MOTORISTS in Yorkshire paid £6.8m in speeding fines last year.

But the true cost is more ... because they are further penalised by their insurance company.

Research published by insurance company swiftcover.com today reveals Yorkshire drivers caught by speed cameras had to pay out £2.6m in increased premiums.

The research also says the speed camera culture has encouraged a new driving phenomenon - the yo-yoing driver.

This trait is seen where erratic motorists speed up then slow down for cameras, to avoid being caught.

According to the survey, more than half of motorists in Yorkshire admitted to speeding after passing a camera and then slamming the brakes on when they see the next one.

It also found that nearly seven in ten drivers are focusing more on the speed camera than on the road ahead.

Andrew Blowers, chief executive at swiftcover.com, said: "The plague of speed cameras on the nation's roads hits the motorist in the pocket.

"Getting flashed by a camera is a double-whammy for many, as not only are they hit with the fine, but the conviction can lead to an increase in insurance premiums."

The company said 160,455 people are caught speeding in Yorkshire every year, of which 41% were caught by a camera.

However, four out of five of these drivers have a clean licence when they are caught.

The number of convictions has more than trebled in 10 years - driven by the increase in cameras - from 519,000 in 1993.

The report also shows Yorkshire motorists are fed up with speed cameras, revealing 70% of drivers caught by them thought they were driving safely for the conditions on the road at the time.

A further 66% believed cameras were mainly used to generate revenue.

Mr Blowers added: "This widespread condemnation of the speed camera is to be expected when they seem to be springing up on every corner and one in ten motorists is stung with a conviction every year.

"With this in mind, it isn't surprising that the vast majority of Yorkshire motorists believe they are ineffective and are nothing but a distraction leading to erratic and potentially dangerous driving."

Paul Watters, head of roads policy at the AA Motoring Trust, said roads where speed cameras were present had been made safer by their presence.

He added: "Government research shows that cameras have reduced casualties."