Safety cameras are currently operating on 1,373 roads nationwide, with motorists constantly on the lookout for the speed-detecting systems.
The vans are all located on roads where there has been a speed-related collision involving an injury or fatality in order to promote safer driving practices and lower the death toll.
They are operated by GoSafe in Ireland, using vans marked with high-visibility reflective material and displaying a safety camera symbol.
READ MORE: Speeding and seatbelt fines to double as over 120 people killed on Irish roads so far in 2022
There are many misconceptions about how they work in the UK and Ireland so one man who sits inside a speed camera van has put the record straight.
Gareth Thomas, a speed reduction officer for the last seven years and former police officer, spoke to North Wales Live, to explain how speed cameras work.
He has revealed the truth behind some of the most popular myths and claims - and how you can avoid being caught speeding.
He said: "The aim of cameras is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.
"Go Safe prefers to educate drivers rather than punish them with fines and penalty points."
Do speed vans have to be visible at all times?
The short answer is no. There are no laws about visibility, so there is nothing stopping an officer from operating in the dark.
However, most don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right.
Gareth said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident.
"Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people speeding right away."
Can officers only monitor motorists driving in one direction?
This is another myth because any car that passes a van is recorded on the officer's camera.
So if you're exceeding the speed limit whether you're driving in the same or opposite direction to the van, you can be caught for speeding.
Can I get caught speeding more than once on the same day by the same camera?
If you are caught twice in 20 minutes, it will be treated as one offence.
However, a driver with a previously clean licence could be caught several times on the same day - and as a result, could be at risk of disqualification.
Gareth says it can happen more easily than you might think, for example when several speed cameras are placed on the same road or motorway.
However, where offences are deemed to have been committed "on the same occasion", the court has the discretion to impose only one set of points for two or more offences.
Is it illegal to obstruct a vans view of the road?
Yes. Obstructing a van's field of view during its operational duties is an offence and you can be prosecuted for it.
Do officers enforce anything other than speeding?
Yes. Officers are there to make sure you are wearing a seatbelt and are not using your mobile phones behind the wheel.
Anyone caught breaking these laws will be prosecuted.
Is it illegal to eat behind the wheel?
No, it's not. However, if you get distracted while snacking behind the wheel, the police could prosecute you for careless driving.
Gareth, said: "It is endorsable. I had one lady in view once and she was looking in the mirror and putting lipstick on.
"She was riding on the cat's eyes in the centre of the road and veering. I recommended that she was prosecuted for driving without due care and attention."
Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a speed van?
If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law.
However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove.
He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent."
What happens if I am caught speeding?
It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were in excess of the limit.
But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points.
What are common speed camera myths?
Drivers have been asked to ignore dangerous common myths about how people can trick speed cameras.
A false myth is that "If you drive really fast, you won’t trigger the camera".
This is completely wrong and the only way to avoid triggering the camera is to stick within the speed limit.
The AA said: "You shouldn't be trying to avoid getting caught. It's safer for everyone to stick to the limits - and the law - by not speeding in the first place."
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