Northampton driver's £650 court bill for speeding twice in three days on the SAME stretch of M1

A Northampton driver has landed a hefty opping court bill after being caught speeding twice in less than 72 hours on the SAME stretch of the M1.

Maria Schiopu, 46, was snapped exceeding the temporary 60mph limit in a BMW 320D M Sport on the M1 between Junction 15 and Junction 14 in the early hours of June 28 last year — and again just three days later.

Northampton Magistrates Court heard the vehicle registered 78mph at 1:53am on the average speed camera enforcement system installed while work is being carried out converting a 23-mile stretch of the M1 into a smart motorway.

The same vehicle was then clocked at 79mph just after midnight on July 1,

Schiopu, of Aynho Crescent, Northampton, was fined £220 for each offence and also ordered to pay a total of £224 in production costs and a surcharge to fund victim services. Magistrates also added six points on her licence.

Highways England's £373million project to turn the M1 into a smart motorway between Junction 16 and Junction 13 is due for completion late next year or early 2023.

Temporary speed limits — designed to protect workers and drivers where lanes are narrower — were raised from 50mph to 60mph last year following safety trials.

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