What do you do when you're going over the limit and you see a speed camera coming up?
You slow down, that's what.
Usually works as well. At least with normal, fixed speed cameras.
Thing is, you can’t really do that with average speed cameras.
Because a speeding ticket is the last thing you need on your leasing journey, we're here to lay out the facts for you.
How Do Average Speed Cameras Work?
Rather than capturing your speed in an instant, average speed cameras work by calculating your speed over a certain distance and period of time. They work in pairs and, like a lot of fool-proof things, are based on maths.
They work out if you're speeding by calculating the time it takes for you to travel between 2 cameras. The first camera will register your car and licence plate as you go by, and the second camera will work out your average speed based on how long it took you to get to it from the first camera.
An example . . .
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2 average speed cameras are positioned 5 miles apart
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The speed limit for the road is 50mph
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Assuming you're travelling at the speed limit, it should take you at least 6 minutes to travel between them
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Any longer than that, and the system will conclude that you've been speeding, even if you were driving under the limit for a chunk of those 5 miles
This creates a 'zone' of speed control, which is more effective than traditional speed cameras which can be easily fooled by simply slamming the brakes before you reach them.
There obviously needs to be at least two cameras for the system to work though, and they need to be positioned at least 200m apart, but there's no upper limit. The local police could create a 700m-long average speed camera zone if they wanted to.
Where are Average Speed Cameras Located?
On 'A' roads, motorways, double lane roads, and as a temporary measure around certain roadworks.
In other words, at danger spots which see the highest number of collisions.
To decide where average speed cameras are placed, local councils will perform surveys on roads before deciding whether to install average speed cameras. If the survey finds that a relatively high number of motorists exceed the speed limit during the survey, cameras could then be installed.
What do Average Speed Cameras Look Like?
Average speed cameras are usually painted bright yellow and are mounted on poles overhanging the road.
They tend to come in twos and threes, with each camera covering traffic on different lanes.
Do Average Speed Cameras Flash?
No. Unlike traditional Gatso flash speed cameras, an average speed camera won't flash, which means you'll have no way of knowing whether you've been caught speeding.
At least, not until you get that letter through the door . . .
What Happens After You've Been Caught by an Average Speed Camera?
The same bad things as when you've been caught by regular speed cameras.
The average speed camera system will retrieve the ANPR data and date and time stamps from both cameras, which will be send as evidence to the police.
Assuming you're the registered owner of the vehicle, a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) will be sent to your home address. This will include a request to provide driver details just in case another person was driving at the time.
What is the Penalty if I'm Caught Speeding By An Average Speed Camera?
Generally, the minimum penalty is a £100 fine and 3 points on your licence.
However, this could be higher or lower depending on the severity of the offence. You could even get a court summons. However, if it's a first offence and you don't have any points on your licence, a speed awareness course could be given as an alternative. Ultimately, it's down to the discretion of the police.
From April 2017, fines of up to £1,000 can be given for speeding, or up to £2,500 on a motorway. The level of fine and the number of points added to your licence largely depend on the seriousness of the speeding.
There are 3 bands of speeding offence:
Band A:
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Anything from 1mph - 10mph over the speed limit
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E.g. 31mph - 40mph in a 30mph zone
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3 points on your licence
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A fine approximately 50% of your weekly income
Band B:
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Anything from 10mph - 20mph over the speed limit
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E.g. 31mph - 40mph in a 20mph zone
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Driving disqualification of up to 28 days or 4 to 6 points on your licence
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A fine approximately 100% of your weekly income
Band C:
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Anything from 20mph over the speed limit
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6 points on your license
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A driving disqualification of up to 56 days
Do Average Speed Cameras Allow 10 Percent Tolerance?
If every law was followed right down to the letter, you could technically be prosecuted for going 1mph over the speed limit.
Obviously, real life doesn't always work like that.
Which is why cameras often give you some leeway to allow for inaccuracies in the technology and the readings. Exactly how much leeway depends on which police force is operating it and where you live, so don't take anything for granted.
Generally speaking, there tends to be a tolerance of roughly 10% over the speed limit, so if you're travelling in a 70mph zone, you're unlikely to receive a ticket unless you're going over 77mph (or 68mph in a 60mph zone, etc.).
At the end of the day though, it is still just a tolerance and the police are the ones who have the final word.
Can I Use a Speed Camera Detector?
Yes, there's no law in the UK to stop you from using a speed camera detector to help you find average speed cameras.
But here's the thing . . . if you don't plan on speeding, why would you need one in the first place?
Think carefully, amigos.
Do Average Speed Cameras Take Pictures of the Driver?
No, so good news if you're having a bad hair day.
Average speed cameras are only capable of reading your number plate and recording your average speed against the speed limit.
Which is why you'll have to fill out a form identifying yourself as the driver at the time of the offence.
Can Average Speed Cameras Catch You on your Phone?
No.
As with the above, because they don't take pictures of your car, it's impossible for them to catch you on your phone.
Are Average Speed Cameras Always On?
Pretty much, unless they've been set up for some roadworks, in which case there may be a few days "cooling down" period after the work has finished when the average speed cameras will no longer be active.
Otherwise, if you see an average speed camera, its safe to assume that it can see you as well.
Do Average Speed Cameras Work at Night
Absolutely.
Average speed cameras use infrared technology to read your number plate just as well in the hours of darkness.
Summary: The Future of Speed Cameras
That's how average speed cameras work, and like pretty much everything else, average speed cameras are only going to get smarter as technology gets smarter, and you should expect to see more of them on the roads.
Not only will they catch more speeders, but less people will be tempted to speed out of fear for them. A true double whammy.
Yes, average speed cameras might not cover every single inch of road, and whilst you could be given some leeway by the police if you're caught, so its still better to stay safe and watch those speed limits.
FAQs
Do average speed cameras allow 10%?
Generally speaking, there is an average speed camera tolerance of around 10%, but its not going to apply all of the time. Whether you are prosecuted or not is mostly down to the discretion of the local police.
Will I get points for doing 34 in a 30?
Technically, you would get a fixed penalty of £100 and 3 points on your license for doing 34 in a 30, though due to the tolerance of some speed cameras, it is likely that you won’t be caught.
What triggers average speed cameras?
Basically, average speed cameras are triggered by detecting your vehicle breaking the speed limit over an average time and distance between two points, after which the system will retrieve the ANPR data together with date and time stamps from both cameras. That evidence is then sent to the police.
Do average speed cameras flash?
Unlike more traditional Gatso fixed speed cameras, an average speed camera does not flash, so you'll have less warning of them.