Motoring Discussion > Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: AlexF	Replies: 34

Mon 17 Sep 12 09:47   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - AlexF

Good morning, I was traveling yesterday from windsor to northampton, and i was wondering if the speed camera's above the motorway (m1) are active?? anyone been flashed or prosecuted?? really worried. cheers Alex Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 09:52   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - bathtub tom

I presume you mean the 'specs' average speed cameras? The answer appears to be some are and some aren't. There's been thousands of penalties applied due to them since they were first installed. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 09:53   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - AlexF

Hi i didnt mean the average speed cameras, the ones that are mounted above the motorway of frames. i joined at junction 21. cheers. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 10:02   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Zero

I assume you mean you joined the M1 at J21 of the M25? And therefore you mean the cameras on the M1 from there to dunstable (ish)? They are variable speed cameras, if the variable speed limits are up and visible then yes, they might or might not be working. If the variable limits are not lit then no they are not active. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 10:19   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - AlexF

Hi thanks for that mate, i hope your right haha. yeh thats correct i joined the m1 just before hemel hempstead and took the junction 14 exit towards newport pagnell. There was no speed limit lit. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 10:30   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Meldrew

Specs cameras don't flash. They use ambient light assisted by UV Illumination in low light conditions. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 10:33   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Zero

>> Specs cameras don't flash. They use ambient light assisted by UV Illumination in low light >> conditions. And its so ineffective they have to supplement that with floodlights powered by generators. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 11:04   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - diddy1234

nice and green isn't it having to use diesel generators for extra tax purposes ? Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 10:26   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Manatee

I tend to forget about those and have certainly passed under them at 80 or so without getting any letters. One or two of the gantries do have cameras AFAIK but most do not - you can see enough to spot that's there's no gubbins there at all. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 10:42   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - AlexF

Hi there was no speed limit indicated, but the one i went under when i thought i was going a bit to quick has cameras mounted for all 4 lanes im sure. The cameras were gray boxes mounted on the frames over the motorway. Any ideas? cheers. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 10:47   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Zero

Those are not specs, they are standard "flashers" Stop worrying, you are safe. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 10:57   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - AlexF

Thanks mate, i hope so :) Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 11:02   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - FocalPoint

I use this bit of the M1 a lot. I'm afraid I have seen the speed cameras flash quite a bit, though I don't know about prosecutions. Several of the gantries which show the variable speed limit signs (north- and southbound) seem to have cameras with lines on the road and if you're travelling in the opposite direction you can clearly see when the flash goes off. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 11:06   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - diddy1234

just drive over 150mph on the motorway, no camera will get you then. Will I try it. erm no but I will let someone else do it. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 11:09   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - AlexF

Morning, Yes im sure they do flash but the particular set of cameras i went under i wasnt in a varibale speed limit eg. 60 lit up in a big circle. cheers. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 11:20   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Meldrew

Specs cameras like these do not flash tinyurl.com/8jkvheo The large central box is the camera and the two boxes, one each side, are the illuminating/detector units, either infra-red or UV, depending on which source of information one reads! Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 17 Sep 12 11:22   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Zero

Yes, they are specs cameras. Specs cameras are not in use in the variable speed limit section of the M1, so not applicable in this case. And they are also the ones that work so badly they need supplemental illumination Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 00:14   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Mr. Ecs

Has anyone come across a new type of camera being trialled on the A52 and A1. It is concealled in the crash barrier at the side of the road/verge. One to look out for. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 08:03   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Old Navy

>> Has anyone come across a new type of camera being trialled on the A52 and >> A1. >> It is concealled in the crash barrier at the side of the road/verge. One to >> look out for. >> Is it speed or ANPR ? Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 08:13   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Mr. Ecs

As far as I'm aware its a speed camera. But hopefully someone out there will know for sure. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 08:50   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Zero

where on the A1? Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 09:07   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - L'escargot

>> Has anyone come across a new type of camera being trialled on the A52 and >> A1. >> It is concealled in the crash barrier ................ Rules and regulations for speed cameras. www.lawontheweb.co.uk/Road_Traffic_Law/Speed_Cameras Government Guidelines For Placement of Speed Cameras www.speedcameras.org/speed_cameras_guidelines.htm Last edited by: L'escargot on Wed 12 Dec 12 at 09:10 Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 09:11   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - movilogo

>> if the speed camera's above the motorway (m1) are active? If you are talking of grey boxy cameras on gantry over each lane, yes they are active as I have seen them flashing. Don't know at what threshold they flash though. I have gone thru at 80 MPH and didn't flash. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 09:21   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Zero

>> >> if the speed camera's above the motorway (m1) are active? >> >> If you are talking of grey boxy cameras on gantry over each lane, yes they >> are active as I have seen them flashing. >> >> Don't know at what threshold they flash though. I have gone thru at 80 MPH >> and didn't flash. They flash at 10% + 2mph above the speed limit posted on the variable speed limit. They are not active when there is no limit displayed. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 09:28   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - John H

>> If you are talking of grey boxy cameras on gantry over each lane, >> A bit late for the OP ! Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 09:28   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - John H

>> Has anyone come across a new type of camera being trialled on the A52 and >> A1. >> It is concealled in the crash barrier at the side of the road/verge. One to >> look out for. >> Have you actually seen it with your own eyes, as you seem to imply? Or are you spreading this hoax: www.pocketgpsworld.com/New-UK-speed-camera-scare-story-hoax-is-spreading-9412.php Many other articles on the web of that hoax. Last edited by: John H on Wed 12 Dec 12 at 09:31 Reply to this message | Report message       1

Wed 12 Dec 12 15:08   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Mr. Ecs

Thanks John. That's confirmed the email I got. So no worries. Just thought I'd make sure on here. Trouble is it might give the powers that be an idea. ;-) Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 16:22   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - jc2

Be reminded that not all makes of speed camera flash-there are ,I think,six approved makes. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 21:38   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Dave_

The SPECS cameras on the Luton stretch of the M1 are switched off now, no more 50mph limits through that stretch. But the grey box GATSOs overhead do indeed work, in conjunction with the variable speed limits as others have mentioned. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 22:02   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Bromptonaut

Dave, Are there still SPECS north of Luton - for the widening towards MK? Off to France (via tunnel) next week and need a reminder!! Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 12 Dec 12 23:35   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - bathtub tom

ALL speed restrictions have been removed M1 J13 - J10. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 13 Dec 12 14:24   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Focusless

Interesting piece in the DT - no speed camera convictions on the M25 for a year: www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9740880/M25-not-a-single-motorist-caught-by-speed-cameras-in-a-year.html "Technical and legal difficulties have prevented the Highways Agency from switching on the network of 36 new digital cameras intended to enforce variable speed limits on the London orbital motorway." Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 13 Dec 12 14:27   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Armel Coussine

Tee hee... a lot of 90-100mph eager beavers on the M25. I always assume they know what they're doing when there are a lot of them, and join in. So far so good. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 13 Dec 12 18:05   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Dave_

>> ALL speed restrictions have been removed M1 J13 - J10. ALL temporary SPECS-enforced roadworks 50mph speed restrictions have been removed M1 J13 - J10... It's quite common for the matrix signs to show 60mph through and just after j11 (Luton central) - I'd take the GATSO cameras behind the signs seriously. Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Thu 13 Dec 12 at 18:06 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 13 Dec 12 22:18   Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Bromptonaut

Thanks Dave. I'd treat the VSL matrices as serious, it was the (lengthy) roadworks speed limits I was bothered by. Reply to this message | Report message