Incorrect Speeding Fines Could Be Reversed for Thousands of Drivers

A significant number of drivers may find their speeding penalties revoked due to a technical glitch that caused certain speed cameras on English highways and A roads to activate erroneously.

Additionally, a large group of motorists will see their scheduled speed awareness courses annulled, as the government instructs National Highways to review six years of speed camera activity.

National Highways reported discovering 2,650 instances of wrongful camera activations since 2021, attributed to a lag between the speed cameras and variable speed limit signs.

It is important to note that not every camera activation results in a fine, meaning not all erroneous activations led to penalties.

Drivers affected by this issue will be notified by law enforcement and will receive refunds for any fines imposed, while points will be eliminated from their driving records where applicable.

Over 36,000 motorists have been informed by police that their speed awareness courses are being cancelled as a precaution during the ongoing investigation into the speed camera malfunction.

Moreover, it is believed that various police departments are halting thousands of pending prosecutions, regardless of their connection to the identified issue.

Transport minister Simon Lightwood assured that the government will provide compensation to those impacted, including refunds for speeding fines and the removal of points from licenses.

“Measures will be implemented to rectify any wrongful prosecutions,”

he stated in a written communication to parliament.

National Highways expressed regret for the oversight.

“Our primary concern is safety,”

commented chief executive Nick Harris. “All drivers should continue to adhere to the posted speed limits as usual. Those affected will be contacted by the appropriate police department.”

The agency has introduced a temporary solution, providing additional data from the cameras to police forces to help filter out any faulty recordings. However, a specific timeline for a permanent resolution has not been established.

National Highways, which manages England’s motorway system, attributed the issue to an “anomaly” in the interaction between variable speed cameras and signage on specific A roads and motorways.

This glitch resulted in a delay of about 10 seconds between the cameras and the relevant variable speed limit signs, leading to instances where drivers were incorrectly flagged for speeding after the limits had changed.

For example, as a driver passes a sign indicating a speed limit of 60 mph, the camera might still register them under a prior limit of 40 mph.

According to National Highways, the 2,650 incidents since 2021 average out to fewer than two false activations per day, compared to over six million legitimate speed camera activations in the same timeframe.

The anomaly has reportedly affected 10% of England’s motorways and major A roads, impacting 154 cameras out of a total of 400 within the motorway network.

This includes all variable speed cameras on smart motorways, as well as a stretch of the A14 between Huntingdon and Cambridge, along with the A1 entry point to the A14.

Andy Walpole, a 55-year-old from Swindon, experienced this issue firsthand when he received a speeding ticket while driving on the M25 between junction 9 and the Cobham services.

“I was certain I wasn’t speeding. I drive professionally and stick closely to the variable speed limits, so I knew I was compliant,”

he remarked.

Rather than contesting the penalty, he opted to pay for a speed awareness course, believing it would be challenging to successfully appeal the fine.

Although he received a refund for the course fee, he questioned,

“How can we trust the system now?”

He also raised concerns regarding the implications for those who opted to accept points on their licenses, fearing potential increases in insurance premiums due to unjust convictions.

“What if you obtained car insurance the day after receiving the points? You would have to declare those points—what happens then?”

National Highways is collaborating with law enforcement to verify camera activations and has assured that no one will face wrongful prosecution moving forward.

In the meantime, police forces have paused fines from variable speed cameras until they can confirm their reliability.

To further enforce speed limits, National Highways plans to increase the presence of traffic patrol officers.

Lightwood cautioned drivers, stating,

“If you violate the law, you should expect to face consequences.”

A representative from the Department for Transport expressed regret for any inconvenience caused, assuring that safety has never been compromised and that efforts are underway to prevent future wrongful prosecutions.

“Enforcement remains in effect, and the public can be assured that only those who break the rules will face penalties,”

the spokesperson concluded.