On your way to the airport, you’re in a rush and driving on unfamiliar roads. Suddenly, a flash goes off in your rear-view mirror. You know you shouldn’t have been speeding, but it’s easy to make mistakes when you’re under stress.
Getting flashed by a speed camera doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a ticket. The time it takes to receive a ticket can vary depending on the location and the specific camera that caught your speed. Typically, you can expect to receive a ticket within a few weeks. However, there are a few things that can happen after you’re flashed by a speed camera:
- You may be offered a speed awareness course. This is a non-adversarial course that is designed to educate drivers about the dangers of speeding. If you successfully complete the course, you won’t receive a speeding ticket.
- You may be issued a speeding ticket. This will result in a fine and, depending on the severity of the offense, points on your driving record.
- In the most serious circumstances, you may be sent to court. This could result in a fine, points on your license, or even a driving ban.
If you’re flashed by a speed camera, it’s important to stay calm and follow the instructions of the police. If you’re issued a speeding ticket, you should carefully consider your options before deciding whether to pay the fine or challenge it in court. To help ease the anxiety of whether you’ll get a ticket, here’s our instant guide to working out if you’re in line for points and a fine…
Keep ahead of who or what’s watching you… and stay below the limit
Speed cameras on motorways and A-roads across the UK
With speed camera locations dotted all over the UK, it’s tricky to keep track. But don’t stress. We’ve got your go-to guide on what they do and how they all work.
Identify that speed camera here
| Speed camera | Location | Stealth rating |
| Siemens SafeZone | A40 London | 2/5 |
| Gatso | A-roads | 2/5 |
| SPECS | Across UK | 3/5 |
| Truvelo | Northampton / Hampshire | 3/5 |
| Truvelo D-Cam | A- and B-roads / motorways | 4/5 |
| SpeedSpike | Hampshire | 4/5 |
| Mobile camera | Across UK | 4/5 |
| HADECS 3 | Motorways | 5/5 |
| Vector | Kent | 4/5 |
| SpeedCurb | Across UK | 3/5 |
| Peek | Greater London / Berkshire | 2/5 |
| DS2 cameras | Across UK | 5/5 |
| DVLA cameras | Across UK | 4/5 |
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Diary of a speeding ticket…
Find out what happens after you get flashed by a speed camera.
How fast will I need to be going to trigger a ticket: What the police say
Individual police forces can use discretion, but the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has issued the following suggestion for enforcing speed limits:
| Speed limit | Min speed for a speeding ticket | Min speed for prosecution |
|---|---|---|
| 20mph | 24mph | 35mph |
| 30mph | 35mph | 50mph |
| 40mph | 46mph | 66mph |
| 50mph | 57mph | 76mph |
| 60mph | 68mph | 86mph |
| 70 mph | 79mph | 96mph |
Will you get a ticket? Was the speed camera working, or were you genuinely speeding? The police have 14 days to issue the registered keeper of the vehicle involved with a notice of intended prosecution (NIP). If this doesn’t arrive within 14 days, it’s likely you will not be liable for prosecution. However, this is not as clear cut as it sounds and you should get legal advice if it arrives after 14 days – simply ignoring it could result in prosecution and further speed camera penalty points. You must act on your belief that the ticket arrived too late.
Are there any other time limits? Once the NIP has been sent and complied with, the case must progress within six months. If this is not the case, seek legal advice and ask for it to be thrown out.
What next? You will have to comply with the request to identify the driver of the car involved within 28 days. Fail to do this and you could find your licence endorsed with six penalty points and a £1,000 fine.
What about fines and endorsements?
The latest speed camera fines came into force on April 24, 2017– find out how much you’ll be fined if you’re caught speeding based on your weekly wage below.
| Band | MPH over stated speed limit | Fine (percentage of relevant weekly wage) | Number of points on licence or length of disqualification |
| Band A | 1mph to 10mph | 25-75% | 3 points |
| Band B | 11mph to 20mph | 75-125% | 4-6 points or 7-28 days’ disqualification |
| Band C | Over 21mph | 125-175% | 6 points or 7-56 days’ disqualification |
Depending on where you were caught speeding and how fast you were going over the speed limit, you’ll be placed into one of the above bands.
What you’ll be fined depends on what band you fall into, which will then dictate how much of your weekly income you’ll be charged on.
How long are penalty points valid? Speed camera penalty points are valid on your licence for three years from the date of the offence, or from the date of your conviction if it’s heard in court. You will have to wait four years to have the offence completely wiped from your record.
Will taking a speed awareness course prevent points? Yes, these courses are ran by many police forces across the UK and will mean you don’t get points added to your licence. You will have to pay to attend and they won’t apply to those convicted of serious speeding offences. It’s likely that those with a poor driving record won’t be offered the chance of attending such a course.
Types of speed cameras
With dozens of speed camera locations across the UK’s highways, we reveal what they all are and where you’re likely to find them.
Siemens SafeZone
Siemens SafeZone average speed camera. Credit Siemens
What is it? These average speed cameras were introduced to replace spot cameras as part of a deal with Transport for London throughout 2015 and into 2016. Just like the units common within many sections of motorway road works, they record average speed over a measured distance. They work day and night, regardless of weather conditions. The cameras cover multiple lanes and cut costs by – as the name suggests – automatically identifying the car and reading its number plate.
Where is it? According to Smarthighways.net, 50 of them were installed at 24 locations on the A40 in London, with more on the A406, A316 and A2.
Gatso
Gatso camera
What is it? It’s the cute cuddly speed camera we all know and love. Exceed the speed limit and it’ll use radar and camera technology to take several photos of the car as it passes over a grid of white lines on the road surface. Gatso devices are rear facing to stop drivers being blinded by the powerful flash they use to ensure the car’s number plate and position are recorded. Additionally, the lines on the road are merely a back-up and the camera can tell the speed a vehicle was travelling without them. Gatso cameras are smart too, and can distinguish between difference vehicle sizes – catching out HGVs and cars with caravans, etc. – that have separate speed limits. Many motorists would dodge speeding camera fines because the camera’s role of film had run out, however, but the new cameras take digital pictures and won’t run out of space.
Where are they? Mainly on busy A-roads, but the can be found just about anywhere. It is used to the case that they could only be located at accident black spots.
SPECS
Specs: image credit
What is it? These smart snoopers can monitor four lanes of traffic and are equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), and photograph every vehicle that passes beneath their gantry- or pole-mounted location. The data is then shared with a second unit at least 200m down the road and the car’s average speed is then calculated. The cameras don’t use film and can communicate with a remote processing centre where tickets are issued. Effective regardless of time of day or weather conditions.
Where are they? Motorways and dual carriageways across the UK, with some even starting to appear on rural roads with accident black spots.
Truvelo
Truvelo: image credit
What is it? This is a forward-facing camera that works without a flash, so it won’t risk blinding the driver. These devices take a photo of the driver’s face – cutting the risk of unscrupulous motorists getting someone else to take their points for them. The device is linked to sensors embedded in the road surface, which calculate the speed and trigger the camera.
Where are they? The Truvelo isn’t widely employed across the UK, but anyone pulling on their driving gloves in Northamptonshire and Hampshire should be on the lookout.
Truvelo D-Cam
Truvelo D-Cam: image credit
What is it? Meet Truvelo max! This updated version of the Truvelo uses lasers and can store up to 100,000 images on an internal drive, or ping photos directly – in real time – to a central processing hub. Unlike the standard Truvelo speed camera, the D-Cam can also be used as a forward- or rear-facing unit to keep motorists on their toes.
Where are they? You’ll find these on A and B-roads, motorways and on traffic light signals. They’re not overly common yet, but West Yorkshire has a policy of replacing all of its devices with these digital cameras over the coming years.
SpeedSpike
SpeedSpike
What is it? One for the Big Brother conspiracy theorists, the SpeedSpike uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and can be linked to monitor a motorist’s entire journey. There are currently 1,000 of the digital snoopers being assessed on the streets of Hampshire. This camera works in a similar way to average speed cameras – measuring speed over a certain distance, rather than at a single point in time like Gatsos.
Where are they? Look out for these in Hampshire, particularly around the village of Hursley.
Mobile camera
Mobile camera: image credit
What is it? The old-school hand-held or tripod-mounted cameras that pop up at the side of a road. Using laser or radar technology, these cameras are still one of the hardest to spot while you’re on the move. Look out for vans parked at the side of the road accompanied by men in hi-vis jackets trying to keep a distinctly low profile.
Where are they? Expect these to pop up in lay-bys anywhere around the country. However, cops will usually pick high-value roads, so the answer is simply ‘don’t speed’!
HADECS 3
HADECS3: image credit
What is it? Introduced by the Highways Agency, the HADECS cameras – short for Highway Agency Digital Enforcement Camera System 3 – were intended to help improve traffic flow and motorway capacity, but they seem to be increasingly employed as average speed cameras. The anonymous grey paintjob makes them difficult to spot – sparking accusations of profit over safety for these cameras. They are mounted either on poles or in overhead gantries. These speed cameras don’t use film, with data being sent directly to a remote location for processing.
Where are they? These have been identified on the M25 in the Kent section, with more popping up on the M3 in Hampshire and Surrey, while the North gets them on the M1 in Derbyshire and Yorkshire. The M6 around Birmingham is also covered.
Vector
Vector: image credit
What is it? ? Living on the UK’s highways since 2014, these smart cameras work using ANPR. The multi-talented devices are not only used to catch speeding drivers, but also contraventions involving bus lanes, level crossings, red lights, tolls, congestion zones, parking, yellow box incursions and access control. This camera doesn’t use film, so there’s no limit to the amount of violations they can record and process.
Where are they? You’ll find them popping up in Kent but expect that to spread if successful. The small, hard-to-spot devices can be located on traffic lights, street lamps, poles, bridges and gantries.
SpeedCurb
SpeedCurb: image credit
What is it: These cameras can often be found keeping a watchful eye on traffic lights as well as speeding offences. The cameras are similar in appearance to Gatsos and also use a rear-facing camera to record the offence. However, unlike its counterpart, the SpeedCurb is not triggered by radar, but uses sensors embedded in the road surface. The SpeedCurb does not use film and digitally transfers records to a remote processing centre.
Where are they? These devices are common across the entire UK.
Peek
Peek: image credit
What is it? Similar in appearance and operation to the Gatso, the Peek uses radar to measure the vehicle’s speed as it passes by – recording it with a rear-facing camera.
Where are they? Counties currently using Peek Traffic cameras include Berkshire, Greater London and Leicestershire.
DS2 cameras
DS2 camera strips
What is it? These devices are semi-permanent systems that are hooked up to strips either laid on the road surface or embedded within it. The system can cover two lanes and traffic going in both directions. The cameras might be monitored by roadside police who’ll stop drivers at the scene and issue an on-the-spot fine, or left unattended to record offences to be processed at a later date. They’re incredibly hard to spot, but the strips are sometimes marked by short grey poles at the side of the road.
Where are they? Expect to find them where you live!
DVLA cameras
What are they? With the demise of the road tax disc, the DVLA has upped the number of cameras it has operating to spot vehicles that haven’t paid excise duty. These can be permanent or operated from roadside vehicles.
Where are they? All across the UK
What happens when you get a speeding ticket?
If you’re caught on speed camera – whether you’re driving down a residential street or speeding on the motorway –there can be a lot of confusion about what to do.
When it comes to your next steps to take, there are three possible outcomes. You’ll either be offered a speed awareness course, be issued a speeding ticket, or – in the most dangerous circumstances – you’ll be sent to court, where you’ll receive a fine, points on your licence or a driving ban.
We understand that when you’re in a rush, it can be stressful. Especially if you’re fighting through traffic to get to the airport or catch a train. The best way to avoid all of this? Prepare for things in advance so that you’re not feeling rushed. For instance, booking airport parking and an overnight hotel in advance of your trip. And most importantly…stick to the speed limits!
FAQs
A speed camera flash is a visual indication that a vehicle’s speed has been captured by a speed camera. It is not a guarantee that a speeding ticket will be issued, but it is a warning that the vehicle’s speed has been recorded.
A speed camera flash will typically be a bright flash of light, similar to that of a camera flash. However, not all speed cameras use a flash. Some cameras may use infrared technology to capture a vehicle’s speed without emitting a visible flash.
If you get flashed by a speed camera, it means your vehicle’s speed has been recorded. The authorities will review the footage and determine if a speeding ticket will be issued.
The time frame for receiving a speeding ticket can vary depending on the location and the specific camera that captured your speed. Typically, you can expect to receive a ticket within a few weeks after being flashed.
Yes, a speed camera flash can be mistaken for a camera flash. Some speed cameras use a bright flash to capture a vehicle’s speed, similar to that of a camera flash.
No, a speed camera flash is not a speed trap. A speed trap is when a law enforcement officer uses a radar or laser device to measure a vehicle’s speed, while a speed camera flash is a visual indication that a vehicle’s speed has been captured by a speed camera.
Yes, you can contest a speeding ticket issued from a speed camera flash. You will typically need to provide evidence that the speed camera was not functioning correctly or that there were extenuating circumstances that led to your vehicle’s speed being recorded above the posted limit.
Yes, there are different types of speed cameras. Some use radar or laser technology to measure a vehicle’s speed, while others use cameras to capture images of a vehicle’s license plate and the driver’s face.
Yes, you can be ticketed for speeding on a motorway or A-road. Speed limits are posted on these roads, and if you exceed the posted limit, you may be issued a ticket.
Yes, there are typically warning signs indicating the presence of a speed camera. These signs may be posted before or after the camera location and may include the words “speed camera ahead” or a symbol indicating the presence of a camera.
Just been caught doing about 30mph on a on a section of road that they have made into a 20 mph it’s a straight road in Aldridge Walsall by a enforcement van it’s by ibstock brick there is a pool each side of the road think is a nature reserve
I am doing 70 on the motorway when suddenly I’m meant to be doing 40 car up my bum no way to stop in time so yep flashed !!
10pm and just not enough warning
I’m hoping g I’m not banned …. I need my license and 70 IS the legal speed
Nothing going on either ?
3 cars in the same lane on the m1 and the hadces3 camera flashed so just wanted to know how how many times it has to flash when catching one for speeding as I was the third car in the lane and only saw 3 flashes thank you.
HADECS3 only flashes once per ‘target’ car.
Well, this is my first visit to the UK. Driving all over the country. London to Salisbury to Scotland. Might come back down the East coast next. Reading these articles to find out what this ´´average speed´´ garbage is about. I am from California, so 100 mph is not uncommon. It takes an actual cop to give a citation in the US. I may be screwed. What I do not understand is the fact that I will be cruising around 80-90 mph on some roads (like today on the M6) and people will be jamming up my butt to pass me (on the right…..still weird to me) What is the deal with this? They all have traditional reg plates. Are they not afraid of tickets?
Can´t wait to see the bill!!
Hello eric, i was flashed on the m5 motorway last night the sign said 40mph i was going 40mph but got flashed and so did the car behind me aswell, will i still get a ticket and if so can i challenge it as i was going 40mph many thanks
This happened to me did you get a ticket?
I don’t mind the fixed cameras so much – you know they are there. It’s the mobile ones I really detest. I think I may have been caught today at 8pm. The design of the road is strange. Too wide (apparently) to be single lane, yet too narrow to be a dual carrageway, so it goes dual laned at the traffic lights. This encourages drivers to overtake and to overtake at speed in order to get in lane when the road goes back to being single lane a few feet after the lights.
There was a wretched van parked on the grass verge at the top of the hill a few hundred feet away not even visible at night from the junction. Sneaky b*stards.
Foolish I may have been in trying to beat the lights, but all the same I cannot understand why they don’t either make the road a single carriageway throughout or install a fixed camera. Of course this would prevent drivers from attempting to go through that junction at speed. Perhaps I should suggest it to the magistrate when I get my summons? (Joke)
It’s clear to me that they are more concerned about making money than safety. If that road was single carriageway with a fixed camera then no-one would speed there.
Hiya,
Did you end up getting a ticket as I this had happened to me today and I’m so stressed on wether I have or not I did slow down but I don’t know if I was quick enough.
Please let me know thank you
Its a disgrace, i travel 60k miles a year, pay the insurance companies for the pleasure and watch idiots undertake, cut people up, tailgate, drivers on phones, reading texts, headphones in their ears, lorry drivers watching TV in their cab. and i get flashed by the new M3 smart camera doing 95 in the fast lane after 9pm when the road was clear and I had spent the whole day humoring the above.
If the average mileage is 10k per year and someone does 50k per year, and paying for the pleasure (insurance companies/fuel/fuel tax), and with the same penalties for speeding. red lights etc etc, then there should be something in place to represent how may times you are able to make a mistake/misjudgment proportionate to the amount of less than average miles traveled. for instance someone taking 5 years to travel 50,000 miles would be less at risk to make mistakes in order to lose their licensed through top up of points driving in their local and knowledgeable areas as someone on the road for one year covering 50,000 miles in areas that are unfamiliar.
I am not bitter just fed up of being labelled whit the same brush as average drivers doing 10k per year with minimal room for mistake, it needs to be re-addressed and made more appropriate for this day and age..
Doing 95 MPH on any road in the UK can hardly be classified as a mistake, 72/73 might be a mistake, but 95, get real pal.
Not if you are in a quality car thats really quiet ive done it a few times not realising and had to put cruise on to stop my speed creeping up
Disgraceful just a means of being spied on yet again , there should just be more police on patrol doing there jobs spotting the people who abuse speed limits, they are never around when I see someone on the road who needs to be pulled over, I see a lot of people being illegal on the roads especially the one s that don’t know how to drive, that’s the problem too many illegal drivers out there getting away with f***ing murder literally cos of their very bad driving.
Interesting article on speed cameras.
Might as well move to North Korea!
You have a point!