Think Ive Been Zapped..

[Another?Maybe!]

I agree with Bigjeeze who appears to have been to the same "Speed Awareness" course as me...or one very similar as I was given the same facts re injuries/deaths of pedestrians.

 

I was caught by a mobile speed camera van in January on a local 30mph road which I use a lot & know that van is there sometimes. I spotted the van & looked down at speedo which read just over 30mph so thought ok. Then received summons for 36mph so guess my speedo reads a bit low. I was told on the course that you are allowed 10% for speedo inaccuracy, ie 3mph + 2mph agreed by the local partnership, thus up to 35mph.

 

I was given the option of

[mumof4]

i change t 3rd at about 30mph :lol:

[Another?Maybe!]

PS. It seems you have to attend the Speed Awareness course in the area in which you were caught. Couple of folks on my course had travelled over 100 miles to be there and this was only the second time in the area!!

 

Be warned!

 

There are also these average speed cameras being used, particularly in motorway roadworks. They clock your time when you enter the roadworks + your reg no., then time when you leave. Can then work out your average speed through the restricted area.

The French also use this system to fine you on their motorways as the toll ticket you pick up has a time on it. When you exit the motorway the police can check your time, know the distance you have travelled so can work out your average speed. Particularly keen to use this system on us Brits so watch out!

 

PeteR

[Masked Marauder]

OK, there is as much mis-information on here as information.

 

In Wiltshire the ACPO (NOT government) guidelines are used, so you will be prosecuted or offered a Fixed Penalty if your speed is limit + 10% + 2mph or more. So in a 30 you get done for doing 35mph or over.

 

There are now five principle types of fixed cameras:

• The Gatsometer (Gatso.) Currently the most common fixed camera. This works by RADAR and can be detected by some RADAR detectors. It takes photos of the REAR of your vehicle using a white flash which flashes twice. Although they have been designed for use taking pictures from the front too, they can not be used for this in the UK as they do not have Home Office Type Approval. This camera type can be set to catch only large vehicles and is used for this where HGV speed limits are lower than cars. This camera uses film.
  
• The Truvelo Combi. This works by inductive loops in the road and can not be picked up by detectors. It takes a single photograph of the front or rear of the vehicle using a magenta flash to help prevent dazzling the driver. People will tell you they are digital and don't flash. They are not and they do.
  
• SPECs. These are average speed cameras. They work by reading your front numberplate when you enter the SPECs zone and again when you leave. The distance between the two points is known and your average speed calculated. They have no need for film and don't flash and work night and day, although their use can be hampered by bad weather.
  
• RLC 36 red light camera. Uses inductive loops to detect vehicles crossing the white line after the light turns red, it uses a conventional film to record two pictures 1 second apart of the rear of the vehicle.
  
• Redspeed Digital Enforcement system. Again inductive loop technology these babies are type approved for speed and red light infringements. They take 3 photos of the rear of your vehicle, are digital and up-linking the pictures and evidence data to the operators. Totally maintenance free these devices work 24/7/52 with no human intervention. http://www.redspeed-int.com/en/products_redspeed.htm
  

Mobile vans use a Video which runs constantly with the laser data superimposed onto it. When the operator detects an offending vehicle the video frame is marked and a print out of the frame obtained. The system can not be used in the dark or bad weather. Vehicles can be recorded at upto 300metres from the front or rear.

 

If you get 6 points within 2 years of passing your test your pass is void. You are not banned, you just need to resit your test, but the six points stay on your licence. Get caught agin within the 2 years with 6 points on and guess what? Your test is void again! Your not disqualified still, but the points stay on!

 

Get 12 points on totting up though and you get a ban and the points are no longer counted.

[johnb80]

Why is it that people spout all the crap about spending more time looking at the speedo in order to keep to 30 than the road. The 30 is a speed LIMIT, operative word being LIMIT. You dont have to drive at 30, you could drive at 27 mph giving yourself 8 mph leeway before getting a ticket.

 

I don't buy the modern cars so quiet rubbish either, there's enough noise to tell if you're speeding or slowing down and a glance at the speedo every few seconds will confirm your speed. To be honest if you can't control your speed you shouldn't be behind the wheel.

 

No excuses!

 

Regards JB

[Guest Cepheus]

Any good driver knows roughly what speed they are doing and it is easy to work out whether you are going too fast for the environmental and road conditions. This being said, we all have life distractions while driving and can so easily be the one with a double flash in your rear view mirror. I'm of the opinion that there must be far more effective ways of speed control than hitting people in their wallets. The latest highlight of this is the following:

BBC News Report

[johnb80]

Reference to the article linked above.

'Undermine safety'

 

He said: "They cause traffic to bunch and some drivers to panic brake. They also cause excessive concentration on the speedo at the expense of concentration on the road ahead.

How can they say the speed camera causes the driver to panic brake? It's the fact that theyre exceeding the speed limit and are dangerous drivers that makes the panic braking occur NOT the speed camera. The traffic bunching is again bad driving - "Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule". Concentrating on the speedo - cr@p, glance at the speedo every 5 seconds, pay attention and speed can be maintained.

 

 

"But speed cameras also undermine our road safety system in subtler ways.

 

"They damage the police-public relationship and imply a series of false safety messages.

Police and public who break the law relations have never been good. The camera is simply a tool for upholding the law in a cost effective way.

 

"The Highways Agency is ignoring the science and apparently prefers blind and unjustified faith in speed cameras."

Simple question, it's 2am, there's no-one around and you're on a road with a 40mph limit and there are no camera's. You tired and want to get home what speed would you drive at? 40, 50, 60? I'm sure most people (including myself) would go a bit above the limit. Now if there's a camera there would you go over the limit? NO has the camera done it's job YES so it's not blind faith IT WORKS.

 

Philip Gwynne from the West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership said: "Anybody who feels that the cameras are just there to raise revenue has the power in their own hands to stop it happening.

He's obviously a motorcyclist, most of us on here have it under our right foot to stop it happening. :lol:

[katman]

The traffic bunching is again bad driving - "Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule".

 

I tend to use this quite often.

 

It can also be VERY interesting when you are just watching traffic. Look for a police car coming down the road and then use that to time the distance between the car the police are behind and the police car itself. I bet you wont get the chance to say the whole sentance !!!

 

Simple question, it's 2am, there's no-one around and you're on a road with a 40mph limit and there are no camera's. You tired and want to get home what speed would you drive at? 40, 50, 60? I'm sure most people (including myself) would go a bit above the limit. Now if there's a camera there would you go over the limit? NO has the camera done it's job YES so it's not blind faith IT WORKS.

 

It works to a certain extent. It depends on the type of camera. With an ordinary GATSO people will just brake hard prior to the camera and then speed up once clear of the camera.

 

I think the SPECS type cameras are far better for catching those intent on ignoring speed limits because unless they stop in the middle of the measured zone for a while they will have travelled the measured distance too quickly and will be caught.

 

I think what upsets the public the most about speed cameras is the perception that they catch "innocent" people not the real speeders. It would be interesting to see a breakdown of how many cars are caught and at what speed for a range of speed camera limits.

 

There was an item on the news about a speed camera on the M62 roadworks that caught 18000 motorists in a year through a temporary 40mph speed limit.

 

On the rare occasions that I am actually on a motorway I have been through roadworks subject to the same 40mph limit and it can be hard to keep down to 40mph. You start to creep up to 43-45 without noticing but the one thing you are well aware of is those who have made no attempt to slow down as they fly past in the next lane.

 

You can easily identify those people who always drive too fast. They have radar detectors stuck to the front screen and satnav units programmed with locations of all fixed cameras etc.

 

I know that everyone is guilty of exceeding the speed limit at times but often not intentionally or excessively. Particularly round here where most main roads are single carriageway, if you are stuck behind someone travelling at (speed limit-10) then you have two choices.

 

1. Stay behind them and get increasingly frustrated

 

2. Overtake them and momentarily break the speed limit to pass them safely.

 

I see no problem with option 2 provided you reduce your speed to the speed limit once you have passed them but there are those who will then continue accelerating until they come up against another slower vehicle.

 

We have a long striaght road that is 8 miles long with only one bend (A47 Acle Straight) and there are drainage dykes on either side. Many people have been killed on this road either by the force of the collision or by drowning in the dykes.

 

The road is single carriageway with the national 60mph speed limit. Some people are suggesting that it should be reduced to 50mph but this wont help as many of the accidents are caused by people considerably exceeding the existing 60 limit.

 

A few years ago the local MP was prosecuted for speeding. The papers reported that he was charged with "Driving in excess of 60mph" which many people felt was a little rough as most people tended to drive at 65-70. However when the details of the case were reported he was actually clocked at 96 MPH in a 60mph limit which is a maniac speed givent hat the entire road is only 20 feet wide. Worst of all, being an MP he "got away" with just a fine and some points despite being 36mph over the limit. I have always been led to believe that >30 over the limit was an automatic ban :lol:

 

 

Many modern cars have "Cruise Control" which I have only ever had on a couple of hire cars. I found that it was a complete waste of time as the roads were never clear enough to be able to use it. IMHO, a far more useful gizmo to fit to a car would be a user selectable speed limiter/warning.

 

If it was a limiter so that you couldnt exceed the speed limit unitentionally then some sort of "kickdown" override similar to an automatic could be provided for an emergency.

 

If it was a more simple speed warning then a "blip" at the speed limit with a short reminder blip every 10 or so seconds that you remain over the limit with the frequency of blips increasing as your speed increased similar to a parking sensor.

 

Something like that would mean that you dont have to constantly look at the speedo and in the case of heavy traffic you wouldnt be a likely to get cught because your speed had crept up due to the flow of traffic.

[johnb80]

I know that everyone is guilty of exceeding the speed limit at times but often not intentionally or excessively. Particularly round here where most main roads are single carriageway, if you are stuck behind someone travelling  at (speed limit-10) then you have two choices.

 

1. Stay behind them and get increasingly frustrated

 

2. Overtake them and momentarily break the speed limit to pass them safely.

 

I see no problem with option 2 provided you reduce your speed to the speed limit once you have passed them .

 

Option 2 was how I got a ticket many moons ago. 60 limit, 4 cars, straight road all doing 45 ish. I overtook them all, pulled back in, down to 60 on the dot (cruise control on) and continued for 4 miles, down to a 30 limit, speed bang on 30. 1 mile later accelerated back to 60 in a 60 limit and got pulled by plod. When I was overtaking my speed was measured at 69 mph. He commented that at all other times I was bang on the speed limit but in his opinion that was irrelevant.

 

Many modern cars have "Cruise Control" which I have only ever had on a couple of hire cars. I found that it was a complete waste of time as the roads were never clear enough to be able to use it.

I use mine daily, even short streches it's easy to enable etc. I find on the motorway going slightly slower than average, I can leave it on most of the time.

 

IMHO, a far more useful gizmo to fit to a car would be a user selectable speed limiter/warning.

Many satnav units have this facility

[katman]

Option 2 was how I got a ticket many moons ago. 60 limit, 4 cars, straight road all doing 45 ish. I overtook them all, pulled back in, down to 60 on the dot (cruise control on) and continued for 4 miles, down to a 30 limit, speed bang on 30. 1 mile later accelerated back to 60 in a 60 limit and got pulled by plod. When I was overtaking my speed was measured at 69 mph. He commented that at all other times I was bang on the speed limit but in his opinion that was irrelevant.

Which is precisely why so many people are against speed cameras.

 

Do they accurately measure speed ... YES

 

Can they identify whether driving is good or bad .... NO

 

Had the road been fitted with SPECS cameras then you almost certainly woulnt have had a ticket because your average speed would have been below the limit due to the 45mph holdup.

 

You drove is a responsible manner using sufficient speed to safely overtake the vehicles and then returned to the limit. Had you continued at 69mph then yes you should probably have got a ticket.

 

I think that Mr Plod was being a bit of a jobsworth because he saw that the speed was only used for overtaking. Did you see him behind you as you drove through the 30 etc ? Maybe he thought that you were taking the proverbial by sticking absolutely to the limit exactly :lol:

[mumble_bee]

I'm actually VERY USED to being pulled over by mr.plod - I have one of those faces...

so much so that I AVOID driving through the city - even if I have to go from one end to the other.

 

31 in a 30 - was the last one - I actually laughed at him - he gave me that one eyebrow raised NOT impressed look and proceeded to check my car from front to back.

 

I once got pulled over when I Was in uni cause I was driving a NEW Rover Sterling (hey I Was young - I liked the car then).. he said who's car is this , I said mine - he said how old are you - I said 18.. he was like "riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight" here's your producer. move along now.

 

I dunno if these experiences caused me to be such a speed limit freak - or I just got sensible...

 

It IS NEVER worth breaking the speed limit.

It is NEVER worth risking getting a parking ticket.

 

etc..

[El Dingo]

Do they accurately measure speed ... YES

 

Can they identify whether driving is good or bad .... NO

 

Good point.

 

To add to this, what about unrealistic speed limits?

I sometimes get the feeling that our local councils want to bring the whole country to a halt.

[suzuki91]

you will be sent a NIP within two weeks, if not recieved by then. no case.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

The "problem" though is the momentary lapse that sees you exceed the limit for a few seconds - which just happens to be where the camera is. You see people travelling for miles flagrantly breaking the limits and not getting caught, but you stick to the limit except for a moment's inattention and you get done for

[Guest midwife32]

After living in Lancashire for 5 yrs, otherwise known as speed camera alley, I'm so used to doing the speed limit (generally 30mph) now I freak out on motorways causeI have to do more than 30mph :lol: :lol: B) B) B) B) B) B) :lol:

 

Lisa

[tim-spam]

There are two types of motorist:

1) Those who admit to breaking the speed limit from time to time.

2) Those who lie.

[Masked Marauder]

you will be sent a NIP within two weeks, if not recieved by then. no case.

Not actually correct chap, they have to send it so that allowing for normal postal times you would receive it within 14 days from the date of the offence.

 

Believe it or not, that is it. If it goes missing in the post your still nicked, they only have to send it.

[galaxychap]

i got hit with a fine and 3 points 3 wks ago the 30mph camera is on the mile end rd portsmouth its a dual carriageway just before the M275 and it is sited near the end of the 30 mph zone just before speed inc to 70 mph i was doing 36 mph as i just about to hit the motorway. i did not contest it as i thought if i did i could get hit with a bigger fine

 

Galaxychap

[dave_m]

what annoys me is the people who are so worried about getting caught or are so stupid they don't know the speed limits on a certain type of road that they sit at 30 in a 60mph zone, this causes the impatient drivers behind to carry out unneccessary and dangerous overtaking.

 

Also those people who cruise along at 50-55 mph in a 60 zone and then when they see a camera slam on the anchors down to 30mph.

 

I also heard a story on the radio the other day about a certain single camera's revenue in roadworks (on the m62 i think) has hit a million pounds :D

[tim-spam]

Some go even better than that. There is someone who I regularly follow on my way to work along a 30mph road with cameras. She always does 35mph and then slows down to 30mph past each camera - nothing unusual about that. However, during the recent snow, there was a little snow on the pavements, but none on the road. So, she drove along at 25mph - OK, so she was a little nervous, and I wasn't late, so not really a problem. BUT, why on earth did she slow down to 20mph past each camera?? At the fourth one (no other traffic, wide road and pavements), I sped up to 30mph and passed with no problem.

[Scorpiorefugee]

It's very interesting to read all of the comments and reassuring that the majority support the speed limits.

 

Sorry to read about JohnB's problem with the "Jobsworth" but I believe that the official line is that a short transient burst over the limit is allowable if the situation justifies it and therein lies the problem. Intelligence and experience are sadly lacking in many of those who make the decisions. I guess you just got unlucky mate.

 

Back to the original M of 4 issue. If you were accellerating into a queue of traffic I should hope that you will be OK because that fits into the above. If you normally accellerate like that, I think that is just inexperience based on watching what others do. Try driving as if fuel were

[Bigjeeze]

Well it's nearly

[mumof4]

;) B) ..ive not heard anything yet...time will tell i guess..

[Guest MATT jr]

oh dear...

 

well, i hope you don't get anything, but there's no excuse.

 

you are in control of the car

it is your responsibility

 

MJR

[mumof4]

Very true....where you been??missed you!!