Speed camera myths busted including flashing headlights and ‘10% rule’

Many drivers have been caught speeding after failing to spot a stationary or a relocating speed camera. Upon seeing the bright yellow camera or parked-up vans, drivers might start to worry about how fast they have been traveling, or if their speedometer is slightly faulty.

However, what many people don’t know is how speed cameras operate, and exactly how and why tickets are issued to motorists.

With that in mind, a former North Wales Police officer and Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer Gareth Thomas explained how speed cameras work, the truth behind some of the most popular myths and claims and – and how drivers can avoid being caught speeding.

He told the Daily Star: “I decided after retiring that I wanted to make the roads as safe as they can be in this area. The aim of cameras is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads. Go Safe prefers to educate drivers rather than punish them with fines and penalty points.”

Here, Gareth answers a series of questions that will hopefully prevent you from being hit with a fine.

Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times?

No. There are no laws about visibility, so there is nothing stopping an officer operating in the dark. But they don’t often choose to do this, and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right.

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Gareth said: “Legally, we don’t have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to – but it’s all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people speeding right away.”

Can officers only catch motorists travelling in one direction?

No. Any car that passes a Go Safe van is recorded on the officer’s camera. So if you’re exceeding the speed limit whether you’re driving in the same or opposite direction to the van, you can expect a speeding ticket.

Is it true that the 10 percent rule exists?

Yes. You will not get a ticket provided your speed does not exceed the limit by more than 10 percent, plus 1mph on North Wales roads, Gareth says. So for example, travelling at 35mph or above in a 30mph zone will be recorded as a speeding offence.

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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. This is the reason why you sometimes see a Go Safe speed van in an area where there are already permanent speed cameras.

Is it illegal to eat behind the wheel?

No, it’s not. However, if you get distracted while snacking behind the wheel, the police could prosecute you for careless driving. Gareth said: “It is endorsable. I had one lady in view once and she was looking in the mirror and putting lipstick on.

“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 Go Safe 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, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: “It doesn’t bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van – I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent.”

How long do Go Safe speed vans tend to stay at one particular spot?

For technical reasons, a speed van will only remain in a certain spot for 90 minutes, Gareth said. During his average eight hour shift, he will normally visit three different spots across the region where he has been ordered to visit.

Who decides where Go Safe speed vans park up?

Enforcement is usually carried out in certain areas for a number of reasons, including:

• Death or serious injury has occurred at the location.
• Speeds in the area have been recorded as significantly high.
• Speeding concerns have been raised by residents and those concerns have been corroborated by a traffic speed survey.
• Go Safe are supporting a police enforcement campaign

What happens if I am caught speeding?

It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were in excess of the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK’s roads is a £100 fine.

But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course – an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: “An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer.

“Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the ‘notices’ and who were driving at no more than 10 percent, plus 9mph above the posted speed limit.”

So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don’t have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.