IT is the fear for many drivers who have strayed over the speed limit that they might have been flashed by a camera, and will have to pay a fine and have points put on their licence.
Did you know that not all speed cameras flash though? This is how you can tell if you have been caught by a speed camera.
If you’re caught breaking the speed limit by a camera, you may face a steep fine.Alamy
How can I tell a speed camera has caught me?
There is some confusion around exactly how speed cameras function.
It is incorrect to think that speed cameras are just empty boxes designed to deter drivers, but it is true that not all of them flash.
Ultimately, there’s really only one way to tell whether you’ve been nabbed by a roadside speed camera, and that’s the appearance of a fine notice in the post.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, told The Sun: “The only way drivers can be certain they have been caught speeding is when a ticket is put through the letterbox.”
It is incorrect to believe that speed cameras can run out of film.
Cousens added: “Speed cameras are digital so no longer use film and not all of them flash when a speeding car has passed it.
“So there are sometimes no immediate signs that someone has been caught.”
If you have been caught exceeding the speed limit, a fine should come through your door within 14 days, most of the time within five working days.
Can I appeal a speeding ticket?
Yes, a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) letter can be appealed.
The majority of successful appeals are to do with technicalities surrounding the timing of the ticket.
The most common grounds for the appeal of a speeding ticket is by what is known as the two-week rule.
You can reject paying the fine if notice of your speeding offence hasn’t arrived within 14 days.
It should be noted though that this isn’t as straight forward as it sounds.
The driver must reply to the ticket with a “not guilty” plea and argue the case against them in court.
The police then must be able to show that the notice should have reached the registered owner of the vehicle under normal circumstances within 14 days.
You can also appeal about missing details on the NIP, incorrect or obscured speed limit signs, or if you can prove you weren’t behind the wheel.
In case of emergency, don’t be fooled into thinking that this will be accepted as a valid reason for speeding.
Claims such as this will be rejected and the fine will still have to be paid, according to the RAC.
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How much will I be fined if I’m caught speeding?
The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence.
But exactly how much a ticket will set you back depends on the limit in question and by how much you exceeded it.
The sum is usually a percentage of your weekly income, up to a maximum of £1,000 – or £2,500 if you were driving on a motorway.
Settling the fine in a timely fashion is critically important, as you may be penalised if you accept the penalty notice but then fail to pay it within 28 days.
When this happens, the fine is registered with the court and automatically increased by 50%.
It’s then for the court to enforce the fine, and it can issue an arrest warrant should you fail to respond.
Clearly it’s better to drive safely and not have to worry about whether you’ll soon be stung with a hefty fine.
Cousens added: “The best way to avoid speeding is to manage your speed and right foot accordingly.
“However, if you have received a fine, don’t delay in responding to the letter regardless of your intent to accept or appeal the ticket.”
We have rounded up all the different levels of speeding fines if you’re not sure what you could be facing.
Speeding also lands you with points on your licence.
These vary from three to six points depending on how far you exceed the limit.
And if you’ve been racking up fines and points it may tot up to disqualification from driving or the suspension of your licence.
Motorists will be disqualified from driving if they receive 12 points or more in a three-year period.