Like them or loathe them, speed cameras are championed by their advocates as a necessary technology for keeping our roads safe.
Also known as road safety cameras, speed cameras have been used across England, Scotland and Wales since the Road Traffic Act was implemented in 1991.
Speed cameras have always been a controversial topic among drivers, of whom many believe they can save lives, while others deem them ineffective.
According to a survey conducted by IAM Roadsmart, some 80% of drivers thought the use of speed cameras was “acceptable or very acceptable”.
But are they effective? A study by the RAC found that casualties dropped by 27% in areas where speed cameras were installed – although a small number of sites did see an increase in casualties of around 4%.
A separate London School of Economics study revealed that speed cameras reduced accidents by between 17% and 39% from the years 1992 to 2016, also reducing fatalities by between 50% and 68%.
Speed cameras are disliked by many motorists because of the fines handed out to drivers caught going over the speed limit.
How do speed cameras work?
It might not seem obvious when you’re behind the wheel, but there are many different types of speed cameras that work in different ways. (You can see a full list of the types of speed cameras used in the UK further down the page.)
Generally, though, speed cameras work by detecting a vehicle’s speed using radar systems, or using technology built directly into the road.
Many cameras will produce a bright flash if you’re driving over the limit, capturing your car’s numberplate, colour, make and model. Some newer cameras will also target the driver’s face.
Some cameras are mobile. With this tech, a police van will be positioned, just off the road, to detect speeding drivers. Other cameras, such as those found in areas with temporary speed limit adjustments, will record your average speed, and if you exceed it you will be fined.
Where can speed cameras be found?
The UK has more than 7000 speed cameras, which led to 245,043 speeding fines issued in 2022 – a record year for offences. They can be found along any sort of road with a designated speed limit or speed restriction.
This includes roads with limits of 20mph or 30mph in slower areas, 40mph or 50mph on slightly faster roads, and national speed limit zones such as motorways, which are usually rated at 70mph.
Most cameras are clearly marked with signage along the road and are painted bright yellow. They are usually found just off the road and pointing in the direction of travel, while others will be positioned overhead on a gantry.
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There will a decreasing need for speed cameras according to this notice:A new European Union Mandate is set to come into force from Sunday July 7th 2024, which means that all new vehicles sold will require a speed limiter. Once they get that sorted, you will likely be uploading your daily motoring data for pay-per-mile charging as soon as you plug in for charging up.
It doesn't matter what detection systems that are used, it's the humans who are at fault,some naturally drive fast,some ignore limits,so, it's not the cars that cause the accidents and deaths, it's us, the drivers.
We can look forward to the days when speed cameras are obsolete - and we can all drive flat-out everywhere safe in the knowledge that our cars are automatically governed to the appropriateb speed limit. Oh wait, new cars already now have this facility!
I suppose that the next safety development will be to limit acceleration and cornering speeds, so there will be no fun at all...