A South Hams man has accused the Government of using motorists as a “cash cow” after more than 100 drivers were caught speeding in one day on the A379.

Devon and Cornwall Police patrolled the road between Dartmouth and Plymouth on Thursday, August 22.

One driver was caught going 50mph through the village of Brixton, ignoring the 30mph limit in place.

But Philip Le Houx, who lives in Kingsbridge, thinks “police should get their priorities right” and accused them of running a “cash cow” operation.

Drivers slapped with a fixed penalty notice receive a £100 fine and three points on their licence, but those who end up in court can expect fines up to 10 times higher.

Mr Le Houx, in an open letter, raged: “I have just read about the "purge" by our police on motorists on the A379.

“How many police officers were involved?

“We hear that other law-breaking such as theft, violence and burglary cannot be investigated because of a lack of officers?

“This operation, in my view, was a ‘cash cow’ event. Why persecute the motorist?

“I agree with law but think those in charge of our police should get their priorities right.

“How much money was raised by these fines?

“Do we believe it was law enforcement or was was done to raise cash?”

Devon and Cornwall Police said it will “continue unapologetically” to keep the roads safer by detecting, penalising and educating drivers who flout the law.

The force added that any suggestions that the operation sought to raise revenue were “misguided and incorrect”.

Chief Inspector Adrian Leisk, head of Alliance Roads Policing, said speeding drivers are one of the main causes of fatal crashes, which is why stopping them is a priority.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Speeding is completely unacceptable and puts lives at risk, which is why there are tough penalties and rigorous enforcement in place for those who speed.”

Speeding fines are paid into the Government’s main bank account, named the Consolidated Fund.

This is used towards general government expenditure, the Department for Transport said.

Ch Insp Leisk said 142 drivers were caught speeding, while 15 others were breaking the law by other means, including driving with no insurance or road tax, with expired MOTs or using a mobile phone.

He said: “Enforcement and education against speeding drivers is carried out for one reason and one reason only.

“Excessive speed is one of the five main causes of deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

“Devon and Cornwall Police, working with partner agencies, will do everything in our power to reduce the death and injury toll on our roads.

“Any suggestion that police forces carry out this work in order to raise revenue for the Government is misguided and incorrect.

“The police do not ‘persecute’ motorists and only act against those who are breaking the law.

“It really is self-evident that drivers who do not break the law do not attract the attention of the police.”