Understanding speed camera detectors and their place on the road

There is some debate around speed camera detecting apps and devices, with their creators arguing that they are designed to promote safe driving habits, and others saying they may help reckless drivers get away with speeding. When used correctly, these devices can be great for helping you monitor your speed and for alerting you to changing speed limits of the roads you’re travelling on. But why do we need them, and how can we use them efficiently?

Here we take a look at the place of speed camera detectors on the road.

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Functions of speed camera detectors

Many modern speed camera detectors have multiple features to help promote safe driving, including alerting drivers to upcoming accidents and congestion zones, as well as giving you notice of changing speed limits and warning you if a fixed or mobile speed camera is coming up ahead. 

The functions of each model depend on the type of device, with GPS detectors using your location to scan your surrounding area for noteworthy changes and radar or laser detection devices being able to detect mobile police speed cameras before you get in range.

The latter are not to be confused with laser-jamming devices, which are illegal, and disrupt the signals from police cameras so they are unable to work.

There is some debate around speed camera detecting apps and devices, with their creators arguing that they are designed to promote safe driving habits, and others saying they may help reckless drivers get away with speeding. When used correctly, these devices can be great for helping you monitor your speed and for alerting you to changing speed limits of the roads you’re travelling on. But why do we need them, and how can we use them efficiently?

Here we take a look at the place of speed camera detectors on the road.

Photo by Vladislav Glukhotko on Unsplash

Benefits of use

In poor driving conditions such as heavy rain or snow, thick fog, or if you’re driving at night, road signs can be difficult to see. Whilst that is never an excuse for speeding, speed camera detection devices can help you by alerting you to changing road conditions clearly and with plenty of time, even if you miss the road signs.

These features can also help to reduce accidents by encouraging traffic to slow in good time before drivers reach an accident site or heavily congested road, giving you more opportunity to turn off and find an alternative route, reducing traffic jams. In poor conditions, having prior notice of a traffic jam on fast roads can also prevent further accidents.

Photo by Aleksandr Popov on Unsplash

Which type is best?

Many EU countries have banned the use of radar and laser detection cameras, claiming they enable dangerous driving. For now, they are legal to use in the UK, but it’s probably a much wiser idea to opt for a GPS-based device to be on the safe side. Plus, with the added functionality of GPS-based devices, they are a much more helpful addition to your driving toolkit.