Radars have become one of the most interesting instruments of the Public Administration to increase its collection. In the last decade, the establishment of fixed and mobile units has proliferated, becoming a true money-making machine. Now, when does the lens flash come on? This is a particularly important issue and one that should be taken into account when appealing a potential fine. In order to understand what is behind the standard, one must go directly to the existing regulations.
After all, if a notification arrives at home with the prescription, it is deserved if it complies with the provisions of the legislation. This is so because there are several factors that explain the infringement and, therefore, the application of the sanction. The first is the presence of signs informing about the speed limit. The second is that the speedometer in the instrument cluster does not actually show the actual speed at which you are driving. If it says that the speed is 120 km/h, in relation it will be about 115-116 km/h, since a small margin of error is always set.
And, finally, another margin is applied to the speed used by the cinemometer, which we will explain below. Therefore, if it is a completely legal fine, you deserve the imposition of the fine for having traveled at a higher speed. Let’s see, now, what are the real speeds with which the radars of the General Directorate of Traffic jump, agency responsible for traffic management in Spain.
What is the margin of error of speed cameras in Spain
The first thing to note is that if the speed limit on a road is 90 km/h, if you drive at 91 km/h you will not be fined. Even so, it is recommended not to push to the maximum and, simply, release the accelerator a few seconds before going through the speed control system. It is a product that, despite being calibrated, a certain tolerance must be allowed. Hence, they do not fine if the established limit is exceeded a little. Where is said limit? Here is the main question.
It is possible to differentiate, first of all, an appreciation. Is not the same if we are referring to a fixed radar or a mobile one. In the case of landlines, up to speeds of 100 km/h, a maximum tolerance of an additional 5 km/h will be allowed. For this reason, if you are driving on a road limited to 100 km/h, the radar flash will only go off if you are driving at 106 km/h.
For higher speeds, the applicable criteria is changed, therefore, in these cases, 5% must be added to the posted speed limit for the way For this reason, in a radar that checks if a speed limit of 120 km/h is complied with, it will begin to fine if you drive at a speed of 127 km/h.
Well, what is happening with mobile radars? These are, without a doubt, the ones that have had the greatest weight due to the use of tactics such as camouflage. For this particular case, the rule of 7 should be applied. Below speeds of 100 km/h, there is a 7 km/h margin in which the fine will not occur. For this reason, on an urban road with a speed limit of 50 km/h, you will only be fined if you drive at speeds of 58 km/h or more.
On the contrary, in the case of speeds greater than 100 km/h, 7% will have to be applied to the limit provided for the route. For this reason, if the proposed limit is 120 km/h, the radar will only go off if you are driving at a speed equal to or greater than 129 km/h.
Despite these higher margins, mobile radars continue to be the options that receive the most fines put every year In fact, the presence of these devices has multiplied, which has become a highly controversial measure due to the doubts it raises. Improving road safety or simply a mechanism to increase collection? The general direction of traffic has created what is known as DGT 3.0 for the best management of the payment of fines. Do they impose so many that an online space has been opened to expedite the collection? It could be one of the keys to digitizing the body.