All new types of speed cameras must be approved by the Secretary of State for use. The team at are able to check whether this has occurred in any given case.

    • Approval of devices

These devices use radar or laser beams to detect the speed of a moving vehicle. Police officers point the ‘guns’ at a target vehicle, and the beam bounces off the vehicle back to the device to produce a speed reading. No Win No Fee – Excalibur Law Library

    • Proper Usage

Most speed cameras have an operational manual setting out how they should be used. In addition, the police are obliged to follow their own detailed guidelines (‘the ACPO Guidelines’). is familiar with all of these requirements and can consider whether the speed camera device was properly used in your particular case. We have experience of speeding prosecutions being dropped or thrown out of court where it has been established that correct procedures were not followed.

    • Calibration

Most speed cameras must be calibrated annually by the manufacturer to avoid incorrect readings. In addition, the police must perform checks on devices before and after they are used to make sure they are taking accurate readings. Solicitors will always check for proper calibration in a speeding case. If this is not shown, it can be argued that the speed camera device is unreliable, and that the speed camera readings can be incorrect.

    • False Readings

Scientific tests have shown that some of the speed monitoring devices used by the police can produce false readings even when they have apparently been properly used. When you receive a NIP, you can request the photographic or video evidence and an expert can help you determine if the speed camera took a false reading. If you have been caught by a Gatso you will receive two photographs.

If you believe that the speed registered by a Gatso camera is wrong, can use the image to calculate your speed, using the following method manually:

1.In the photo, you will see markings on the road near the Gatso camera. We note how many marks you have passed between the first photograph and the second photograph.

2.We note the time interval between the first photograph and the second.

3.We can then return to the camera’s location and carefully measure the distance between marks. This is usually either 1.5m or 2m. You can convert metres to feet by multiplying by 0.3048.

4.We will use the following formula to calculate your speed: speed in mph= (number of marks passed * feet between marks * 0.6818) / (time interval between the two photographs)

Speed camera false readings is a complex area requiring scientific expertise. However, should you believe that such an error may have occurred in your case, it can help you interpret your speed camera photographs and provide expert witnesses to analyse the particular circumstances of your case.

If you believe that speed camera evidence against you is wrong, consult a specialist speeding offence UK solicitor. If you are facing a driving ban or a large penalty due to your speeding offence, you may be able to help get the penalty reduced if there were any mitigating circumstances. Caven | Find a solicitor in the UK