Can we rely on speed cameras?
As the number of police traffic on the road continues to diminish, authorities rely more and more on technology. But a court case involving appeals over speed camera penalties has found the camera to be faulty.

On the make

The speed camera is responsible for £5 million in fines between 2015 and 2017. It is Britain’s busiest speed camera, located on Southampton’s Maybray King Way. It has caught more than 51,000 motorists supposedly breaking the 30mph speed limit. The next-busiest camera caught only 38,000 speeders during the same three-year period.

At its peak, the Southampton camera flagged more than 320 speeders per week, or 70 offences a day. The minimum fine processed was £100 for each offence.

Feeling flat

However, Hampshire Police have now admitted that the camera had been recording ‘incorrect readings’ for vehicles with a ‘high flat rear’. Owners of vans, SUVs, motorhomes and other taller vehicles have been hit particularly hard by the camera’s costly quirky decision making.

“It’s worrying to think just how many motorists have wrongly been prosecuted as a result of the issue with this camera,” said RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams. “As well as paying fines they shouldn’t have had to, some drivers will no doubt have suffered very negative consequences from having points added to their licences. Anyone falsely caught should have both their fine and any points revoked.”

The most outraged drivers have called for refunds for speed awareness courses as well as fines. What’s more, they are also seeking compensation to be paid for the time spent completing the courses.

Camera Vs Camera

Since the news of the faulty camera emerged, motorists have come forward with stories of their erroneous fines.

IT engineer Nathan Thompson received a letter claiming that he’d been driving his motorhome at 50mph when he passed the camera.  His dash cam footage proves that he was travelling at 25mph.

“If I was in a hire car or a work car and from outside the area and I didn’t have proof of going 25mph I’d have had to pay it,” says the 37-year-old. “I wonder how many other people have been in a similar situation with that camera, as it’s the most profitable in the country.

“If I didn’t have the evidence that I was going 25mph, then it would have ended up with me going to court. I’d have lost my job. That technology shouldn’t go wrong. It has the potential to seriously ruin lives.”

Technological limits

The case highlights the fact that technology is not perfect. It also raises concerns over how reliable the UK network of speed cameras are. Most people pay the fine without due consideration, especially when early payment is incentivised by a reduced fine. Many people do not have the types of evidence they need to appeal even if they think allegations are incorrect.