Speed cameras are the bane of most of our lives - and sometimes people will take an alternative route just to avoid them.

You can't argue however that they provide a vital service because speeding is dangerous and breaks the law.

Often there are cameras put on roads with past problems - but there are a few myths surrounding the yellow boxes that people have come to believe are factual. And equally, there are other things that a lot motorists don't appreciate as much as they should.

Here are 10 statements people say that are true or false, debunked by Gazette Live .

1) Not all speed cameras work, some are switched off - true

Picture of a speed camera

A spokesman for Brake said: "Various Freedom of Information requests have revealed that some speed cameras are not fully operational in the UK.

"Brake fully supports the use of speed cameras - and would encourage the return to use of any cameras that have been turned off. Speed cameras are proven to reduce speeding - and can catch far higher numbers of speeding drivers than traffic police with mobile cameras."

2) You have to be speeding at least 10% of the limit plus 2mph, to get caught - false (ish)


However, guidance provided by the NPCC (National Police Chiefs Council, formally ACPO, Association of Chief Police Officers), suggests that officers do not seek prosecution of a driver until they have exceeded the speed limit by 10%, plus 2mph.

Brake says: "It is important to note this guidance is not legally entrenched and that officers have the discretion to act outside it – drivers should be aware that this guidance also does not mean that they can break the speed limit legally."

In January this year, Chief Con Anthony Bangham is reported to have said that speed awareness courses have become the "expected norm" - and that there should be more penalty points, fines and prosecutions to instil fear in drivers.

And the National Police Chiefs' lead on road policy is said to have called for an end to the 10% plus two-miles buffer over the stated limit that most police forces allow.

3) If you drive really fast, you won't trigger the camera - false


4) Speed cameras must be painted yellow to be legal - false

Pictured is a speed camera and a 40 mph limit sign

The Government wants all speed cameras in England to be painted yellow. But, if you're caught on a grey one before that happens, tough - the offence is still valid.

5) Average speed cameras don't really work and that's why some people ignore them - false

The spokesman from Brake said: "Average speed cameras are an effective way to prevent dangerous driver behaviour.

“They are particularly beneficial as they enforce limits over a longer stretch of road, preventing law-breaking drivers from being able to speed up again immediately after passing a camera."

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6) You must be notified within a certain amount of time for it to be valid - true


The notice goes to the individual the vehicle is registered to.

7) You can request a speed awareness course - false

Those eligible for a course will be notified by police. If you haven't been offered one, forget it.

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8) You can do a speed awareness course more than once - sometimes true

Drivers caught speeding for a second time may be able to do a second course, dependent on the severity of the offence. But this can't be within three years of the first speed awareness course, according to guidelines.

9) If you get a speed awareness course, you don't have to declare it on your insurance - false


10) You can even get caught on a bicycle or horse - false

The spokesman for Brake said: “Whilst it is unlikely that a cyclist, or other road user on non-motorised transport, would be able to reach the necessary speeds to be above the limit, the law holds that legislation around speed limits covers only motor or mechanically propelled vehicles."

A version of this article was originally published in June last year.