I’m a speed camera operator – these are myths | Tech News
Another motorist will get their speed checked (Image: undefined)
There’s lots you in all probability ‘know’ about speed cameras and cell speed camera vans on the roadsides – however how many of these info are actually true?
Many drivers have heard the city legends like ‘10% over the speed restrict is okay’ and ‘they’re solely catching people on the opposite aspect of the highway’.
That’s why Gareth Thomas, a ‘speed discount officer’, let NorthWalesStay inside his van back in 2019 to reply all the important thing questions and dispel some myths first hand.
Gareth, a Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer and former police officer, stated: “The aim of cameras is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.
“Go Safe prefers to teach drivers fairly than punish them with fines and penalty factors.”
Gareth then answered questions about the mobile vans and speeding which still apply in 2026.
A mobile speed camera (Image: undefined)
Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times?
Gareth, said: “Legally, we do not have to be seen. I might camouflage myself if I wished to – but it surely’s all about being honest, training and stopping an accident.
“Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people speeding right away.”
Can officers solely catch motorists travelling in a single direction?
No. Any car that passes a Go Safe van is recorded on the officer’s camera.
So should you’re exceeding the speed restrict whether or not you are driving in the identical or reverse direction to the van, you possibly can anticipate a rushing ticket.
It is true that the ten% rule exists?
Yes. You is not going to get a ticket offered your speed doesn’t exceed the restrict by more than 10 per cent, plus 1mph on North Wales roads, Gareth stated.
So, for instance, travelling at 35mph or above in a 30mph zone shall be recorded as a rushing offence.
A car passes a cell speed camera (Image: undefined)
However, Go Safe say thresholds differ and might change with out discover. Officially, any rushing offence happens at 1mph above the restrict, however most forces will enable a variance.
Are officers a income collector for the Government?
No. Gareth, defined: “We’re not here to get figures or to make money. We’re just here to catch the people who are speeding.
“If I get a day the place I do not get any drivers rushing, then I do know I’ve performed my job.
“If I’ve been working an eight-hour shift, I just hope at least one person that day has escaped injury or a crash has been avoided.”
Can I get caught rushing more than as soon as on the identical day by the identical camera?
The place with Go Safe on the time of Gareth being interviewed was that should you have been caught twice in 20 minutes, it could be handled as one offence.
In principle, a driver with a beforehand clean licence might be caught a number of instances on the identical day – and as a consequence be at risk of disqualification beneath the totting-up system.
If you are caught rushing a number of instances on the identical journey and settle for a fixed penalty for every, you can be at risk of a penalty factors disqualification.
Gareth says it may possibly occur more simply than you may assume, for instance the place a number of speed cameras are positioned on the identical highway or motorway.
However, the place offences are deemed to have been dedicated “on the same occasion”, the courtroom has discretion to impose solely the one set of factors for 2 or more offences. Whether or not offences shall be handled as dedicated on the identical event is a matter for the courtroom to resolve. They need not have been dedicated concurrently, however they have to be linked not directly.
So if, for instance, the offences have been dedicated within a couple of minutes of one another, it might be potential to influence the courtroom to impose just one set of factors. Every case will depend upon its info.
Is it unlawful to hinder a van’s view of the highway?
Yes. Obstructing a van’s subject of view during its operational duties is an offence and you’ll be prosecuted for it.
Do officers implement something different than rushing?
Yes. Officers are there to make sure you are carrying a seatbelt and are not utilizing your cellphones behind the wheel. Anyone caught breaking these legal guidelines shall be prosecuted.
This is the rationale why you generally see a GoSafe speed van in an space the place there are already everlasting speed cameras.
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