A new generation of speed cameras, dubbed “speed on green” devices, has quickly become the UK’s most lucrative ticketing tool. These cameras don’t only catch red light runners they also measure how fast you blast through green lights at busy junctions. The result: a flood of fines, testing drivers’ habits as they gun the throttle to avoid stopping at amber lights.
The top earner? A camera in Sutton-in-Ashfield on the A38 Kings Mill Road West junction raked in fines from 24,311 motorists over a year, averaging nearly 70 tickets daily. That adds up to a jaw-dropping £2.4 million in fines just from one spot.
These cameras work by monitoring multiple lanes simultaneously with high-resolution imaging and precise speed detection. The dual function spots drivers carefully obeying red but who can’t resist accelerating beyond the limit while the light’s still green.
Experts warn many drivers are unaware these cameras are watching not just for red light jumps but for speed violations too especially in 20 and 30mph zones. Even minor throttle presses can trigger a ticket.
While unpopular, safety groups argue these cameras make roads safer by discouraging risky acceleration at intersections. If you’re cruising up to a light, respect the amber and take your foot off the gas. The tech is watching, and the price for speeding through green is steep.