Yes, while average speed cameras are rigorously tested and designed to be highly accurate, potential errors can arise from technical faults, calibration issues, or even misinterpretation, though systems are built to prevent overestimating speed by using shortest-distance calculations; you can challenge a ticket if you believe it's wrong, but typically require expert evidence.
The tolerance applied to an average speed camera is at the discretion of the police force operating it. Although some constabularies might not issue fines for drivers exceeding the limit by as much as 10% + 2mph, others may fine drivers that travel even 1mph over the limit.
These incidents highlight that while speed cameras are generally reliable, they are not infallible. This opens up the possibility of challenging fines in certain circumstances. It's important to note that speed cameras in NSW undergo regular testing and calibration to ensure their accuracy.
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.
Can speed cameras catch you from both directions? Some can. While many fixed units only face one way, newer models and mobile vans often cover both directions.
There is also no way of checking if you've been caught speeding, according to RAC, unless you've been stopped at the roadside by the police. The automotive experts added: "The only way to be 100% sure if you've been caught speeding is to wait for a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) to arrive in the post."
Here are possible defense themes for challenging a speed camera ticket:
Speed camera tolerance refers to the margin of error or buffer added to a vehicle's detected speed before a fine is issued, typically around 10% plus a small fixed number (e.g., 2-3 mph/km/h) for guidance, though this varies by region and police force, with some locations having specific rules (like 2 km/h for fixed cameras in Victoria) or no official tolerance at all (like WA). This buffer accounts for speed camera inaccuracies and vehicle speedometer variations, but it's only guidance, and police can choose stricter enforcement.
Can one average speed camera catch you speeding? No: they work in sets of pairs, measuring how long you take to cover a certain distance – though they can be hard to spot, so you may not have seen that you have passed more than one average camera.
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.
Older cameras using film can run out, and some flashes are test flashes. That said, most modern cameras are digital and always ready. Essentially, if you were genuinely speeding over the threshold, assume the camera caught you, unless you're very lucky.
Mobile speed cameras typically work out of parked vans, however, they can still catch motorists from a moving vehicle. Can a mobile camera detect your speed on the opposite side of the road? Yes, a laser gun is able to take accurate reading of a vehicle's exact speed as long as it is aimed at the target.
The cameras are accurate to +/- 2%, which means that you could receive a ticket in the mail for a speed infraction at little over the speed limit – so be warned. The initial procedure was to give a warning sign 250 metres before the unit and 100 metres past.
Exceeding the speed limit by more than 15 mph (24 km/h) with a speed of greater than 55 mph (89 km/h) or travelling faster than 80 mph (129 km/h) results in a minimum 30-day license suspension.
2 or more cameras are set up along a road, some distance apart. When your vehicle passes the first camera it records the time. When you pass a second camera it records the time again. We calculate how long it took you to travel between the cameras (distance divided by time), which is your average speed.
In almost all modern cars, the speedometer will slightly overstate your true speed. For example, if your speedometer reads 70mph, your actual speed might be closer to 65mph according to a GPS device.
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.
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.
Speed camera tolerance refers to the margin of error or buffer added to a vehicle's detected speed before a fine is issued, typically around 10% plus a small fixed number (e.g., 2-3 mph/km/h) for guidance, though this varies by region and police force, with some locations having specific rules (like 2 km/h for fixed cameras in Victoria) or no official tolerance at all (like WA). This buffer accounts for speed camera inaccuracies and vehicle speedometer variations, but it's only guidance, and police can choose stricter enforcement.
Mobile speed cameras are typically housed in mobile speed camera vans, commonly used by the Police, capturing the exact speed of individual vehicles as they pass by using laser or radar technology. They can operate from stationary positions or while in motion, covering a range of up to one mile.
The mobile speed cameras using radar can detect your speed from several hundred metres away. However, for an accurate, prosecutable reading, the operator typically needs to be within a few hundred metres. The key point is they will have your speed locked in well before you get close enough to spot them.
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.
You can:
When disputing a speeding ticket in court, you have the right to: