Government statement as drivers to get compensation for speeding fines

Transport minister confirms police have begun contacting affected drivers after 2,650 wrongful camera activations were found on English motorways and A roads since 2021

Ryan Price 09:57, 09 Jan 2026

The Government has provided an update for thousands of motorists awaiting compensation following a technical glitch that resulted in speed cameras being incorrectly activated on motorways and A roads across England.

National Highways[1] disclosed last month that it had identified 2,650 erroneous speed camera[2] triggers since 2021 - equating to fewer than two daily - stemming from a lag between cameras and variable speed limit signage.

However, not every camera activation leads to enforcement action, meaning not all incorrect triggers will have resulted in penalties.

The state-owned organisation issued an apology for the error and attributed the problem to a software malfunction.

The 'anomaly' created approximately a 10-second lag between cameras and the corresponding speed limit signs, resulting in certain motorists being wrongly flagged for speeding violations following a change in the limit.

Consequently, on stretches of road where speed restrictions increase, a motorist might observe signage displaying 60mph, whilst the camera monitoring their vehicle could still be operating under the previous 40mph threshold, reports the Manchester Evening News[3].

Constabularies temporarily suspended issuing penalties from variable speed cameras for a number of days whilst ensuring no individual could be unjustly prosecuted.

In December, National Highways chief executive Nick Harris remarked: "Safety is our number one priority and we have developed a fix for this technical anomaly to maintain the highest levels of safety on these roads and make sure no one is wrongly prosecuted."

Over 36,000 motorists[4] received notification that their speed awareness courses had been scrapped as a precautionary measure whilst the speed camera matter undergoes investigation.

Those who were wrongly penalised were assured at the time that police would make direct contact, with fines being refunded and any penalty points struck from their driving licences.

During Monday's Parliamentary session, transport minister Simon Lightwood faced questions regarding whether funds had been allocated to compensate affected motorists for any forfeited interest and potential rises in their insurance costs.

Speaking before the House of Commons, the Wakefield and Rothwell MP stated: "Data has been provided to the police forces to enable them to start contacting those drivers who were impacted by this anomaly and allow the process of redress to begin."

He continued: "While we expect the number of drivers impacted by this issue to be very small, all those notified by the police will receive details on how to contact National Highways," adding that "They will consider the details of each claim on a case by case basis."

References

1. ^ National Highways (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
2. ^ speed camera (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
3. ^ the Manchester Evening News (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
4. ^ motorists (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)