The FoI request showed a large number of inactive speed cameras

Almost half of fixed speed cameras may not be operational, FoI shows

Paul JonesDecember 17, 20230 Comment0

ALMOST half of fixed speed cameras in England and Wales could be inactive, according to new data.

A freedom of information request (FoI), answered by 25 out of 44 police forces, showed just two forces with all fixed speed cameras working.

Wiltshire Police reported it has no fixed speed cameras, while Avon & Somerset Police said just four out of 44 cameras were not operating. Dorset Police did not respond to the request.

In Northamptonshire, all eight cameras were inactive, while Gwent, in Wales, had only one active camera out of 31.

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

Essex (110) and Devon & Cornwall (110) are the regions – along with Derbyshire – in England with the highest number of fixed speed cameras.

However, each region currently has at least 40% incapable of catching speeding drivers.

The two forces that responded with all speed cameras working were Dyfed-Powys in Wales, and Suffolk in England. But both police forces only had four fixed speed cameras each.

The next best region was the West Midlands, which currently has only 5% of their speed cameras standing inactive – with 62 out of 65 operational.

At the other end of the data was Leicestershire, which has a total of 18 fixed speed camera sites, yet only four of those working.

Three forces – Durham, North Yorkshire and Wiltshire – reported they had no fixed speed cameras.

Founder of dashcam firm Road Angel, which submitted the FoI, Gary Digva, said: “If a camera is inactive and remains so for many months or even years at a time then it begs the question, why is it there?

“Yes, it may still play a part in encouraging traffic to slow down but it could also act to distract drivers and potentially cause an accident.

“Our view is that if cameras are present then drivers should be able to feel assured that they are working. If they are non-operational then they should be removed.”