Apart from:
-more chance of you or a loved one being killed;
-more pollution;
-greater contribution to global warming;
-more enforcement of speeding due to idiots taking the piss; and
-more chance of getting held up in an accident.
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[Travel] Speed camera switch on
- Thread starter driller
- Start date
Apart from:
-more chance of you or a loved one being killed;
-more pollution;
-greater contribution to global warming;
-more enforcement of speeding due to idiots taking the piss; and
-more chance of getting held up in an accident.
Where did you get that from? The only place I know with a minimum speed limit is the Dartford tunnel.
He's wrong - there is no minimum speed limit on motorways (though driving very slowly is incredibly dangerous).
Driving at 30, you'd very likely get rear-ended by a massive truck, or be pulled over by the police, who'd suspect you were hammered.
Captain Sensible
Well-known member
Isn’t it average speed between the cameras? On the M23 there are cameras every mile. You’d do well to achieve 140 mph and slow down in time.
Birdie Boy
Well-known member
- Jun 17, 2011
- 4,392
If they did, anybody with epilepsy should be told not to drive on the m25, as the cameras will be flashing every car sitting still in traffic! [emoji3]
Leighgull
New member
- Dec 27, 2012
- 2,377
Here’s an interesting one.
I was snapped on M25 doing 70 in a zone that had dropped to 50 literally 2 mins before (variable limit) obviously I protested to Surrey Police to say I’d passed the sign before the overhead gantry switched to 50 from 70 and was about to reduce speed before the next Gantry.
Know what got me off though. I noticed that the camera that caught me was in Bedford Police jurisdiction yet Surrey were the issuing force. I wrote and asked for proof that the chief constable of Bedfordshire had asked Surrey Police to collect fines on their behalf.
I never heard another thing.
Over 2 years ago now btw.
I was snapped on M25 doing 70 in a zone that had dropped to 50 literally 2 mins before (variable limit) obviously I protested to Surrey Police to say I’d passed the sign before the overhead gantry switched to 50 from 70 and was about to reduce speed before the next Gantry.
Know what got me off though. I noticed that the camera that caught me was in Bedford Police jurisdiction yet Surrey were the issuing force. I wrote and asked for proof that the chief constable of Bedfordshire had asked Surrey Police to collect fines on their behalf.
I never heard another thing.
Over 2 years ago now btw.
portlock seagull
Well-known member
- Jul 28, 2003
- 17,779
Stand corrected, it's a long time since read highway code and was sure remembered something about tractors and the like not being allowed to on unless did more than that. Anyway, as others mention...it's a sure way to get stopped or rear-ended!
portlock seagull
Well-known member
- Jul 28, 2003
- 17,779
Often wondered about this - when signs suddenly change as you pass under, are you supposed to brake sharply to avoid a fine but risk someone else crashing into you from behind?
That bit you ARE right about - vehicles incapable of travelling at sufficient speed (25mph is mentioned somewhere) are prohibited from using motorways. But there is no specific law against a standard car dropping to 20 mph (though I suspect 'dangerous driving / driving without due care', etc might come into play).
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
spongy
Well-known member
Someone I know very well is heavily involved with speed cameras at their work.
they don't know about the m1 cameras and the m40 ones but do know about the m25 ones.
Yes, they do work, yes they are being turned on 24/7. But there is a kicker to this.
They visited the Surrey safer road partnership recently. And visited the offices and server rooms. The partnerships are regional and the cameras on the m25 go through several different counties. They're not sure if it's possible that it can be done unless the highways agency take control. (I'm reliably informed they wont) so it's up to each partnership to cover their own patch.
Many partnerships simply don't have the man power to deal with the sheer volume of offences because most people speed.
The Surrey one covers the m25 to Gatwick average speed cameras for the upgrade works.
Average speed warning signs are aplenty before and during the affected area. It's impossible to miss them.
In one hour they recorded over 2000 offences. They haven't got the staff to get it processed in time. It's impossible with current staff levels. And they wont be hiring any more as far as they know.
BUT
They will be used only at random times through the day, maybe for an hour, maybe more, but you'll never know which time period and for how long..... could be an hour between 7am-8am or 3 hours between 11am-2pm etc. It's going to be like playing Russian roulette, speed and take your chances I suppose.
It's also interesting with average speed cameras. Take the handcross hill improvement ones. There were 10 sets of cameras along the length of the whole works. Set for 50mph.
It's a common belief that because it's AVERAGE, if you go in at 70, as long as you slow down consistently and come out the end at 30mph you'll be ok because your average will be 50.....
Or if you speed in but take a slip road out you won't get caught because you never make it out the end you'll be fine....
But the cameras aren't set like that. The "zones" are all variable, so the checks will only be done between say set 1-10. Or set between set 3-5. Or 8-9. They are all changed regularly and do work 24/7.
I can't remember exactly now but the figures I was told for speeding offences during those roadworks was eye watering.
Watch yourself.
they don't know about the m1 cameras and the m40 ones but do know about the m25 ones.
Yes, they do work, yes they are being turned on 24/7. But there is a kicker to this.
They visited the Surrey safer road partnership recently. And visited the offices and server rooms. The partnerships are regional and the cameras on the m25 go through several different counties. They're not sure if it's possible that it can be done unless the highways agency take control. (I'm reliably informed they wont) so it's up to each partnership to cover their own patch.
Many partnerships simply don't have the man power to deal with the sheer volume of offences because most people speed.
The Surrey one covers the m25 to Gatwick average speed cameras for the upgrade works.
Average speed warning signs are aplenty before and during the affected area. It's impossible to miss them.
In one hour they recorded over 2000 offences. They haven't got the staff to get it processed in time. It's impossible with current staff levels. And they wont be hiring any more as far as they know.
BUT
They will be used only at random times through the day, maybe for an hour, maybe more, but you'll never know which time period and for how long..... could be an hour between 7am-8am or 3 hours between 11am-2pm etc. It's going to be like playing Russian roulette, speed and take your chances I suppose.
It's also interesting with average speed cameras. Take the handcross hill improvement ones. There were 10 sets of cameras along the length of the whole works. Set for 50mph.
It's a common belief that because it's AVERAGE, if you go in at 70, as long as you slow down consistently and come out the end at 30mph you'll be ok because your average will be 50.....
Or if you speed in but take a slip road out you won't get caught because you never make it out the end you'll be fine....
But the cameras aren't set like that. The "zones" are all variable, so the checks will only be done between say set 1-10. Or set between set 3-5. Or 8-9. They are all changed regularly and do work 24/7.
I can't remember exactly now but the figures I was told for speeding offences during those roadworks was eye watering.
Watch yourself.
Superphil
Dismember
That’s normally me, I do the same in a 30 or 40 zone too, time to concentrate a bit more I guess.
Leighgull
New member
- Dec 27, 2012
- 2,377
Do you own a fleet of Nissan Micras? If so I’m the one that’s always behind you whilst your going along 10MPH slower than the actual limit.
Mr Bridger
Sound of the suburbs
They told us about this on the course I atttended about smart motorways. There is a 40 second buffer between the signs changing, so they’ve worked out the braking time if going at 70 to reduce down to say 50.
There is also equipment/ cameras monitoring the actual camera that prove the speed limit at the time if you are caught.
The cameras also monitor how many cars per minute go past a camera and this will determine if a lower speed kicks in to slow the traffic down.
Yep, they’re very sophisticated now.
They’re just about to introduce new variables: the leeway will be reduced to 1MPH over the speed limit if you’re driving a BMW or Audi, with a further reduction to -5MPH if it’s red.
Superphil
Dismember
Ha, no, not at all, but I am the infuriating one that does 30mph along Western Road in Lancing, no longer surprised when I get overtaken along there by vans. Likewise along the seafront and only last week I was overtaken driving down Dyke road a quarter of a mile or so down From the A27.
I'm the same, now.
Did the awareness course last year, then shortly afterwards had another camera flash, which fortunately never came to anything, but focused my mind further. I REALLY couldn't afford to have problems with my license, and have no intention of racking up points.
I now stick pretty religiously to the limits everywhere other than 70 mph zones where I still allow myself 74mph. And I rely very heavily on the cruise control to regulate my speed, in 50 / 60 /70 zones. It is so easy in a big modern car for your speed to creep up without noticing -especially if the flow of the traffic is all doing 10 / 15 mph over the limit.
AlastairWatts
Active member
Maybe I'm wrong, but I simply regard the whole thing as a nonsense. The so-called 'Safety Partnerships' are unelected and responsible to no-one. The worst organisation of all is something called Brake, which has charitable status and sticks its oar whenever possible. It's worth remembering that the 70 mph speed limit was introduced in the '70's by Barbara Castle, then transport minister. Car design, handling, braking and accident survivability has improved no end since then, to say nothing of seat belts, although I also seem to remember that they were promoted on TV by Jimmy Savill. Time to raise the limits
The 'limitS', or just specifically, the 70mph motorway limit?
The motorway limit, I'd agree, you could definitely make a 'safe' case for increasing to 80mph.
The 30 / 40 urban limits, are fine, IMO and I really don't think you could make a case for increasing those, without safety concerns.
Personally I think there are also many rural roads, where the statutory 60mph limit is definitely too HIGH, and should be lowered.
Like every speed restriction, it is a limit, not a requirement. You should always drive to the conditions upto whatever the limit is.