THE number of motorists caught by a speed camera on the A690 has been revealed - and it caught more people last year, than any other year before. 

The camera, which is described as being on the Houghton Cut, has been operational for the past several years.

It has become a common sight on the stretch of road, between the A19 near Sunderland and Houghton-le-Spring.

READ MORE: Mobile speed camera hotspot locations in County Durham and Darlington

But latest available information from the Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative has revealed the number of speeding motorists caught by the camera has increased since 2016.

Last year, 2,843 speeding motorists were caught - the highest recorded by the speed camera so far.

READ MORE: The worst roads for speeding in the North-East, according to YOU

This is up by almost 400 on the previous year, when 2,475 speeding motorists were caught by the mobile speed camera in 2018.

According to the data, the camera site was first operational in February 2013 and has so far caught almost 13,400 motorists for speeding.

Here's how many people were caught each year

2013 - 2,311

2014 - 1,291

2015 - 1,175

2016 - 899

2017 - 2,389

2018 - 2,475

2019 - 2,843  

What happens if you get caught speeding?

According to Northumbria Police, illegal or inappropriate speeding is the single biggest factor in fatal road collisions.

It has urged motorists to remember that the speed limit is a limit and not a target and consider the consequences of causing an accident due to driving at excessive speed.

Speeding fines are split into three bands based on factors including personal income and the speed of the road. 

Anyone speeding at 51mph or above in a 30mph limit - for example - faces a fine equivalent to 150 per cent of their weekly income, and 6 penalty points on their driving licence, or disqualification from driving for up to 56 days. 

If you’re disqualified for 56 days or more, you must apply for a new licence before you're able to start driving again.

For anyone earning £25,000 a year, a speeding fine equivalent to 150 per cent of their weekly income means handing over a minimum of £720.

Motorists who receive a 'Band B' speeding fine for doing between 41-50mph in a 30mph limit face fines equivalent to 100 per cent of your weekly income (£480), and 4 penalty points on your driving licence, or disqualification from driving for up to 28 days.

Motorists who receive a 'Band A' speeding fine if caught speeding between 31-40 in a 30mph zone can expect to receive a fine equivalent to 50 per cent of your weekly income (£240), and 3 penalty points on your driving licence.