Average Speed Cameras/Digital SPECS (Speed Check Services) and Red Fusion are cameras that differ from traditional speed cameras by monitoring a vehicle's average speed over a stretch of road, rather than a spot speed. Pairs of digital cameras can be placed anywhere between 200m and 10km apart, creating 'Speed Control Zones'.

Drivers are less likely to brake suddenly for a camera and are more likely to keep their speed down over a longer period.

• As a vehicle passes the first camera, an infra-red photo is taken and transmitted to the control computer, along with the time the image was taken.
• As the vehicle passes the second camera, two pictures are taken - an infra-red photo and a colour photo. These are also transmitted to the control computer with the time they were taken.
• The computer analyses the photos to retrieve the registration number of the vehicle.
• The computer then compares the time of the two infra-red photos. These are used to calculate the speed of the vehicle between each camera.
• If the speed is above the threshold, the information (speeds, date and time, vehicle registration etc) is written to disc which is then checked by enforcement officers.

Average Speed Cameras on the motorway network are maintained by the Highways Agency and the processing of the Notice Of Intended Prosecution (NIP's) is dealt with by the Central Ticket Office on behalf of Greater Manchester Police. The Highways Agency is responsible for the construction and maintenance of motorways and major trunk roads in England. This is the strategic network of roads used to move people and freight around the country.

Map Of Highways Agency Road Network

Highways Agency

If you wish to contact the Highways Agency you can do so by

Telephone 08457 50 40 30

or

Email ha_info@highays.gsi.gov.uk

The Police have discretion to undertake speed enforcement anywhere within the Greater Manchester area, activity which is separate to and not funded by or through the Partnership, and not subject to the Partnership's protocols nor scrunity of the Partnership Board.

Compliance with these protocols and procedures has no bearing upon enforcement of offences detected by the use of the safety cameras, and non-compliance with them by the Partnership or representative of the Partnership does not provide any mtigation or nor defence for an alleged offence committed under current UK law.