Speed cameras are driving sharp increases in car insurance costs across the UK, as recent data shows that penalty points and enforcement trends are adding hundreds of millions to national premiums. In 2024 alone, drivers with speeding convictions are estimated to be paying £291 million more for car insurance than those with clean records.
The sharp rise in speed camera usage, combined with public misconceptions about speeding limits, is playing a major role in these growing costs.
Speeding Convictions Now Affect Millions of Drivers
According to Go.Compare, the number of UK drivers with speeding penalty points has surged dramatically in just three years—from 2.3 million in 2021 to a staggering 9.6 million in 2024. This increase reflects both greater enforcement, especially through speed cameras, and ongoing difficulties drivers face in keeping within posted limits.
As Tom Banks, car insurance spokesperson at Go.Compare, explains:
There are many reasons drivers shouldn’t exceed the speed limit – with safety being a top priority. Speed limits are set for a very good reason, and take into account a number of factors, such as road size and condition, visibility, and how populated the area is.
The financial penalty goes far beyond the cost of a ticket. Drivers without any speeding conviction pay on average £391 per year for insurance. Those with a conviction? They pay £482—a 23% increase, or an extra £91 annually. Scaled to the millions affected, it creates a hidden tax on behavior that many drivers underestimate.
Banks adds:
Our data shows that when you’re caught speeding, your car insurance is likely to become significantly more expensive – and this is yet another reason why motorists should think twice before putting their foot on the accelerator.
Common Misconceptions About Speed Cameras and Legal Limits
One of the most persistent myths in UK driving culture is the “10% + 2 mph” buffer that many believe protects them from fines. This is not law. As BigWantsYourCar.com experts point out:
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 1 mph over the limit.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) does recommend this margin as guidance, but it’s not binding and varies between police forces. The RAC adds that:
You are liable for a speeding fine as soon as you exceed the limit… it is up to the officer whether to fine the offender or not. The best advice is to not speed full stop.
Speed cameras, which now make up a significant part of speeding enforcement, operate using radar or road markings to monitor speed. Modern devices are fully digital and often track average speed over long distances. These systems record:
- Vehicle speed
- Time and location
- Vehicle registration
- Posted speed limit
- In some cases, images of the driver and passengers
These devices have made enforcement more consistent—but also more unforgiving, especially when myths like the “10% rule” persist, as reported by Oxford Mail.
Speed Vans, Flashing Headlights, and Awareness Courses
Speed camera vans are also subject to misinformation. Many drivers believe they must be visible, but this is incorrect. Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer Gareth Thomas stated:
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.
Another questionable tactic? Flashing your headlights to warn other drivers of a speed trap. This could be interpreted as obstructing a police officer under section 89 of the Police Act 1997, although enforcement is rare and difficult to prove.
If caught speeding, the consequences vary. The minimum penalty is a £100 fine and three points on your license. But police may offer a speed awareness course instead—only if:
- You respond promptly to the notice
- Your speed was no more than “10% + 9 mph” above the limit
- You haven’t taken a course in the last three years
For instance, someone caught doing 86 mph or more on the motorway would not qualify. Similarly, drivers with previous convictions may not be offered the course.
As Banks concludes:
No-one wants to be caught speeding, and the convictions themselves can be expensive. It’s not worth the risk – to you, to others on the road, and to your bank balance as well.
