No, not all speed cameras are always actively enforcing; some operate in "warning mode" (sending letters, not fines) for a trial period, while others are fully active, but some locations might have temporary outages or be switched off due to technical faults. For example, Transport for NSW in Australia recently trialed average speed cameras for all vehicles, starting with warning letters before moving to full enforcement in July 2025.
Gatso speed cameras (fixed)
You'll know if you're speeding because you'll see a visible flash in your rearview mirror when the camera is triggered. Pretty much all modern sat-navs are aware of Gatso speed camera locations, and they should give you a signal when one is approaching.
In Australia, speed cameras use radar or laser-based systems capable of measuring a vehicle's speed across multiple lanes. Factors such as road curvature, traffic density, and signage can influence detection distance.
Speed cameras trigger based on a set limit plus a tolerance, often around 10% + 2 mph (or ~3 km/h) over the posted limit, though this varies by region and camera type (fixed vs. average). While you can be caught at 1 mph over, authorities typically enforce at higher thresholds, like 4-10 mph over in a 30-40 mph zone, with some systems subtracting minor equipment error, effectively giving you a buffer.
Checking Official Government Websites
One of the most reliable and convenient methods for checking if you've been caught by a speed camera is to visit your state or territory's official government website.
To know if you were caught on camera (like a speed or red-light camera), wait for an official notice in the mail, which usually arrives within a couple of weeks and contains details and photos, or check your state's government or transport website using your license/notice number to view images online, as there's generally no instant alert. For hidden cameras (like security), you might notice unusual objects, find lens reflections, or see odd placements in private spaces like hotel rooms.
A Band A speeding fine would be appropriate if you were caught speeding between 31-40 mph in a 30-mph zone. Providing you accept responsibility for speeding, you will be required to pay a minimum £100 fine and receive three points on your licence.
Myth: You won't get caught speeding if you slow down just before the camera. Fact: Average speed cameras measure your speed over a distance, not just at a single point. They calculate your speed by measuring the time it takes to travel between two points using automatic number plate recognition.
Here are possible defense themes for challenging a speed camera ticket:
The police can give you a ticket for exceeding the speed limit by just 1 mph. Speeding is speeding, whether one or 50 mph over the limit. That said, most officers will not issue citations for such minor infractions.
No, average speed cameras use infrared light technology, which allows them to read number plates in low light and unfavourable weather conditions, so they don't flash like fixed speed cameras do. Average speed cameras show no visual indication that they've captured your vehicle.
No, legally you cannot go 5 km/h over the speed limit, as any amount over the posted limit is a speeding offense, but enforcement often has a small tolerance, so you might get away with it, though it's a risk because some areas (like Victoria) are strict, and cameras can catch even slight infringements, with increasing penalties for higher speeds.
How Long Until the Fine? Speed and red-light camera penalties typically arrive within two weeks, although NSW can take up to 28 days. In Tasmania, fines may appear electronically in as little as four days.
How to Tell If a Security Camera Is On
However, in most cases, the flash from speed cameras is either white, yellow, or red, with each serving different purposes depending on the camera technology in use and its intended function. The most common flash color you will encounter on modern speed cameras is white.
Fixed digital speed cameras detect the speed of vehicles by using approved electronic sensors that are embedded in the road surface. These sensors accurately measure the speed of the vehicle. If the speed of the vehicle exceeds the legal limit then a digital picture is taken of the offending vehicle.
The "best" excuse for a speeding ticket appeal is usually a legally recognized defense, like a medical emergency, an unavoidable situation (e.g., vehicle breakdown), or proving the speed detection equipment was faulty, as these address the circumstances of the offense, not just an excuse. Common, though less reliable, excuses involve "I didn't see the sign" or "keeping up with traffic," but these often fail in court; being respectful and challenging the evidence (like radar calibration) offers a better chance.
Speed camera margins of error (or "tolerances") vary by location and camera type, often allowing a few km/h or a small percentage (e.g., 3 km/h for mobile, 2 km/h for fixed in some Australian states) off the recorded speed to account for device inaccuracy, but this isn't guaranteed and can change, so the safest bet is always to drive the posted limit to avoid fines.
You can:
How long does it take to get a speeding ticket? If you were caught by a speed camera, the registered keeper of the car you were driving will usually receive a letter within 14 days. This is called a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) and should explain the date, time and location of the speeding incident.
The 7am to 7pm rule: It is already in place in multiple cities in the UK. The 7am to 7pm was created to reduce congestion, prevent drivers from stopping in areas that are not prohibited, but still harm traffic flow in some areas, and improve air quality in some regions.
Speeding between 31 and 40 mph in a 30 mph zone constitutes three penalty points on your driving license. In addition to penalty points, a fine amounting to a proportion of your weekly income will also be imposed. More severe speeding offences can attract larger fines.
Yes, the tolerance is 10% +1, prosecution begins at 10%+2.
Yes, in many places like Australia, demerit points typically become inactive and stop counting towards a suspension after three years from the date of the offense, but they may stay on your driving record for longer (sometimes 4-11 years, depending on the region) and can still influence penalties for future offenses. The key is that the three-year mark is usually when they stop contributing to reaching your suspension limit, resetting your demerit count for suspension purposes.
The minimum speeding fine varies significantly by location (state/territory in Australia, for example) and how much you exceed the limit, but generally starts around $100 AUD for exceeding the limit by the smallest margin (e.g., less than 10 km/h), with some areas like Western Australia having no demerit points for this smallest infraction, while NSW might have a $93 fine for similar minor speeding, and South Australia starts at $187 with points.