Speed Camera Yet Again (Non Boat)

[gandy]

I received a nice clear double flash on the way South this week in the evening. We were the only car on the carriageway, at an indicated 68 on a 70mph road.

Normally I'd think nothing of it, but I read some horror stories recently so I phoned the police to report faulty camera. Spoke to a guy on the camera unit who explained that all reports are verified by checking the photos to confirm the speed. Hopefully after my call they really will check, and I won't have a song and dance to get the evidence myself.

Does anyone know how accurately you can read the speed from the photos and road markings? Of course I've no idea what speed the radar recorded, but I have my doubts that you could distinguish between (say) 72mph and 68.

Tony S

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Sgeir]

Why is it all Scots tonight? Long dark evenings or what? Or lack of imagination on our part?

<hr width=100% size=1>My father was born in Govan. They had a ferry at the bottom of the garden.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

After I was flashed at Conwy last year I stopped the car at the next roadside telephone and quite irately put my point that the car was on cruise control at 38mph in a 40 limit.

Yes sir you are quite correct it is 40 there there must be a problem says he, gave me a reference number and logged my complaint.

The following week I realised that the camera was actually in a 30 zone, a zone which lasted about 500yds as you approached one of the tunnels. The road if anyone knows has around 8 changes of speed in as many miles, it is very difficult to keep up.

I never did hear anything more, whether or not my call helped, which I doubt, but I think they can flash near the limit and then disregard small infringements due to the 10% rule.

Ever measured your speedo to the GPS, I would guess from experience, if your car speedo said 68mph you were doing nearer 60mph in reality. If you get the letter within 14 days there are many sites online to help you fight it.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>

</A>

 

[machurley22]

"Why is it all Scots tonight?"

Was wondering that myself and decided that it's because there's fewer of us and we're spread further apart up here, making the sailor's pub less of a practical proposition. Not strictly true in Jimi's case - he just can't get the Scots craic (sp?) at any of the pubs down there.

Dave

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[FWB]

http://www.abd.org.uk/ there is some info on this site on how to check speed from the photo. I was done on a dual carriageway, I was speeding but when I learnt to drive there was no speed limit at all on this road. The worse thing was not the points and very high fine but the fact that the fine was related to my income. I was threatened with further prosecution for not sending details of my and my wifes income. They wanted to know how much I spent per week ( per week ) on smoking, the national lottery, sky tv, outstanding court fines etc etc. I wish I were joking. The implication being that they would take this into account when imposing the fine. So if you're a scumbag with no insurance etc etc you'll be fined less. The form didnt ask how much I spent on motoring !! or school fees, university fees, private medical insurance etc etc. I dont smoke, have sky tv and rarely do the lottery so I got clobbered. Moral dont speed in the Taunton Magistrates Court area.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[gandy]

"Ever measured your speedo to the GPS, I would guess from experience, if your car speedo said 68mph you were doing nearer 60mph in reality. "

Yes, I have, and an indicated 70 is well below a true 70mph so you're probably right. Maybe a true 64, 65 or so.

The guy said that they get some spurious triggers, for example traffic on the other carriageway. If the radar reading says 80 or more, then I guess the pictures should easily dispute it. I also have my passenger as a witness, but I'm not sure how much weight that carries.

Tony S

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[gandy]

A quick bit of googling found a web site with a bizzare concept .. (www.starvethecameras.org.uk) asking us to protest against the cameras, and boycott them ... by not speeding!!

Well, I'm doing my best, but that camera just didn't want to be starved.

Tony S

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[MOLLYdownUnder]

"I also have my passenger as a witness, but I'm not sure how much weight that carries."

Lets hope its not the wife he is talking about!!!

regards Nick


<hr width=100% size=1>My Website <A target="_blank" HREF=http://redver.bigpondhosting.com>http://redver.bigpondhosting.com</A>

 

[Solitaire]

Because it's a Saturday night! You lot only go on the piss on Friday nights! I know cause I livid in Edinburgh for 3 years - and Friday nights were "letts get pisshed" nights!! /forums/images/icons/wink.gif


<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboattraininguk.co.uk>Serious Fun</A>

 

[snowleopard]

gps speed check...

didn't by any chance have it reading in knots did you??!!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Re: gps speed check...

no, it was when I first got my GPS12 h/h. you know I had to play.

So it was in the car for a few days, definately in mph, my car speedo reads nearly 10% high after around 50mph.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>

</A>

 

[nicho]

Be careful about assuming your speedo reads fast, modern electronic ones are pretty accurate - an indicated 70 is more likely to be 68/69! Having been in front of the magistrates fighting a 6 month ban for a 12 point "totting up" tally, I can tell you it's a pretty humbling experience (mine was reduced to £100 fine and a further 3 points), and I was VERY careful for a couple of years until I lost some.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[aitchw]

Both the cameras I've managed to trip this year have been set to go off at 10mph above the declared speed limit. I guess that indicates the possible error factor for certain prosecution.

The siting of these things and the fact they take no account of traffic and road conditions at the time is another matter all together. Both of mine have been on rural A roads new to me early in the morning with no other traffic to speak of, clear site of the road ahead and just over the magic limit 10. Just didn't see the limit signs.

Bit of a b*****d really.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[gjeffery]

I guess that the radar wakes up the camera and that it is the camera which measures the speed of the car. Because the radar doppler is less accurate than the photographic measurement, the radar trigger would have to fire the camera at speeds a few mph below the threashold for enforfcement.



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[alant]

Don't these things have to be calibrated on a fixed regular basis. Thought asking when this was last done used to be a get-out.
Also, one in my area still painted 'grey'. Don't they have legally to be yellow?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jonjo]

> I've managed to trip this year have been set to go off at 10mph above
> the declared speed

I got my first motoring offence after 20 years of driving doing 46mph in a 40mph zone. (Country A road).

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[aitchw]

That's just ridiculous!

Like you I've been adriver a long time, 40yrs, never break the limits in built up areas. These are my first and I am really angry with myself. I think it's to do with driving to the prevailing conditions and finding it all too easy not to notice these restrictions in areas you just don't expect them to be.

Whinge, whinge. Only myself to blame in reality.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jonjo]

Re: > That\'s just ridiculous!

> That's just ridiculous!

Too right. It was a new 40mph zone of 400m covering a hamlet of 1 pub and 3 houses. I did not seen the signs but I had instinctively slowed down to 46mph from the prevailing 60mph limit.

I went to Court and claimed that the external Christmas illuminations on the pub had dazzled my view of the speed limit road sign but this only caused suppressed amuzement amoung the Court officials.

I think the inclination of the Magistrate was to let me off but since these were my first points I doubt Home Office guidelines offered her any scope for interpretation.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[raven]

Having seemingly totted up another 3 points on top of my existing 6 after driving at 54 mph in a 50 mph zone I spent time surfing through a variety of websites dedicated to the plight of the poor motorist I found out that Police & County Councils generally subscribe to a scheme known as "Arrive Alive" and ACPO (Association Of Chief Police Officers) have laid down guidelines about when (and when not) to prosecute.

It seems that in general, they will prosecute on the following formula.......

Speed limit + 10% + 2mph

So in my case (in a 50 mph limit) I shouldnt have been prosecuted until 58 mph or more. I wrote to the Council concerned pointing this out and can happily report that upon reflection they agreed and dropped the matter.

It's definitely worth contesting cases where a minor indiscretion is involved!

As a 40000 mile pa driver I worry that it is just a matter of time before I lose my licence. I drive in many unfamiliar areas and, as Ships Woofy has outlined above, it can be incredibly difficult to keep up with local restrictions.

Unfortunately, in my case I am likely (on balance of probability) to lose my livlihood in the name of gathering more tax from the hapless motorist. Dont let anyone tell you that this is a road safety thing 'cos it aint!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mirabriani]

So...you need another licence, just in case.
Do you think you would pass?

Briani

<hr width=100% size=1>