Traffic violations rise across Exeter as new data reveals problem routes

Traffic violations have increased across Exeter over the past year, with thousands of offences captured on some of the city’s busiest roads, according to new figures released by Devon & Cornwall Police’s Road Safety Department.

The data, which covers 1 October 2024 to 1 October 2025 and was obtained through a Freedom of Information request, indicates a clear rise in speeding and other traffic offences. However, police did not provide monthly breakdowns. 

The FOI request also inquired whether violations had increased or decreased in areas where new enforcement cameras had recently been installed, including Fore Street and Wonford Road. 

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Police confirmed they hold no data from before these cameras were fitted, meaning it is too early to assess any trends or evaluate how effective the cameras may be. 

They also clarified that Devon & Cornwall Police do not operate enforcement cameras on Fore Street or Wonford Road, despite continued concerns from residents about dangerous driving in both areas.

While it will take time to understand the impact of the newest enforcement points, police said wider statistics from across the region consistently show that camera enforcement leads to lower speeds, with violations usually falling once drivers adapt their behaviour.

The FOI dataset highlights how widespread traffic violations are across established enforcement sites in Exeter. 

Between 1 October 2024 and 1 October 2025, cameras recorded thousands of traffic offences across Exeter.

• Alphington Road saw 4,936 offences, with daily figures at times surpassing 100.
• On the A379, the westbound approach at Newcourt Way logged 393 offences, while the eastbound route at Russell Way recorded 1,189.
• Along Topsham Road, 3,722 offences were registered at the Burnthouse Lane junction and 2,154 at the Barrack Road junction.
• Some of the highest totals were recorded on Bridge Road, one of the city’s main commuter corridors, with 4,087 offences northbound and 4,698 southbound during the same period.

Although the figures show the scale of speeding across Exeter’s major routes, they do not break down the types of offences recorded and do not include trend comparisons for newer enforcement sites.

Adrian Leisk, Head of Road Safety at Devon & Cornwall Police, said the cameras are installed solely to improve safety: “Speed cameras are put in place following close working with our local authority partners in the Vision Zero South West partnership and are always situated to improve safety and nothing else. A number of these sites are modern replacements for obsolete ‘wet film’ GATSO cameras which have been at locations for over 20 years,” he said.

“It is encouraging to see the positive changes in driver behaviour over time. Our data shows that established camera systems have over 99 per cent compliance with the speed limit. The cameras are largely in 30mph areas, and we would like to remind drivers that a road where a system of street lighting less than 200 yards (183m) is in place is a restricted road and therefore subject to a 30mph limit unless signed otherwise with additional smaller repeater signage in place.” 

“Over time drivers may have forgotten this, and this is one of the most asked questions when a notice of intended prosecution is received.”