Could be coming to a letterbox near me in the next 7 days.
A316 Sunbury Cross to Twickenham, not been down it for a fair while, its been festooned with SPECS, of a type and look I am completely unfamiliar with, saw them but didnt click with me.
It began to dawn on me around the hospital bridge roundabout what and where they are.
Frantic forensic investigation of the dash cam reveals actual speeds between 52 and 61 on the first timed 50 mph section, what the average is in the air, but clearly its going to be close, very very close to prosecution.
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Don't want to prolong the agony Z but its 14 days. :(
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Yeah, that's the trouble with those big 6 cylinder things, run away with you if you're not used to 'em. ;-)
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Dont mind going to naughty driving school, its the fact you have to pay for it that rankles.
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>> Dont mind going to naughty driving school, its the fact you have to pay for
>> it that rankles.
I've been sent twice.
The first time, it was quite preachy and only just stopped short of asking us to "think of the kittens". I came out of it begrudging every one of the £90 and four hours of my life it had cost me.
The other was run by a far more engaging individual, who was a retired Class 1 police driver, and an advanced driving instructor, and we spent far more time talking about hazard perception, road positioning, lane discipline and even police accident investigation methods than we did about speeding. I learned lots, and it did change the way I approach certain situations on the road, and how I drive in urban areas.
The worst problem is the minority of complete twonks on each course who won't just accept they are there for four hours, sit down, shut up and be prepared to learn something. There was one guy in particular who I think most people in the room wanted to knock out at some point which was a particular shame, as the lecturer was quite open to questions and respectful challenging of his points.
Last edited by: DP on Fri 31 Aug 18 at 12:36
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>> The other was run by a far more engaging individual, who was a retired Class
>> 1 police driver, and an advanced driving instructor, and we spent far more time talking
>> about hazard perception, road positioning, lane discipline and even police accident investigation methods than we
>> did about speeding. I learned lots, and it did change the way I approach certain
>> situations on the road, and how I drive in urban areas.
Wasn't a Hampshire run one by any chance, sounds exactly like the one I attended earlier this year? The reason I suspect this because I know the area you live (caveat...I'm not a stalker...we used to work together about 3 years ago) and remember your forum name.
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>> Wasn't a Hampshire run one by any chance, sounds exactly like the one I attended
>> earlier this year? The reason I suspect this because I know the area you live
>> (caveat...I'm not a stalker...we used to work together about 3 years ago) and remember your
>> forum name.
It was Berkshire (just). The camera was in Wokingham, and I attended the course in Crowthorne.
SP?? :-)
Last edited by: DP on Fri 7 Sep 18 at 08:56
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>>
>> SP?? :-)
>>
Spot on!
Might have been the same guy who was on my course this year, was it run by the AA?. I actually enjoyed the course.
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>> I've been sent twice.
>>
As a result, do you think you are a more law-obeying driver, or a better driver? Or do you just look harder for the cameras before speeding?
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>> Dont mind going to naughty driving school, its the fact you have to pay for it that rankles.
This is all psychological. I read following tips in somewhere (can't remember where) and I found it useful (for me at least).
At the start of year, set aside an amount, say £x, for good cause/charity. If you get this type of penalty expense (which you think unfair) just deduct the amount from there. If you go over £x i.e. negative, then carry over to next year's good cause kitty. Soon you will forget the pain :0)
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>> Don't want to prolong the agony Z but its 14 days. :(
Thanks FC, little ray of sunshine you.
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You might be lucky.
I went past a camera van in Cornwall earlier this summer at 55 in a 40 zone.
Speed limit was 60 went down to 40 for about 1/4 of a mile then up to 60 again. TBH, I can't understand why the limit reduced, it wasn't going through a residential area and the road was to the same grade as the other sections.
That was the beginning of July and nothing has come of it yet.
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Thanks for heads up on a road I know well and do sometimes use.
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>> A316 Sunbury Cross to Twickenham, not been down it for a fair while, its been
>> festooned with SPECS, of a type and look I am completely unfamiliar with, saw them
>> but didnt click with me.
>>
>> It began to dawn on me around the hospital bridge roundabout what and where they
>> are.
They have had cameras along there since Henry Ford was in short trousers.
I am up and down there all the time. If you want an escort, let me know, I am sure I can work out a price that you can afford.
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>> They have had cameras along there since Henry Ford was in short trousers.
They have, fixed cameras, locations of which I knew before Henry Ford grew up
They are now very different, in look and location, pretty unique set up in my experience. And lots of them. Been there since late 2106, switched on in 2017.
>>
>> If you want an escort, let
>> me know, I am sure I can work out a price that you can afford.
Why would I want to hire an old dagenham dustbin?
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Think yourself lucky you have fixed cameras. We have vans, and they move, frequently. I rolled last one at 70 indicated, probably about 66 mph in a 70 this morning, in a location I had not seen one in before, and as usual hidden around a bend. Fortunately people traveling in the opposite direction were flashing their lights, I can't think why. :-)
Last edited by: Old Navy on Fri 31 Aug 18 at 14:21
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The more heavy-footed of you may find WAZE of interest - free navigation tool but you can report hazards and obstructions, roadworks and police. I regularly get to hear about cars on hard shoulders etc and a few times (and I don't do many miles) it has accurately told me of an imminent police presence - not always a speed trap but twice this summer it was. Also warns of fixed cameras and variable speed limits etc (but you can turn stuff off if you don't want it)
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>> The more heavy-footed of you may find WAZE of interest - free navigation tool but
>> you can report hazards and obstructions, roadworks and police. I regularly get to hear about
>> cars on hard shoulders etc and a few times (and I don't do many miles)
>> it has accurately told me of an imminent police presence - not always a speed
>> trap but twice this summer it was. Also warns of fixed cameras and variable speed
>> limits etc (but you can turn stuff off if you don't want it)
I have it, it wasn't on. I mean its a road I know well, can see every potential trap a mile off, no chance of me getting caught out was there.
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It is indeed. You will see a little mark on the roadlane, like an inverted "L" and just near it a thin light bar that illuminates the target point at night
Last edited by: Zero on Fri 31 Aug 18 at 16:15
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>> It is indeed. You will see a little mark on the roadlane, like an inverted
>> "L" and just near it a thin light bar that illuminates the target point at
>> night
>>
Thanks I haven't seen one of them yet.
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>>We have vans, and they move, frequently.
I've just done 500 miles in Scotland - Gretna Green to Inverness and back. Seemed easier not to speed.
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>> >>We have vans, and they move, frequently.
>>
>> I've just done 500 miles in Scotland - Gretna Green to Inverness and back. Seemed
>> easier not to speed.
>>
The central belt motorways have lots of fixed cameras backed up by vans on bridges, main roads have lots of fixed, vans, or average speed depending on where you are. There are miles and miles of very low risk roads, usually in the remote areas. We are well infested with enforcement but it is a case of knowing your patch. As you say most of the time it is best to chill out and enjoy the journey it's a beautiful place when the sun is out or it is covered in snow!
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They are using different ones on some motorways now (well, since 2014 apparently, but I've only seen them recently in the wild), mounted on the supporting pillar of the gantry rather than over the lanes. I don't think they are just average speed.
www.speedcamerasuk.com/hadecs-3.htm
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>> They are using different ones on some motorways now (well, since 2014 apparently, but I've
>> only seen them recently in the wild), mounted on the supporting pillar of the gantry
>> rather than over the lanes. I don't think they are just average speed.
>>
>> www.speedcamerasuk.com/hadecs-3.htm
>>
We have lots of them on our recently rebuilt motorways around the Queensferry crossing, (new forth road bridge) along with the overhead ones behind the speed signs. The intermediate gantries with info signs but without speed signs have them. I have seen them flashing the unwary.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Fri 31 Aug 18 at 16:28
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The HADECS are on smart motorways, speed set by the overhead gantry, there is a single pole camera looking at the speed on the gantry as a warning giveaway. They are off (not set to 70) when the temp speed limit is off.
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They turn NIPs around in three working days around here.
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>> They turn NIPs around in three working days around here.
I wonder how you learned that? ;>)
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Yet to be caught ! Someone in work got done, the NIP found its way around the NHS bureaucracy within three days !
I thought I'd been caught in the Sprinter a few weeks ago...easily done.
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hmmm. Postman tried to deliver something today, got back to a "come and collect your signed for letter"
Think this is it folks. Find out tomorrow.
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>> Think this is it folks. Find out tomorrow.
If you want a driver I think I know someone who may be able to help. I don't think he would embarrass you by refusing to take any money.
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>> hmmm. Postman tried to deliver something today, got back to a "come and collect your
>> signed for letter"
Wonder why they would send it 'signed for' when first class post is good service. Item is deemed to arrive on second working day after posting.
www.motordefenceteam.co.uk/knowledge-Guides/n-i-p.htm
Still, you'll find out tomorrow.
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>> Still, you'll find out tomorrow.
>>
You'll know it's bad news if the post office worker puts a black cap on before handing you the letter.
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Sent by non recorded delivery in this area.
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And round here. 1st class is all that's required.
Last edited by: Fullchat on Thu 6 Sep 18 at 19:19
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Some light reading regarding time limits for service:
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2009/2924.html
If you find it heavy going. Basically NIP arrived 16 days after offence due to backlog after a postal dispute.
Crown Court Appeal - Dismissed
High Court Appeal - Allowed. Based on the fact that the !st class postal system is fine providing that NIP is posted in sufficient time to arrive within 14 days (not counting weekends etc).
On this occasion the Police where aware of the delays and should have served NIP by another means.
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>> hmmm. Postman tried to deliver something today, got back to a "come and collect your
>> signed for letter"
>>
>> Think this is it folks. Find out tomorrow.
>>
I got two NIPs on the same journey to Suffolk last year, in two counties, and neither came signed-for, so it might well be something else!
Outcome of one was one fine (£100 from memory and 3 points) and a speed awareness course!
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Royal Mail has found his furniture lost by UPS and it's waiting for him to collect.
But Zero did mention 7 days and it's 6.... at least he was not well over the speed limit. Don't suppose it will be too bad if it is a NIP.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Thu 6 Sep 18 at 20:33
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Nope, wasn't a NIP, not was summink else I wasn't expecting that way.
The wait goes on
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Right 14 days since the incident, , postman has been, no NIP, I guess I got away with that one
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It could have ended up in Tamworth ;)
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Todays the last day (the 14th)
Reckon you've come up trumps Z :)
Last edited by: Fullchat on Fri 14 Sep 18 at 00:02
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>> The HADECS are on smart motorways, speed set by the overhead gantry, there is a
>> single pole camera looking at the speed on the gantry as a warning giveaway. They
>> are off (not set to 70) when the temp speed limit is off.
>>
I have seen the HADECS on our local smart motorways flashing fast moving cars when the overhead variable speed limit signs are off.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Sun 16 Sep 18 at 15:53
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>> I have seen the HADECS on our local smart motorways flashing fast moving cars when
>> the overhead variable speed limit signs are off.
Must be a Scottish thing.
Last edited by: VxFan on Sun 16 Sep 18 at 19:40
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>> >> I have seen the HADECS on our local smart motorways flashing fast moving cars
>> when
>> >> the overhead variable speed limit signs are off.
>>
>> Must be a Scottish thing.
>>
Happens in England (and possibly Wales) too. Reports of NIPs being issued when motorway is under NSL from the latest HADECS cameras have been surfacing for a number of years.
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Reports, but very few "actuals".
I know and have proved that the Hadecs cameras on the M1, M3 and M25 and all points Birmingham south do not operate if the speed limits are not set.
I suspect that "hadecs" have been misidentified.
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My best friend was a police man in West Yorkshire. When the variable speed cameras were first installed on the M62 around Leeds they had to employ extra staff to deal with all the speeding motorists, most of which were caught when the limit signs were not on. So NSL applies..
From my understanding when the limit is not showing (and therefore 70), the cameras may or may not be on.
From speedcamerasuk.com
Question: I have received an NIP for the M5 at 87mph. The photo was taken by an overhead gantry camera which was not illuminated at the time. Does this affect the validity of the NIP?
Answer: It sounds like the speed camera was set to a national speed limit (NSL) of 70mph. The sign does not have to be illuminated for the NSL, only during a reduced lower speed limit e.g. 50mph.
Last edited by: PR on Mon 17 Sep 18 at 14:51
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A55 westbound (NSL) now has average speed cameras on a permanent basis on Rhuallt Hill (due to buffoonery largely). A well informed source tells me that Police have stopped processing as they can't keep up. I still plod through at 60 in the van during my work trips...
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I made good use of adaptive cruise control all the way to south Wales and back at the weekend. Approaching 60mph or 50mph sections I just reduced the set speed and the car did the braking for me.
Also had it doing most of the steering. In one section of the roadworks on the M6 it all ground to a halt. Traffic jam assist was handy.
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Decisions, decisions, shall I use the cruise control, speed limiter, speed limit linked limiter, flappy paddles, autominous braking, or brakes and accelerator to control my speed?
Even a glorified shopping trolley has a few methods of speed control these days.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Mon 17 Sep 18 at 17:08
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I still see people belting through average speed cameras; maybe they know something I don't but equally they might just not have a clue how they work.
I'm still waiting slightly anxiously to find out whether I have collected any fines in France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria or Italy (I'm ignoring Lichtenstein which flashed by at one point). The previous time I drove in Italy, limits were honoured mainly in the breach thereof, but they do actually have some cameras now. My sat nav had a lot of speed limit errors in France - the standard 90kph limit on D roads has been reduced recently to 80. Many of these of course are belting roads, akin to the best UK rural A roads. Almost no traffic, lovely surfaces, long straights, fast sweepers abounding, infrequent villages, ideal for 70-80 mph driving I imagine. About 100km of corkers between Langres and Troyes.
It was a great strain keeping to 50mph, somebody told me.
goo.gl/SEurMU
Last edited by: Manatee on Mon 17 Sep 18 at 17:22
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>> I still see people belting through average speed cameras; maybe they know something I don't
>> but equally they might just not have a clue how they work.
I wonder that too... but if they keep doing it they'd have been banned by now.
Yesterday one car annoyed me.... gaining on me and sitting a distance behind. When I had a change I pulled into a gap to let them pass. They moved forward a bit and then just sat in my blind spot with no intention of going in front. I was gaining on the car ahead so I accelerated and pulled out in front of the car (an Audi as it happens).
This happened a few times more. Then at a few roundabouts and a 50mph zone they went to undertake but it would not be possible.
It probably was an hour later when I'd yet again moved out of their way for an umpteenth time they went past when I slowed. They were annoying me by then.
Once they overtook they sped up. Is this what Audi drivers do now?
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>> Yesterday one car annoyed me....
I had a similar one driving from Newcastle to Edinburgh up the A1 yesterday. A BMW (obviously) varying his speed from 50 to 60mph in the 60 limits and 60 and 70 in the 70 limits for no apparent reason. When I was eventually able to overtake him in a dual carriageway section he accelerated, obviously not aware that there is a more powerful Jazz around. He almost accelerated into the back of a car in lane one with this antic and then gave up and slowly dropped back as I pottered along on cruise control at the speed limit.
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When updating my TomTom satnav recently I was offered a new map with updated French speed limits.
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My car recognises speed limit signs to complement the road speeds on the sat nav. It can get it wrong. See a 20mph sign on a side road at an angle and it thinks you're speeding. It once saw an 80 (kph) symbol on the back of a vehicle in a Tesco car park and thought it was 80mph! :-)
But if you rely on it as a backup so you wonder if you've missed a sign in roadworks or on an unfamiliar roads it's handy I suppose. I could turn it off. Came as part of one of the packs I wanted and this is just a bonus.
On VW group cars, having the traffic sign recognition is a cheap way of then adding active lane assist via VCDS. It comes with the camera needed for other options for around £100.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Mon 17 Sep 18 at 18:31
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YOu have prompted me to ask a question.
On the backs of some artics, usually foreign registered ones, there are stickers that look the same as our speed limit signs. I saw one today that had (i think) 30, 50, 70, 90 all across the back.
What are they for? Are they there just to upset a VAG speed recognition computer??
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They are the speed limits for that vehicle in their home country in KPH.
Pat
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>> the standard [French] 90kph limit on D roads has been reduced recently to 80.
Repeat, repeat, repeat. Might remember it.
All in all, motorways have now become a place to drive at 70mph (or less).
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>> Question: I have received an NIP for the M5 at 87mph. The photo was taken by
>> an overhead gantry camera which was not illuminated at the time. Does this affect the validity
>> of the NIP?
>> Answer: It sounds like the speed camera was set to a national speed limit (NSL)
>> of 70mph. The sign does not have to be illuminated for the NSL, only during
>> a reduced lower speed limit e.g. 50mph.
>
As I said, misidentified, overhead gantry cameras are NOT HADECS
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>> As I said, misidentified, overhead gantry cameras are NOT HADECS
>>
This is one of the cameras I saw operating, (flashing), this is an old photo, the "Under test" signs are long gone. Not that I believed them anyway. I have spotted four of them in my area.
mobile.twitter.com/safetycamscot/status/812213832328351744?lang=en
There seem to be a few people worried about these cameras. :-)
Last edited by: Old Navy on Tue 18 Sep 18 at 08:44
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Correction, there are five HDECS clustered around the Queensferry crossing, unless I have missed one. These are in addition to the overhead variable speed cameras.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Tue 18 Sep 18 at 09:17
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>> Correction, there are five HDECS clustered around the Queensferry crossing, unless I have missed one.
>> These are in addition to the overhead variable speed cameras.
>>
Correction update, having been away for a couple for weeks aquiring a suntan I used the QC in both directions this morning. We seem to have grown another HADECS in my absence, the count is now six, not bad for about five miles of road!
Last edited by: Old Navy on Tue 18 Sep 18 at 13:31
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It does seem a bit repetitive, but it is important for some people to know when these cameras become active. I can't think why. It would be a good move for Traffic Scotland to forget to release the "Cameras active" press release for a month or so. It would sort out the worriers! They may be the same ones who enjoy fuel gauge stress.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Tue 18 Sep 18 at 09:35
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NIP - Fullchat
