Handheld Speed Gun Speed Camera
Handheld laser speed devices used by police officers, often from roadside positions or bridges.
Manufacturer
Various (Prolaser, TruCam)
Detection Method
Handheld infrared laser (LiDAR)
Flash
No visible flash
Speed Tolerance
Wider effective tolerance — officer discretion + device accuracy
How Handheld Speed Gun Cameras Work
Officer points laser device at approaching vehicle. Device measures speed using infrared laser. Officer can then stop the vehicle or record details for postal prosecution.
Key Facts
Does It Flash?
No visible flash
Typical Locations
Bridges over motorways, roadside positions, speed enforcement operations
Count in UK
35
Detection Method
Handheld infrared laser (LiDAR)
How to Identify a Handheld Speed Gun
- Officer standing with handheld device
- Often on motorway bridges
- TruCam devices also capture video evidence
- May be accompanied by marked police vehicle downstream
Where to Find Handheld Speed Gun Cameras
Handheld Speed Gun cameras are most commonly found in the following areas:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Handheld Speed Gun cameras flash?
No, Handheld Speed Gun cameras do not produce a visible flash. They use handheld infrared laser (lidar) without any flash unit.
How accurate are Handheld Speed Gun speed cameras?
Handheld Speed Gun cameras are type-approved by the Home Office and are highly accurate. The NPCC guideline allows a tolerance of the speed limit + 10% + 2 mph before prosecution. Wider effective tolerance — officer discretion + device accuracy
How do Handheld Speed Gun cameras detect speed?
Officer points laser device at approaching vehicle. Device measures speed using infrared laser. Officer can then stop the vehicle or record details for postal prosecution.
Where are Handheld Speed Gun cameras typically found?
Bridges over motorways, roadside positions, speed enforcement operations
Other Camera Types
Gatso
The most common fixed speed camera in the UK, named after inventor Maurice Gatsonides.
1,240 in the UK
Truvelo
A forward-facing fixed speed camera that photographs the driver. Unlike Gatso, it uses infrared flash invisible to drivers.
485 in the UK
SPECS (Average Speed)
Average speed camera system using ANPR to calculate speed over a distance. Cannot be beaten by braking at camera locations.
620 in the UK