The figures revealed the general formula used by Derbyshire Police to decide when drivers exceeding the speed limit get a ticket.
The local force has 113 static camera sites across the county, with six cameras on the Derbyshire section of the M1, plus a medium camera system on the A52 Brian Clough Way.
Now the results of a Freedom of Information request sent to UK police forces by car rental company Riverdale Leasing have revealed when their speed cameras activate if a motorist exceeds the speed limit.
Of 43 UK police forces contacted, a total of 21 responses were received, of which 57% of police forces indicated that the speed camera threshold is 10% plus 2 mph.
Among them were Derbyshire Police, who say they are following guidelines issued by the National Council of Chief Constables.
This means that if you are driving in a 30 mph zone, you will activate a speed camera if you are driving at 35 mph. Or, if you accelerated in a 40 mph zone, you would hit the threshold at 46 mph.
Other authorities explained that the officers used their discretion or that the information could not be released to the public.
If you drive in other counties, here are their policies according to Riverdale Leasing research:
Avon and Somerset – 10% + 2 mph
City of London – 10% + 2 mph
Cumbria – 10% + 2 mph
Devon and Cornwall – 10% + 2 mph
Durham – 10% + 2 mph
Gloucestershire – 10% + 2 mph
Humberside – 10% + 2 mph
Kent – 10% + 2 mph
North Yorkshire – 10% + 2 mph
Essex – 10% + 2 mph to 9 mph
Lancashire – 10% + 3 mph up to 9 mph
Wiltshire – Devices are not set to any particular speed. Officers use their own discretion when setting the threshold.
Lincolnshire – +2 mph up to 66 mph and +3% for all speeds over 66 mph
Bedfordshire – Refused to release information
Hampshire – Refused to release information
Hertfordshire – Refused to release information
Leicestershire – Refused to release information
Northamptonshire – Refused to release information
Northumbria – Refused to release information
West Midlands – Refused to release information
However, these benefits are all at the discretion of the police. Some people were shocked to be fined for going a few miles per hour over the speed limit, so police may consider other factors as well.
Depending on how far the limit is exceeded, your case could be referred to a magistrate’s court.
If the offense is minor, you may be asked to take a speed awareness course rather than getting a fine and points.
In 2017 the rules on speeding fines changed and are now based on a percentage of your weekly income, with the minimum fine being £100.
This is in addition to earning points on your license.
To see all the biggest and best stories first, sign up to read our newsletters here
