Speed cameras are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it more difficult for motorists to flout road laws. Recently, new speed cameras have been deployed in various locations as part of a fresh crackdown.

One journalist found himself driving past some of these so-called 'smart' cameras and they immediately caught his attention. People are accustomed to the old-fashioned yellow box cameras stationed at the roadside.

But many of these dilapidated structures have reportedly been out of order for years. They remain in place to serve as a deterrent and keep drivers on their toes.

However,new cameras have made a comeback on some roads - and they are fully operational.

They are equipped with enhanced digital technology, making them more efficient at catching speedsters - which apparently makes them nerve-wracking to drive past.

These cameras can also identify if drivers are using mobile phones or not wearing seat belts. Birmingham Live's Agenda Editor Richard Guttridge was recently driving along the A449 in Stafford - one of the first places to install these new 'smart' cameras.

He spotted them from a distance. Richard said they didn't resemble the older cameras - they were fresh, contemporary-looking, somehow avant-garde.

Unlike the old cameras, these come with a traditional camera paired with a smaller measuring device.

Richard says he always adheres to the speed limit, but the presence of these cameras made him feel more pressured. Having reported on these devices, he was aware they were equipped with cutting-edge technology and had caught hundreds of drivers exceeding the speed limit.or.

Suddenly, he found himself hyper-aware of his speed, eyes fixed on the speedometer, ensuring he was under 30mph, as if anticipating being caught out or nervously accelerating like Lewis Hamilton. Above all, Richard said he wanted to ensure he hadn't made an error.

He said it seemed other vehicles ahead were doing the same, resulting in slow traffic. Driving requires a lot of focus and it's surprising how infrequently you check your speed, said Richard.

Exceeding the limit can easily happen, particularly if the car ahead is going slightly faster than it should, or you're driving downhill. Richard said that while he would never use his phone while driving, he ensured it was well out of reach.

Many motorists are unaware that even touching your phone while driving is now an offence, potentially leading to a fine and points. However, Richard managed to pass the camera seemingly unscathed - only to encounter another set of cameras just a few hundred yards further up the road!

Clearly, this is a problematic stretch identified by the police. So, it was back to the same routine: checking the speedometer, ensuring he was under 30mph, both hands on the wheel, not touching his phone.

Speed cameras have long been heralded as a beacon of road safety. When operational, they command drivers to adhere strictly to set speed limits, albeit temporarily.

The looming spectre of harsh fines or demerit points ensures motorists ease off the gas pedal with alacrity. Recognised for their efficacy in promoting legal speed compliance, these devices merit governmental backing and should witness an expansive deployment.

Nonetheless, the passing of a speed camera frequently results in a discomfort akin to that felt under the unwavering gaze of a headteacher patrolling school hallways or a burly bouncer policing nightclub entry. Motorists find themselves overtly demonstrating their adherence to the rules all while inwardly chanting "nothing to see here".

Such vigilance might need to become second nature; with the advent of AI cameras on both motorways and A-roads, coupled with the police force's eagerness to install as many as budgetary constraints will allow, intelligent cameras are poised to dominate the landscape in the battle against speeding.