MORE than 57,000 motorists have been caught speeding in just over a year in Dorset.

Figures gathered by the Echo have pinpointed the spots that drivers go over the limit most often- and they are most likely to ignore signs for 30mph.

The top spots drivers have been caught with their foot on the gas are the A35 westbound at Chideock, the B3073 Hurn Road, Christchurch northwest and the B3154 Chickerell Road.

But whilst 83 per cent of motorists questioned in a Which? survey said they don't believe speed cameras change driver behaviour, Dorset Police's No Excuse team says limits are there for a reason and it works to educate motorists as to why.

Brian Austin, operations manager of road safety, said: “Excess speed is one of five biggest killers on roads in Dorset and is known as one of the ‘fatal five’.

“To put it simply there is no excuse to speed. We all lead busy lives but the desire to get somewhere that little bit quicker means you are putting your lives and that of other road users at risk. It is just not worth it."

The risk of death is approximately four times higher when a pedestrian is hit at 40mph than at 30mph.

Fatal accidents are four times as likely on rural “A” roads as urban “A” roads.

A total of 57,700 motorists were caught speeding; 19,533 motorists paid a fine and were issued three points on the licence for camera offences, 2,607 files were sent to the Prosecution Unit and 23,227 motorists underwent the education option.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said the difference in numbers will comprise emergency vehicle and a number of other reasons; it does not correspond with the number of unpaid tickets.

Brian Austin, operations manager of road safety, said: “Excess speed is one of five biggest killers on roads in Dorset and is known as one of the ‘fatal five’.

“To put it simply there is no excuse to speed. We all lead busy lives but the desire to get somewhere that little bit quicker means you are putting your lives and that of other road users at risk. It is just not worth it.

"The Force’s No Excuse team tackle poor and inconsiderate driving and educate motorists in a bid to reduce the number of casualties on our roads.

As well as the No Excuse mobile camera, which operates in locations of recent accidents, or where the public have complained about speeding, Dorset Road Safe operates fixed camera enforcement throughout the county.

Fixed cameras are used to prevent speeding at specific locations where there is a history of injury collisions or where the risk of collisions is high.

Each year, every site is reviewed and the partnership decides which sites will receive continued enforcement.

Whether or not there is speed camera signage prior to the camera doesn't matter- any speeding offence still stands.

It is the driver of the vehicles' responsibility to know the speed limits set for the road and also the speed limits for the type of vehicle being driven.

The A35 Chideock Westbound caught 3,362 motorists in 2014/15.

The B3073 Hurn Road, Christchurch camera caught 2,735.

A total of 26 motorists were caught speeding on the B3154 Chickerell Road, Weymouth in 2014/15, 14 were caught on Weston Road, Portland, 160 were caught on the B3156 Lanehouse Rocks Road, Weymouth, 73 were caught on the B3155 Preston Road, Weymouth and 722 were caught on the A35 Chideock Hill.