Thousands of drivers could have fines cancelled over ‘faulty’ speed cameras | UK | News
A technical glitch in National Highways cameras could lead to thousands more speeding tickets being overturned as the state-owned company extends its investigation into 2019. The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that this is the start of an “upgrade” to variable speed limit cameras.
Previously, the ministry had announced that action would be taken against 2,650 “erroneous camera activations” detected by National Highways since 2021. Transport minister Simon Lightwood said at the time that he had instructed National Highways to continue its investigations until 2019. The malfunction caused a delay between cameras and electronic speed limit signs, resulting in some drivers being falsely accused of speeding after the limit had already been lowered.
Last month, the DfT assured those affected would be “contacted directly by the relevant police force”, which would ensure they would be given “refunds” and “points removed from their licenses where relevant”. The issue has led to speed awareness courses for tens of thousands of people being canceled by police forces.
Earlier this week Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced that DfT non-executive director Tracey Westall would lead an independent review into the incident.
Drivers unfairly penalized for speeding may be entitled to compensation if they can show they suffered losses such as increased insurance premiums as a result of the mistake, transport minister Lord Hendy suggested on Wednesday.
