London: Some drivers in England have received incorrect speeding fines due to a technical issue affecting variable speed cameras, National Highways has confirmed. The government agency said that it is implementing a fix after identifying an anomaly in how some cameras interact with variable speed limit signs on certain motorways and major A-roads.
National Highways explained that the issue caused a slight delay between changes displayed on speed limit signs and the enforcement carried out by cameras. As a result, a very small number of motorists were wrongly detected as exceeding the limit, leading to incorrect speeding fines being issued. The agency has apologised to all those affected.
A spokesperson noted that the anomaly resulted in around 2,650 erroneous camera activations on impacted roads since 2021, averaging fewer than two a day. However, not all activations led to enforcement, meaning the actual number of incorrect speeding fines issued is lower.
For comparison, more than six million total camera activations were recorded on these roads during the same period. The problem affects around 10 percent of England’s Strategic Road Network, which includes motorways and major A-roads.
National Highways confirmed that drivers who received incorrect speeding fines will be reimbursed and will have any penalty points removed from their licences where applicable.
All affected motorists will be contacted directly. To prevent further incorrect speeding fines, the agency said it has developed an additional data-check system and is working closely with police forces on its implementation.
While enforcement remains in place, National Highways stressed that drivers who genuinely break the law can still face speeding fines and prosecution. The agency also said it will increase other safety measures across its road network, with police continuing to enforce speeding and other traffic offences.
National Highways Chief Executive Nick Harris said that safety remains the organisation’s top priority, noting that the fix will help ensure no motorists are wrongly penalised. Harris urged drivers to continue following posted speed limits, adding that anyone impacted by incorrect speeding fines will be contacted by the relevant police force and have the issue resolved swiftly.
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