Drivers have been made to stump up more than £100 million in variable speed limit fines from smart motorway cameras on the M1 and M25, new data has revealed.

Following a Freedom of Information request submitted by Confused.com, it was revealed that nearly 42,000 drivers had been caught by variable speed limit cameras on the two motorways since they were installed.

Across the country, motorists have been slapped with £526 million in fines after 210,000 drivers were caught exceeding the variable speed limit, which can drop from 70mph to just 20mph.

And with recent speeding fine increases, drivers can now be fined up to 175 per cent of their weekly income.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, said: “There seems to be a perception among drivers that variable speed cameras on smart motorways are there to catch people out, and it’s no surprise with up to £526m in fines issued last year alone.

“Of course, speeding can land drivers with more than an expensive ticket as motorists with points for speeding can also face increased car insurance costs at point of renewal.”