Despite numerous myths, including the widely believed “10% plus 2mph” rule, experts have clarified that there is no legal margin for exceeding speed limits.

Drivers can be fined for travelling just 1mph over the posted limit.

Experts from BigWantsYourCar.com said: “The idea that you’re safe doing 35mph in a 30 zone is one of the biggest myths we hear.

“Technically, you’re liable for a fine the moment you go even 1mph over the limit.”

Speeding can result in a £100 fine and points on your licence, with more severe offences leading to higher penalties or court action.

While the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) does recommend a “10% plus 2” allowance for officer discretion, this is not part of UK law and can vary between enforcement areas.

Guidance from the RAC states: “The law states that you are liable for a speeding fine as soon as you exceed the limit, so if you’re doing 31mph in a 30 limit or 71mph on a motorway, you’re breaking the law and could receive a fine.

“It is well worth remembering this is totally dependent on the officer who catches the speeder, and it is up to that officer whether to fine the offender or not.

“The best advice is to not speed full stop.”

How do speed cameras work?

Speed cameras work using radar or road markings to monitor a vehicle’s speed and capture evidence of any offence.

While older cameras used film, most modern devices are fully digital and can even track your average speed over many miles.

These digital systems record:

• Vehicle speed
• Time and location of the offence
• Vehicle registration
• Road speed limit

In some cases, they even capture a clear image of the driver and passenger.

Common speed camera myths

Here are some other common speed camera myths :

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

No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from 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.

Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas 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 from speeding right away.”

Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a GoSafe 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.”

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 more than 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 per cent, plus 9 mph 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.

Waitrose has recalled its Waitrose & Partners 4 Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns as they may be unsafe to eat for some customers.

The buns contain barley, which is not declared on the label, making them a health risk for anyone with an allergy.

The affected products have a best before date of June 6.

Thursday 4th June – Waitrose & Partners recalls Waitrose & Partners 4 Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns because of undeclared barley #FoodAllergy https://t.co/Cgs0q54WNP pic.twitter.com/kRM0koiQHb

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) June 4, 2026

An FSA spokesman said: “Waitrose & Partners are recalling the above product from customers and has contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall. 

“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. 

“If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to barley do not eat it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. No receipt required.

“For more information, please contact: Waitrose Customer Care 0800 188 884, option 4.”

A Waitrose spokesman added: “We apologise that it has been necessary to recall this product and for the inconvenience caused.”

What is a product recall?

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.

This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.

Gossard Limited appointed administrators on May 14, 2026, and has officially ceased trading.

Founded in 1901, the company introduced the Wonderbra to the UK in the 1960s and became synonymous with innovative lingerie throughout the decades.

The Wonderbra gained iconic status in the 1990s, but Gossard was equally known for its wider range of underwear and bralettes, which built the brand’s reputation for style and comfort.

A spokesman for the company said: “Please be advised that Gossard Limited has officially ceased trading and entered liquidation effective May 14, 2026.

What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?

“The appointment relates solely to the UK entity trading as Gossard.

“Gossard’s European operations and affiliated entities outside the UK continue to operate as normal and are not subject to these liquidation proceedings.

“We would like to thank our customers, partners, and employees for their support over the years.”

Insolvency professionals Andrew J Cordon and James O Everist of CFS Restructuring LLP have been appointed as administrators.

Documents filed at Companies House reveal the company owed significant sums to suppliers and HMRC at the time of its collapse.

The brand’s European divisions remain unaffected and are continuing to trade.

High street fashion chain enters liquidation with ‘closing down’ sales

A fashion chain has gone into liquidation with signs appearing in shop windows announcing everything must go.

Leading Labels, which stocked brands including Calvin Klein and Ben Sherman, is expected to close all 15 of its remaining stores following the appointment of a liquidator.

Jeremy Bleazard of XL Business Solutions Limited was named as liquidator on May 26, with an official notice published on June 1 in The Gazette.

Stores have displayed closing down sale notices for several weeks, including at the Ipswich branch in April.

The company’s website is now offline, calls to its customer service line go unanswered, and emails bounce back.

A notice posted at the Bolton store in April read: “This store is closed due to unforeseen circumstances. Sorry for any inconvenience.”

A spokesperson for The Market Place, where the Bolton shop was based, said there had been “there’s been some internal difficulties with them”.

The official notice in The Gazette stated: “Notice is hereby given that the following resolutions were passed on May 26, 2026, as a special resolution and an ordinary resolution respectively.

“That the Company be wound up voluntarily and that Jeremy Bleazard of XL Business Solutions Limited be appointed as Liquidator for the purposes of such voluntary winding up.”

Leading Labels positioned itself as one of the UK’s largest multi-brand retailers.

The company had overdue accounts listed on Companies House, which now confirms that it is in liquidation.

The closure of Leading Labels comes less than two weeks after reports that another fashion retailer, Quiz, would shut all of its 37 remaining UK stores.