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Safety
Cameras
The UK has one of the best road safety records in the world. Among
other measures, safety cameras play an important role in helping
to keep the country’s road networks safe.
On average, nine people are killed and 85 injured each day on
the UK’s roads. However, this figure would probably be higher
if safety cameras were not used. By reducing speeding and making
the roads safer, they save about 100 lives a year.
Types of safety cameras
Safety cameras include speed cameras and traffic signal (red-light)
cameras. Speed cameras can be:
- fixed
- mobile,
or
- average
speed (time-over-distance)
Most safety cameras in England and Wales are operated by local
Partnerships. The partnerships are often formed of the local authorities,
the police, and the courts.
What are the rules for speed cameras?
How safety cameras are used is subject to the Home Office and
the Association of Chief Police Officers. The Department for Transport
provides an information leaflet: "Use of speed and red-light cameras
for traffic enforcement: guidance on deployment, visibility and
signing." The leaflet explains the rules on where cameras can
be used and how they should be displayed and signposted. However,
even if safety cameras do not conform to this guidance you will
not be able to use this as a defence if you are caught speeding
or jumping a red-light traffic signal.
Safety cameras are generally installed on roads:
- with
a history of road traffic collisions, and
- where
there is evidence of a speeding problem, or
- where
there is local community concern
The
Police may also use cameras to enforce speed limits and this is
not governed by the same guidance on visibility.
Speeding fines, endorsements, penalty points and disqualification
If a vehicle is caught speeding or jumping a red-light by a safety
camera, the registered keeper will be sent a notice of intended
prosecution within 14 days of the alleged offence.
In most cases a speeding offence is dealt with by a conditional
offer of fixed penalty. This is a paper process where a Notice
of Intended Prosecution is sent to the registered keeper of the
vehicle. Part of this form requires the registered keeper to identify
the driver at the time of the offence.
Depending on the severity of the offence, and the number of points
on your licence, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of
a fixed penalty. This means you will not have to attend a court
hearing if you pay the fixed penalty.
At present the minimum fine for speeding or running a red light
is £60 and three penalty points will be added to your licence.
If you wish to challenge the penalty or you have mitigating circumstances
which you wish to be taken into consideration you should inform
the police who will normally issue you with a summons.
This will give you the opportunity to appear in court. The Magistrates
determine any fine and penalty points awarded. They have the power
to increase the fine and the penalty points and you may also be
ordered to pay court costs.
All fines go to HM Treasury. Neither the police nor local councils
profit from fines.
Taking a case to court
If you choose a court hearing instead of paying the fixed penalty
fine you should reply, using the paperwork provided, to inform
the police of your intention. You will then receive a summons.
You can give reasons for disputing the speeding fine on the summons,
plus any evidence you want the court to take into account.
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