I can assure you 100% that speed cameras have to be yellow , a very specific yellow reflective paint.
hereQUOTE
Visibility
45. Depending upon the enforcement method used, speed camera housings (including
tripod-mounted cameras) or the camera operator or the mobile enforcement vehicle
should be clearly visible from the driver’s viewpoint at the following minimum visibility
distances:
• 60 metres where the speed limit is 40 mph or less;
• 100 metres at all other speed limits.
7
46. On every occasion before commencing enforcement at a camera site, the enforcement
officer should check that the visibility guidance is met.
Conspicuity
47. Fixed speed camera housings located within an area of street or highway lighting should
be coloured yellow either by painting both the front and back of the housing or covering
both the front and back of the housing with retro-reflective sheeting. In an area not
covered by street or highway lighting, the speed camera housing should be treated with
yellow retro-reflective sheeting. The recommended paint colour is No.363 Bold Yellow
of BS381C:1996. The retro-reflective sheeting should meet the requirements of BS EN
12899-1:2001 or a suitable microprismatic sheeting conforming to BS 8408 or an
equivalent Standard of a European Economic Area State.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/releases/press...meravisibil5810QUOTE
News Release 517:
3 December 2001
Transport Minister John Spellar today announced that safety cameras will in future have to be bright yellow to maximise their visibility to motorists, and he set out strict new guidelines for the visibility and signing of cameras and camera sites.
The new rules state that:
Camera housings must be yellow
No camera housing should be obscured by bridges, signs, trees or bushes
Cameras must be visible from 60 metres away in 40 mph or less areas and 100 metres for all other limits
Camera warning and speed limit reminders must be placed within one kilometre of fixed and mobile camera sites
Signs must only be placed in areas where camera housings are placed or where mobile cameras are used
Mobile speed camera users must be highly visible by wearing fluorescent clothing and their vehicles marked with reflective strips
Camera sites must be reviewed at least every six months to ensure that visibility and signing conditions are being met
The rules will be binding for every police force in and applying to join the netting-off scheme, where money from fines is re-invested in more cameras at dangerous places. National guidelines for other police force areas will be published in the new year by the DTLR and the Home Office.
Unveiling a demonstration yellow camera, John Spellar said:
"I am delighted to announce these new measures relating to the positioning and visibility of safety cameras. These rules should ensure that motorists are not caught by surprise by cameras. I hope that this will reinforce the Government's message that cameras are there to save lives at places where there is a history of speed related accidents. They are not there as a means of raising money.
"We have chosen the colour yellow, and are permitting the use of reflective strips to maximise visibility. In time safety cameras across the country will be yellow. That consistency and the tightening of the rules on cameras being obscured and signposted should serve to give motorists plenty of warning that a camera is present."
Home Officer Minister John Denham said:
"By giving ample warning to motorists as to where cameras are located, we aim to deter excessive and inappropriate speeds on our roads. Our aim is not to catch speeding motorists but to reduce injuries and crashes at known accident hotspots. These new rules on camera visibility will ensure that motorists know exactly what the speed limit is, and there is now no excuse for getting a ticket."
Notes for Editors
1. The Road Traffic Act 1991 amended the law so that Courts could accept evidence of speeding from type approved photographic equipment accompanied only by a certificate signed on behalf of the relevant police force. All equipment used in camera schemes must be first type approved by the Home Office.
2. There are 15 police force areas currently in the netting-off scheme where money from camera fines can be re-invested in increased camera activity at places with a proven safety need. These are: Cambridgeshire, Cleveland, Derbyshire, Essex, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Wales, Northamptonshire, Nottingham, South Wales, Staffordshire, Strathclyde, Thames Valley and Warwickshire. A further 12 forces have just applied to join the scheme, and more are expected to apply soon.
3. If for any reason highway authorities consider that yellow colouring is not suitable or there are special circumstances for some site locations, for example in areas of outstanding natural beauty, then a case needs to be made to the Safety Camera Netting off Project Board.
4. The Department (via DOT Circular Roads 1/92) recommends that cameras should be located at the sites which have the worst record for accidents caused by speeding and that, before deploying them, safety checks should be made to identify any other measures which should be carried out first (e.g. improving road layout, anti-skid surfacing, improved visibility, etc.). DOT Circular Roads 1/92 will shortly be updated and will include guidance on camera visibility.
5. Cameras are proving to be successful at reducing traffic speeds and accidents at high-risk sites. Monitoring of the first year of the netting-off pilot scheme has shown a reduction of 47% in the number of people killed and seriously injured at camera sites compared to the previous three years.
Published 3 December 2001