Gary Digva, from driving safety company Road Angel, which manufactures devices like speed camera detectors and dash cams, warns speeding offences have been on the rise for the last five years.
In 2022, more than 1.76million drivers were sent on a speed awareness course, but Gary insists there is still a lot motorists do not know about the cameras used to keep our roads safe.
From the myths drivers think will help them dodge fines to the new tech that can spot you speeding within a six-mile radius, here he lifts the lid on how the technology really works.
Sharp braking
Some drivers believe slamming on the breaks as soon as they spot a speed camera van will spare them from being fined.
But Gary – who has 20 years of experience in the industry – says by that point it is often too late.
He explains: “Some cameras can see beyond 1km (0.6miles) clear as day and spot drivers up to a mile away.
“The laser is so fast and accurate it will have caught you before you can react.
“By the time you see the speed camera van, it’s too late.”
10 per cent rule
Some drivers live by the 10 per cent rule, believing it is legal to break the speed limit by 10 per cent (for example: driving at 33mph in a 30mph lane).
According to the RAC, a speed tolerance means that a driver gets a small amount of leeway for driving over the limit before a camera activates and a driver is penalised.
However, Gary says: “The letter of the law is, if you do 31mph in a 30mph zone then it is breaking the law, but it’s up to the local constabulary if they enforce it.
“The other big misconception is that the speed limit is a target. It’s not. If you’re in a 30mph zone, you don’t have to drive at 30mph. You can drive up to 30mph but not beyond that.”
He believes part of the reason for the 10 per cent rule is to accommodate for vehicles degrading over time.
Gary says: “A car performs best when you first buy it new. Wear and tear affects the performance of the milometer and the vehicle itself so there has to be leniency.
“If a vehicle is five to 20 years old, its instruments are not going to be as accurate as when they were first fitted.”
MOT fines
While drivers know their speed is being monitored – there are also other violations that the cameras are keeping a stern eye out for.
Gary says: “Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are very common in speed camera vans and on police vehicles too.
“It’s there running every number plate through a database to validate MOT worthiness and insurance.
“So while you may not be speeding, if you don’t have insurance or a valid MOT there will be a fine coming in the post.”
If caught for not having a valid MOT you can be fined up to £1,000 and for not having insurance, you could receive a fixed penalty of £300 and 6 penalty points.
Hotspots for getting caught
In a recent video by GCM, Devon and Cornwall Police revealed they were using £25,000 drones to catch those breaking the speed limit.
The tech, which is also used in missing person cases and firearms incidents, is said to be able to “scan all the roads around for a five-to-six-mile radius”.
While Gary hasn’t worked with the police force, he notes that Devon and Cornwall Police have always been “very advanced” and are “at the forefront of catching speeding drivers”.
Gary added: “I would believe it would be a trial at this stage but drones are very cost-effective, they can do 10 times the work and in multiple locations.
“Even at building sites and in security work, drones are far more feasible and efficient than sending a person in a van.”
AI detection
Gary warns that there is AI technology already “in the pipeline” to crack down on speeding drivers and explains how it could be used.
He says: “Average speed cameras analyse between Point A and Point B.
“To try to avoid a fine, some drivers go faster in one section and then compensate by slowing down to below the speed limit after.
‘It’s risky because you can’t always tell where the Point B camera is and, in the future, AI will be able to get around this with ease.
“AI computer vision will be used to calculate speed – not through a laser shot but through deep learning and mathematical formulas.”
Variable speed limits
Variable speed limits are used to keep drivers safe and typically are used because of roadworks, an accident or to ease congestion.
Gary warns that you should ignore them at your own peril.
He tells us: “If you’re travelling at 70mph and all of a sudden the speed limit drops to 60mph and you don’t notice you could be done for speeding.
“That’s because next to the majority of these signs is a speed camera, which automatically detects anyone going over that new speed limit.”
‘Mobile threat’
Gary believes the best way to crack down on speeding would be to review current rules regarding distractions inside drivers’ car.
He doesn’t believe drivers should be able to eat, drink or smoke behind the wheel and raises big concerns about mobiles phones.
Gary says: “The biggest distraction in your car is your mobile phone, banning the use of it while driving would be the biggest innovation in speed reduction. It would solve 50 per cent of incidents.”
A study carried out by Road Angel found that drivers were safer road users within three months of using their devices.
Gary says: “Speeding offenses haven’t come down in the last five years.
“The quietest period was during Covid when people were all at home but since lockdowns ended, we’ve seen year-on-year and month-on-month increases.”