Motorists cannot be caught speeding or breaking motoring laws by this type of camera

Speed cameras are usually yellow boxes and easily identifiable to road users travelling across main roads. However, there are special grey cameras are causing confusion among motorists who are not aware of what they actually do. 

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Grey cameras have been installed across several main roads in Plymouth and the new tech has left motorists worried about what information they may be collecting. 

The Highways Agency has confirmed the small grey cameras do belong to them and are not in place for usual speed enforcement purposes. 

Instead, grey cameras are in place for traffic modelling purposes to identify how the roads are used. 

The cameras will be monitoring the flow of traffic to see how the roads can be better managed. 

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They will keep an eye on accidents across key areas to build up a picture for experts on how these roads are used and what improvements may be needed. 

The grey cameras are moved around the country and use special cables to detect how many vehicles have travelled across the area. 

However, they confirm the roads are not equipped with speed radars or number plate recognition technology. 

This means the grey cameras cannot be used to detect speeding fines or motoring offences even if they are committed. 

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These cameras are common on motorways and major A-roads as these areas need constant monitoring. 

The confusion comes because speed cameras used to be a mix of colours, including grey. 

However, the government introduced a policy in October 2016 which said speed cameras must be painted yellow. 

This means any other camera which is painted a different colour will not be used to track speed issues. 

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But other colours can be used for number plate recognition to catch out tax offenders and mobile cameras do not need to be visible. 

This means motorists should take caution while on the roads at all times to avoid being caught out with stringent fines or penalties.  

Motorists caught speeding could be fined £100 and issued three penalty points although these charges can increase depending on the severity of the crime. 

In some cases, motorists could commit a dangerous driving offence which can see fines rise to £2,500 and could result in a temporary driving ban.

However, data from IAMRoadSmart has revealed the vast majority of drivers agree with the use of speed cameras on the road network. 

A total of 80 percent of motorists find the use of speed cameras acceptable or very acceptable. 

Four in five motorists also agree speed cameras have contributed to reduced road deaths in recent years. 

Analysis from Brake has revealed fixed speed cameras prompt an immediate response from motorists. 

Data has shown there is a 70 percent reduction in speeding at areas with a fixed speed camera and a 42 percent fall in the number of serious injuries and deaths.

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