Speed camera shave been in use across the UK since 1991. According to a study from the London School of Economics, it is estimated they have reduced accidents by between 58 per cent and 68 per cent.
But while the cameras cut accidents and save lives, some drivers would still rather avoid them. While others believe there are ways you can trick the system - either by not getting caught or using loopholes to avoid points and a fine.
Speaking to The Daily Post, Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas, explained exactly how speed cameras work to dispel any myths. He said: "I decided after retiring that I wanted to make the roads as safe as they can be in this area.
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"The aim of cameras is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads. Go Safe prefers to educate drivers rather than punish them with fines and penalty points."
It is true that the 10 per cent rule exists?
In UK driving law, a speed tolerance means that a driver gets a small amount of leeway for driving over the limit before a camera activates and a driver is penalised. Gareth confirmed you will not get a ticket provided your speed does not exceed the limit by more than 10 per cent.
Is it illegal to eat behind the wheel?
No, it's not. However, if you get distracted while snacking behind the wheel, the police could prosecute you for careless driving. Gareth, said: "It is endorsable. I had one lady in view once and she was looking in the mirror and putting lipstick on.
"She was riding on the cats eyes in the centre of the road and veering. I recommended that she was prosecuted for driving without due care and attention."
Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a speed van?
If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty".
However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent."
Are officers a revenue collector for the Government?
No. Gareth, explained: "We're not here to get figures or to make money. We're just here to catch the people who are speeding. If I get a day where I don't get any drivers speeding, then I know I've done my job. If I've been working an eight hour shift, I just hope at least one person that day has escaped injury or a crash has been avoided."
Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times?
No. There are no laws about visibility, so there is nothing stopping an officer operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this, and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right.
Gareth, said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people speeding right away."
What happens if I am caught speeding?
If you're caught breaking the speed limit, the image recorded by the camera will scan your car’s number plate to get the registered address from the DVLA. Within two weeks of being caught, a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle.
It'll also include a request to provide driver details in case someone else was driving at the time. If the car's owner wasn't driving then they must let the police know the name and address of the person who was.
It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were in excess of the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points.
How do speed cameras work?
According to The AA, speed cameras record a vehicle’s speed by using detectors in the road or radar technology, depending on the type of camera. Some speed cameras combine with traffic light cameras to monitor lights and junctions too.
They can detect vehicles travelling over the stop line or entering the intersection after the lights have turned red. If the speed of the vehicle exceeds the legal limit, or a vehicle runs a red light, the camera is triggered.
If the camera detects speeding, it takes a digital image. The image will catch the vehicle’s colour, type, make and registration plate. It may also capture the face of the driver, depending on the type of camera and which way it's facing. Not all cameras will get a clear picture of the driver.
The camera will also record the:
- Time and date of the offence
- Speed you were travelling
- Speed limit on the road
The minimum penalty for speeding is generally a £100 fine and three points on your licence. However, this could be higher if you've gone over the speed limit by a lot. You can even get a court summons. However, if it's a first offence and you don't have points on your licence, you could be offered a speed awareness course instead of penalty points.
Different types of speed cameras
There are over a dozen different types of speed cameras in operation around the UK. Here are the most common ones.
- Fixed speed cameras: Digital Gatso speed cameras, Truvelo Combi speed cameras, Truvelo D-Cam speed cameras and HADECS speed cameras.
- Average speed cameras: SPECS average speed camera, Siemens SafeZone average speed camera and SpeedSpike average speed cameras.
- Speed and traffic cameras: SpeedCurb speed cameras and REDFLEX speed cameras.
Mobile speed cameras: Long Ranger mobile speed cameras.
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