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Britain's Busiest Speed Camera Is Faulty And Authorities May Have To Repay £5m To Drivers

Britain's Busiest Speed Camera Is Faulty And Authorities May Have To Repay £5m To Drivers

The 30mph limit camera managed to catch an unbelievable 51,049 people driving over the limit between 2015 and 2017

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

Police say that the busiest speed camera in the country is faulty and a drivers' group is now calling on authorities to repay over £5 million in fines.

The 30mph limit camera managed to catch 51,049 people driving over the limit between 2015 and 2017, which triggered 70 times a day over the same period.

Solent News Southampton

The dreaded photo snapper sits on a dual carriage way on Maybray King Way in Southampton, Hants and the minimum fine starts at £100, which is believed to have totted up to more than £5m.

However, Hampshire police has now revealed it has been recording incorrect readings of vehicles with a 'high flat rear'.

A drivers' organisation called on authorities to refund every driver fined as a result of being recorded by the camera.

Two other drivers have proved they were incorrectly penalised.

Solent News Southampton

One of the unfortunate motorists, Nathan Thompson, says he could have lost his job because of the incident.

Nathan said: "If I was in a hire car or a work car and from outside the area and I didn't have proof of going 25mph I'd have had to pay it, so I wonder how many other people have been in a similar situation with that camera, as it's the most profitable in the country.

"If I didn't have the evidence that I was going 25mph, then it would have ended up with me going to court. I'd have lost my job.

"That technology shouldn't go wrong. It has the potential to seriously ruin lives."

Hugh Bladon, one of the founding members of the organisation, said: "We are aware that sometimes cameras are not exactly accurate.

"But for this camera to be recording a driver as travelling at 50mph, something is seriously wrong.

"Every driver, regardless of what speed he has been shown doing by this camera, should have their fine refunded and any points removed.

"If people, as a result of this camera, have to do a speed awareness course, that should be refunded as well as together with compensation for the time that the person has had to spend completing it."

Solent News Southampton

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "We are aware of an issue with the camera on Maybray King Way, which can lead to incorrect readings with vehicles with a high flat rear.

"Our Summary Justice Unit has thorough processes in place to ensure that we prevent any incorrect prosecutions occurring.

"There have been two cases in which we have identified this issue and have stopped proceedings."

Featured Image Credit: Solent News Southampton

Topics: Car, UK, Traffic