Speed Camera Photos

We've been sent photos of speed cameras, vans and signs by visitors who find their location unfair, dangerous, or not in compliance with police guidelines. If you have similar photos that you've taken yourself and would like to share with other motorists please tell us about it.

Camouflaged Camera

Can you spot a camera in the photo below? They're supposed to be bright yellow, right? Actually no, there is no law saying they have to be. But to maximise revenue it pays well to camouflage them. The army couldn't have done a better job here just outside Tintwistle, High Peak in Derbyshire.

Can't see it? Here's a clue...

Not only is the speed camera painted green to blend in with bushes and grass, but it's located next to similar looking poles for a street sign, a solar panel, and three poles that have no purpose whatsoever. Perhaps they were erected at the same time as the camera to add to the visual soup of green vertical objects.

Flattened GATSO
This speed camera was vandalised on the B2032 in Surrey. Powerful machinery was probably used because the concrete foundations were ripped up with the rest of the camera. There's no obvious collision damage to suggest it was an accident. Thanks to parking-ripoff.co.uk for the photo.

Hidden Talivan
In Bridgend, east of Pencoed, a camera van has been regularly spotted hiding in a car park behind a metal fence taking photos of vehicles on a dual carriageway. If hiding wasn't bad enough, the location behind a metal fence is breaking the police's own guidelines, assuming it's a radar device. The ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) guidelines say: "The operator should always select a site with a clear view of the oncoming traffic which is free of any large objects such as: (a) bus shelters, (b) large road signs, (c) metal fences/crash barriers which are close to the radar."

Cash Opportunity at Motorway Roadworks
The photos below are typical of motorway roadworks around the UK. This is a scene on the M25 at 9:30pm at a quiet time where the roadworks have been cleared away and the only cones are at the side of the road. The speed limit is still reduced to 40mph which motorists can hardly believe until they see a temporary Gatso camera and slam their brakes on. Not only is it unnecessary to enforce a 40mph limit when there are no roadworks taking place but it can cause an accident because of sudden braking. Sure, drivers shouldn't do that but it happens and should be taken into account when planning temporary limits and roadworks. In this situation the 40mph sign and limit should be removed or an electronic variable limit should be used that rises to 70mph when roadworks aren't taking place.

Cash vs School Safety
This speed camera is hidden behind a school sign and the sign is rotated at an obscure angle. Take a look at the photo and imagine the arguments the authorities had over this - and it shows. The visibility of the camera should be paramount to ensure traffic slows down before the school just 30 meters ahead. The only benefit of hiding the camera is to increase the number of fines... but at the price of increasing the risk of hitting a child? The school sign is also important because most motorists will take extra care knowing that kids could walk out into the road, so why has it been left at a 45 degree angle several months?

Mobile Camera to Spring Surprise Trap
When there was a major summer festival in Sheffield this little mobile camera magically appeared on the A6102. If you look carefully there's a white unmarked police car in hiding waiting for the camera to alert them. Parked behind is the South Yorkshire Camera Partnership van.

Below is a close up of the camera and the unmarked police car. Thanks to Nigel Cowley for the photos.

Illegally Parked Camera Van
When roadworks started causing traffic jams on a busy road in Basildon, Essex, motorists decided to take a detour via Whitmore Way. Perhaps by coincidence a mobile speed camera suddenly appeared in Whitemore Way. The camera van is parked on a grass verge next to a double yellow line. The road is on a bend helping to hide the camera until it comes into the drivers' field of vision. Thanks to Terry for the photos and refusing to be intimidated when the occupant of the van started taking pictures of Terry's parked up car.

Got any photos? Contact us if you'd like to see them here.

Last updated: 23 Feb 2005