Should speed cameras be checking UK drivers’ tax, insurance and MOT status?

4 minute read|4th Mar 2022

According to new research from independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, UK motorists support the use of new camera technology to check for insurance, MOT and vehicle tax offences.

With new technology available to speed cameras for the police, councils and safety partnerships, drivers are supportive of the implementation of this change to cameras across the UK.

The research forms part of IAM RoadSmart’s annual Safety Culture Report, which gauges drivers’ attitudes to key road safety issues. This year, it revealed that nearly 9 in 10 (89%) of over 2,000 motorists surveyed supported the idea of safety cameras being used to spot those who decide to flout the rules and drive illegally on public roads without the required documentation.

In an article published in April 2021, there are around 600,000 cars that currently do not have a valid MOT. Is your MOT due? Book an MOT with the RAC today.

The report from IAM RoadSmart also showed that there was support among those that were surveyed for more fines to be handed to those who decide to exceed the speed limit, with 82% agreeing that cameras should automatically fine drivers who go more than 10mph over the limit in school zones and urban areas.

The data also highlighted the support for similar schemes to be enforced for those who decide to exceed the speed limit in residential areas (78%) and motorways (64%).

In a survey conducted by the RAC last year, members revealed that more than half of drivers (56%) admit to breaking the speed limit on motorways with a third (34%) of those confessing to having travelled at speeds in excess of 80mph. Should this technology be introduced, they would be at risk of getting caught on speed cameras on roads across the UK.

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MOT exemptions to take effect from March 30

Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart, comments: “Speeding is simply unacceptable, and it’s encouraging to see that the public are largely in support of looking for new ways to identify motorists who are endangering the lives of others. Introducing automatic detection will deter drivers who are tempted to speed, which in turn will help reduce the number of casualties on our roads.”

Would you be at risk of getting spotted on camera for any of these offences or for being uninsured? The RAC are here to help. Make sure you’ve covered before it’s too late with RAC Car Insurance.