DRIVERS have been easing off the accelerator since speed cameras have been introduced across the south Bucks stretch of the M40, according to figures released this week.

Since the mobile camera initiative began in October, just 14 speeding offences have been detected over a total of 20 ¾ hours.

Buckinghamshire County councillor Valerie Letheren, cabinet member for transportation, said: “Given the volume of traffic along that stretch, this is astonishing “I'm really delighted. We're not here to prosecute people, we're here to make people mindful of the speeds and if it's had that effect then I'm really pleased.”

Information released by the County Council said there were three sites across the south Bucks stretch of the M40 where mobile speed cameras had been set up.

One overlooks junction four, at Handy Cross, another is over Broad Lane, overlooking the stretch between junctions two, Beaconsfield and three, Loudwater. A third site is on the bridge at junction two.

Police have made eight visits to the three sites since the scheme launched in October, totalling more than 20 hours of enforcement.

Earlier this week, Insp Colin Clarke, of Amersham Roads Policing, said he was encouraged by the results.

He said: “There has been an awareness of a greater likelihood of speed enforcements going on on the M40, which appears to be having an effect on the drivers using it.”