Debate settled on police ‘10% plus 2mph’ rule for | Tech News

It’s one of essentially the most oft-repeated myths about driving by pace cameras. Many drivers will judiciously follow the pace restrict they see on their dashboard, whereas others swear by the ‘10% +2’ rule to see them by with out a rushing ticket. 

But in response to the Metropolitan Police, the rule just isn’t a delusion in any respect however actually a actual policing tactic used to find out rushing high quality legal responsibility out on the roads.

A Freedom of Information Act request submitted to the Met in 2024 revealed that the ten% rule is a actual factor, and set out how and why it’s in place.

Drivers will know that a pace restrict of 30mph, or 50mph implies that you can not drive quicker than the pace displayed within the crimson circle or you possibly can get a rushing ticket, both from a digicam or from a cellular digicam unit. 

But the ten% plus 2 mph rule is successfully a margin for error, used to make sure that these behind the wheel have been positively over the pace restrict.

The FOI response from the Met says: “The Met’s speed camera enforcement threshold is 10% + 2mph.

“The Met observes the current NPCC guidelines which states that enforcement action should commence as soon as a speed that is at +10% +2mph. This is normally the minimum speed at which enforcement is undertaken in all speed limits. 

“The minimum speed at which a speed camera is operated may be varied at any time but there are no plans to use a threshold that is not contained in the current guidance. NPCC guidance also states that whilst tolerances exist, they do not and cannot replace police officers’ discretion.”

Other police forces additionally use this 10% rule. In an FOI request submitted to West Yorkshire Police in August 2025, the power confirmed it employs this tactic, too.

It mentioned: “The speed thresholds enforced by West Yorkshire Police are those set out in the guidance by the National Police Chiefs Council and are 10% + 2 mph.

“There are no variations on the speed thresholds.  The speed of the road is what dictates the thresholds.”

Other forces confirmed to make use of the ten% + 2mph rule embrace Avon & Somerset Constabulary, West Mercia Police, Thames Valley Police, Gwent Police, Kent Police, South Wales Police. Suffolk Constabulary, North Wales Police, Police Scotland, Humberside Police and Essex Police.

However, it’s important to notice that the NPCC steering is simply that, steering, and it’s not truly law.

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As such, not all police forces will essentially observe it and even in those who do, it’s discretionary. For instance, in the event you’re driving in a 30mph zone, however the climate is dangerous, otherwise you’re close to a faculty, you possibly can nonetheless be fined for rushing even within the ten% + 2mph margin.

Confused.com explains: “Speed camera tolerances are used at the discretion of the police to follow the rules around speeding, speed cameras, and the law.

Technically, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) allows a tolerance of 10% + 2 mph on speeding before taking punitive action. So they’re within their rights to punish drivers that break the speed limit by even just a few miles per hour.

“You can’t rely on these discretionary thresholds as a defence if you’re flagged for speeding. Going even 1 mile an hour over the speed limit counts as speeding, and you could be punished accordingly if caught.”