Can you still get caught if a speed camera doesn't flash?

Question

I was driving through what I thought was a 40 zone last night (it was dark) and it was actually 30. Before I knew it I'd exceeded the speed limit through a 30 zone speed camera. I've never been caught by a camera before and am generally good at sticking to the limit so I don't know how these things work but doesn't the camera need to flash a light in the dark so it can read my number plate?

Answer 1

You're ok.

The trick is to go back to the camera and look at the back of it - there are two circles on the back near the top.  If these are 'open', then the camera is operational - those are cooling vents.  If it's not, then these are usually closed.  If it's closed, you're safe.

But yeah, you're ok - no flash no fine.

Answer 2

it will all depend on the type of camera some flash some dont you will have to wait for the post to confirm if you have been nicked or not

Answer 3

i was under the impression it has to flash twice to give two pictures giving your speed between the two points when the pictures are taken, also at the moment they can only take 200 pictures once the film has been used you are safe even if the camara flashes, but this will soon change and digital camaras will soon be out and about, i have also been told that motorway overhead cameras only work when speed restrictions are flashing, but that dosnt include roadwork camaras, th M25 has got the ones i an talking about atbetween junction 10 and 11

Answer 4

You will be ok, no flash, no fine, no points.

Answer 5

The gatsos flash (twice) but there are others which dont.  They read with infrared light and they are digital so the image and info is not even recorded on film but transmitted to a computer which sends out the ticket.  The latest trick of course is the average speed camera which doesnt so much record your speed at one point but times you past one camera then times you again past another camera possibly miles away.  A computer receives all the information and simply calculates your speed over the miles.

Answer 6

Oh dear, there are a lot people who are going to get speeding fines, aren't there?

The old Gatso cameras have flash and use film.  'Old' as in 'being phased out'.

They are now being replaced by the Truvelo camera - these use infrared to take the picture, so NO flash day or night.

Truvelos also don't use film, they are digital.  The picture is sent instantly to the DVLA via an Internet connection in the camera tower.

The first thing you'll know about it, is when the Notice of Intended Prosecution lands on your doorstep 3-14 days later...

Answer 7

dont worry about it. that happened to us and we never got fined. i think it has to flash.

Answer 8

If it's Gatso, it needs to flash. Check out the site, below;