1. Digital Gatso speed cameras
The Gatso is the original speed camera - the first type of camera enforcement introduced to Britain's roadsides some 27 years ago to flash over-the-limit motorists.
It was one of the most commonly-used speed cameras on UK roads in the early phase of Big Brother speed enforcement, though it's slowly being replaced by newer technology.
The square yellow boxes - which were grey from 1992 until 2001 when law stipulated that all speed cameras needed to be easy to see - have cameras using film that are now considered old hat.
The manufacturer has a new system called Digital Gatsos, which have been available since 2007 and becoming more widespread.
The benefit to motorists is that they're easier to spot because they are much larger.
But there's a big advantage for operators and police forces too, because the use of digital images instead of film means they no longer need to constantly check they are still working correctly and always active to enforce offences.
The traditional Gatso (left) is the one most drivers will be more accustom with. However, it is now widely replaced by a Digital Gatso (right) that doesn't use film
No matter which type of Gatso it is, they are all rear-facing only (so they don't dazzle drivers when the flash goes off and also so they can catch motorcyclists breaking the law) and use radar technology to trigger the camera to take two photos in quick succession - which is why drivers often see a double flash.
The flash not only illuminates the car and its registration plate but also the white calibration lines painted onto the road surface.
While the speed is measured by the camera, these white lines are a secondary measure to prove if a driver was over the limit by judging the distance covered over time.
2. Truvelo Combi speed cameras
The Truvelo camera uses infra-red technology, so you won't see it flash
The problem - for enforcement - with Gatso speed cameras is that, being rear facing, they fail to capture the face of the motorist at the wheel.
This has allowed fine-dodging individuals to claim they weren't the driver of the car at the time it was snapped.
However, the forward-facing Truvelo camera eliminates that issue and is now becoming more common on British roads.
Unlike Gatsos, it doesn't flash. Instead, it uses infra-red technology, so the forward-facing installations won't momentarily blind any motorists with a bright light.
Using four sensors that are hidden in the road surface, it can calculate at what speed a vehicle is travelling when it passes the camera.
Similar to Gatsos, they are positioned where there are three white lines on the road to measure the time it takes a car to cover a particular distance. This is then used as back-up proof of speeding if a motorist disputes the camera reading.
The Truvelo D-Cam is also a forward- and rear-facing camera that can identify the speeding motorist at the wheel
3. Truvelo D-Cam speed cameras
Truvelo's latest offering arrived in 2013.
Called the D-Cam - short for Digital Camera - it uses the same technology but can be installed both forward- and rear-facing, making them the ideal replacement not just for the older Truvelo systems but Gatsos too.
You'll most commonly spot these futuristic-looking cameras fixed in the central reservation of the road - though the example pictured is at the side - and they can monitor across up to three lanes of traffic at a time.
Digital photos taken by these cameras are sent in real-time to databases run by police forces and operators.
Smart motorways call for smart speed cameras, and the HADECS3 is the latest version being used to snap drivers during variable restrictions
4. HADECS3 speed camera
Motorway speed cameras have been through the biggest transformation in the last decade - and the arrival of Smart Motorways has made them even smarter - and more sneaky.
Are Smart Motorway speed cameras operating at all times?
Can you be caught speeding by cameras on smart motorways when there are no variable limits in place?
The latest example is the third system from HADECS, which stands for Highway Agency Digital Enforcement Camera System.
This camera type being used predominantly on smart motorways, including sections of the M25, M1 and M6.
They can be notoriously difficult to spot as they are placed high on gantries above the road and - reportedly - not all of them are painted yellow.
They're among the most advanced systems in use, using radar technology unlike anything we've seen in speed-camera technology yet.
They can monitor up to five lanes of traffic (including the hard shoulder, which may be active as a running lane) and can capture vehicles using lane identification, vehicle position and positive vehicle identification.
They also operate faultlessly to catch speeders in all weather conditions.
The traditional Gatso (left) is the one most drivers will be more accustom with. However, it is now widely replaced by a Digital Gatso (right) that doesn't use filmNo matter which type of Gatso it is, they are all rear-facing only (so they don't dazzle drivers when the flash goes off and also so they can catch motorcyclists breaking the law) and use radar technology to trigger the camera to take two photos in quick succession - which is why drivers often see a double flash.The flash not only illuminates the car and its registration plate but also the white calibration lines painted onto the road surface.While the speed is measured by the camera, these white lines are a secondary measure to prove if a driver was over the limit by judging the distance covered over time.
The Truvelo camera uses infra-red technology, so you won't see it flashThe problem - for enforcement - with Gatso speed cameras is that, being rear facing, they fail to capture the face of the motorist at the wheel.This has allowed fine-dodging individuals to claim they weren't the driver of the car at the time it was snapped.However, the forward-facing Truvelo camera eliminates that issue and is now becoming more common on British roads.Unlike Gatsos, it doesn't flash. Instead, it uses infra-red technology, so the forward-facing installations won't momentarily blind any motorists with a bright light.Using four sensors that are hidden in the road surface, it can calculate at what speed a vehicle is travelling when it passes the camera.Similar to Gatsos, they are positioned where there are three white lines on the road to measure the time it takes a car to cover a particular distance. This is then used as back-up proof of speeding if a motorist disputes the camera reading.
The Truvelo D-Cam is also a forward- and rear-facing camera that can identify the speeding motorist at the wheel
Smart motorways call for smart speed cameras, and the HADECS3 is the latest version being used to snap drivers during variable restrictions
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