The Smiley Activated Message (SAM) cameras aren’t operated by police and don’t work like a traditional speed camera – but motorists have been warned that they could still face fines
Vehicle-activated speed signs (VAS) across the UK are giving drivers real-time feedback on their speed – flashing either smiley or frowny faces to indicate if they’re speeding.
Using radar technology, these signs display a frowning face along with the vehicle’s speed if it’s over the limit. If the driver is within the speed limit, they’ll be greeted with a smiley face. Although Smiley Activated Message (SAM) cameras aren’t operated by police and don’t function like traditional speed cameras, motorists should be aware that they could still face prosecution for speeding.
Graham Conway, a motoring expert from Select Car Leasing, explained: “Smiley Activated Message cameras are installed to provide real-time feedback to drivers in the hope that it deters speeding. The idea is that a driver will see a frowning face, realise they’re breaking the speed limit, and then slow down.
“Sadly, many motorists will simply ignore a frowning face and continue to speed, seemingly safe in the knowledge that no cameras are recording their illegal deed and that they won’t end up with points on their licence. But it’s not quite as simple as that. One of the key benefits of a Smiley Activated Message camera is that, while it doesn’t store individual vehicle data, it collects and monitors driver speeds so that the operators can analyse the results.
“If the operators notice particularly excessive speeds, or large numbers of motorists exceeding the limit at a given point in time, it may well prompt the council to inform the local police to set up a very real speed trap. And if your actions have led to that outcome, you’ve only got yourself to blame if you ultimately end up with points on your licence and a fine, particularly if you use that route regularly.”
The warning from Select Car Leasing should also be heeded by any dangerous drivers who seek to ‘race’ a speed-activated speed sign in order to clock the highest speed they can, in a foolish attempt to win bragging rights among reckless peers, reports Bristol Live. To combat the issue, some smiley cameras now feature ‘Anti-Race’ technology, and the sign will only illuminate for drivers exceeding the speed limit by no more than 20mph, which can discourage drivers seeking to score speeds even higher than that.
Mr Conway stated: “Again, if a smiley face camera operator sees driver speeds way in excess of the local limit, they’re well within their rights to inform the police, who could take action to snare such flagrant offenders.” The trend of installing smiley face speed cameras kicked off in the UK in the early 2000s. Oxfordshire County Council is believed to be the first authority to deploy this tech, working together with Thames Valley Police.
At the time of the announcement, it was said: “These devices will be a valuable contribution to our efforts in reducing the general speed of traffic within the community. Our partnership approach is to educate as well as enforce speed limits and our ultimate aim is to make our roads a safer place for all.”
