Drivers have long believed that they could get away with being caught speeding if the camera van infringed a number of widely-believed rules. These include supposed laws around signs, visibiliy and even where the van is parked.
However a police camera partnership has now spoken out around the ‘myths’ that people believe around speed cameras. The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership has posted up on its website how wrong drivers can be – and how the law sees it https://speedorsafety.com/caught-speeding/speed-camera-facts-and-myths.
The partnership said: “It can often be the case that motorists think they’ve got a pretty good handle on speed camera facts and road safety in general, however this isn’t always the case. We don’t resort to sneaky tactics to catch speeding drivers or put speed cameras in places just to make money.
“On this page, we discuss some of the most common speed camera myths. So whatever your opinions on the subject, you might find the following insights interesting, if not surprising.”
Myth: You have to be a police officer
Answer: “No- the enforcement officer can be a trained civilian who has authorisation from the Chief Constable.”
Myth: ‘You have to be visible’
Answer: “No-there are no laws about visibility, however, we maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent so therefore we only used marked vehicles and all speed cameras are Hi-Vis yellow.”
Myth: ‘You have to put signs out’
Answer: “No- we do not have to place any signs at an enforcement site, however, to assist those drivers who are unsure of the speed limit a sign is fixed to the street furniture or placed at the roadside before entering the enforcement area. NB only at our core enforcement sites.
Myth: ‘The threshold for speeding is 10% + 2mph, so I can travel at 35mph in a 30mph limit’
Answer: “Thresholds vary and can change without notice. Any offence occurs at 1mph over the limit, officially you can be prosecuted at that speed, however, most forces will allow a variance.
Myth: ‘Where police camera van parks is crucial’
Answer: “A camera van isn’t subject to parking regulations when carrying out speed enforcement. However, we expect our staff to use discretion and common sense while adhering to local guidelines and designated parking locations.”
Do officers enforce anything other than speeding?
Yes. Officers are there to make sure you are wearing a seatbelt and are not using your mobile phones behind the wheel. Anyone caught breaking these laws will be prosecuted.
Is it illegal to eat behind the wheel?
“No, it’s not illegal to eat while driving. However, if you get distracted while snacking behind the wheel, the police could prosecute you for careless driving if they consider you to not be in proper control of the vehicle, an offence which carries an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three penalty points.”
“She was riding on the cats eyes in the centre of the road and veering. I recommended that she was prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.”
Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a speed van?
If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to “wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty”.
However insiders have said that while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove.
