What’s the level of getting velocity limits if camera-warning indicators and apps enable drivers to decelerate upfront – then simply proceed dashing? Possibly the UK government in its new consultations on road safety ought to add the query of hiding velocity cameras to their checklist of considerations. I’m a driver, but additionally a pedestrian and bike owner and get fed up with seeing automobiles zooming down native roads at far more than 20 or 30mph. There are flashing lights that inform drivers what velocity they’re doing, however there’s no penalty for going over at these factors. Amy, Cornwall
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Readers reply
It’s excessive time the authorities put its foot down. EddieChorepost
No. Individuals decelerate once they see one. EGriff
I’ve an concept – why don’t the authorities dig numerous holes in the street to encourage drivers to decelerate (the encouragement being avoidance of extreme and costly harm to tyres, wheels and suspension). We may name them “potholes”. Oh – hold on … DocLobster1960
Dashing is delinquent behaviour, so why not make the individuals who do it pay into the coffers for the good of society?
I don’t care whether or not cameras are hidden or not, individuals ought to simply abide by the velocity limits. It’s not as if velocity limits are designed as a punishment. Goldgreen
I received a dashing ticket in Wales on my first go to there after they launched a 20mph restrict, I opted to take the velocity consciousness course and located it to be invaluable. I recommend that each one learner drivers take this course as you study a lot. I’ve been driving for 35 years and a few of the issues I realized have caught with me in the present day. It could be good if we have been made conscious before we began driving. I really loved the course. lozbags
In fact there needs to be no warnings about mounted velocity cameras. Thoughts you, this provides native residents a bonus. Tony Firshman, by e mail
The difficulty of whether or not velocity cameras needs to be seen was determined by the Blair authorities (and the then transport minister John Spellar). Dashing motorists prevented them and continued dashing afterwards. This resulted in “crash migration”. Road safety has at all times been the Cinderella problem of coverage and sadly, will proceed to be, due to the ethical chapter of our flesh pressers. Howard Bramwell, by e mail
No, cameras are there to sluggish drivers at harmful locations. Nevertheless, the digicam know-how should be so low-cost now that each (30mph) signal may have a digicam behind it. I actually battle to do 20, although, as a result of I’ve a muscle reminiscence for driving in villages at 25-30mph. James M Bartlett, by e mail
I don’t suppose there is clear proof of what is extra environment friendly in bringing accidents down, as the strategy varies between nations. In Germany, velocity cameras are often hidden, behind bends or street indicators. Cell cameras are frequent. Generally, you’ve gotten street indicators warning of cameras (“Radar”), however they are often fairly a bit before the cameras. Mustbe6to20
Velocity cameras don’t want to be hidden. They want to be ubiquitous. The need to be in each cat’s-eye in the nation and spherical each bush and nook. Simply get them in, save the lives as an alternative of regretting them and drive individuals to decelerate.
Actually begin the struggle on the motorist, and when you’re at it, make pedestrian crossing lights change instantly when somebody presses the button. That’ll be the actual sign for the struggle to start. Andrew Riley, by e mail
Seen. There’s a stretch of A street in north Norfolk which had two velocity cameras. One has been eliminated – individuals nonetheless brake as they strategy it. Seen nonetheless works greatest, even when it’s not seen. RosiesDad
It has at all times struck me that the use of common velocity cameras (as opposed to so-called “security cameras”) is rather more efficient at holding automobile speeds down to the velocity restrict. These use automated numberplate recognition (ANPR) to examine the time between cameras, so just about all drivers keep at the velocity restrict however then velocity up after passing the final digicam (presumably to make up for the time they suppose they’ve misplaced whereas sticking to the velocity restrict). As ANPR spreads extra extensively (so we are able to catch the dangerous guys up to no good), it might probably’t be past the know-how to use their knowledge to higher impact by catching speeders too. shropshirelasso
No want to conceal them, they are meant to stand out, so for those who are going too quick you possibly can nonetheless decelerate, however for those who are going at a ridiculous velocity that you simply don’t discover them, you then haven’t any complaints. Like capturing fish in a barrel. Sure, there are some sneaky ones, however they are not mandatory imho. Idiots find yourself getting caught out anyway. Damianleah
I’m all in favour of overt and covert ones. I’m additionally all in favour of the police utilizing roadside/bridge cameras to catch speeders. Additional, I’d welcome a tripling or extra of the fines and factors acquired, together with all drivers having to undertake a velocity consciousness course each 5 years so as to hold your licence – and don’t neglect, holding a licence is a privilege and not a proper.
I am a driver who does far too many miles every year, and I’ve in all probability pushed for greater than 800,000 miles, and I’ve not been caught dashing. Oh, I’m not going to say I’m some form of saint, and I do know I’ve exceeded the restrict on many events, but when I had been caught, I’d have deserved the penalty. Sallycycles
Some individuals btl are claiming that hidden cameras wouldn’t work as a deterrent. However they might when you’ve been caught, fined and collected just a few factors. Insurance coverage goes up and the threat of shedding one’s licence ought to focus the thoughts fairly shortly. I’m sick of being tailgated when driving at the velocity restrict. Dropinjim
Indicators that let you know the velocity you are doing (or a smiling face for those who are doing the velocity restrict) are far simpler and for a larger distance afterwards at slowing individuals down than velocity cameras. Having stated that, common velocity cameras appear to be path to go, clearly higher on lengthy singular roads than cities with numerous roads leaving and becoming a member of, though it may nonetheless work. duncandavis
Wouldn’t a visual deterrent be higher than letting individuals velocity or get into an accident and have to cope with the aftermath? Patriiick
Sure, particularly at school zones. A 2025 research in New York Metropolis confirmed that velocity cameras decreased accidents by 16%, and collisions by 30%. Even higher, Toronto Metropolitan College discovered that velocity cameras decreased “the variety of dashing autos by 45% in city college zones”. RP Orlando, by e mail
I’ve a, maybe controversial, take on this. Cover the velocity cameras, however don’t problem any fines to those that breach the restrict. Simply factors on the licence. This would take away the argument from many who velocity cameras are a money cow and not a security function. Niels, by e mail
If you would like to generate income, conceal the cameras. If you would like individuals to decelerate, make them extremely seen. I do know only a few individuals who haven’t been caught by a velocity lure. I used to be going to return to the place my so-called offence befell however determined to take the low-cost method out, a £100 velocity consciousness course that taught me nothing. I do understand it was a twin carriageway with a barrier to cease pedestrians crossing the street – and a velocity restrict that dropped from 40 to 30 with no discernible cause. They’ve these cameras in Italy. They are the measurement of a wheelie bin and are brilliant orange. Guess what – nobody speeds previous them. The police even have radar weapons however the place it is vital that individuals don’t velocity, pedestrian crossings and so on, the cameras do an ideal job. iptraveller
In Surrey, the place I realized to drive, cameras have been hidden, painted gray. Once I began driving farther afield, I used to be amazed that anybody in the counties which had already adopted yellow painted cameras was ever caught dashing. They have been so seen in contrast to the ones we had in Surrey. Now there are the warnings on GPS and satnavs. No excuses. WordChazer
Usually native authorities solely put cameras at excessive accident websites. Common velocity checks are positioned to cease avenue cruising, with restricted impact. Beforehand I used to be a transport planner and had geographic information system entry to all the places and police metadata on the Stats19 kinds. It is sobering to overlay all the slight, severe and deadly accidents, for all years. There is no discernible sample – distribution of information factors is all over the place. Zero accidents needs to be the purpose. Not troublesome to black field all new automobiles and cease dashing.
As a pedestrian, bike owner and driver I agree. I actually consider drivers for his or her licence ought to stroll down a darkish nation lane, cycle down an A street, cope with stupidly brilliant headlights. Driving is seen with no consideration however it’s not it’s a privilege. funkymentalist
Velocity restrict indicators needs to be clearly seen, shut sufficient collectively, and not light, nor obscured by vegetation. They need to not be contradictory, as they often are when non permanent indicators are reached before everlasting indicators. When that has been achieved, velocity cameras needs to be hidden. FromageBleu
May simply make automobiles unable to exceed velocity restrict. Very straightforward to do. Or match them all with black containers. Seamusheaneyisbrown
From July 2024 all new automobiles bought in the EU [and Northern Ireland] are required to have velocity limiters. Wantage
No. I don’t suppose velocity cameras needs to be hidden. That does not deter individuals dashing, it simply offers them a ticket. The entire level is to sluggish individuals down.
One other facet of street security that bugs me an incredible deal is tailgating. This is a really severe offence in Florida. (I don’t learn about the remainder of the US.) It is up there with drink-driving, and in my view it needs to be as a result of it is very harmful, and causes a few of the worst accidents on motorways.
Hopefully with AI, they’ll invent a digicam which picks out autos tailgating. And I want the police would give that problem as a lot consideration as dashing, a minimum of on motorways. AndyPandy1968
If [drivers] don’t know the place velocity cameras are (and there may very well be one wherever) they’ll decelerate. At the moment they velocity till they see a extremely seen digicam. TenaroG
It is higher to drive for the present street circumstances, not the velocity restrict. Velocity restrict indicators encourage drivers to drive at that velocity and can’t react to it raining or being icy – or react to uncommon occasions, like somebody turning proper right into a seldom used street (I’d argue a no-right flip signal could be higher than dropping the velocity restrict to 50 or 40mph).
Most instances whenever you reasonably exceed the velocity restrict, nothing occurs; it is unlikely to trigger an accident, except there is a velocity lure which causes sudden braking. Nevertheless, it stays true that the vitality of a crash is proportional to the sq. of the velocity. There is greater than double the vitality crashing at 30mph over 20mph (50% velocity enhance).
There is no level driving at 30mph on a housing property, a half a mile at 30mph takes 1 minute, at 20 takes 1.5 minutes. You simply get to the subsequent queue 30 seconds sooner. The common velocity in London due to congestion is 7 to 20mph.
On a twin carriageway, the capability (autos per hour) could be elevated by decreasing the velocity: peak capability 20mph for automobiles and 30mph for buses and lorries. Rob333
No. I see one, I decelerate. I imply, ahem, I keep that secure velocity I used to be already doing, clearly! You can conceal them and probably make extra income however that grapevine is waaaay larger than something Marvin sang about. Phrase spreads so shortly that individuals, a minimum of locals, would know all about the secret cameras faster than Shaw Taylor may say hold ’em peeled. catchytitle
I used to be as soon as cautioned for signalling to drivers {that a} velocity digicam was developing.
I assumed, what’s your downside? Velocity cameras are about bettering street security and I’m getting all the automobiles to decelerate. They need to have given me a medal and a gold clock, not a warning. Charismata
Eh? They are meant to make the roads safer. Which they don’t do for those who don’t know they are there. Merely placing up an indication does not make individuals decelerate, we all know this from repeat expertise. Virtually, it will even be daft to conceal them as you would want so many indicators, eg to notify that cameras are current, then to notify that cameras are not. I’m very suspicious of the mentality that thinks they need to be hidden to “catch individuals out”. It’s the identical mentality that insists on jail for non-dangerous offences and, at its most excessive, capital punishment. Each issues confer solely brutality upon society and the resultant strain on social and well being companies whereas in all probability not decreasing crime. Believers of demonstrably ineffective punitive methods are a real menace, preferring all of us undergo beneath such methods to allow them to get a way of “vengeance”. This to me is extra sociopathic than a lot of the criminals and definitely extra so than most dashing drivers. Wyrdsister
Velocity cameras are very costly to set up, keep and function, which is why they are solely positioned the place deaths have occurred. If seen, then most drivers decelerate at them proving that they work as meant, whereas drivers ignoring them appropriately get fined. This is why you see many different bodily strategies for limiting speeds equivalent to humps, tables, cushions and chicanes. Any street with out cameras or bodily controls will at all times see drivers that velocity. swely
With an electrical automobile there is so little suggestions that I at all times use the velocity limiter. It doesn’t require many individuals doing this to carry all people into line, actually! I’ve labored in the auto business and had to take a look at total questions of safety. The statistics are as clear as they are for smoking when it comes to dashing – simply don’t do it. Forlornehope
Sure to secret cameras to scale back dashing however why cease there? Why not additionally introduce secret quantity plate recognition cameras to sort out the industrial-scale dumping of family items throughout our pavements?
Britain’s cities, particularly working-class communities, are being changed into public dumps the place unlawful fly-tipping by the middle-class and small companies is uncontrolled. In case your automobile is used for unlawful public dumping, it’s best to have your driving licence revoked for 12 months after which be pressured to resit your driving take a look at. Let’s take again management of our pavements! whitman100
In reply to whitman100: Most individuals don’t need to stay in the surveillance society you describe. We all know it doesn’t cease crime. It merely adjustments it. Wyrdsister
They appear to catch sufficient individuals anyway of their brilliant yellow situation. Appears fairer with that a lot warning. unclestinky
Clearly, having indicators decreases the velocity in any particular digicam’s location. Nevertheless, it additionally gives tacit permission to velocity elsewhere.
I feel the apparent answer to this paradox is to require automobile producers to start turning off automobile security options at 30mph. Begin small – passenger airbags flip off at 31mph, driver ones at 50. By the time a automobile hits 71, an ejector seat needs to be prepared to fireplace the driver into the ceiling. It could be fascinating to study what number of drivers could be prepared to threat their very own well being fairly than that of others as they velocity “completely safely”. Hugh B, by e mail
The current street security assessment ignored the elephant in the room, ie velocity. Highway site visitors deaths [in Great Britain] have averaged round 1,600+ for the final a number of years; if that determine utilized to air or rail journey, fleets could be grounded and networks shut down till the matter was investigated. As a result of street site visitors deaths occur in small numbers per incident, they are hardly observed, typically barely making native media, marked solely by unhappy little shrines of flowers by the facet of a stretch of street.
So … my ideas (not vote winners)
1. Assessment all velocity limits; 20mph the place circumstances are hazardous, 30 up to 40 on the outskirts of cities/villages (30 can go on too lengthy)
2. Better use of 50mph restrict; it’s a giant soar 40 to 60.
3. Enhance the restrict to 80mph on motorways.
As soon as that’s carried out, take away the requirement for cameras to be seen and permit native councils to share unpersoned cellular digital cameras and set up way more common velocity cameras.
Then, enable some leeway (say 10%) after which prosecute everybody who speeds, enhance the fines and the variety of factors. There will probably be an enormous outcry which is able to cool down when loss of life numbers begin to fall dramatically (which they are going to!) As I stated, not a vote winner however an efficient technique to cope with the present ludicrous scenario the place individuals suppose it’s OK to break the legislation slightly bit. Phillip Tanswell, by e mail
What a couple of street reflector containing radio-frequency identification (RFID) set to the correct (secure) velocity restrict? This would talk with the automobile passing above. The motive force could be alerted and if velocity is not adjusted the onboard pc does it for them. Roads are a public place … not your personal racetrack. Paul Tobiason, by e mail
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