Thousands of UK drivers were incorrectly penalized for speeding due to a technical malfunction in the national speed camera system. National Highways has confirmed that over 2,650 motorists received fines and license points in error since 2021. The issue stemmed from a delay in updating camera thresholds when variable speed limits changed on A-roads and motorways.
The Nature of the Error
The problem arose because cameras were momentarily slow to adjust their detection speed after the posted limit increased. This meant drivers were flagged as speeding even after the legal limit had been raised. National Highways has described this as a “slight” delay, but the impact on drivers was substantial.
Scale and Response
While the agency claims the error affected fewer than two drivers per day on average, the cumulative number of those wrongly penalized is significant. Drivers will now receive full refunds for fines paid and have incorrect points removed from their licenses. National Highways states they are proactively reaching out to everyone affected to rectify the situation.
Corrective Measures
To prevent recurrence, National Highways has developed a data check to ensure future prosecutions are accurate. They are working with police forces to implement this fix immediately. This incident highlights the potential for human or technical error in automated enforcement systems, even when designed for public safety.
This issue underscores the need for continuous monitoring and improvement of automated systems, as even minor technical flaws can result in widespread and unfair penalties.
The agency has apologized for the inconvenience caused to affected drivers and assures that measures are in place to avoid similar mistakes in the future.
