Crime & Safety
Car expert explains what speed will trigger a speed camera
Yet despite their widespread use, many motorists still don’t fully understand how they work, and what actually triggers a fine.
From the long-standing “10% plus 2mph” rule to confusion over average speed checks, myths about enforcement thresholds continue to circulate.
But with penalties ranging from £100 fines and points on your licence to court action in more serious cases, getting it wrong can be costly.
What Speed Actually Triggers a Camera?
Contrary to common belief, there’s no universal “10% + 2mph” rule baked into law.
Experts from BigWantsYourCar.com explained: ““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.”
While the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) does recommend a “10% plus 2” margin to allow for officer discretion, this is not a legal threshold and can vary depending on the enforcement area or the officer reviewing the case.
RAC advice adds: “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.
Turf Tavern
Located at 4 Bath Place, in Oxford the Turf Tavern is one of the perfect places to sit outside this weekend.
The pub located against the medieval remains of Oxfords city walls can be enjoyed with a fresh drink or one of the many food items on the menu.
The 12th century pub is also infamous as the place where former US President Bill Clinton ‘did not inhale’ marijuana, during his time at Oxford University.
The Kings Arms
Located on Church Road in Sandford-on-Thames, this pub offers a view of the Sandford Locks.
The pub hosts a large beer garden where visitors can also enjoy a large variety of cask ales, classic pub favourites or a traditional Sunday roast
Abingdon Beer Festival
Today also marks the start of the annual Abingdon Beer Festival.
The festival run by the Friends of Abingdon Abbey Buildings Trust in partnership with Loose Cannon brewery. £5 entry gets a glass.
Visitors can find a range of Oxfordshire beers, food stalls, live music.
Any funds raised go towards the upkeep of the historic Abbey buildings in the area.
READ MORE: The crime which Oxford businesses fear the most revealed
The Three Horseshoes
Located on Corn Street in Witney, the pub is another place to find a nice pint in the sun.
The outside of the pub is a festival feel with bunting, fairy lights, and a large canopy and patrons can buy a wide variety of drink and comforting pub food.
The Slow & Steady
The pub located at Abingdon Road in Oxford is another great place for a refreshment
Customers can choose from an assortment of drinks, pizzas or burgers.
Thames Valley Police’s Rural Crime Taskforce said the owner of a dog which attacked lambs in Banbury in April has been issued a community resolution.
It requires the owner to pay for the cost of the lambs killed and injured, which is around £1,000, according to the force.
READ MORE: Oxford rapist who fled to Iraq is jailed for 13 years
A spokesperson for the force said: “We’re into the time of year when there are lots of lambs and livestock around.
“Please keep dogs on leads around livestock or run the risk of an expensive bill.”
A new law came into effect in March to aim to protect farm animals from dog attacks, increasing the maximum penalty for livestock worrying from £1,000 to an unlimited fine.
Police also now have the power to seize and detain a dog where they have reasonable grounds to believe it has attacked livestock, and there’s a risk it could do so again.
Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Ben Baila, 76, were stabbed in Golders Green in an attack which is being treated as suspected terrorism.
Essa Suleiman, 45, has appeared in court accused of trying to kill the men during a knife rampage through the streets of the north London suburb on Wednesday, April 29.
He is also accused of attempting to murder a man he had known for around 20 years, Ishmail Hussein, at his home in Southwark in the hours before the street attack and has been remanded to custody.
The Oxfordshire Faith and Civic Leaders Group shared the following message:
It said: “On behalf of the faith and civic leaders of Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley we wholeheartedly condemn the violent attacks against two Jewish people in Golders Green on Wednesday.
“We stand in solidarity with our Jewish friends and neighbours and condemn all forms of antisemitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia and racial hatred.
“We are pledged together to build a strong and cohesive society marked by tolerance and mutual respect and to stand against a rising tide of hate and violence.”
The statement was signed by co-chairs Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford and Imam Monawar Hussein, The Oxford Foundation.
Names from across the faith and political spectrums were put to the letter.
Including those of Jon Dunston and Louise Gordon of the Oxford Jewish Congregation, Dr Reuven Ziegler of the Jewish Community, Mark Bhagwandan on behalf of the Oxford Hindu Community, and Rebecca Vickers of the Bahai Community and Oxford Council of Faiths.
The Oxford Mail has heard an outpouring of support and “horror” after the double stabbing, and Thames Valley Police confirmed it will be using armed response units to protect Jewish communities.
The force said: “As a result of what has happened, we will be increasing our patrols to provide reassurance and support to our Jewish communities within the Thames Valley.
“Our Jewish communities and the wider public can expect to see an enhanced policing presence around key locations, including places of worship. This will include armed response vehicles and is standard practice in response to terrorist incidents such as this one.”
Oxford City Council Leader Susan Brown said: “My thoughts are particularly with Oxford’s Jewish population and I stand with them. I am aware of the effect that attacks like this will inevitably have on many Jewish people and their perceptions of their own and their families’ safety.”
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