Speed cameras are generally very accurate (within 1-2 mph/kph) and calibrated regularly, but errors do happen, though they are rare, sometimes due to faulty equipment, software glitches (like with variable speed limits), or environmental factors affecting radar, leading to wrongful tickets, but large-scale systematic issues are uncommon, with instances often being isolated or quickly fixed. While most drivers get caught due to genuine speeding, legal challenges and technical flaws highlight that they aren't infallible, with recent UK incidents showing thousands of wrongful activations.
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.
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.
Tolerances allow for minor discrepancies without penalising drivers who are trying to comply with the law. In the UK, the most commonly quoted tolerance is 10% + 2mph over the speed limit. For example, a speed camera on a 30mph stretch of road might not activate until you exceed 35mph.
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 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 should inform your insurance company of any penalty points you have received. The details you provide to them form the basis for your insurance quote and subsequent insurance cover. If any of the details change or are incorrect and you do not inform your insurer, it may affect your cover.
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.
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.
Yes, the tolerance is 10% +1, prosecution begins at 10%+2.
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.
Have you ever noticed if your car speedometer is reading faster than your actual speed? There is a federal regulation effective in 2005 and found in 49 CFR §393.82 that provides a car's speedometer must be accurate to within a plus or minus 5 mph at a speed of 50 mph.
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.
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.
The majority of UK speed cameras will only catch drivers that are speeding by 10% plus 2mph. So on a motorway, if someone exceeds the 70mph limit, the speed camera will only catch them should they be going 79mph or higher. But be wary – you are liable for a speeding fine as soon as you exceed the limit.
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.
You can't check if you've been caught speeding unless you've been stopped at the roadside by the police. Officers will usually tell you your speed versus the posted speed limit. If you're only slightly over they may let you off with a warning, but don't always expect this.
The more points you have on your licence, the more expensive your insurance is likely to be. If you have three points on your licence for an offence like speeding or not complying with traffic lights, your car insurance could increase by 5%.
Get the driver's licence plate – you can use that information when reporting the incident to the police and collision reporting centre. Try to take pictures of the vehicle and the damage. If there are witnesses, ask them to provide their contact information and a written explanation of what happened.
Drivers with 3-9 points can expect their car insurance to rise, and the points could also affect your credit rating, your job and other insurance premiums such as life insurance. It is common sense that driving offences should always be avoided and that it is vital to drive with the utmost care at all times.
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.
No, driving 10 km/h under the speed limit isn't inherently illegal, but it can become an offense if it unreasonably obstructs traffic, meaning you're causing congestion or disrupting the flow, especially if you're in the wrong lane or on a fast road without good reason. There's no set minimum speed, but police can fine you under laws like Australia's Rule 125 for impeding other drivers, making the legality dependent on road conditions and your actions.