London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol: Speed Camera Glitch Hits Drivers Hard – What This Means for Your Travel in the UK and How to Avoid Wrong Fines

Published on December 16, 2025

A technical issue in England’s speed camera system has led to the wrongful penalization of a small number of drivers over the last three years. National Highways, the government agency responsible for maintaining the strategic road network, has apologized for the error, which occurred due to a software update that caused variable speed cameras to incorrectly detect drivers as speeding. This issue, affecting around 2,650 incidents since 2021, has prompted a response from both the government and police forces to rectify the problem and ensure that no one is wrongly prosecuted in the future.

The problem impacted about 10% of England’s motorways and A-roads, and National Highways has confirmed that this error was due to a fault that caused drivers to be detected speeding after speed limits had been increased. The agency is working with policing authorities to identify those affected and ensure they are not penalized unjustly. The issue has raised questions about the reliability of automated enforcement systems and how these errors can affect business travelers and tourists alike.

The Cause of the Speed Camera Error: A Software Glitch

The software issue behind the speed camera errors occurred after an update was made to the system controlling the variable speed cameras used on several major roads. These cameras, which adjust speed limits based on traffic conditions or roadwork, malfunctioned due to the update, causing them to misread the speed of vehicles after speed limits were increased. This meant that some drivers were unfairly detected as speeding, even though they were following the updated speed limits.

The issue primarily affected roads managed by National Highways, with about 10% of motorways and A-roads across England being impacted. The most affected roads included busy commuter routes as well as major motorways, making it important for both commuters and tourists to be aware of the error and its potential consequences.

Impact on Business and Tourist Travel: A Key Concern

For business travelers, the news of the error may cause concern, as the fines were issued to individuals who were unaware that they were being unfairly penalized. For those traveling for work purposes, especially along major motorways and A-roads, this error could have caused delays in their ability to attend meetings or events, as many would have been worried about receiving fines or dealing with the consequences of a penalty on their license.

Similarly, tourists visiting the UK from abroad, especially those unfamiliar with the road systems, might have found themselves unfairly fined while traveling to popular destinations in cities like London, Manchester, or Birmingham. Tourists who rent cars to explore the UK could have easily fallen victim to the technical glitch, potentially complicating their travel experience.

The fines, which typically result in a £100 fine and 3 penalty points on the driver’s license, can be a significant inconvenience for both business and leisure travelers. If a driver accumulates 12 or more penalty points within three years, they may face disqualification from driving, a serious risk for those driving while traveling in the UK.

Quick Tips for Business Travelers and Tourists:

• Check your fines: If you’ve traveled on motorways or A-roads in England, check any fines issued since 2021 to see if they might have been issued in error.
• Appeal any fines: If you believe you’ve been fined wrongly, contact National Highways or the relevant authorities to appeal the penalty.
• Stay updated: Always stay informed about the latest traffic updates and speed limits while driving in unfamiliar areas.

National Highways Responds to the Issue: Apologies and Compensation Plans

National Highways has apologized for the inconvenience caused and emphasized that road safety was never compromised by the error. The agency clarified that the technical glitch did not affect the safety of the roads or the accuracy of other safety systems. The agency’s chief executive, Nick Harris, stated that a fix has been developed for the issue, and the updated system will ensure that no further wrongful fines are issued.

In addition, National Highways is working closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to identify and contact the drivers affected by the errors. Those who have been wrongly fined will be contacted and provided with details on how to access the compensation scheme that is being set up to reimburse any fines or penalty points that were issued incorrectly.

Quick Tips for Affected Drivers:

• Contact National Highways: If you believe your fine was issued in error, reach out to National Highways for clarification and potential compensation.
• Monitor communications: If you are affected, ensure you stay updated on communications regarding the compensation scheme to receive reimbursement.
• Keep your documentation: Make sure to keep all relevant documents, such as ticket receipts and communication from authorities, for reference when claiming compensation.

The Future of Speed Camera Technology: Ensuring Accuracy and Trust

As automated enforcement systems become more widespread across the UK, ensuring their accuracy is critical to maintaining public trust. This incident underscores the importance of thorough testing and regular updates for these systems, which are increasingly relied upon for both road safety and traffic management.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has pledged to work closely with National Highways and the police to ensure that similar errors do not occur in the future. This will likely involve a review of existing systems and a commitment to more rigorous checks before updates are implemented.

For business travelers and tourists, this incident may serve as a reminder to exercise caution when driving in unfamiliar areas. With the complexity of modern traffic systems and the increasing reliance on technology, it’s crucial to stay informed about any updates or changes to traffic laws and speed limits during your travels.

Conclusion: A Step Toward Safer, More Accurate Traffic Enforcement

While the recent speed camera error in England has caused some inconvenience for travelers, it also highlights the ongoing challenges and responsibilities associated with automated traffic enforcement systems. National Highways has taken swift action to address the issue, offering apologies and a compensation scheme for affected drivers. For tourists and business travelers, the key takeaway is to be proactive in checking for any incorrect fines and to stay updated on the latest traffic regulations when driving in the UK.

By ensuring accurate enforcement and addressing issues as they arise, National Highways and other authorities are working toward a more reliable and fair road system for everyone, whether you are a local commuter or a visiting traveler.

Key Takeaways:

• Technical issue caused wrongful fines for 2,650 drivers since 2021.
• The Bow Curve speed camera issue affected 10% of A-roads and motorways.
• £100 fines and 3 penalty points were wrongly issued due to the software fault.
• National Highways is working on a compensation scheme for affected drivers.
• Business travelers and tourists should check any fines received during 2021–2024 for errors.

Disclaimer: The Attached Image in This Article is AI Generated