National Highways error results in incorrect speeding fines

National Highways has identified around 2,650 incorrect camera activations since 2021, as a result of a technical problem. <i>(Image: Chris Radburn/PA Wire)</i>
National Highways has identified around 2,650 incorrect camera activations since 2021, as a result of a technical problem. (Image: Chris Radburn/PA Wire)
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More than 2,600 motorists could be owed money for being incorrectly caught speeding due to a National Highways error.

The government-owned highways agency has identified around 2,650 incorrect camera activations since 2021, as a result of a technical problem.

The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three penalty points added to your licence.

In certain circumstances, drivers will be eligible to attend a Driver Education Course, which will incur a cost, but you will not have penalty points added to your licence.

Who could be owed money for speed camera errors

Most of the motorists affected by the incorrect camera activations, according to the Press Association (PA), attended speed awareness courses.

Drivers wrongly prosecuted for speeding or failing to pay a fine are thought to be "in the low double digits", while a "very small" number of drivers were wrongly disqualified.

The National Highways error was discussed in parliament on Wednesday (January 21), with Transport Minister Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill revealing the Department for Transport has launched an “independent review into how the anomaly occurred".

Earlier, Conservative former minister Lord Young of Cookham asked about compensation for “those who had to take time off work to attend speed-awareness courses” or drivers who lost their licences and therefore their jobs.


UK speed limits explained


Lord Hendy replied: "The relevant police forces will contact those affected directly with details on what action is being taken to provide redress.

“All those notified by the police will receive details on how to contact National Highways if they have evidence of cost associated with this incorrect enforcement, for example, those associated with licence loss."

How do you know if a speed camera caught you?

Unless you have been stopped by the police, there is no way of knowing for sure if you have been caught speeding.

You may notice a flash from a camera when you're speeding, but that doesn't necessarily mean you've been caught.

The flash may have caught another driver or could have come from somewhere else - like a car's headlights.


Seven speed camera myths


How to check if you've been caught speeding

There is also no way of checking if you've been caught speeding, according to RAC, unless you’ve been stopped at the roadside by the police.

The automotive experts added: "The only way to be 100% sure if you’ve been caught speeding is to wait for a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) to arrive in the post."

How long does it take for a speeding fine to come through?

"If you're caught breaking the speed limit, the image recorded by the camera will scan your car’s number plate to get the registered address from the DVLA," the AA explains.


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A fine or Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) should arrive within 14 days of you being caught speeding.

It may take longer to arrive if the vehicle you were driving is not registered to your home address, the RAC continues.

That is because "the fine or NIP will always be sent to the address of the registered keeper of the vehicle".

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