Speed van officer dispels myths about job

A speed reduction officer has shared a number of myths about the job - including how they can only catch motorists traveling in one direction and how they're also checking if you're wearing a seatbelt

18:25, 24 May 2025Updated 18:25, 24 May 2025

The sight of a speed camera van can make even the most law-abiding driver's heart skip a beat. There's something about them that just sets off alarm bells, isn't there?

Job Vacancies

Contact/Information

But there's a whole lot of hearsay surrounding these vans, and plenty of facts that might surprise you. Did you know, for instance, that the officers inside are also checking if you've buckled up?

Gareth Thomas, a speed reduction officer and ex-copper, has spent the last seven years manning the camera van.

Now he's spilling the beans on what really goes down.

Chatting with North Wales Live, Gareth gave us the lowdown on how the cameras work and even shared some tips on avoiding a speeding ticket.

He revealed: "I decided after retiring that I wanted to make the roads as safe as they can be in this area. The aim of cameras is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads. Go Safe prefers to educate drivers rather than punish them with fines and penalty points."

So, is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times?

Actually, no. There's no law stating they have to be in plain sight, so technically an officer could operate under cover of darkness.

However, they usually opt for visibility, arguing that it acts as a deterrent in its own right.

Gareth explained: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident.

Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people speeding right away."

Can officers only catch motorists travelling in one direction? No, officers can catch speeding motorists travelling in either direction. Any car that passes a van is recorded on the officer's camera, so you can expect a speeding ticket if you're exceeding the speed limit, regardless of the direction you're driving.

Is it true that the 10% rule exists?

Yes, it is. You won't get a ticket as long as your speed doesn't exceed the limit by more than 10 per cent.

For example, travelling at 35mph or above in a 30mph zone will be recorded as a speeding offence. However, be aware that thresholds can vary and change without notice.

Officially, any speeding offence occurs at 1mph above the limit, but most forces will allow a variance.

Are officers just revenue collectors for the Government?

No, they're not. Gareth explained: "We're not here to get figures or to make money. We're just here to catch the people who are speeding."

He added, "If I get a day where I don't get any drivers speeding, then I know I've done my job." His goal is to prevent accidents and keep people safe, not to meet a quota.

Can I get caught speeding more than once on the same day by the same camera?

According to the current rules, if you're caught twice within 20 minutes, it will be treated as one offence.

In a twist of fate, a motorist with a spotless driving record could get nabbed multiple times in one day - putting them on thin ice with the totting-up system.

Imagine you're zooming along and get snapped by speed cameras several times on a single trip; if you cop to each fixed penalty, you're staring down the barrel of a points disqualification due to 'totting-up'.

Gareth warns that it's easier to fall into this trap than you'd think, especially when there's a gauntlet of speed cameras on your route.

But here's a bit of a lifeline: if your speeding sins are seen as happening "on the same occasion", the court might let you off with just one set of points for multiple offences.

It's up to the beak to decide if your offences are close enough to count as one bad day at the office.

They don't have to happen at the exact same tick of the clock, but they've got to be related somehow.

Say you've been a bit heavy-footed and racked up offences within minutes of each other, you might just sweet-talk the court into slapping you with a single set of points. But remember, it's all about the nitty-gritty of your case.

What about munching on a snack while driving?

No, it's not illegal to eat while driving, but if you're caught not paying attention because of your munching, the coppers could nick you for careless driving. Gareth explained: "It is endorsable.

I had one lady in view once and she was looking in the mirror and putting lipstick on.

"She was riding on the cats eyes in the centre of the road and veering.

I recommended that she was prosecuted for driving without due care and attention."

For reasons related to their gear, speed vans don't stick around in one place longer than 90 minutes, Gareth shared.

On a typical eight-hour shift, he'll drop by three different locations within the area he's been assigned to monitor.

Enforcement is typically implemented in specific areas due to a variety of factors.

These include instances where death or serious injury has occurred, recorded speeds significantly exceeding the limit, and concerns raised by residents that are substantiated by a traffic speed survey.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters[2].

References

1. ^ Adam Cailler (www.dailystar.co.uk)
2. ^ newsletters (www.dailystar.co.uk)