Nearly half of speed cameras inactive

Almost one in two speed cameras across England and Wales are not in operation, new data has revealed.

Road safety experts at Road Angel have made a freedom of information (FOI) request to analyse how many fixed speed cameras are inactive in each region. 

Shockingly, the request revealed 46% of all fixed speed cameras are not working meaning thousands of motorists who break the limit won’t be caught.

The request also showed that all eight fixed speed cameras in Northamptonshire were inactive while Gwent in southeast Wales only had one active speed camera out of the 31 in place. 

Six of the thirteen police forces who responded to the FoI request had over half of their speed cameras standing inactive. 

Derbyshire has more speed cameras out of action than any other region (93), with only 20 of the 113 across the county capable of catching speeding motorists.

Derbyshire (113), Essex (110) and Devon & Cornwall (110) are the regions across England with the most speed cameras – each having at least 40% incapable of catching speeding drivers.

Only two areas had all speed cameras working – Dyfed-Powys in Wales, and Suffolk. Both of these police forces have just four devices. 

The West Midlands had only 5% of their speed cameras standing inactive, with 62 out of 65 devices in operation. 

Leicestershire has a total of 18 fixed speed camera sites, yet only four of these are working, leaving 78% of the devices inactive. 

Cambridgeshire has 17 inactive speed cameras out of the 46 within the region. Neighbouring Bedfordshire has just 8% of in-operational devices.

Road safety experts are urging UK police forces, councils and the government to ensure speed cameras are fully operational in order to catch speeding motorists. 

Research shows that exceeding the speed limit or travelling too fast was a contributing factor in 25% of collision fatalities across the country. 

Experts argue that to help keep roads safer, speed cameras must be in full working order to penalise those motorists who are breaking the limit and driving dangerously, as well as encouraging Brits to stick to the correct speed.

Gary Digva, founder of road safety experts Road Angel said: “It’s shocking to see how many speed cameras across the country are standing inactive and are letting speeding motorists get away with driving dangerously. 

“In total with all of the police forces who responded to our Freedom of Information request, there are 1069 fixed speed cameras across the country. Out of this, there are 496 inactive speed cameras.

“This means that almost half of speed cameras on our roads are out of operation (46%).

“We are urging local authorities and police forces to ensure speed cameras are fully working to catch speeding motorists who may be driving recklessly by breaking the limit. 

“This in turn will help to reduce the number of dangerous drivers and help to keep our roads safer for everyone. 

“As it stands, speeding on the road is a contributing factor for 25% of fatalities – and  motorists who break the legal limit need to be penalised so they further recognize the importance of sticking to the speed limits. 

“However, with such high numbers of inactive devices, thousands of drivers are getting away with speeding every day.

“The UK police force, councils and the government must take action on making sure these fixed speed cameras are fully operational.”