Speed cameras

[Bazile]

Could someone please clarify what the position is as regards to speed cameras .

Is there an amount over the stated speed limit that if you are travelling , which will not normally trigger a fine / points ?

How long , before you receive notification of a speeding offence ?

[sadielady]

5 years ago I was caught doing 34 mph in a 30 limit. Got 3 points on my licence and £60 fine. Dont know if the rules vary from place to place, this was in Hertfordshire.

[murraymints]

Told by a traffic police officer in Edinburgh 5mph over is the trigger and 10mph is some quieter areas..28 days usually...have you been flashed ?

[jake-the-peg]

If you were not going a lot over 10%+9mph is quoted here:

http://www.gosafe.org...speed-awareness-cour/

You may be offered a speed awareness course in lieu of points and a fine providing you've not been on one in the last 3 years.

Generally they have to send out a Notice of Intended Prosecution in 2 weeks

[Graham-W]

I'm sure the figures vary as I have been quoted as (speed limit)+10%+4mph.
ie in a 30 limit= 37
in a 40 limit= 48
in a 60 limit= 70
As I say, I'm sure it varies from force to force and possibly even the area the camera is set up in.

[Bazile]

Found this site as well :

http://www.which.co.u...ng-fines-your-rights/

[chas2008]

from my understanding varies area to area..i know of people done for 33 in a 30...

[sigma]

I remember seeing on Top Gear that speed cameras won't trigger if you are driving in excess of 155mph.

[jomifl]

I was recently gatsoed in France for allegedly doing 98 kmh in a 90 zone. My speedo and sat nav both indicated 94. The moral is make sure you are well under the limit 'cos you cannot argue and win.

[Bazile]

jomifl - what happens if you dont pay the fine - do the french authorities issue an international arrest warrant ? .

No , seriously - if you did not pay - what would happen ?

[Old_Geezer]

I would imagine they would have you on their database and 'grab' you next time you tried to enter the country.

Getting flashed doesn't necessarily mean anything is in the post. I was flashed once, worried me for a while, never got anything, thank goodness. Was more observant re speed for the rest of the drive though.

[Bazile]

Do they have the equivalent of our points system and if so have they got any authority to apply it to your driving licence ?

[New Judge]

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has guidelines to assist police and safety camera parnerships in the prosecution of speeding offences. In brief, these suggest that action should not be taken until the speed reaches the limit plus 10% plus 2mph. So for a 30mph limit this equates to 35mph and for 70mph it is 79mph. The reason for this allowance is to reduce the number of possibly frivolous challenges on the grounds of badly calibrated equipment.


As far as notification periods go the prosecuting authority has to post a Notice of Intended Prosecution to the Registered Keeper of the vehicle so that in normal circumstances it will be received within fourteen days of the alleged offence.

[jomifl]

Bazile, As my French registered car is registered to my French address I have no means of escape. I think non-French registered cars get away with it on automatic gatsos but an on the spot fine from a radar gun wielding traffic cop?....pay up.

[jomifl]

Bazile, yes they do have a points system similar to the UK one but they cannot apply it to UK licences. That is why most Brits living in France don't change to a French driving licence :-)