Speed cameras aren’t something that every driver loves, but they are an important tool in reducing deaths on the roads. Speed cameras make sure that we are all on our best behaviour and keeping to the limits. A university study found that speed cameras reduce the overall number of accidents and more importantly, the number of deaths on the road. If you can adjust your way of thinking to trying not to see cameras as the enemy, it should make you a better and safer driver.

Radar Technology

Speed cameras work by either using sensors in the road placed a certain distance apart, or radar technology. At junctions, speed cameras may also be calibrated to catch people driving through a red light. If the camera detects someone speeding, then it automatically takes a digital picture. Most cameras take a picture of the back of the car, allowing the police to see the make and model of the vehicle, the colour and registration number. Some cameras may take a photo of the car approaching which has the added benefit of being able to show a clear image of who is driving. The photograph will be time stamped and dated, and will show the speed of the car and the limit on that stretch of road.

What Happens Next?

If you are caught speeding, the police will use the image taken by the camera to find who is the registered owner of the car concerned. They’ll then send you a letter in the post, telling you about the offence and asking you to provide the details of who was driving at the time. In most cases, speeding offences are dealt with by a fixed penalty fine and points on your licence. You won’t need to go to court, and won’t get a criminal record. Sometimes, police will offer you the chance to attend a speed awareness course as an alternative to taking the points on your licence.

Future of Speed Cameras

Technological change is accelerating all the time and new technologies will mean even smarter cameras in the future. Many overhead gantries on motorways have cameras to measure average speed, and it’s thought that in the future these may also be used to pick up people who are driving while using their mobile phone, don’t have their seatbelt on, or who are committing some other type of motoring offence.

Know Your Speedometer

There are a lot of myths flying around about the speedometer on your car. The most common is that they’re very inaccurate, and often show a speed far lower than your actual speed. There is a grain of truth in the myth in that speedometers have a built-in margin of error. When you book your car in for its MOT test, part of the inspection makes sure the speedometer is measuring accurately. If you’re looking for a more accurate speed measurement, then use your satnav. Navigation units use GPS to mark your position on the road and give a very accurate speed reading.