Home / Speed Camera Types / Watchman Speed Camera
Watchman Speed Cameras Explained
Watchman speed cameras are rear facing roadside cameras similar to Gatso speed cameras using radar to detect speeding vehicles. Watchman traffic cameras are currently on trial awaiting type approval prior to a national installation programme. In addition to the radar module, Watchman also features a second camera for Number Plate Recognition (NPR).
Watchman speed cameras work using radar technology like a Gatso. A radar stream is constantly emitted and when a vehicle passes through above the speed limit a photograph is taken. But unlike a Gatso the Watchman traffic camera calculates your speed as you approach the camera location. Slowing down just as you reach the Watchman speed camera isn't enough as your speed will have already been monitored and will be recorded as you pass the camera, together with a photo of your vehicle. This provides the Watchman speed camera system with a much larger area of monitoring and enforcing the road speed limit.
Points and Penalties
The absolute minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a fine of £100. A minimum of 3 penalty points will also be added to your driving licence.
However, depending on the road speed limit and your actual recorded speed in the speeding offence a court summons may be generated in place of the Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) through the post with the code SP10, SP20, SP30, SP40 or SP50. Read more about speeding fines.
Also, if it is your first speeding offence you may be invited by letter to undertake a national driver offender retraining scheme course with your local Police force.
Watchman locations
What's your view and experiences with Watchman speed cameras? Tell us via the online form on our speed camera comments page.
Want to know where the UK's Watchman speed camera are as you drive? Here at SpeedCamerasUK.com we have a UK database of speed camera locations. This database also includes Gatso, SpeedCurb, Truvelo, Truvelo D-Cam, SPECS, Peek, Traffic Light speed cameras and more. Read more about the speed camera types.
Speed camera alerts as you drive
Last updated: 6th August 2024
