Cornwall speed camera checks this week, 28 September to 4 October

If you’re driving anywhere in Cornwall from Wednesday onwards, it’s worth keeping a closer eye on the speedometer than usual.

The Devon & Cornwall Police Road Safety Team has published where its speed detection officers will be working over the coming week, from Monday 28 September to Sunday 4 October. And for four days in a row, the Duchy is on the list.

When speed checks are in Cornwall this week

Monday and Tuesday are Devon-only days. Cornwall comes into the schedule on Wednesday and stays there until Saturday, with West Cornwall and Mid Cornwall listed on all four days.

• Wednesday 30 September: West Cornwall, Mid Cornwall, East Cornwall
• Thursday 1 October: Mid Cornwall, West Cornwall, East Cornwall
• Friday 2 October: West Cornwall, Mid Cornwall
• Saturday 3 October: Mid Cornwall, West Cornwall

East Cornwall appears twice, on Wednesday and Thursday. Sunday is back over the border.

The full Devon and Cornwall schedule

Officers are covering both counties across the week. If you’re crossing the Tamar for work or a day out, this is the full list as shared by the police team.

• Monday 28 September: Plymouth, Mid Devon
• Tuesday 29 September: Plymouth, West Devon
• Wednesday 30 September: West Cornwall, Mid Cornwall, East Cornwall, East Devon
• Thursday 1 October: Mid Cornwall, West Cornwall, East Cornwall, Exeter
• Friday 2 October: West Cornwall, Mid Cornwall, Plymouth, North Devon
• Saturday 3 October: Mid Cornwall, West Cornwall, West Devon, North Devon
• Sunday 4 October: Dartmoor, North Devon

Plymouth features three times, on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. North Devon is on the list for the last three days of the week.

“Primarily” is the key word

The team says these are the areas where officers will “primarily” be working. That’s the main focus for each day, but it isn’t a promise that checks won’t happen anywhere else. The safest assumption is that a speed camera could be on any road, on any day.

📷National speed limits by vehicle and road type

Speed limits: what applies to your vehicle

A lot of speeding happens because people aren’t sure what the limit is. Unless signs say otherwise, the national limits depend on two things: the type of road and the type of vehicle you’re driving.

Cars and motorcycles

This includes car-derived vans up to 2 tonnes maximum laden weight.

• Built-up areas: 30mph (48km/h)
• Single carriageways: 60mph (96km/h)
• Dual carriageways: 70mph (112km/h)
• Motorways: 70mph (112km/h)

Cars towing caravans or trailers

This one catches out a lot of holiday traffic. The same limits apply to car-derived vans and motorcycles when they’re towing.

• Built-up areas: 30mph (48km/h)
• Single carriageways: 50mph (80km/h)
• Dual carriageways: 60mph (96km/h)
• Motorways: 60mph (96km/h)

So on an ordinary single carriageway A-road, the limit with a caravan on the back is 10mph lower than without one.

Buses, coaches and minibuses

For vehicles not exceeding 12 metres in overall length.

• Built-up areas: 30mph (48km/h)
• Single carriageways: 50mph (80km/h)
• Dual carriageways: 60mph (96km/h)
• Motorways: 70mph (112km/h)

Goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes

For goods vehicles not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight. This covers many larger vans.

• Built-up areas: 30mph (48km/h)
• Single carriageways: 50mph (80km/h)
• Dual carriageways: 60mph (96km/h)
• Motorways: 70mph (112km/h), or 60mph (96km/h) if articulated or towing a trailer

Goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes

For goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight in England and Wales.

• Built-up areas: 30mph (48km/h)
• Single carriageways: 50mph (80km/h)
• Dual carriageways: 60mph (96km/h)
• Motorways: 60mph (96km/h)

The street lighting rule

The 30mph limit usually applies to all traffic on all roads with street lighting, unless signs show otherwise. If you’re on a lit road and haven’t seen a sign, 30mph is the number to assume.

What happens if you’re caught speeding

The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence. In some cases, drivers are offered a speed awareness course instead, which is only available if you haven’t done one in the previous three years.

Higher speeds can lead to a court appearance, a bigger fine and a driving ban. New drivers face an extra risk. If you build up six or more points within two years of passing your test, your licence is revoked and you have to take your test again.

The team’s own message for the week was short: “Please drive safely and within the speed limit wherever you are.”