The most prolific speed cameras in Wales

Wales’ most prolific speed camera has been revealed via a new Freedom of Information request. Solicitors, Legal Expert, have compiled a map of the speed cameras which catch the most drivers breaking the law, with three of the top 20 in Wales.

The data from the cameras came from a Freedom of Information request to all 43 police forces in England and Wales to obtain the number of speeding fines issued. Only 23 forces responded. However, from those that did reply, they showed over 5.2 million speeding tickets were issued in the 12 months leading up to April 5.

From the information provided, the most prolific camera across the UK was on the A38 in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottingham, which caught 72 drivers a day on average. In Wales, the A48, Usk Way in Newport^[1] was the highest, issuing on average 24 fines a day. The information suggested that the A48 Western Avenue, Cardiff caught an average of 22 cars a day, while the A470 Northern Avenue caught 17, reports MailOnline.^[2][3]

Wales has many speed cameras, including mobile and fixed cameras, and some that can also detect red light violations. These all catch drivers in different ways. The most common type is the Gatso, introduced in 1991. These rear-facing cameras utilize radar to detect speed and take two photos with a double flash to document both speed and registration. Additionally, white lines on the road help confirm the recorded speed.

Another widely used camera is the Truvelo, which faces forward. Designed to capture an image of the driver, it aims to eliminate excuses about who was behind the wheel. The Truvelo doesn’t flash; instead, it uses infra-red technology and features four sensors embedded in the road to calculate speed, alongside three white lines painted on the surface.

Mobile speed cameras, often mounted on parked vans, pose another significant risk, capable of catching drivers from up to a mile away. The latest in this technology is the Vector SR, which employs an ‘intelligent virtual grid’ within its yellow box to calculate speeds using a computer program. With infra-red illumination, it can take photos discreetly, even at night or in poor weather^[4].

This high-definition camera can also read vehicle registrations and has the capability to detect whether drivers are wearing seatbelts, using their phones, or making illegal turns. Nationwide, speed cameras are estimated to generate around £1 billion annually.

The RAC has said the 1,645 road fatalities last year would have been much higher had it not been for these cameras. The Government believes 20% of deaths are related to ‘exceeding the speed limit’ so the traps could have saved more than 300 lives. Join our WhatsApp news community here^[5] for the latest breaking news

The minimum penalty for speeding in the UK is a £100 fine and three points on your driving licence: The actual fine you receive depends on the severity of the offence, which is categorized into three bands: A, B, and C:

• Band A

  For the least severe offences, such as driving 1–10mph over the limit. The fine is usually 50% of your weekly income.

• Band B

  For more serious offences, such as driving 11–20mph over the limit. The fine is usually at least 100% of your weekly income. You may also face 3–6 penalty points or a disqualification for up to 28 days.

• Band C

  For the most severe offences, such as driving 21mph or more over the limit. The fine is usually at least 150% of your weekly income. You could also receive up to 6 penalty points or be disqualified from driving for up to 56 days.

The maximum fine for speeding is £1,000, or £2,500 for motorway offences. You may be offered a speed awareness course instead of points on your licence, but you can’t take this course if you’ve been convicted of speeding within the last three years. The course costs around £90 and takes a day.

You could lose your licence if you accumulate 12 or more penalty points within three years. If you’re a new driver and receive six points within the first two years, your licence will be automatically cancelled.