A significant technical fault affecting variable speed limit cameras on UK roads could result in thousands of speeding convictions being overturned, as National Highways dramatically expands its investigation into the issue.
Investigation Extended Back to 2019
The Department for Transport has announced that the government-owned company will now review cases dating back to 2019, the year when an "upgrade" to the camera system began. This represents a substantial extension from an earlier DfT statement that focused on 2,650 "erroneous camera activations" identified since 2021.
Understanding the Technical Flaw
The core problem involves a critical delay between the cameras and electronic speed limit signs. This timing discrepancy has led to drivers being incorrectly detected as speeding after the limit had already been reduced, potentially affecting tens of thousands of motorists across the country.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has appointed Tracey Westall, a non-executive director of the DfT, as the "lead reviewer" of an independent investigation into what went wrong with the camera system.
Compensation and Reimbursement Process
Last month, the DfT confirmed that affected drivers would be "contacted directly by the relevant police force" to arrange reimbursement and the "removal of points from their licence where relevant."
Transport minister Lord Hendy indicated on Wednesday that drivers incorrectly caught speeding might be able to claim additional compensation if they can demonstrate they suffered financial losses, such as increased insurance premiums resulting from the erroneous convictions.
Scope of the Problem
The speed camera fault specifically affected devices on certain A roads and motorways, meaning only drivers who received speeding fines based on camera evidence from these types of roads may be impacted. The error saw variable speed cameras interact incorrectly with signs, creating a delay of approximately ten seconds between camera activation and relevant variable speed signs changing.
This technical glitch has already led to tens of thousands of speed awareness courses being cancelled by police forces across the country, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem.
What Affected Drivers Should Do
Motorists have been advised that anyone impacted by the speed camera glitch will be contacted by their "relevant police force" directly. The delay between cameras and signs changing means drivers who received fines shortly after speed limit reductions may have been incorrectly penalised.
While this timing issue may give drivers who have received fines in recent years a clue about whether their conviction was erroneous, authorities emphasise that affected individuals should wait for official contact rather than proactively seeking reimbursement at this stage.
