KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
THOUSANDS OF SPEEDING OFFENCES TO BE OVERTURNED
Thousands of motorists in England could see their speeding fines overturned after a technical fault caused some speed cameras to activate incorrectly on motorways and major A roads.
The government has instructed National Highways to review up to six years of camera data after the issue was discovered. So far, 2,650 incorrect camera activations have been identified since 2021.
As a precaution, police have also cancelled more than 36,000 speed awareness courses while the investigation continues. In addition, thousands of other prosecutions are reportedly being dropped, even if they may not have been affected by the fault.
What is the issue?
This relates to variable speed limits on A roads and motorways. A variable speed limit is a traffic system where the maximum speed on a road can change depending on conditions such as congestion, accidents, roadworks, or weather.
The limits are shown on electronic signs above or beside the road and are legally enforceable, meaning drivers must follow the displayed speed rather than the usual national limit.
When the speed limit changes, it should automatically notify all the speed cameras in the area, and drivers are given a 10 second grace period to allow them to recognise the change in limit and slow down.
However on some roads this delay was not active, meaning that drivers would be caught ‘speeding’ having been entirely unaware of the speed limit change.
How can I check if I’ve been affected?
The government has said: “If you think you have been affected by this, please wait to be contacted directly. You do not have to take any action at this
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stage.” So anyone who is affected will be contacted automatically to have their fines refunded and points removed.
National Highways Chief Executive, Nick Harris, said: “Safety is our number one priority and we have developed a fix for this technical anomaly to maintain the highest levels of safety on these roads and make sure no one is wrongly prosecuted…. All drivers should continue observing the posted speed limits as normal. Anyone who has been impacted will be contacted by the relevant police force.”
If you have not been contacted by the police directly, the chances are that you have not been affected.
However, if you have moved address recently or concerned that your letters could have been lost in the post, you may wish to contact the police force who issued the fine directly and ask them whether yours is one of the affected cases.
What happens if I receive a letter?
If your case is still outstanding with the police – so if you are due to attend a speed awareness course or have a conditional offer of 3 points and a £100 fine - that will simply be cancelled.
If you have an open case at Court, the
police/prosecution would write to the Court to explain the case against you will be discontinued and there should then be no need for you to attend the Court hearing.
So far, that’s quite simple.
The complications arise from historical cases where people have wrongfully had penalty points for a number of years. Those drivers may well receive a letter about points from 2 or 3 years ago and have their £100 fine removed – but what about 2/3 years of increased insurance premiums? Those drivers are surely due some compensation.
Transport Minister Simon Lightwood has indeed JANUARY 2026 PHTM
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