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10-speed camera myths.
For years rumours have circulated around speed cameras and these 10 things are often said about speed cameras and speeding in general but are they all true?
Brake the Road safety chain said in the Daily Mirror that this is the truth about some of the claims.
Not all speed cameras work, and some are switched off: True.
Brake said Some speed cameras are not fully operational in the UK as revealed by various freedom of information requests. The use of speed cameras is fully supported by Brake. And they encourage the return to use of any that have been turned off. It has been proven that speed cameras reduce speeding and can catch higher numbers of speeding drivers than traffic police with mobile cameras.
You have to be speeding at least 10% of the limit plus 2mph to get caught: False(ish)
A driver can receive a speeding ticket if they exceed the speed limit by only 1mph the law states. But the guidance by the National Police Chiefs Council. Suggests that until a driver exceeds the speed limit by 10% plus 2mph officers do not prosecute.
But Brake says drivers should be aware that the guidance is not legally entrenched. It is up to the Officers discretion to act outside it. Drivers need to be aware that it does not legally mean they can break the speed limit.
If you drive fast you will not trigger the camera:False
The only way not to trigger the camera is to stick to the speed limit.
Speed cameras should be painted yellow to be legal: False.
The government wants all speed cameras painted yellow in England. The offence will still be valid if you are caught on a grey speed camera before then.
Average speed cameras don’t really work which is why some people ignore them: False.
Average speed cameras prevent dangerous behaviour from drivers. Over a longer stretch of road, they are particularly effective. They prevent drivers from speeding up again immediately after passing a camera.
You must be notified within a certain amount of time in order for it to be valid:True.
A driver who is caught by a speed camera rather than a police officer. Has to be sent a Notice of intended prosecution within 14 days and the notice goes to whoever the vehicle is registered to.
You can request a speed awareness course: False.
If you are eligible for a course you will be notified by the police. But if you haven’t been offered one forget it.
You can do a speed awareness course more than once: Sometimes true.
Depending on the severity of the offence, drivers caught speeding a second time may be able to do a second course. But not within three years of the first-speed awareness course according to guidelines.
If you go on a speed awareness course you don’t have to declare it on your insurance: False.
Information on if a driver has taken a speed awareness course is held by local police forces. Brake says If a driver does not reveal that they have taken a speed awareness course and later make a claim on their insurance. Could find that their policy is invalid.
You can get caught on a bike or horse: False.
It may be unlikely that a cyclist or other road user on non motorised transport, could reach the necessary speeds to be over the limit. The law around speed limits only covers motor or mechanically propelled vehicles.
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