Latest news with #NationalPoliceChiefs'Council
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Rhyl Journal
Car expert explains what speed will trigger a speed camera
However, many drivers are unaware of how speed cameras actually work – with several myths being widely believed across the UK. Though regardless of how much you know about speed cameras, with speeding fines ranging from fixed penalties to points on your licence and even court appearances the best advice is to not risk it. (Image: KevinHolt/Getty) Speed cameras work using radar or road markings to monitor a vehicle's speed and capture evidence of any offence. While older cameras used film, most modern devices are fully digital and can even track your average speed over many miles. These digital systems record: In some cases, they even capture a clear image of the driver and passenger. Contrary to common belief, there's no universal '10% + 2mph' rule baked into law. Experts from explained: ''The idea that you're safe doing 35mph in a 30 zone is one of the biggest myths we hear. 'Technically, you're liable for a fine the moment you go even 1mph over the limit.' While the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) does recommend a '10% plus 2' margin to allow for officer discretion, this is not a legal threshold and can vary depending on the enforcement area or the officer reviewing the case. RAC advice adds: 'The law states that you are liable for a speeding fine as soon as you exceed the limit, so if you're doing 31mph in a 30 limit or 71mph on a motorway, you're breaking the law and could receive a fine. 'It is well worth remembering this is totally dependent on the officer who catches the speeder, and it is up to that officer whether to fine the offender or not. 'The best advice is to not speed full stop.' Here are some other common speed camera myths: No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away." If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty". However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent." It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer. "Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the 'notices' and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit." So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don't have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Car expert explains what speed will trigger a speed camera
However, many drivers are unaware of how speed cameras actually work – with several myths being widely believed across the UK. Though regardless of how much you know about speed cameras, with speeding fines ranging from fixed penalties to points on your licence and even court appearances the best advice is to not risk it. (Image: KevinHolt/Getty) Speed cameras work using radar or road markings to monitor a vehicle's speed and capture evidence of any offence. While older cameras used film, most modern devices are fully digital and can even track your average speed over many miles. These digital systems record: In some cases, they even capture a clear image of the driver and passenger. Contrary to common belief, there's no universal '10% + 2mph' rule baked into law. Experts from explained: ''The idea that you're safe doing 35mph in a 30 zone is one of the biggest myths we hear. 'Technically, you're liable for a fine the moment you go even 1mph over the limit.' While the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) does recommend a '10% plus 2' margin to allow for officer discretion, this is not a legal threshold and can vary depending on the enforcement area or the officer reviewing the case. RAC advice adds: 'The law states that you are liable for a speeding fine as soon as you exceed the limit, so if you're doing 31mph in a 30 limit or 71mph on a motorway, you're breaking the law and could receive a fine. 'It is well worth remembering this is totally dependent on the officer who catches the speeder, and it is up to that officer whether to fine the offender or not. 'The best advice is to not speed full stop.' Here are some other common speed camera myths: No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away." If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty". However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent." It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer. "Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the 'notices' and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit." So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don't have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Exact time to stop boozing as Brits drink-drive 'the morning after'
Campaigners have pinpointed the best time at night to put your pints down as a survey found more than a fifth of motorists admitted to after-hours boozing More than a fifth of motorists have admitted to drinking alcohol after 10pm, despite knowing they need drive before 9am the next morning, a study has claimed. IAM RoadSmart, the road safety charity behind the study, issued a stark warning about the dangers of drinking the night before, stressing that even a "groggy head" can significantly slow down reaction times. The poll, which surveyed 1,072 UK motorists, found that 38 per cent of those who drank several alcoholic beverages before driving at 9am the next day ceased their drinking by 9pm. Drinkaware, the alcohol education charity, said that alcohol is metabolised at roughly one unit per hour, but this rate can vary based on factors such as weight, liver health, and metabolic rate. IAM RoadSmart highlighted the risks associated with consuming around three large glasses of wine or three pints of strong beer or cider, equating to nine units. They cautioned that individuals drinking until 10pm could still have alcohol in their system by 7am the following morning or later. Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart's director of policy and standards, said: " Drink-driving is a killer, and drivers may be unwittingly getting into their vehicle in the morning unaware that they could be doing so illegally if they have been drinking alcohol the night before, posing a serious threat to the safety of others. "Even if they are just inside the legal limit, the level of alcohol in their system will impair their reaction times. Moreover, consuming alcohol impacts on sleep quality." Chief Constable Jo Shiner, who leads on roads policing for the National Police Chiefs' Council, warned drivers not to engage in heavy drinking the night before a day of driving. She said: "There is simply no excuse for getting behind the wheel when you are impaired through drink or drugs, and this includes the morning after. If you choose to do so you are putting your life and the lives of others at risk." The research revealed that nearly one in three drivers (31 per cent) had been passengers with friends or family members who consumed alcohol before taking control of a vehicle in the past year, reports Wales Online. Of those witnessing such behaviour, 72 per cent challenged the would-be driver about their fitness to get behind the wheel, while 23 per cent took no action whatsoever. An overwhelming four-fifths (81 per cent) of respondents believed rehabilitation programmes should be compulsory for all those found guilty of drink-driving offences. At present, such courses are occasionally offered as an alternative to lengthier disqualification periods. In addition, data from Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency previously secured by the PA news agency showed that 27,837 British motorists received multiple drink-driving convictions over the 11-year period ending July 20, 2024. A staggering 372 individuals were caught at least four times, with four serial offenders facing prosecution on seven separate occasions. The most recent Department for Transport (DfT) statistics showed that an estimated 300 fatalities occurred in road accidents involving at least one driver exceeding the legal alcohol threshold during 2022. This represented a rise from 260 deaths the year before and marked the highest annual toll since 2009, when 380 people lost their lives. Furthermore, more DfT data presented via the RAC revealed there were more casualties during June and July 2024 (660 in each month) than at any time of the year. The legal limit for drink-driving in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland stands at 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, a threshold higher than any other European country where the limit does not exceed 50mg/100ml. In contrast, Scotland lowered its limit to 50mg/100ml back in 2014. A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said: "We take road safety extremely seriously, and there are already strict penalties in place for those who are caught drink-driving, with rehabilitation courses offered to those convicted and banned from driving for over a year. "While we don't have plans to mandate these courses, we are committed to improving road safety, and our Think! campaign will next week launch its summer drink-drive activity, timed to coincide with the National Police Chiefs' Council's Operation Spotlight." The survey data came from research conducted by Online95, which polled 1,072 UK motorists last month on behalf of IAM RoadSmart.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Police officer fall mapped as bungling top Tory mocked for whining about own record
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has been urged to show some 'humility' after going on the affack after a drop in police that happened on his watch - use our interactive tool to see how you are affected A top Tory has been left red-faced after accidentally attacking his own record in Government. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp went on the attack after official data showed a decline in police officer numbers of 1,316 between March 2024 and March 2025. However closer analysis shows that 1,232 of these posts were lost while he was policing minister last year. After a sharp drop last Spring - when around 400 officers were lost a week - numbers were more stable from the summer. In a video shared on social media, Mr Philp branded the fall "shocking" and said: "Under Labour numbers have fallen by 1,300 already." Labour Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said: 'Chris Philp has managed to attack his own record in Government, and advertised cuts to policing that he presided over. He was Policing Minister in a Government which cut PCSOs in half and slashed the number of Special Constables by two-thirds. Some humility would not go amiss. She said he was lucky he made the bungled attack after Kemi Badenoch reshuffled her top team. Dame Diana went on: 'This Labour Government is putting bobbies back on the beat, with a £200m cash injection to fund 3000 more officers and PCSOs this year alone as part of our Plan for Change.' Management information collected by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), officer numbers fell by 1,232 between March 2024 and June 2024 and by 84 between July 2024 and March 2025. In April Keir Starmer announced a 'summer crime blitz' where police will patrol town centres targeting shoplifters, pickpockets, phone thieves and anyone who assaults a shop worker. The government's 'Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee' aims to put 13,000 more officers into neighbourhood roles by 2029, an increase of more than 50%. The PM also said he wanted 3,000 new neighbourhood officers - including 2,500 police officers and nearly 400 police community support officers (PCSOs) - in post by the start of next year. The proposals aim to ensure that every community has its own named, contactable officers, dedicated teams on the beat, and guaranteed police patrols in town centres and other hotspot areas during peak times. It followed a Home Office announcement in January of an extra £100 million for neighbourhood policing in England and Wales. Excluding British Transport Police, there were 146,454 full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers in England and Wales as of March 31, 2025. While that is less than a 1% fall from the previous year, it represents 1,307 fewer FTE officers. At the same time, PCSO numbers have dropped by 257 (3%), from 7,570 in 2024 to 7,313 FTE roles. The Met Police has seen by far the biggest drop in officer numbers, losing the equivalent of 1,020 FTE police officers. However, the Met did gain 78 additional PCSOs. South Wales Police lost the equivalent of 23 FTE officers and 77 PCSOs. Greater Manchester Police saw a reduction of 30 FTE police officers and 40 PCSOs, and Hertfordshire Constabulary saw numbers drop by 54 officers and 14 PCSOs. But not every force has seen a reduction. Bedfordshire Police gained 24 FTE officers and 10 PCSOs. North Wales Police recruited 17 extra police and 12 community support officers, and while West Yorkshire Police lost 35 PCSOs, the force gained 64 FTE police officers. Compared to the size of the population each force serves, the Met remains the best-resourced police force in the country. For every 10,000 people living in London, there are the equivalent of 39 police and community support officers. The Met is followed by Merseyside Police (30 officers per 10,000 people), Greater Manchester Police (29), and South Wales Police (29). Lincolnshire Police has the lowest ratio of officers to people, with 16 police and PCSOs for every 10,000 of the population. A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We are determined to rebuild neighbourhood policing, and as part of our Plan for Change, will put an extra 3,000 police and Community Support Officers on the beat by Spring next year, backed by a £1.2 billion cash investment. 'Ahead of that, forces across the country are rolling out named, contactable officers and high street patrols at peak times.'
Glasgow Times
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Car expert explains what speed will trigger a speed camera
However, many drivers are unaware of how speed cameras actually work – with several myths being widely believed across the UK. Though regardless of how much you know about speed cameras, with speeding fines ranging from fixed penalties to points on your licence and even court appearances the best advice is to not risk it. (Image: KevinHolt/Getty) How do speed cameras work? Speed cameras work using radar or road markings to monitor a vehicle's speed and capture evidence of any offence. While older cameras used film, most modern devices are fully digital and can even track your average speed over many miles. These digital systems record: Vehicle speed Time and location of the offence Vehicle registration Road speed limit In some cases, they even capture a clear image of the driver and passenger. What Speed Actually Triggers a Camera? Contrary to common belief, there's no universal '10% + 2mph' rule baked into law. Experts from explained: ''The idea that you're safe doing 35mph in a 30 zone is one of the biggest myths we hear. 'Technically, you're liable for a fine the moment you go even 1mph over the limit.' While the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) does recommend a '10% plus 2' margin to allow for officer discretion, this is not a legal threshold and can vary depending on the enforcement area or the officer reviewing the case. RAC advice adds: 'The law states that you are liable for a speeding fine as soon as you exceed the limit, so if you're doing 31mph in a 30 limit or 71mph on a motorway, you're breaking the law and could receive a fine. 'It is well worth remembering this is totally dependent on the officer who catches the speeder, and it is up to that officer whether to fine the offender or not. 'The best advice is to not speed full stop.' Common speed camera myths Here are some other common speed camera myths: Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times? No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away." Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a GoSafe speed van? If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty". However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent." What happens if I am caught speeding? It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer. "Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the 'notices' and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit." So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don't have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.
