Speed camera numbers and advice on activation thresholds
KEYWORDS
Speed, Camera, Threshold, Number, Activation, Course, Radar, Average, Fixed, Road, NDORS
PUBLICATION NUMBER
PUB 1095
PUBLICATION STATEMENT
Please note that this information is correct as at 26/10/2020 and may be subject to change. Essex Police aim to review and update this publication annually.
As with all publications of information by Essex Police, please note caveats may apply regarding the accuracy of data.
TITLE
Speed camera numbers and advice on activation thresholds for cameras and associated NDORS courses.
DATE RANGE
N/A
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Information relating to the number of speed cameras operated by Essex Police. This information includes details on average speed check cameras, fixed cameras, radar gun sites operated by civilians, and thresholds for activation of cameras and associated National Driver Offender Re-training Scheme (NDORS) courses.
RELATED DOCUMENTS/LINKS
Current Essex Police publications
Speed camera/Speed Radar offences over 100mph
Links to outside organisation websites
https://www.essexhighways.org/transport-and-roads.aspx
https://saferessexroads.org/policecommunity/safety-cameras/
Fines
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-courts-and-tribunals-service
FOI PUBLICATION
How many speed cameras does your police force operate? Please differentiate between average speed check cameras and 'standard' fixed cameras.
Average speed sites = 8
Variable speed sites = 4 (incl. 2 Met)
Red-light sites =30 (11 cameras)
Speed sites =99 (40 cameras)
All cameras are digital, and not film based
Does your police force have a universal rule across the constabulary to set activation thresholds for speed cameras (EG 10% +2mph for all cameras)? Please differentiate between average speed check cameras and fixed cameras.
No there is no tolerance. These are Home Office approved Cameras. Any questions regarding tolerance may need to be redirected to the Home Office.
If you do have a universal activation threshold, what is this threshold? Please differentiate between average speed check cameras and standard cameras, and differentiate between different speed limit zones and their respective thresholds, if the threshold formula varies across differing limits.
N/A
Is there an automatic threshold for NDORS courses used by Essex Police
Essex Police operates within Association of Chief Police Officer (ACPO) guidance, this guidance is for courses to be available for speeds that are 10% plus 2mph to 9mph above the laid down speed limit for the road. So for a 30 mph zone the ACPO guidance states 35mph to 41mph would be an acceptable level for a course to be offered. In a 40mph zone this would be 46mph to 53mph.
It is however for each force to decide on their own level at which to implement the course option so some forces may decide in 30mph areas within their force that 35- 39mph would be acceptable to them to offer courses at, in another force there 30 mph areas may be 37mph– 41mph.
Essex Police use slightly different speed enforcement guidelines and as suggested these are guidelines and a decision is made by the officer as to what to prosecute.
Is evidence supplied by civilians using a police supplied radar gun admissible as evidence in a Police prosecution?
Yes, provided they are authorised by the Chief Constable.