Millions of families taking to the road during the final weeks of the school summer holidays could encounter dozens of speed cameras on their journeys, with new research suggesting many motorists may not even realise they have passed one.
Research commissioned by road safety technology company OOONO found that 63% of motorists who have received a speeding ticket did not realise they had driven past a speed camera.
The study, involving 1,500 UK motorists, comes as Britain’s speed camera network continues to grow. Around 200 new cameras were installed during the first half of 2026, following approximately 600 installations in 2025 and 500 during 2024.
With around two weeks of the school summer holidays remaining, OOONO has analysed a selection of popular UK holiday routes to highlight the number of cameras motorists could encounter while travelling home or heading away for a late-summer break.
Longer journeys through unfamiliar areas can expose drivers to numerous changes in speed limits and enforcement locations, while the research suggests tiredness and unfamiliar roads could add to the challenge.
Holiday journeys bring added pressures
More than half – 56% – of motorists surveyed admitted exceeding the speed limit during a summer holiday journey.
Meanwhile, 61% said they feel anxious when driving on unfamiliar roads and 41% regularly experience tiredness or drowsiness during longer journeys.
There is also a significant difference between age groups. Almost a quarter – 24% – of drivers aged 18 to 34 said they had received a speeding fine during the past five years, compared with just 9% of motorists aged over 65.
Men were also more likely to admit speeding during holiday journeys, with 61% saying they had exceeded the limit compared with 52% of women.
Awareness rather than avoiding cameras
Mike Skyte, Regional Manager at OOONO, said Department for Transport data shows that more than half of fatal collisions involve a speed-related factor, with summer representing a particularly busy period.
He said: “Our research shows speed cameras are everywhere now, yet many drivers don’t even register passing one, especially on unfamiliar roads when they’re tired and focused on the route ahead.
“The answer isn’t to focus on dodging cameras, it’s to stay aware of your surroundings and the speed limit where you actually are.
“Cameras aren’t placed at random, they’re put on roads with a history of collisions and casualties, meaning a camera is a sign you’re somewhere that demands extra care.”
Technology designed to improve driver awareness
OOONO’s CO-DRIVER devices are designed to alert motorists to speed cameras and road hazards while travelling.
The system combines information reported by a community of millions of motorists with thousands of pre-loaded static safety camera locations.
Unlike smartphone-based navigation alerts that can require drivers to interact with a display, the devices automatically activate when the vehicle starts and provide alerts without requiring the driver to use a screen.
The aim is to provide additional information while allowing motorists to keep their attention on the road.
Motoring Echo Top Tips: Staying safe on the holiday journey home
- Watch for changing limits: Speed limits can change frequently when moving between motorways, rural roads, villages and urban areas.
- Don’t rely solely on cameras: The speed limit applies regardless of whether enforcement cameras are present.
- Take regular breaks: Tiredness can affect concentration and reaction times, particularly towards the end of a long journey.
- Allow extra time: Building additional time into the journey can reduce the temptation to rush when traffic delays occur.
- Pay particular attention on unfamiliar roads: Junctions, temporary restrictions and changing limits can be easier to miss when travelling somewhere new.
Motoring Echo Verdict
The final weeks of the summer holidays traditionally mean busy roads as families return home or squeeze in a last-minute getaway. With an expanding network of speed cameras and many motorists travelling on unfamiliar routes, maintaining awareness of local limits is increasingly important.
Technology can provide useful additional warnings, but it should remain just that – an aid. The simplest way to avoid a speeding ticket remains the same: know the limit, keep an eye on your speed and give yourself enough time to complete the journey safely.
