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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if it’s a 30 mph area?
Rule 124 of the Highway Code states... ' You must not exceed the maximum speed limits for the road and for your vehicle. The presence of street lights generally means that there is a 30mph (48 km/h) speed limit unless otherwise specified. The limit is the maximum safe speed in the best road conditions. (For more details see the Highway Code www.direct.gov.uk)

I was flashed by a fixed camera but I was travelling within the speed limits, why?
Speed cameras use radar, which stretches diagonally across the road to detect excessive speeds. Consequently, speed cameras can sometimes be activated by vehicles that are speeding in the opposite direction. You have probably noticed white markings on the road in the area near the camera. These are secondary check markings and are used by the camera office staff to double-check the speed of vehicles. Two photographs are taken, half a second apart. By measuring the distance a vehicle has travelled along the white lines between the two camera flashes, the speed of the vehicle can be determined.  If you were travelling within the limit you will not be prosecuted.

I couldn’t stop safely for a red light because the vehicle behind me was too close and I might have caused an accident. Why should I be fined?
The view captured on camera can prove whether or not there is a following vehicle. In 95% of cases where this is queried there is no other vehicle.
Remember – you should always be driving at an appropriate speed in anticipation of a light change. Good driver reaction should allow ample time to stop safely.
You might find it useful to look at the typical stopping distances chart in the Highway Code, www.direct.gov.uk

Why aren’t police officers out catching real criminals instead of persecuting innocent motorists?
Safety cameras do not detect innocent motorists - only offenders. Speed limits are set by law. If you exceed the limit, you’ve broken the law. It’s that simple.
In terms of catching ‘real’ criminals, the information gathered by safety cameras in Essex has contributed to a number of convictions for serious offences including armed robbery, drug trafficking and a worldwide credit card fraud. This is, of course, in addition to their role in reducing road crashes and casualties.

How can you prove that the camera is accurate?
The camera is a precision instrument that is checked by technicians on a regular basis. In addition, where there are fixed camera sites there will be secondary check road markings, from which the vehicle speed can be calculated accurately. These markings are not required for mobile camera operation.

I’ve been driving for many years. Why isn’t a good driving record taken into consideration?
Safety cameras don’t discriminate. Everyone who offends is treated equally, regardless of age or driving record.

How are new camera locations identified?
New safety camera sites are identified by the accident history and level of the speeding problem along a stretch of road.

Where are the locations of the safety cameras in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock?
Click on the Camera Locations area on the right and choose the district required to view the details.

Why is the term 'safety camera' used rather than 'speed camera'?
The term safety camera is used to encompass both speed and traffic signal enforcement cameras; there is significant evidence that they do have highly beneficial effect on road safety.

How are safety cameras funded?
Local authorities receive a grant for road safety through the Local Transport Plan process. This road safety grant can be spent on safety camera enforcement or on any other road safety measure according to local priorities. There is no link between the expenditure on the provision and use of cameras and the fine revenue collected. All fine income from safety cameras goes directly to HM Treasury.

Why use safety cameras?
Research shows that safety cameras in Essex have helped to reduce the frequency of personal injury collisions by 22% at camera locations.*
Safety cameras have also helped to reduce the number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit by 31% at new locations in Essex.*
*Source - National Safety Camera Programme, Four Year Report (December 2005)  To view the report click here.