Safe Speed Forums

Motorists who think they are wrongly accused of speeding have been urged to demand photographic evidence after a freak flaw was discovered in traffic cameras.
Vibration from slow-moving and even stationary lorries has caused static roadside Gatso cameras to flash innocent motorists stuck in traffic jams - and record them at speeds of up to 80mph.

The problem came to light after incidents at one site in Lancashire. But motoring groups fear that phantom flashes could affect most of the 6,000 speed cameras around Britain.

This follows a Daily Mail investigation last month which revealed that thousands of motorists could already have been wrongly fined for speeding because of flaws in the hand-held laser guns which raise serious doubts about their accuracy - including one which recorded a wall travelling at 44mph.

In the latest disturbing development, a camera on the A59 in Penwortham, near Preston, was set off by the vibration of roll-down shutters on the back of large lorries.

It snapped hundreds of slowmoving motorists last month, leaving them in line for a £60 fine and three points on their licence.

Serco, the company whose Gatsos account for 85 per cent of all speed cameras in use on UK roads, said: "We recognise that occasionally, an unusual combination of circumstances can trigger a false positive reading by the Gatso radar, triggering the camera's operation."

It was claimed that 'fewer than 20' cars were flashed and no one was wrongly penalised. But speed camera officials in Lancashire said Serco technicians had told them there was a widespread problem with cameras across the UK.

Solicitor Clive Burton, who has handled numerous traffic offence cases, said: "I would urge everyone to demand the photographic evidence. There are, I'm afraid, some quite unreliable devices around."

Association of British Drivers spokesman Mark McArthur Christie said: "Thousands of drivers could already have been wrongly fined around the country.

"Most people do not ask for a photograph when they receive their fixed penalty notice. They simply pay the £60 for fear of a much bigger fine if they challenge it."

Speed camera expert Dr Michael Clark said: "There have been a number of incidents where someone successfully contested a case by insisting on seeing the pictures."

"There have been a number of incidents where someone successfully contested a case by insisting on seeing the pictures."