Hi all,
I presume this is the correct place to post, so here goes. Last night driving home from work on the M62 I went past a number of bridges that at peak times have variable speed limits (most of the bridges don't actually have cameras), however at the time of travel last night the road was relatively clear. Thus no speed restrictions, so was travelling at 'normal' speeds. Then kerching I see the camera flash. So my question is two fold, firstly having driven this route daily at 'normal' speeds this has never happened before, and secondly am I likely to have an envelope winging its way to my home address, on the basis there wasn't an imposed speed restriction sign lit up.

Jamie

A copper mate of mine from down South told me, years ago, that when the variable speed limits weren't on on the M25 the cameras were still active and set with a trigger of 100mph.

So, yes, it's quite possible that the camera was live, even though the variable limits weren't in force and, technically, they could have been set to trigger at any speed from 70mph upwards (in practice they'd normally be at least 77, probably higher).

If they are the old-fashioned cameras then it may be that there was no film in, so you might get lucky, but basically you just have to hope for the best for the next 3 weeks.

It's my understanding that the camera's only work when the variable speed limit is set.

Could it have been that the variable speed limit had changed as you passed through?

Check out the Pepipoo site - it's great for this sort of stuff.

How quick was 'normal' speeds btw? I usually stick to 78 leptons when im travelling the same piece of road. That said many others pass me at far greater speeds when no variable limit is in place.

No: I've seen them operate when there has been no limit displayed.

Thanks for the replies, and to clarify, I wasn't doing in excess of 85 leptons. They are new cameras so, I presume they are digital cameras. The road was clear and I'm sure they didn't switch on as I was passing them. I thought the same that if they were off, they were off and not in stealth mode!!


Cheers Jamie

I was flashed by a speed camera on the M25 at 3am in 1999, it was considerably over the limit and spent 3 weeks worrying. Luckily nothing came of it, so you may be lucky. There is also a camera at jct11 that goes off without prompting, it's been like that for the last 8 years at least.

So... if the signs aren't lit then there is no speed limit?



As I remember the highway code, the speed limit on a motorway, in the absences of other signs, is 70mph.



What's unclear? There's a camera sign on every gantry, whether there's a camera there or not and whether the limit signs are lit.

I'm not impressed by arguments of 'sneaky' or 'underhand'. The speed limit is there and the cameras are warned of; if people chose to ignore the limit should they be surprised if they get nicked?

(Which is not to say that I particularly approve of speed safety cameras; I'd rather a copper with a radar gun at a random place, making a judgment *before* zapping and perhaps deciding whether speed is appropriate. But that's a separate argument; there is no defense against speeding. You either were or you weren't.)

I'm not looking for sympathy, I know I was driving in excess of 70 leptons. But it is underhand when the general rule of thumb is if the sign isn't illuminated then it isn't active. The bigger argument to which we all have differing views is the purpose of speed cameras, and the benefits or not of having them. If I get a ticket, then I'll pay it, but if I ever win the euro millions I will have a speed camera hobby.

Jamie

Sorry Jamie, wasn't having a bash at you, I was tickled by the alleged professionals on that page.

I don't recall ever seeing anything claiming that an active camera is always attached to a live sign - though like you I have until recently always assumed so. But in recent months I've seen several instances where gantries have either been unlit or showing the derestricted sign which have flashed.

I wonder if there is a recent policy change?

No problem;)

I have driven this route many times and was equally surprised when it flashed me, when the other times it hasn't flashed.

If policies have changed then it certainly isn't common knowledge, I'll do some googling

Jamie

I would tend to agree with Neil. You are always risk getting caugth driving past a camera unless it specifically states not in use or has a cover on it.

I see no reason why a camera should not be active 24/7 but perhaps more clarity would be usefull.