ON THE RADAR
Are speed camera detector apps illegal?
SPEED camera detector apps claim to be able to show you where all the cams are located in the UK.
But are these apps actually legal? Here's everything you need to know.
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What is a speed camera detector app?
Speed camera detector apps do exactly what their name implies -they let you know where to look out for traffic enforcement cameras on the road.
They work by comparing your car’s current GPS position with the known position of speed cameras in their database.
The app will then warn you if you're approaching one of these areas.
There are two main types of speed cameras, ones that use radar technology, and others that pulse laser light.
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The apps pick up on the radar frequency and detect the lasers so that they can alert you.
The apps also warn you about accident black spots and congestion zones - and some will even announce the legal speed limit as you are driving.
Are speed camera detector apps illegal?
Speed camera detectors are legal in the UK, but they should not be used as an excuse or reason to speed.
Ideally, they should be used by drivers to regulate their speed at certain intervals.
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However, devices that block or disrupt speed cameras, such as laser jammers, are banned in the UK.
What about if you're driving abroad?
Laws around speed camera detectors vary across Europe, but they are banned in many EU countries.
France
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It is illegal under the French 'Code de la Route' (highway code) to have a speed camera detector in your car.
This includes even having a detector that is switched off or not in use.
You could face fines of up to €1,500, as well as the device or car being confiscated.
Spain
Radar detectors were made illegal in Spain, since they allegedly disrupted speed monitoring systems.
However, the Spanish Transport Department have created an app for the public with all of their speed camera locations.
Like in the UK, radar and laser signal scramblers are illegal and having one could incur fines of up to €6,000.
Italy
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Speed camera detectors are illegal in Italy.
Being in possession of the devices could lead to you being fined up to €2,800.
However, GPS devices are, of course, legal.
Germany
In Germany, owning speed camera detection devices is legal but there is one big caveat.
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It is illegal to use one of the devices in a moving vehicle.
Using one of the devices could lead to points on your licence, a fine and the device being destroyed.
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