Speed hotspots revealed as driver caught at 143mph

A motorist has been caught driving at 143mph along the M4 near Bristol as new figures reveal the "concerning" extent of speeding in the area.

Data obtained from Avon and Somerset Police's speed cameras showed drivers exceeding three times the limit on city centre roads and twice the national speed limit on motorways.

As many as 20 people were killed in fatal road incidents in the Avon and Somerset area in the past year.

Bristol City councillor David Wilcox said he was "very concerned" by the figures and he called for more speed cameras to be installed across the city as a "deterrent".

The data, released through a Freedom of Information request, showed the busiest speeding hotspots across Bristol and Somerset in the past five years.

The busiest speed camera in 2025 was on the M4 eastbound between J19 and J20 just north of Bristol.

More than 12,000 tickets were issued there in 2025 alone - equating to dozens issued every single day.

The same stretch of motorway also recorded the highest speed of 143mph (230km/h) on the westbound carriageway though this does not beat a recording in 2020 of 157mph (252km/h).

Elsewhere, in more urban areas, St John's Lane in Bristol racked up nearly 5,000 tickets last year while speeds exceeded 83mph (134km/h) on Gloucester Road North.

Drivers were also caught doing up to 60mph (97km/h) in a 20mph (32km/h) zone.

"We need the public to recognise that speeding is a factor in at least 50% of our fatal road traffic collisions," said Insp Matt Boiles, from Avon and Somerset's roads policing team.

"Nobody should be able to travel at those speeds and everybody has a responsibility for road safety."

He said the loss of 20 people on the force's roads was "far, far too many".

Boiles added: "We're seeing people who have got professional careers - never in trouble with police before - being involved in these catastrophic incidents.

"You can see the impact on them - it changes their lives. We don't want that to happen to anybody."

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