How we operate

If you would like to know how safety camera sites are selected, please visit our 'Site selection' page.

The Partnership complies with a number of requirements, which are detailed below.

The following ARE legal requirements:

• All equipment is type approved by the Home Office.
• All equipment is calibrated when required.
• All equipment is operated in the correct manner and operators are trained.
• Speed limit signs are in place during enforcement - operators check the correct signage is in place prior to enforcement and again afterwards.
• A Notice of Intended Prosecution is posted from the Driver Diversion Team to the registered keeper of the vehicle and must be received within 14 days of the offence.
• The registered keeper has 28 days to respond to the forms. If the keeper fails to respond a summons will be issued.

The following ARE NOT legal requirements but the Partnership abides by them:

• All our vans are clearly marked with camera symbols.
• The cameras are painted yellow.
• All cameras and vans are clearly visible.
• There are black and white camera signs to warn drivers.
• Our cameras are only used where people have been killed or seriously injured.
• In relation to speed limits, ACPO guidelines state a threshold of 10% + 2mph as a minimum.
• In a 30mph zone, we erect speed limit signs to remind motorists of the limit (see right).

Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) thresholds

Guidelines given to the Police by ACPO state that: "It is anticipated that, other than in the most exceptional circumstances, the issue of fixed penalty notices and summonses is likely to be the minimum appropriate enforcement action as soon as the speeds in the table below have been reached"¹.

This means that there is official leeway given to motorists exceeding the speed limit - 10% plus 2mph over the posted speed limit.

All Partnerships have a commitment to reach these threshold enforcement limits but no Partnership enforces below these limits. These enforcement guidelines are there to allow for lapses in concentration and inaccurate speedometers. Therefore, motorists who stray a few miles over the speed limit will not be penalised.

Fixed penalty

£60 and 3 penalty points.

Summons

Magisterial discretion (level 2). Maximum of:

1. £1,000 fine
2. Licence endorsed – a range of penalty points are applicable
3. Disqualification
4. Compulsory re-testing

Information about ACPO's Code of Practice for Operational Use of Enforcement Equipment can be found on its website www.acpo.police.uk.

¹ ACPO guidance paper on Speed Enforcement.

Type approval process

All the Partnership's enforcement equipment has to be 'type approved' before it can be used. Type approval provides an assurance of the technical accuracy and reliability of the devices used. Further information can be found on the Home Office website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk.