The registered keeper of a vehicle photographed by a safety camera exceeding the speed limit or contravening a red light is likely to receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP). Under the Road Traffic Act the first Notice of Intended Prosecution must be sent by the Police to the last known registered keeper within fourteen days of the offence. The fourteen day rule will not apply to any subsequent notices that are sent.

As an alternative to prosecution, they may choose to pay a Fixed Penalty Charge of £60 and have three penalty points endorsed on their licence. This charge must be paid within 28 days of the Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty been received.

If they prefer, drivers or registered keepers can elect to have their case heard by the Magistrates’ Court. Magistrates have the power to impose a fine higher than the Fixed Penalty Charge and can also require Court costs to be paid.

The option of paying a Fixed Penalty Charge is not available to drivers whose vehicles have been photographed traveling at 26mph or more above the posted speed limit. These drivers are summoned to appear before the Court.

A Fixed Penalty Charge of £60 and three penalty points are also imposed on drivers or registered keepers of vehicles photographed passing through red traffic lights. Junctions controlled by traffic lights in West Yorkshire are increasingly being fitted with safety cameras to discourage drivers from ‘jumping the lights'.

Where does the revenue go?

All the revenue from speeding fines goes to the Treasury—the Government—the same as all fines imposed by the Courts. The Treasury returns some of this money to the Partnership, to meet the costs of installing and maintaining the cameras and the cost of the films, film processing and administration. The amount of money returned to the Partnership is only equal to the amount of money spent on safety cameras.

The Police don't get any money, the highways don't get any, and the local councils don't get any. The Partnership itself is a not-for-profit organisation. In fact, under the terms of its agreement with the Government, we are not permitted to make a profit. This ensures that the only people who pay for the cameras are the motorists who are fined for speeding because the taxpayer doesn't pay, local rate-payers don't pay and 'innocent' motorists don't pay. Only motorists who are convicted of speeding help to pay for the upkeep of the cameras.

Legislation and the rules governing the issuing of Notices of Intended Prosecution and the procedures of the Central Process Bureau are subject to change. While every effort is made to ensure that the information given here and elsewhere on the website is accurate and up-to-date, neither West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership nor its agents can accept any liability if it isn't.