Gatso speed cameras are the most common fixed speed camera used on the UK's roads. They use radar technology and white road calibration markings to detect speeding vehicles and photograph offending drivers, typically from the rear using a bright flash.
Most Gatsos are found on 30mph urban roads, with smaller numbers enforcing limits on dual carriageways and motorway approach roads. Drivers caught speeding by a Gatso typically receive a £100 fine and 3 penalty points.
Since their introduction on Britain's roads in 1992, Gatsos have become the most commonly used speed camera across most UK counties. Some counties such as Northamptonshire and Hampshire favour Truvelo cameras instead, and Norfolk have recently replaced a number of their old Gatsos with the new Truvelo D-Cam. When first introduced in 1992 all speed cameras were painted grey; a 2001 change in the law required them to be painted bright yellow to ensure visibility at the roadside.
New Digital Gatso Speed Camera
New digital Gatso speed cameras were introduced onto the UK's roads in 2007. These new Gatso cameras are considerably larger than original Gatsometers and are now completely digital, eliminating the need for film to be retrieved by the Police/camera operator. This means the new digital Gatsometer will no longer run out of film so they will always be active.
This new Gatso has also been designed to "fit and forget." It is described like this because it does not require the speed camera to be lowered for maintenance. These Gatso speed cameras are popular across London and are increasingly replacing old wet film Gatsos across the UK.
Like the original Gatso, the new digital Gatso is rear-facing and uses radar technology, so if you are using a radar detector you will detect these speed cameras. You will also be alerted to these Gatsos using a GPS speed camera detector.
What is a Gatso speed camera?
A Gatso speed camera is a fixed roadside camera that uses radar technology to detect speeding vehicles. When a vehicle exceeds the speed limit, the camera takes two photographs to record evidence.
They are usually painted yellow and positioned on the side of the road facing traffic.
How do Gatso speed cameras work?
Gatso speed cameras use radar technology to measure how fast a vehicle is travelling and to trigger the camera into action. If a motorist is driving above the road speed limit then two photos are taken in quick succession. The Gatso uses a powerful flash to show the rear of the vehicle, its registration plate, and white painted calibration lines on the road surface.
Gatso speed cameras are always rear facing. The reason for this is that the speed cameras' flash will not blind oncoming motorists. However, this also means that the speed camera may not be visible until the last second (as pictured right - Gatso sited behind road traffic sign).
What do the white lines on the road mean?
The white painted lines near Gatso cameras are used as a secondary speed verification system. By measuring how far a vehicle travels between the two images, enforcement officers can confirm the radar reading. This ensures accuracy and provides legally admissible evidence.
It is a legal requirement to have a secondary measurement for speed. This is why at every Gatso speed camera location there are white lines painted on the road. The distance between each line represents 5mph so there can be no dispute over how fast you were driving. If there is any dispute over whether the radar technology captured the correct speed of the vehicle that was speeding, the white lines are there as a secondary measurement.
Gatso can differentiate between different speed limits for different vehicles. For example cars, caravans and HGVs have different speed limits and the camera will measure the vehicle's length and impose the correct speed limit for each vehicle.
The fixed Gatso uses a reel of film to record photos to. The film can soon run out in busy areas.
Do you have a question about Gatso speed cameras? You can read UK motorists' Gatso questions and answers and you can also ask your own unanswered question via our online form. Alternatively, read UK drivers' Gatso camera comments.
Caught on film by a Gatso speed camera
Pictured below a motorist is caught and photographed speeding by a Gatso camera. The road speed limit for the dual carriageway is 70mph. The driver is captured driving at 80mph.
The first (top) image (below) depicts the moment the Gatso's radar technology is triggered into action by the speeding vehicle. Radar technology is the primary calculation method for determining the speed of the vehicle (in this case 80mph).
Milliseconds later a second photograph is taken (second/bottom image) by the Gatso speed camera. This second photo is used by police/speed camera operators as a secondary confirmation of the target vehicle's speed. The police will look how far the photographed vehicle has travelled between the two photos by viewing the number of white lines the vehicle has crossed/reached.
Had another vehicle been in lane one of the dual carriageway and driving at say 60mph, this secondary measurement would have determined who was and was not speeding.
Can Gatsos catch you speeding on the opposite side of the road?
The Gatso meter safety camera is a rear-facing camera and as such can only successfully obtain a vehicle's speed when driving past the Gatso. In other words if a Gatso speed camera is on the opposite side of the road and is pointing towards you it cannot record or catch you speeding. However be sure you are driving towards a Gatso and not the forward-facing Truvelo camera as these are designed to work as a motorist drives towards them. It is also worth noting that Gatsos which are installed on a central reservation or traffic island can be turned periodically to target motorists travelling in either direction.
Gatso vs Truvelo speed cameras: what is the difference?
Gatso and Truvelo are the two most common fixed speed cameras in the UK, but they work in very different ways. Here is how they compare:
| Feature | Gatso | Truvelo |
|---|---|---|
| Facing direction | Rear-facing | Forward-facing |
| Detection technology | Radar | Piezoelectric sensors in the road |
| Flash | Yes - bright visible flash | Often infrared (no visible flash) |
| Captures driver's face | No (rear of vehicle) | Yes (front of vehicle) |
| Detectable by radar detectors | Yes | No (no radar emission) |
Both cameras issue the same standard penalty if you are caught speeding: a £100 fine and 3 penalty points.
Where are Gatsos used?
Gatso speed cameras are mainly in the form of a permanently installed unit. Gatso safety cameras can be installed on poles and existing street furniture. Gatso can also measure the length of vehicles for which there are different speed limits. Each Gatso speed camera costs approximately £20,000 to install. However they can cost as much as £40,000 if they are located in a rural location, as the system requires a 240v power supply.
These include fixed installations at the side of the road, mobile speed camera vehicles (both parked and moving) and overhead gantries on motorways such as the M25.
Gatso can be used in a vehicle too. Speed measurement can be monitored in both directions of travel from a parked or moving vehicle.
Gatso speed cameras are often used in roadworks. These speed cameras work on an integrated battery which can last up to a week. Gatso can also be used on a tripod as a mini Gatso. These systems work on a lightweight battery offering 8 hours of continuous operation.
It used to be the case that speed cameras had to be located in accident black spots. However, since 2007 these requirements have been removed. The Gatsos must be visible and clearly signposted though. A motorist asked whether a speed camera can be installed on a road near him, read his question and our reply here.
Over 66% of Gatso cameras in our database are located on 30mph roads, making them predominantly an urban speed enforcement tool.
Gatso speed camera locations
What is your view and experiences with Gatso speed cameras in the UK? Tell us and read more Gatso comments. Alternatively, if you have a question relating to Gatso fixed speed cameras, please see our Gatso Q&A page.
Want to know where the UK's Gatso speed cameras are as you drive? Here at SpeedCamerasUK.com we have a UK database of speed camera locations. This database also includes SpeedCurb, Truvelo, New Truvelo, SPECS, Peek, Traffic Light speed cameras and more. Read more about the speed camera types.
Search Gatso camera locations in our database ->
Penalties for Gatso speed camera offences
If you are caught speeding by a Gatso camera in the UK, you may receive:
- £100 fine
- 3 penalty points on your driving licence
- An offer to attend a speed awareness course (in some cases, in lieu of points)
Depending on the road's speed limit and your recorded speed, a court summons may be issued instead of a fixed penalty notice. This would arrive alongside a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) with the relevant code - SP10, SP20, SP30, SP40 or SP50. For more information on speeding penalties read our speeding fines guide. For official UK government guidance visit GOV.UK speeding penalties.
