There are 17 different types of speed and safety cameras in use on UK roads in 2026. From the familiar yellow Gatso box camera that has been a roadside fixture since the early 1990s, to the latest AI-powered AECOM multi-offence vans detecting speeding, seatbelt and mobile phone offences simultaneously. Our database currently holds over 4,291 confirmed speed camera locations across the UK.
Fixed-point cameras such as the Gatso, Truvelo and SpeedCurb measure your speed at a single moment as you pass. Average speed cameras including SPECS, VECTOR and SafeZone calculate your average speed across a full zone - meaning slowing down at the camera makes no difference. Mobile cameras can appear at any location, while variable speed cameras on smart motorways enforce whichever limit is currently displayed on the overhead gantry.
Each camera type below links to a full guide covering how it works, where it is used and how to identify it. The live database count on each card shows how many confirmed locations of that type are currently recorded in our speed camera database.
Frequently asked questions
How many types of speed camera are there in the UK?
There are 17 different types of speed camera in use on UK roads in 2026, including fixed point cameras such as Gatso and Truvelo, average speed cameras such as SPECS and VECTOR, smart motorway cameras such as HADECS 3, mobile cameras, and traffic light cameras.
Which is the most common speed camera in the UK?
The Gatso is the most common fixed speed camera in the UK, with over 2,000 locations in our database. Mobile speed cameras - operated from vans, unmarked cars and handheld devices - account for the largest single category of speed camera sites overall.
What is the difference between a Gatso and a Truvelo?
The main difference is that Gatso cameras are rear-facing and photograph the back of your vehicle, while Truvelo cameras are forward-facing and photograph the front of your vehicle including the driver. Both are fixed single-point speed cameras that trigger when you exceed the speed limit.
What is an average speed camera?
An average speed camera system measures your average speed between two or more points rather than your speed at a single moment. SPECS, VECTOR, SpeedSpike and SafeZone are all average speed camera systems. They use ANPR technology to calculate your average speed across the full zone - so slowing down at the cameras makes no difference.
Can all speed cameras be detected by a radar detector?
No. Radar-based cameras such as Gatso, Peek and Watchman can be detected by a radar detector. However, SPECS, VECTOR and other average speed cameras use ANPR and infrared technology which cannot be detected by radar. GPS-based speed camera detectors warn you of fixed camera locations regardless of the technology used.
How do I know which type of speed camera caught me?
The Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) you receive should include the location and often a photograph. The type of camera can sometimes be identified from the image or the location. If you were caught on a smart motorway, it is likely to be a HADECS 3 camera. On a road with overhead gantry signs, it could be a variable speed camera. Fixed roadside yellow boxes are most likely Gatso or Truvelo.
