Every type of speed camera in the UK (2024)

FAQs

How many types of speed cameras are there in the UK? ›

In fact, there are now 18 different types in use across the UK, from conventional fixed roadside units, to average speed cameras and mobile devices. Here's what each one looks like, how they are monitoring your speed and what you need to know about them.

There will also be a host of other 20mph speed cameras out and about in different locations each month - a map of which can be found on the GoSafe website. The map will also show the location of all other fixed, red light, speed on green and average speed cameras active across Wales.

Fear not, those blue devices mounted on roadside poles are not speed cameras. They're part of a road-monitoring network that's being operated by a company called Trafficmaster. In all, there are 7500 such sensors on our major roads and motorways.

Sometimes known as spot cameras, ultra speed cameras are essentially just even more sophisticated traffic enforcement cameras, and ones that improve upon the known flaws of their predecessors. Like all speed cameras up until now, they're painted yellow and in operation for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Speed camera tolerances

Even though you must adhere to all speed limits at all times, many Police forces have some tolerance for their speed cameras. For those that do, the tolerance is sometimes 10% over plus 2 mph. Please note – this does vary from Police force to Police force across the UK.

Need to know: Hadecs 3 is the latest version found on some smart motorways, usually situated at the side of gantries, not on top, and often painted grey. It can scan up to five lanes from one location and can take photos of vehicles exceeding standard speed limits, not just the variable ones indicated on gantries.

The highest speed limit in the UK is 70mph, this applies to cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles on motorways and dual carriageways.

Most police forces have a tolerance of 10% plus 2 mph above the limit before a speed camera 'flashes'. So on a 30 mph road, a camera wouldn't normally activate unless a car drove past at 35 mph or faster.

Do all speed cameras flash? Most speed cameras flash when they capture an image, but you might not see the flash of a Truvelo forward-facing camera. That's because forward-facing Truvelo cameras have a special filter over the flash to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers.

HADECS speed cameras

HADECS cameras are also known as stealth cameras because they are difficult to spot. They are small and grey (sometimes yellow at the sides but not the front), and sit on poles or motorway gantries. HADECS is an abbreviation of Highway Agency Digital Enforcement Camera System.

What is the green speed camera UK? ›

These cameras have been dubbed 'Speed on Green' cameras as that's exactly what they're intending to catch out. If you are a motorist who exceeds the speed limit to be able to pass through a green light when it's just about to change, then you are now being targeted by these new speed cameras.

Fixed speed cameras

Back in 1992 they were painted grey, but a change in the law meant that they have to be painted bright yellow. The rear-facing Gatso might be the most 'popular' camera on the road, but it's accompanied by the Truvelo, which uses a forward-facing camera to catch speeding motorists.

Digital Gatso speed cameras

The flash lights up the car and registration plate as well as white lines painted on the road in front of the cameras. The camera takes 2 photos in quick succession. The camera compares the car's position on the white lines in the 2 photos to work out the speed by the distance covered.

Peek speed cameras are similar to Gatso cameras in that they are rear-facing, and when triggered, they will flash. These cameras can use radar or sensors embedded in the road to measure the speed of a vehicle, and typically, no markings are painted on the road.

Promoted Stories. “In total with all of the police forces who responded to our Freedom of Information request, there are 1069 fixed speed cameras across the country. Out of this, there are 496 inactive speed cameras. “This means that almost half of speed cameras on our roads are out of operation (46%).

The BSIA estimates that there are now somewhere between four and six million CCTV cameras in the UK. That means between 16 and 24 cameras for every square kilometre. In comparison: China uses more CCTV cameras than any other country, with an estimated 200 million systems.

Mobile speed cameras

Typically run by local police forces, mobile cameras tend to be deployed at accident hotspots. They're also used as part of speed safety campaigns though, and by their nature can be found almost anywhere.

A mixture of different types of safety cameras are used in London. These include over 800 static spot speed cameras and red-light cameras and 6 average speed camera schemes. These cameras are primarily installed at sites where: People have been killed or seriously injured (KSI)

Originally Answered: Why are there so many speed cameras in the UK? They are much cheaper than a policeman. Speed cameras do slow people down, most people seem to try and be 10 below the limit to pass them. For speeders who don't slow down the cameras will catch them and give them a ticket.