Average speed cameras have caught out thousands of drivers on the M32 – and it could be because many motorists are confused over how they work.
The bright yellow cameras are clearly visible on stretches of the M32 motorway in Bristol.
They clock speeding motorists by capturing their exact time at separate points in the road, before a computer calculates the average speed they have been doing between the cameras.
Simple enough.
But there are plenty of myths about how – and when – they work.
Here’s a breakdown of the key questions and answers, with thanks to Wales Online and additional information from Speedcamerasuk.com
How do average speed cameras work?
The multiple cameras (at least two) are set at separate locations along a stretch of road, a minimum of 200m apart, and are synchronised to record the exact time each car passes using number plate-reading technology.
A computer works out the what the average speed was between the cameras to determine if the car was over the speed limit.
Some people wrongly think that each camera records a driver's speed as they pass each camera before the computer works out the average speed as the car passed every camera - this explains why some drivers think they can speed up between the cameras and slow down as they pass them.
But doing this is likely to land you with a fine - the cameras simply record the time you pass them and the computer works out how long it has taken you to pass the distance between them.
Do the cameras work at night?
Yes. They are fitted with infra-red illuminators to ensure they work night and day, and all weathers.
