Speeding fines could be wiped after road camera timing fault

A timing fault in variable speed cameras caused some drivers to be wrongly issued speeding fines, and the Department for Transport has ordered an independent review and said affected drivers will be contacted for reimbursement and the removal of points where relevant.

An independent review has been ordered after a timing fault in variable speed cameras led to incorrect speeding enforcement on some smart motorways and A-roads. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander asked for the review following reports that drivers were wrongly issued fines. Officials say affected drivers will be contacted by the relevant police force for reimbursement and possible removal of penalty points. National Highways has been asked to search records back to 2019 to identify anyone affected. Known details: - The review will be led by Department for Transport board member Tracey Westell and will examine how the anomaly occurred and was handled. - It is thought 154 cameras were affected by the fault over four years from 2021, and officials have been asked to check records back to 2019 when camera upgrades began. - The fault was described as a timing problem: overhead gantry signs could change the displayed limit before cameras registered the new speed, with cameras reportedly lagging by around 10 seconds in some cases. - Drivers used dashcam footage to show they were following the speed shown by gantries, which helped reveal the issue. - At one stage some cameras were switched off by police because they could not be trusted, and tens of thousands of speed awareness courses were cancelled by police forces. - Officials and lawyers have warned the matter could lead to reimbursements and potential compensation costs that may be substantial, while the Department for Transport has said affected drivers will be contacted and reimbursed and points removed where relevant. Summary: The review aims to determine why the anomaly happened, why it was not spotted sooner, and what changes are needed to prevent similar problems. National Highways has been asked to review earlier records and police forces will contact affected drivers about reimbursement and licence points. The full scope, cost and timeline of the response are still being assessed.