Villagers fed up with speeding 80mph drivers install cheeky fake speed cameras

Two fake speed cameras were set up by frustrated villagers sick of 80mph drivers.

Residents said the fake camera triggered a noticeable fall in speeding cars in Shurdington, Gloucestershire.

Cars had previously been recorded travelling at up to 80mph (128kmph) despite the 30mph limit.

Local volunteers running one-hour speed-monitoring sessions three times a week claimed they have recorded more than 1,600 cases of excessive speeding in the village over the last year.

The 'cameras' appeared on Saturday night and looked like yellow-painted shoeboxes with black circles designed to look like a camera.

But villagers said they have now been removed.

Fake speed cameras are not illegal in the UK but are discouraged by police.

Cars had previously been recorded travelling at up to 80mph before they were put up (Shurdington Parish Council/ SWNS)

Individuals erecting fake cameras could also find themselves facing a civil lawsuit for particularly severe cases for misusing council property.

Despite this danger, people have been known to use inventive objects like yellow and black boxes on their own property to slow traffic before.

A Shurdington Parish Council spokesperson said they do not endorse the action but were "thrilled" people are reacting to the problem of speeding.

County councillor, Robert Vines, said speeding was an ongoing issue, and suggested that speed cameras could be effective if they were enforced.

"There's no easy answer to the problem.

"Some people might suggest speed humps or speed cameras.

"But cameras are only any good if it has film in it and it is enforced."

Safety cameras are seen in many roads in the UK and have curbed speed and accidents (Katie Pugh)

A Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesperson said just driving a few miles per hour above the speed limit can mean the difference between life and death.

"Speeding is one of the 'fatal four' causes of road deaths and injury in the county along with using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt and drink or drug driving.

"Driving within the set limit allows you to stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear providing time to react and avoid a collision with another road user.

"Speed limits are set for a reason and exceeding them is illegal.

"The minimum penalty for speeding is £100 fine and three points added to your licence. Receiving 12 or more points within three years may disqualify you from driving."

Police said members of the public should contact their local policing teams online if they are worried speeding in their local area.

Last month The Mirror reported how all new cars sold across the EU will be fitted with mandatory speed limiters.

They use Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology to warn drivers to slow down through vibrations or sounds if they go above the maximum speed limit.

A real speed camera in operation (Katie Pugh)

And if you're driving on a motorway, the ISA technology will restrict you to a maximum of 70mph as this is the national speed limit.

If you don’t reduce your speed, the system - which use GPS data and traffic sign-recognition cameras to work out speeds - can reduce engine power.

Speed limiters are already fitted on many cars and can be overridden by pressing hard on the accelerator.