I thought they were there for safety reasons and not as a money making racket. In a rural village not far from us they had the camera van hidden in someone's driveway and they were looking for people leaving a 30mph zone. The camera was less than 50yds from the 30mph speed limit demarcation. As it is a rural village there are no street lights.
However about 1/2 mile from the demarcation sign is a T junction with another "main" road joining the main road through the village. This other road is signposted 40mph. If you enter the main road where the camera van was located there is no sign indicating it is a 30mph zone whether turning left or right. To the left was the camera van. Turning to the left the first 30mph sign is after the camera van. Turning right there is no 30mph for about 1/2 mile.
To be honest I think that if a person is caught speeding in those two areas, the fine can easily be overturned. As we live nearby we are aware of the speed limit, but many people new to the area and passing through will not be aware of the 30mph zone. On the stretch of road between the T - junction and the speed camera that is to the left there is only one house on the left and none on the right. So much for it being a "safety" camera!
However about 1/2 mile from the demarcation sign is a T junction with another "main" road joining the main road through the village. This other road is signposted 40mph. If you enter the main road where the camera van was located there is no sign indicating it is a 30mph zone whether turning left or right. To the left was the camera van. Turning to the left the first 30mph sign is after the camera van. Turning right there is no 30mph for about 1/2 mile.
To be honest I think that if a person is caught speeding in those two areas, the fine can easily be overturned. As we live nearby we are aware of the speed limit, but many people new to the area and passing through will not be aware of the 30mph zone. On the stretch of road between the T - junction and the speed camera that is to the left there is only one house on the left and none on the right. So much for it being a "safety" camera!