Traffic light cameras equipped with dual-purpose technology have emerged as Britain’s most profitable speed enforcement tools, with a single device in Nottinghamshire leading the nation’s revenue generation.
The camera positioned at the A38 Kings Mill Road West junction with Sutton Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield captured a staggering 24,311 motorists over 12 months to April 5, averaging nearly 70 drivers daily.
The “speed on green” devices monitor vehicles passing through traffic signals while simultaneously measuring their speed, creating a particularly effective enforcement combination.
With standard penalties of £100 and three penalty points per offence, the Sutton-in-Ashfield camera potentially generated £2.4million in fines.
These devices prove particularly effective because drivers frequently accelerate when approaching traffic signals to avoid stopping at changing lights, often exceeding speed limits without realising they’re being monitored for speed.
Leicester’s A6 St Margaret’s Way junction with Ravensbridge Drive demonstrates this pattern, recording 22,774 speeding violations and ranking second nationally, according to Money Mail.
This camera began as a red-light enforcement tool before being upgraded with speed detection capabilities to deal with motorists breaking rules.
The dual functionality catches motorists who might carefully observe red lights but momentarily exceed speed limits while rushing through green signals.
Experts are calling on drivers to make themselves aware of different speed cameras
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Even minor acceleration in 20mph or 30mph zones can trigger these cameras, as drivers instinctively press harder on the accelerator to clear intersections before signals change to amber.
Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at IAM RoadSmart, suggests numerous drivers remain unaware that these dual-purpose devices exist at traffic signals.
He added: “What many people do not realise is that unless there is a risk to other motorists, you should stop when the traffic lights turn amber and not just red, rather than speed up to beat the lights.
“They might not be particularly popular, but if these cameras at traffic lights get people to drive more safely by checking speeds as well as if they jump lights, they could be a good idea.”
Police forces around the country are evolving the camera technology used along roads
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GMPSimon Williams from the RAC confirms this knowledge gap amongst motorists, stating: “Speed cameras at traffic-light signals are not something many of us are aware of.”
The lack of public awareness contributes to these cameras’ effectiveness in catching unsuspecting drivers.
Freedom of Information requests submitted by Legal Expert to 43 police forces across England and Wales, plus Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, revealed extensive enforcement activity through speed cameras nationwide.
The data indicates approximately 10 million speeding penalties were issued during the time period, potentially generating £1billion in revenue.
AI speed cameras have become more common around the UK in recent years
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TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTERLondon recorded the highest concentration of violations with 772,123 offences documented. Beyond the capital, Salford emerged as the leading enforcement area with 46,956 recorded violations, surpassing neighbouring Manchester’s 27,172 offences.
The M5 motorway proved particularly hazardous for drivers seeking to avoid penalties, with cameras along this route catching 41,537 motorists exceeding speed limits.
Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com, noted that fine amounts can vary based on drivers’ annual earnings, the severity band of the offence, and how much the speed limit was exceeded.
He said: “Our latest research found that over 9 million drivers have been caught speeding in the last three years. That’s as the number of speeding fines in 2024 was 14 per cent higher than those caught in 2022.”