting fined while going under 70mph

Thousands have been punished at lower speeds

05:09, 27 Jun 2026

Cameras operate at lower speeds.(Image: PA)

Drivers are warned temporary lower speed limits on West Midlands motorways need to be taken seriously.

Thousands of motorists have been fined on our motorways over recent years despite going under the national speed limit of 70mph.

Some may also have been hit with penalty points.

This is because they have either ignored or been caught out by temporary speed restrictions.

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It serves as a warning that drivers are often punished for not following these rules, and motorists are mistaken if they assume they are not mandatory.

They may be surprised when a speeding ticket drops through the letterbox, particularly if they haven't gone over 70mph.

On smart motorways like the West Midlands stretch of the M6, drivers will often notice lower speed limits displayed on overhead gantries, reading 60, 50 or 40 depending on conditions.

This essentially happens on a daily basis on the M6 at peak times.

Traffic is usually instructed to slow down during periods of heavy congestion, when there is an incident or during roadworks.

It is common for these speed limits to be ignored but variable speed cameras operate on motorways.

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Another time when drivers need to be wary is when passing through roadworks projects.

During these times traffic may be slowed to 50mph, for example, and cameras will sometimes operate to enforce restrictions.

BirminghamLive understands fines have been issued to drivers ignoring 50mph restrictions on the M42 at Water Orton, where HS2 viaduct works are ongoing, and that motorists have been punished for going under 60mph here.

On the M6 in the region, drivers are caught most often between junctions 7 and 8 near Great Barr and between the M54 exit slip road near Wolverhampton and junction 10 for Walsall[4].

Thousands have been fined at these sections over recent years while variable speed limits have been in place.

References

1. ^ Rachel Reeves' new GBP200 summer cost-of-living payments - how to claim (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)
3. ^ Get all the latest motoring news sent to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ Walsall (www.birminghammail.co.uk)