Motorists lose speed camera humans rights case

Speed cameras do not breach our human rights, the European Court of Human Rights ruled this morning.

The verdict is massive defeat for anti-speed camera campaigners and means speed camera use can continue.

Motorist Idris Francis, 67, had argued he should not have been required to say who was driving his car when it was photographed speeding in 2001. He claimed the requirement under law breached his right to remain silent. 

Speed camera prosecutions depend on this requirement as camera images can usually only be used to identify the vehicle, not the driver or rider. A ruling in Francis’ favour could have made it difficult for further prosecutions to be brought and forced a Government rethink of how speed cameras are used.

Speaking moments after hearing the verdict, a visibly shaken Francis said: “I had a written statement prepared for the eventuality of losing but it’s still in my briefcase because I wasn’t expecting to use it. This is a black day, not just for drivers in Britain or drivers in Europe, but for people in countries throughout the world whose Governments might now feel encouraged to take away the right to silence.”

Keep checking this story for updates and exclusive footage of Francis commenting shortly after the verdict.