Malaga drivers could get speed camera fines cancelled after bizarre double-fine discovery

Drivers in Malaga could have reason to check their post after a drivers’ association called for speeding fines issued by an inner city speed camera to be cancelled following the discovery of apparently duplicated fines.

Automovilistas Europeos Asociados (AEA) has asked Malaga Council to investigate the fixed speed camera on Avenida Lope de Vega after finding a case in which the same vehicle was allegedly recorded twice at exactly the same time and place, but at different speeds.

Same car, same time, two different speeds

AEA president Mario Arnaldo says the case cannot simply be dismissed as an administrative duplication. According to the association, one motorist received two speeding notices relating to the same day, time and location. The two notices, however, recorded different speeds.

“One vehicle cannot be travelling at two different speeds at the same time,” Arnaldo argued, saying the discovery raises questions about the reliability of the speed camera readings. AEA says the issue needs to be examined technically rather than simply cancelling one of the two fines.

Gestrisam, the body responsible for managing Malaga’s traffic fines, has reportedly been contacted about the case. Its response was to cancel one of the two fines, but AEA says that does not go far enough.

Malaga speed camera catches around 3,000 drivers a year

Located at number 22 on Avenida Lope de Vega in the Puerto de la Torre district, the fixed speed camera has been operating for around three years. According to figures supplied by AEA, the camera catches roughly 3,000 motorists every year, meaning any technical problem could potentially affect a much larger number of drivers than the single case identified so far.

AEA is therefore calling for a technical audit of the device under Spain’s metrology rules. It also wants the camera temporarily taken out of service until authorities can establish that its measurements are reliable.

DGT guidance confirms that automated speed-control systems form part of Spain’s road enforcement network, with official information published on fixed speed camera locations and other surveillance equipment.

More Malaga speeding fines could be questioned

Only one case has been identified by AEA so far, involving fines issued in June. However, the organisation believes other motorists could discover similar discrepancies in the coming weeks.

Malaga has a long history of highly active speed cameras. Drivers who believe a Malaga traffic fine contains an error can use Gestrisam’s official procedures to request details of their case, submit an objection or appeal against a penalty.

AEA’s latest call therefore leaves an obvious question hanging over Avenida Lope de Vega: was this simply a one-off paperwork problem, or could more motorists have been given two different answers by the same speed camera?