M4 drivers BEWARE

[Happy1]

Thought you'd like to know.

Those new electronic signs on the M4 were switched on last Tuesday. The bad news is that they are rigged with the SPECS speed cameras.

SPECS is a computer-camera based system. As you go past the sign a digital camera reads your number plate. When you go past the next sign your number plate is read again. The computer 'knows' how far apart the signs are so it can work out your average speed between the two, or three or four.

The system is fully automatic and will issue a ticket without any form of human intervention. It does this for every single vehicle that passes. You will not know you've been caught as the cameras don't flash.

They work 24/7, 365 days a year, and theoretically, there's absolutely no limit on the number of tickets that the system can issue. The whole section of the M4 between Theale (J12) and Membury Services (between 14 and 15) is wired, both ways. The system is set to trigger a ticket at 78 mph. Radar detectors will be of no use as SPECS is entirely passive, there is no radar or laser beam to detect.

Be warned, this is from a reliable source /forums/images/icons/wink.gif


<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[Happy1]

OK, I have seen what Brendan has said on another forum, so it 'may' be B&llocks, but don't come crying to me if it all goes wrong. IF it is B&llocks I will have stern 'words' with the 'relaible source'. Anyway I think people would rather have the choice to know or not know about a 'suspected' trap, but please treat it as untested at the moment. Please could the first to get an automated ticket please let us all know /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[Avocet]

Don't know about the M4 but everything about "SPECS" is absolutely true. The are completely passive and they work by timing you between 2 points. As they have your registration number, they can also check for road tax while they're at it and shortly will be able to check MOTs too. Don't know about the trigger speed - I guess each police force can adjust the "revenue trigger level" to suit their budget deficit - er, I mean, make our roads a safer place to be!

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[BrendanS]

It's a hoax. You can check it out on the home page of Thames Valley police. or any of the UK speed forums.

As a matter of interest, automatic speed cameras cannot be put on motorways unless there is a speed restriction, say due to roadworks, or the speed restricted sections of the M25 (but only when the speed restriction signs are illuminated)

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[oldestgit]

Hi Happy1:

Thanks for your awareness however I received the exact same almost word for word email from my son in the Royal Navy last Friday with the following Warning (Not confirmed, but be aware! : Copied from Yeovil's message board).

2 hours later he sent me the following email... (The M4 is only a rumour, apparently not correct, check out : ww.abd.org.uk)


But I guess I would rather get a false warning, than a come and show me your licence letter for 104mph.

Thanks any way.... Me.

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[dulcibella]

Simplest answer is to stay within the speed limit, and to avoid cluttering a sailing website with this sort of stuff.

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