In a significant development, thousands of motorists who were wrongly fined for speeding due to a technical fault in the National Highway’s speed cameras could be eligible for compensation. The agency has identified around 2,650 incorrect camera activations since 2021, which it attributes to a technical issue.
While not all of these erroneous flashes resulted in fines, as camera activations are not always enforced, those who were wrongly caught face consequences such as increased insurance premiums. Lord Burnett of Maldon, a crossbench peer and former lord chief justice, emphasised the difficulties drivers may face in understanding the precise reasons behind their insurance premium hikes.
The Department for Transport has launched an independent review to investigate the cause of this anomaly. Transport minister Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill acknowledged the government’s responsibility to be a good custodian of public money and understand the extent of any losses incurred by affected motorists.
Lord Hendy suggested that evidence of a year-on-year increase in insurance premiums, if solely related to points on a driver’s licence and not other factors, should be considered acceptable grounds for a claim. He also stated that the relevant police forces will directly contact those affected and provide details on how to seek compensation for any associated costs, such as those related to attending speed awareness courses or losing their licences and jobs.
Conservative peer Lord Geddes shared his own experience of being “done” for driving at 60mph in a temporary 50mph limit, despite favourable driving conditions. In response, Lord Hendy defended the use of variable speed limits, particularly on busy urban roads, to manage traffic flow and enhance safety.
The government’s commitment to addressing this issue and providing redress to those unfairly penalised underscores the importance of ensuring the integrity of the UK’s road enforcement system. As the independent review progresses, affected motorists will eagerly await the details on how to claim compensation for any financial losses they have incurred.
