APH Community > Mobile speed cameras – how do they work and can you expect to be warned about them?
Travel Safety Tips: How Do Mobile Speed Cameras Work?
Mobile speed cameras pop up around the UK to catch speeding motorists, but, – as is the case with fixed-position cameras – do drivers need to be warned about them, how do they work and other questions answered here.
What is a mobile speed camera?
As the name suggests, mobile speed cameras are exactly that – mobile. They are used to enforce speed limits across the UK and are generally a road vehicle fitted with speed camera equipment.
What are the different types of mobile speed camera?
Mobile speed cameras come in a number of shapes and sizes and the types used will vary from country to country. There are now 15 different kinds used in the UK alone. Some of the types of mobile speed cameras are:
Radar gun
Laser gun
DS2
Mini Gatso
Unmarked/marked police cars
What distance do mobile speed cameras work from?
Typically, depending on the type of mobile speed camera, the range will be about two miles on a straight bit of road – they cannot work round bends or over brows of hills.
Do mobile speed cameras need to pre-warn of their presence in an area?
Although it’s rumoured that mobile speed cameras need to warn you that they are operating, it is not a legal requirement. Sometimes signs indicate the presence of speed cameras, but no warning needs to be given.
Can you be caught by a mobile speed camera if you’re behind another car?
With a diameter as small as 10cm, the laser beam emitted by a mobile speed camera can target you as long as it can see your vehicle. Meaning that only a small sighting of part of your vehicle is needed to gain a reading.
Can a speed enforcement camera in a van catch people speeding while it’s driving?
Typically, mobile speed cameras in a van work when they are parked up, but it’s still possible to catch speeding motorists when the van is moving.
Can a mobile speed camera target your vehicle if you’re on the opposite side of the road?
If you’re driving on the opposite side of the road to a mobile speed camera, you won’t be exempt from being targeted. As long as the laser beam is aimed at the vehicle, it will be able to relay the driver’s exact speed.
Will I get a speeding ticket… what happens after the motorway or A-road flash?
To help ease the anxiety of whether you’ll get a ticket, here’s our instant guide to working out if you’re in line for points and a fine…
FAQs
Sometimes signs indicate the presence of speed cameras, but no warning needs to be given. Can you be caught by a mobile speed camera if you're behind another car? With a diameter as small as 10cm, the laser beam emitted by a mobile speed camera can target you as long as it can see your vehicle.
How do speed cameras know how fast you're going? ›
To put it simply, an average speed camera system tracks how long it takes you to travel between two set points on a road, measured by two cameras at each point; this information is then used to calculate your average speed.
Do mobile speed cameras get you on your phone? ›
These cameras detect and take photos of drivers who are not wearing their seatbelt correctly or use portable devices, like mobile phones.
How to detect mobile speed cameras? ›
Sygic GPS Navigation will warn you when there is a mobile speed camera on your route. You will get an alert well in advance so that you can adjust your speed in time.
What happens if you slow down on speed camera lines? ›
Speed cameras measure the speed at a trigger point just before the camera. Radar controlled, or other speed zones measure time over distance. You can't trick a speed camera by slowing down significantly, unless you know where the trigger point is.
Do mobile speed cameras get you from the front or back? ›
It is that simple. Traditionally, the cameras take the photo after the car has passed them, but newer tech means they shoot through the rear glass of the camera car, before you've even reached them. So, can a speed camera get you from the front? Absolutely.
How accurate are mobile phone cameras? ›
Interstate experience has shown consistent levels of accuracy for the detection of mobile phone incidents. Furthermore, all images from detected incidents are reviewed by human intervention through an experienced adjudicator.
How does a mobile camera work? ›
Every lens in a smartphone camera is coupled with a sensor. The sensor records the light coming in from the lens in digital format, just like any other digital camera. Like lenses, the sensors in a smartphone camera are tiny. This is another reason why smartphone cameras don't have as shallow a depth of field.
How many points do you get for doing 36 in a 30? ›
According to the sentencing guidelines for speeding offences, this level of infringement typically falls within the Band A range. The Sentencing Guidelines for speeding offences categorize Band A as follows: Speeding between 31 and 40 mph in a 30 mph zone constitutes three penalty points on your driving license.
How do speed monitors work? ›
Speed Measurement
Speed cameras rely on the Doppler effect to measure the speed of moving vehicles: Doppler Effect: As the radio or laser waves emitted by the speed camera hit a moving vehicle, their frequency undergoes a shift. By analyzing this frequency shift, the camera calculates the speed of the vehicle.
Most variable speed cameras use average speed between set points. In theory you could hit huge peak speeds as long as you offset them with slower driving. Your speedo should over-read as its illegal for it to under read. This means you aren't going as fast as it says.
Do speed cameras flash twice? ›
Make sure your car is registered to the right address. It flashes twice per car. Of an aside, most gatsos are not used any more. They will flash if still switched on but they required actual old school film to be loaded in them which central government used to fund but they stopped that ages ago.
