Speed cameras can catch you out for a lot more than speeding – here’s what other driving offences they pick up
IF you thought speed cameras were only there to catch out drivers who go too fast, think again.
The bright yellow devices can pick up on a lot more than people breaking the speed limit.
They can also detect illegal number plates, passengers not wearing seat belts and people using their mobile phones behind the wheel.
Between August and November in 2015, nearly 700 motorists in the north east were nobbled by the yellow boxes for offences other than speeding.
According to the Northumbria Road Safety Initiative, the most common crime is not bothering to put on a seat belt, with 604 drivers caught.
They also picked up people chatting away on their mobiles while bombing down the motorway.
New laws set to be introduced in March next year will see road users issued with six penalty points and a £200 fine if they are caught using a phone while driving.
The government is also toughening up when it comes to newly qualified drivers, with people at risk of having their licenses revoked if they rack up six points in their first two years of driving.
Head of operations at Northumbria Police, Superintendent Sarah Pitt, told "Camera detection is a great tool used to help police enforce all road laws and legislation.
"Many think speeding is the only thing detected, however driving without a seat belt, using mobile phones behind the wheel and more can all be identified and are all actions which make our roads a danger for motorists and pedestrians.
"We need to ensure we take positive action whenever possible to keep dangerous drivers off our roads.
"These laws are in place to protect people - and quite simply breaking them can cause serious injury or even death.
"We don't tolerate it and those in violation will face the consequences."
In August we told how drivers using their mobiles as SatNavs could be banned from the road, top police chiefs warned.
We also revealed the driving offences you never realised you were committing – and could land you with fines of up to £5,000.
