Towards the end of last year, there were rumours that speed camera tolerances could become so strict that motorists could be fined for travelling just 1mph over the limit.
For years it has been suggested that speed cameras have thresholds built into them which allow motorists some leeway with the speed limit.
The reason for the tolerance is due to discrepancies in equipment used to record speed and your car’s mileometer.
It has been suggested that speed cameras have a 10 per cent plus 2mph tolerance. What this means is drivers would be fined until their car hits this mark.
For example, to be fined for speeding in a 30mph zone you would have to travel 35mph or on a 70mph road you’d have to travel 79mph.
However, it has been previously reported that the tolerance is down to the discretion of the police force.
A National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) spokesperson that the rule is a “guidance” and “not part of legislation.”
They said: “The 10 per cent rule is allowed in guidance but it is not part of legislation. It is used as a rule of thumb for enforcement – 10 per cent over the speed limit plus 2mph.
“The thinking behind this is to ensure that enforcement is proportionate
Auto Express asked the UK’s 45 police forces via Freedom of Information requests how strictly their 3,224 speed cameras enforce limits.
The research found that the majority of forces in Britain have a 10 per cent plus 2mph tolerance in force, meaning the cameras will not trigger until then.
However, Metropolitan Police and Lancashire Police have a less strict 10 per cent plus 3mph tolerance. A number of forces also failed to disclose exactly what the tolerance is or whether or not there are any in force.
Speed camera thresholds across the UK
- Avon and Somerset: 41 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Bedfordshire: 38 cameras – Would not reveal threshold
- Cambridgeshire: 32 cameras – Would not reveal threshold
- Cheshire: 15 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Cleveland: 4 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Derbyshire: 18 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Devon and Cornwall: 98 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Durham: 0 fixed cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Essex: 63 cameras – Don’t use a standard threshold
- Greater Manchester: 235 cameras – Would not reveal threshold
- Gwent: 21 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Hampshire: 36 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Hertfordshire: 53 cameras – Would not reveal threshold
- Kent: 109 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Lancashire: 34 cameras – 10% + 3mph threshold
- Leicestershire: 30 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Merseyside: 18 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Metropolitan Police/TfL: 805 cameras – 10% + 3mph threshold
- Norfolk: 26 cameras – 10% + 2mph
- North Wales: 28 cameras – 10% + 2mph
- Northumbria: 55 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Nottinghamshire: 48 cameras – Refused to confirm if threshold exists
- Police Service of Northern Ireland: 12 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Scotland: 173 cameras – Refused to confirm if threshold exists
- South Wales: 137 cameras – 10% + 2mph
- South Yorkshire: 25 cameras – 10% + 2mph
- Staffordshire: 286 cameras – Would not reveal threshold
- Suffolk: 4 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Thames Valley: 294 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- Warwickshire: 28 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- West Mercia: 23 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
- West Midlands: 33 cameras – Would not reveal threshold
- West Yorkshire: 402 cameras – 10% + 2mph threshold
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