The image below shows roadworks on the M5 between junctions 1 and 3. The normal speed limit for roadworks is 50mph. However, the speed limit for these roadworks is just 40mph, and as a result, nobody will stick to it. There is no safety justification for such a low limit, other roadworks are 50mph and there is no danger to workmen, so the only reason left is one of revenue, especially as most of the Gatsos are hidden.

Notice how the Gatso is as far over as possible to hide it from view

The image below shows a potentially dangerous camera. This Gatso is immediately behind the 40mph signs on the approach to Tittensor in Staffordshire. At this point the limit drops from 60mph to 40mph, forcing everyone to brake sharply for the camera. What this picture doesn't show you is that in the right hand lane, the camera is obscured by the sign. So a driver who hasn't been here before won't see the Gatso until they are right behind it. This sort of location for a camera just isn't sneaky, it is down right dangerous with potentially fatal consequences. The idea behind this location is to maximise revenue, by catching out drivers.

A badly placed Gatso causing hard braking

This camera has just been installed on the A520 at Cellarhead in Staffordshire. The speed limit drops from 60mph to 30mph at this point and the Gatso is hidden behind the sign. To place the camera a couple of car lengths inside the speed limit and then use the speed limit sign to hide it is enough evidence to prove that revenue is still the primary reason for installing these cameras.

This camera is deliberately concealed

Another scene in Staffordshire, this time on the A5 near Cannock. This stretch has an unrealistic 50mph limit with the usual array of Gatsos. This has the undesirable effect of making traffic 'bunch up' which also makes it difficult to overtake.

Our rural roads are becoming saturated with Gatsos

Yet another one from Staffordshire. A bit further up the A5 to Hints. The existing 40mph limit through the village has been extended westwards and the 60mph limit has been cut to just 50mph. A new Gatso has been installed on the new 40mph section which has replaced one of the existing cameras in the village. This proves that revenue is the only reason for their presence. The old camera wasn't making enough money in the village so they moved it to a more profitable location.

This Gatso has just gone up

This view shows all the hallmarks of a revenue earner. The most obvious being the bushes. No doubt they will be left to grow in order to hide the camera. The 40mph limit used to start where the blue sign is, but now starts about 1/2 mile outside the village.

This camera has since been attacked, see the Vandalised Gatsos page.

Drivers view of the same camera

This Gatso on the A6 at Ambergate in Derbyshire has just been erected. The speed limit drops from 40mph to 30mph and the camera is less than a cars length behind the sign.

Update - this camera has been removed because there is insufficient time for drivers to slow down after passing the speed limit sign. It will be relocated in due course. It just shows how the scamera partnerships are having to react when they try to install cameras in dodgy places where income from fines is a main priority, if the camera was installed in the right place non of this would be necessary.

Right behind a sign

This Truvelo in Ilkeston, Derbyshire has been installed just a few months after the Gatso in the previous picture. One again its hidden behind a sign and someone has gone to the trouble of taking exact measurements to ensure there is enough room for the lens to see past the sign.

Deliberately concealed

The next three pictures were taken on the A21 at Johns Cross in Sussex. These show the approach to a well concealed Gatso.

This van is just yards from a Gatso

This shot was taken only a few car lengths ahead of the previous picture but now the Gatso is starting to appear.

These bushes need trimming

As you go round the corner the Gatso becomes clearer to see but at this point you don't have much time to brake.

This Gatso needs to be before the bend

This has to be one of the clearest examples of a revenue generator. This one is on a tourist route in Devon and I suspect it is always loaded with film during the summer to catch unwary motorists. There appears to be plenty of panic braking judging by the amount of tyre marks.

A typical location where revenue comes before safety

This camera is on the same road as the one above and is also on a downhill stretch. Revenue earner or what.

Another downhill revenue earner

This camera is on a downhill stretch of the A69 between Carlisle and Hexham. Unlike the two examples above, this one is also hidden behind a sign.

Hidden behind a sign

This is the view looking the other way. The yellow paint is wasted if it can't be seen.

Yellow paint is pointless

This Gatso is on the A45 near the NEC. The speed limit on this rural dual carriageway is just 60mph and there are Gatsos everywhere. This particular camera is blatantly hidden behind a sign and the only way of spotting it is to look for the markings or look for the tell tale three legged sign.

On the right of the picture is another Gatso, this one is unobscured.

Update - since I posted these pictures this Gatso has been switched off and is due to be moved to a built up area in the city.
Update 2 (14/10/04) - it has now been removed. The Gatso on the other side of the road remains because it isn't obscured.

A45 Stonebridge

This is looking the other way and the yellow panel is completely pointless.

Obscured camera

This Gatso in Essex is becoming hidden by overgrown foliage. Even the road markings are starting to fade.

Obscured Gatso

This Gatso on Brixton Road in London is even worse than the one in the last picture. To make matters worse it was installed about a month before this picture was taken, the rules on visibility clearly aren't been adhered to.

Obscured Gatso

This is a front view of the last picture. Its clearly visible from this direction but traffic going this way isn't targetted.

Obscured Gatso

This is another nasty Gatso that needs sorting out. From this angle the yellow backed camera housing can be seen but if I was to stand in the road and take a drivers eye view all I would see is a three legged sign. The sign on the nearest lamppost states the speed limit has been cut to 30mph - this took place several years ago.

Obscured Gatso

This picture is just a few hundred yards after the one above and there's a Gatso here somewhere.

Obscured Gatso

Maybe this angle is better.

Obscured Gatso

This Gatso near Peterborough is on a bypass which has no houses and few junctions. There is absolutely no reason for the camera being here other than to extract money. It also causes panic braking and aborted overtaking manoeuvres.

Update - This Gatso has now been torched, see the Vandalised Gatsos page.

Gatso on a bypass

These two Gatsos are on a 50mph dual carriageway. Both of them have been deliberately obscured, the nearest one by the sign and lamppost and the one in the centre of the picture is directly in line with a lamppost.

Obscured Gatsos

This Gatso in Dudley is deliberately concealed behind a sign. This is like many others that were installed in the borough before the bright camera regulations came into effect. This camera has recently been attacked, see the Vandalised Gatsos page.

Obscured Gatso

There is a Gatso in this picture believe it or not.

Obscured Gatso

Maybe this view makes it easier to spot.

Obscured Gatso

Not content with hiding it behind a sign, Dudley council have hidden it behind a bus shelter as well. Not only that but its still in battleship grey.

Obscured Gatso

This Gatso is on the A439 between Stratford and the M40. It was installed following collisions at a crossroads which is in the distance. Unfortunately the camera is about 200yds after the crossroads and serves no purpose other than to boost the local scameraship's revenue. If safety was a concern then it would have been placed just before the crossroads it was supposed to protect.

Sited for revenue

This is looking the other way. It doesn't seem to serve any purpose other than to make money, especially as the speed limit was recently cut to 50mph.

Gatso

This newly installed Truvelo on Batley Road in Wakefield is hidden by foliage.

Obscured camera

This must be the only Gatso which isn't a revenue earner. It has been made redundant by the humps and I'm surprised it hasn't been moved to a more profitable location. The only possible victims are bikers who could ride between the humps.

Update - this camera was eventually removed.

Gatso and humps

This is another Gatso that isn't earning any money because its vision is blocked by a lamppost.

Cameras view blocked by lamppost

This is looking the other way. The camera on Hamstead Road in Great Barr can't be used until the lamppost is moved.

This lamppost needs moving

The next five pictures are from New South Wales. Cameras here are the most overt in Australia with plenty of signs. The black circles show signs and markings warning of the camera ahead. The yellow circle is the camera itself.

Whilst you may think that 80mph seems fast enough, in Australia they use kilometers so this works out at just 50mph. This rural dual carriageway has central barriers and hard shoulders yet has such a low speed limit. A typical speed limit for a road like this is 100 or 110kmh, around 60 to 70mph.

Dual carriageway with a low speed limit

This is another picture taken on the same road. As in the UK, they've placed a camera on a downhill stretch where it is likely to make more money.

Camera sited to maximise revenue

The sign in this picture is more threatening and warns of the possibility of losing your licence. The camera is surrounded by armco, probably to stop people knocking it down by driving into it.

How many pedestrians get mowed down on roads like this?

This is a scene from the Hume Highway which is the main route between Sydney to Melbourne. On the right are a couple of cameras surrounded by armco.

Obscured Gatso

This dual carriageway used to be 100kmh but has been reduced to 80kmh on the approach to a roundabout. The 80kmh limit seems to be extended a few hundred yards every year and is now several kilometers long. Mobile speed cameras plague this stretch of road.

Obscured Gatso

The remaining pictures are of a red light camera in the USA made by Gatso. Most countries are now using automated cameras as the revenue potential is huge.

Red light camera

This is a rear view. At the bottom of the camera housing is the Gatso logo but its completely different to the Gatsos in the UK.

Red light camera

This smaller camera is positioned at the stop line. I have no idea what its purpose is but it could possibly be used as secondary evidence for vehicles crossing the stop line.

Red light camera