10 Things You Didn’t Know About Speed Cameras
Reading time 6 minutes
Categories Driving Law » Safety »
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Speed Cameras
Reading time 6 minutes
Categories Driving Law » Safety »
Every driver is different. They have different driving styles, confidence levels and vehicles. However, one of the few things that brings all drivers together is an immense dislike of speed cameras.
Speed cameras are one of the UK’s most common traffic enforcement devices, and are designed to catch motorists who are committing a whole host of motoring offences including speeding, driving through red lights, unauthorised use of bus lanes and more. While their core purpose is to make our roads safer, many drivers see them as a nuisance. With this in mind, there are a number of common myths that go hand in hand with speed cameras.
At The Windscreen Company, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of questions to help provide you with a better understanding of speed cameras.
Read on to find out more.
This depends on the type of camera being used. While fixed speed cameras may concentrate on one specific area of road, mobile police speed cameras can catch drivers who are speeding no matter what side they’re driving on. Typically, these cameras will take the form of manually operated radar guns.
In addition to being safer, you never know when these types of cameras are being used, so it’s best practice to keep within the speed limit to avoid being caught.
Speed cameras are famous for the flashing motion that can be triggered when a car exceeds the speed limit. However, it’s important to note that this is not always the case. There is a wide range of speed camera types in the UK, and while the most common type (the Gatsometer BV camera) does flash, not all of them do. So if you’re speeding and don’t see a flash, it doesn’t mean you’ve escaped punishment.
As well as being able to catch people who are speeding, these days cameras are sophisticated enough to detect when people are breaking other traffic laws, such as being on their mobile phones or not wearing their seatbelts. If caught committing either of these offences, you could face points on your licence and a fine.
Unlike standard speed cameras, which capture the speed you’re doing at any given moment, average speed cameras work slightly differently to check if you’re speeding.
Instead, they use automatic number plate reading (ANPR) technology to clock a car’s speed at two points on the road. It’ll then work out the average speed a vehicle has been travelling at, and issue a ticket if the speed limit has been exceeded. There is some talk among drivers that average speed cameras are easier to fool or don’t work as effectively. However, this is a myth and average-speed cameras should be approached the same way as their counterparts.
Many people believe that speed cameras are unable to catch you speeding unless you’re doing more than 10% of the speed limit. While it’s true that most police officers will choose not to prosecute if you’re only slightly over, speed cameras these days are sophisticated enough to clock you, even if you’re only 1mph above the speed limit. Furthermore, the law states that 1mph above the limit is enough for a ticket to be issued.
In short, yes. Speeding more than once in a day can be enough to see you receive more than one ticket. Of course, context is important. As a rule of thumb, most speed cameras and vans will count multiple speeding offences within a 20-minute window as just one offence. However, some officers may choose to count them as more than one offence if it seems particularly egregious. Ultimately, it’s at the court’s discretion to decide how many offences it counts so it’s always best to just not speed at all!
At times, there can be a sort of camaraderie between drivers, particularly where speed cameras are concerned. It’s not uncommon to see drivers use their headlights to flash one another to warn fellow motorists of upcoming cameras or speed vans.
However, if you do this, you’re actually breaking the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997, this will count as ‘wilfully obstructing a constable in the execution of his/her duty’, and is a criminal offence. If you’re caught doing it, it will be down to the individual officer to decide whether to take the matter further.
Another popular myth among motorists is that speed cameras, specifically average-speed ones, can be tricked if you’re constantly changing lanes. Not only can this unnecessary lane changing be dangerous, but it will also not impact a speed camera’s ability to detect your speeding.
While older cameras may have been susceptible to this tactic, these days all speed cameras are sophisticated enough to detect a driver’s behaviour even if they’re lane shifting.
In addition to speed cameras, it’s also common to see speed vans on motorways and major roads in the UK. The purpose of speed vans is to deter drivers from speeding and to catch offenders. There is no legal requirement for speed vans to be visible when carrying out their work. However, some vans will often choose to be visible as their presence alone can deter drivers from speeding.
The majority of speed cameras on the road are painted a vibrant yellow. This is so people are aware of their presence and to ensure they act as a deterrent in the hope people kerb their speed naturally.
However, while there is a conscious effort to ensure all cameras are painted as such, there remain some in the country that are grey or other colours that make them blend into their surroundings. Despite their lack of colour, they remain just as legal as any type of speed camera and any punishment is equally as valid. Like with all these tips, the best way to not get caught out is to ensure you’re obeying the speed limit at all times.
At The Windscreen Company, your safety when out on the roads is paramount to everything we do. With this in mind, we provide leading windscreen replacement and repair services that keep you and other road users safe. Operating across the West Midlands and South East, if your windscreen has sustained any damage, it’s vital you get in touch as soon as possible. Contact our team today to find out more.
The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.
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