Unmarked speed camera vans in action

[TC350]

At least with hidden cameras you don’t get the morons who slam their brakes on the moment they spot them. Mostly they clearly have no idea what the speed limit is and so they slow to well below.

 

[zipdip]

We have come a long way from when the mobile camera vans were introduced,2004 was the start of the reign,I cannot find it online,but I think when they first came out they were safety cameras,only allowed to set up where a fatal accident had happened,that if I remember correctly lasted about 6 months then it was anywhere a accident had happened and then later they could go anywhere,of course the collection money drove those changes,we had a local radio station that told you where they were sited but that did not last long,I think all motorists know deep down they are greed cameras,but as we have seen most of the static cameras around where I live are out of action after all the fines ended up in government coffers,one can only hope that dear old Rachel today grabs all the money from the camera vans ,then we can see what there true intent is.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Unmarked cameras seem to be against their own rules...

Guidance on the use of speed cameras​

Department for Transport guidance on the use of speed cameras require that:

• speed camera housings be coloured yellow;
• camera housings should not be obscured, eg, by trees, bushes or signs;
• cameras be visible from 60m away in 40mph or less zones and 100m for all other speed limit zones;
• signs should only be placed in areas where camera housings are sited or where mobile cameras operating;
• mobile speed camera operators wear fluorescent clothing, and their vehicles should be marked with reflective strips;
• camera sites be reviewed at least every six months to ensure cameras are properly visible and signposted.

All authorities operating the speed camera system are expected to abide by these rules, but it is not a defence against a speeding charge if you’re caught by a speed camera which falls short of the rules.

The DoT recommends that speed cameras be located in areas where many speeding accidents have occurred. Before cameras are installed, other measures to improve safety (eg, improving road layout, anti-skid surfacing, enhanced visibility) should first be considered.

 

[TC350]

Unmarked cameras seem to be against their own rules...

Guidance on the use of speed cameras​

Department for Transport guidance on the use of speed cameras require that:

• speed camera housings be coloured yellow;
• camera housings should not be obscured, eg, by trees, bushes or signs;
• cameras be visible from 60m away in 40mph or less zones and 100m for all other speed limit zones;
• signs should only be placed in areas where camera housings are sited or where mobile cameras operating;
• mobile speed camera operators wear fluorescent clothing, and their vehicles should be marked with reflective strips;
• camera sites be reviewed at least every six months to ensure cameras are properly visible and signposted.

All authorities operating the speed camera system are expected to abide by these rules, but it is not a defence against a speeding charge if you’re caught by a speed camera which falls short of the rules.

The DoT recommends that speed cameras be located in areas where many speeding accidents have occurred. Before cameras are installed, other measures to improve safety (eg, improving road layout, anti-skid surfacing, enhanced visibility) should first be considered.

The operative words there are “guidance” and “recommends”. These aren’t legal requirements.

 

[ALFAitalia]

I see that....but the word RULES is also there.

 

[markjay]

"mobile speed camera operators wear fluorescent clothing, and their vehicles should be marked with reflective strips;"

I expect this has to do more with safety, both for the operators and for passing motorists, than with speeding offences.

 

[Gollom]

We have come a long way from when the mobile camera vans were introduced,2004 was the start of the reign,I cannot find it online,but I think when they first came out they were safety cameras,only allowed to set up where a fatal accident had happened,that if I remember correctly lasted about 6 months then it was anywhere a accident had happened and then later they could go anywhere,of course the collection money drove those changes,we had a local radio station that told you where they were sited but that did not last long,I think all motorists know deep down they are greed cameras,but as we have seen most of the static cameras around where I live are out of action after all the fines ended up in government coffers,one can only hope that dear old Rachel today grabs all the money from the camera vans ,then we can see what there true intent is.

I'm sure I read that they were actually revenue negative i.e. cost more to employ than the revenue collected?

 

[TC350]

I see that....but the word RULES is also there.

As far as I can determine, what you’ve provided here is just a summary of the Department for Transport’s document issued in 2007. Specific wording within the summary will be that of the author and not necessarily the Department.

At the time of publication, the Department said that

This circular provides guidance and best practice advice on the deployment of speed and red-light cameras after 1 April 2007.

The guidance does not restrict or fetter the police’s discretion to enforce covertly anywhere, at any time.

No mention of “rules”.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a819278e5274a2e87dbe588/dft-circular-0107.pdf

 

[ALFAitalia]

From my post....which was actually from the 2023 version..

"All authorities operating the speed camera system are expected to abide by these rules,"

But before you say.....Im sure there is a big difference between rules and laws!!

 

[markjay]

From my post....which was actually from the 2023 version..

"All authorities operating the speed camera system are expected to abide by these rules,"

But before you say.....Im sure there is a big difference between rules and laws!!

"Expected"... not "must"

 

[TC350]

From my post....which was actually from the 2023 version..

"All authorities operating the speed camera system are expected to abide by these rules,"

But before you say.....Im sure there is a big difference between rules and laws!!

I'll admit defeat. I've hunted high and low but been unable to find what you say is a 2023 version of the DfT guidance on speed cameras. The 2007 version is all I can unearth from the massive government website. Can you give me a link please because I hate discussing things when I don't have the latest information. Cheers.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Ok....its me not being clear....those guidance notes where from 2007.....but were still being quoted as current right up to at least 2023.....I cant find anything that has superseded them. But as others have said...its not the law it appears and as the notes themselves say even if local authorities don't abide by them you cant use that as defence in a speeding case.