THE WAY speed cameras are set up to catch drivers varies "massively" around the country, Oxford researchers have found.

Motorists can drive up to 15mph over the speed limit before they are flashed by a camera in some areas, and in others, they will rarely be pursued to pay their fine.

Researchers at Oxford University's Saïd Business School embarked on the study of the nation's speed cameras as part of an investigation into how our activities are increasingly regulated by technology.

The speed camera study, according to one researcher, turned up "shocking" evidence of how different speed camera partnerships interpreted the Department for Transport's guidelines.

Senior research fellow Dan Neyland said he was particularly concerned to find that one of the partnerships - all of which participated in the study on condition of anonymity - set the cameras only to capture vehicles travelling over 45mph in a 30mph zone because it only had enough staff to process so many prosecutions.

But Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership's, Richard Owen, said speed camera thresholds in Oxfordshire were in line with guidelines set by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

He said: "We operate at the ACPO standard, which is ten per cent plus two miles per hour."

This means speed cameras in a 30mph zone in Oxfordshire will flash drivers travelling at 35mph or more.

Asked if differing thresholds across the country risked alienating drivers, Mr Owen said it was the local police force who set the threshold.