There are many different types of speed camera in the UK, a few key types are most common.

Fixed speed cameras The Gatso was the first speed camera to be installed in the UK and has become the most used camera on UK roads. Back in 1992 they were painted grey, but a change in the law meant that they have to be painted bright yellow. The rear facing Gatso might be the most ‘popular’ camera on the road, but it’s accompanied by the Truvelo, which uses a forward-facing camera to catch speeding motorists. Unlike the Gatso, it photographs the driver at the wheel, meaning there’s no disputing who was at the wheel at the time of the offence. The majority of these are run by local police forces and reside on accident blackspots where there is a history of road traffic incidents over a three year or more period.

Mobile speed cameras used as part of safety camera partnership teams and speed safety campaigns. These cameras can take on several forms, working from marked or unmarked cars, as well as being manually operated by police officers using radar guns and laser guns.

SPECS cameras were introduced in 1999 and are becoming an increasingly common sight on UK roads. They use Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) digital technology to record a date and time stamp as you pass between two cameras, enabling the computer to calculate your average speed. You are likely to encounter average speed cameras at roadworks, as well.

Variable speed cameras work in a similar way to average speed cameras, but they’re unlikely to be in operation 24/7. They tend to be used on smart motorways when the speed limit is lowered to ease congestion or in the event of poor weather or some other hazard. The speed cameras are situated on the overhead gantries and the limit will be displayed on a series of signs

Traffic light (or ‘red light’) cameras detect vehicles which pass through lights after they’ve turned red by using sensors or ground loops in the road. When traffic lights are on red, the system becomes active, and the camera is ready to photograph any car that passes over the trigger. It’s an offence for any part of your vehicle to pass the white stop line if a traffic light has turned red. These Gatso RLC 36 units also have built-in radar technology, with dual speed and red-light functions, so for the sake of safety and the law, avoid the temptation to put your foot down when they start to change.

Credit | RAC Motoring Services

This article edited by Kar Dok reproduced for information purposes only and is not intended to be an authority of any nature

or for any purpose other than information.