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PAE
UK speed camera
tolerances revealed
Some speed cameras have tolerances, which So for example, On a 70 mph stretch of
means you could go a few mph over the motorway, the threshold would go up to 79
speed limit before you get a fine. mph.
The Metropolitan Police (MET) reduced their The Metropolitan Police (MET) changed their
speed camera tolerances, which could lead to speed camera tolerances from 10% + 3 mph
even more motorists getting fines unawares. to 10% + 2 mph. They didn’t directly announce
Speed camera tolerances aren’t an excuse for the change, so many drivers could be caught
breaking the speed limit though. out by this.
This isn’t the only thing that’s confusing about But tolerances aren’t an excuse for breaking
speed cameras. Many drivers believe that all the speed limit. The MET said that no matter
speed cameras flash. This is a myth – many what the threshold, drivers should always stick
of them catch you with infra-red technology to the speed limit and never exceed it.
instead. So, no flash doesn’t automatically
mean no speeding ticket. Do average speed camera tolerances work
in the same way?
Here’s what you need to know about speed Average speed cameras work slightly
camera tolerances. differently to normal fixed and mobile speed
cameras. Instead of measuring your speed
So how many mph over the speed limit can over a short distance, average speed cameras
you go? take your speed over several miles.
A 2019 Auto Express survey contacted 45 UK
police forces. Of the 33 that responded, 25 This means they should be more accurate and
shared information about when their speed so might not have the same tolerance levels
cameras activate if a driver is going above the as other speed cameras. That being said,
speed limit. all speed cameras should have some kind
tolerance built in to account for accuracy.
Most police forces have a tolerance of 10%
plus 2 mph above the limit before a speed What’s the range of a mobile speed camera
camera ‘flashes’. So on a 30 mph road, a van?
camera wouldn’t normally activate unless a The typical range of a mobile speed camera
car drove past at 35 mph or faster.
van is around 1-2 miles on a straight stretch
22 November 2022
