Damn Speed Cameras...

[Flash]

I was driving down a normal road with a speed limit of 30MPH and there was this car driving ridiculously slow at approximately 20MPH. I decide to overtake this stupid vehicle as there was no on coming traffic in the opposite lane and sped past this slow moving vehicle. To my horror there is actually a speed camera located on the other side of the road for catching out “oncoming” traffic only.

My question is “is it possible that this speed camera situated on the other side of the road for catching out oncoming traffic also flash and cach me for overtaking the slow moving vehicle as I used the other side of the road (even though I was travelling in the opposite direction of the speed camera but diretcly within its lane/path?”

I suppose another simple way of putting it is can a speed camera catch motorists for speeding if they were to instead reverse back towards the camera opposed to speeding normally forward passed it?

This speed camera was only setup for catching vehicles in one direction.

If it did catch me can I get away with it on technicality that I was travelling in the opposite direction and was safely overtaking to avoid something in front?

Surely the camera could not have caught me out as I often have sped passed cameras that are located on the other side of the road for oncoming traffic and they have not flashed before (but the only exception this time is that I was on the wrong side of the road as I was overtaking).

Flash

 

[RichardM]

Did it flash?

I thought they only caught cars travelling in the direction they are setup to catch.

 

[GrahamC230K]

A traditional Gatso will only get you travelling away from it.

 

[Flash]

That’s just it Richard I don’t even know if it flashed or not – had a massive row with my other half this morning and my mind is just else where… another 3 points is all I need right now on top of my license.

Graham - Thanks - I just hope nothing comes through the post in the next 14 days.

Flash

 

[Will]

I sympathise with you Flash - I remember a similar situation myself, was getting some "road rage" from another car, decided to put my foot down a bit and passed a speed camera (Gatso) facing the other way. Although it flashed, I dont think any Gatsos are set up to catch a vehicle passing in the wrong direction. I have seen this before, so I wouldn't be concerned.

After all, think about it. If the camera is taking two pictures, 0.5 seconds apart, when it comes to take the second picture, your vehicle is probably out of sight!

HTH,

Will

 

[Brian WH]

I was concerned once when flashed from a camera on the opposite side of the road. I never heard anything thank goodness. I am always wary when the lines are both sides of the road and only one camera.

 

[pluggers]

Ive never heard anything either after being flashed from a camera whilst driving in the opposite direction to which it was pointing, But I wasnt on the wrong side of the road tho! I did have a scare once tho traveling at 28mph and got flashed cus of a car going through at about 40mph in the opposite direction never heard anything about that either. Phew

 

[guydewdney]

i do take great delight in going towards forward facing ones on the 'bike...

 

[Sp!ke]

Was it a normal Gatso or one of the forward facing ones with the circular purple lense over the flash?

The latter is designed to get you front on and yes you 'may' be unlucky enough to have got caught.

Start counting the days if you get to 14 I believe you are in the clear.

 

[RichardM]

If it was a forward facing one then I assume Flash was driving at it from behind, as he was on the wrong side of the road. Wouldn't the same still apply that they only catch you in the direction they were intended for?

 

[Flash]

Thanks for all the replies.

From what I can make out it was just just a bog standard Gatso located on the footpath and the white stripes were only on the otherside of the road for on coming traffic. If its the latter type that Spike is referring to then its got me good and proper.

Will: - how fast were you travelling when the camera flashed you ?

Everyone - take extra care before ovetaking anything (in addition to checking/observing to see if the there is any oncoming traffic) and as Brian pointed out check to see of there is a speed camera on the other side of the road by trying to look for actual camera or the stripes on the road. But sometimes its hard with the adredline rushing and my mind was totally else where this morning.

The next 14 days are going to be real fun and wifey shall no doubt just rub salt into the wounds if i have been clocked...

Or may be I should go back late tonight and tamper wit the camera - just kidding...

Flash

 

[RichardM]

You should be fine mate. As lots of people have said no-one has ever heard of anyone being caught from the wrong direction.

 

[Flash]

You should be fine mate. As lots of people have said no-one has ever heard of anyone being caught from the wrong direction.

Cheers mate...

 

[Will]

Thanks for all the replies.

From what I can make out it was just just a bog standard Gatso located on the footpath and the white stripes were only on the otherside of the road for on coming traffic. If its the latter type that Spike is referring to then its got me good and proper.

Will: - how fast were you travelling when the camera flashed you ?

Everyone - take extra care before ovetaking anything (in addition to checking/observing to see if the there is any oncoming traffic) and as Brian pointed out check to see of there is a speed camera on the other side of the road by trying to look for actual camera or the stripes on the road. But sometimes its hard with the adredline rushing and my mind was totally else where this morning.

The next 14 days are going to be real fun and wifey shall no doubt just rub salt into the wounds if i have been clocked...

Or may be I should go back late tonight and tamper wit the camera - just kidding...

Flash

To be honest, it was a while ago and I am not sure how fast I was going!

It was a 40MPH limit, and I was in the Lexus at the time. Some idiot in an Audi, who had a bit of an attitude problem was "shown up".

He had tried to overtake me by waiting at a set of traffic lights in the wrong lane. I made it quite clear that he was not going to get away with it!

He tried to pull away fast, so I put my foot down. He obviously didn't like this (he was wearing his shades and has his bird with him!).

He continued trying to overtake me, so I put my foot down a little more (I know I know, I should just give in and let him pass etc etc - slapped wrists and all).

When he eventually realised this wasn't going to work with me, he decided to play the "I am being towed" game. I know the stretch of road very well, and it was a quiet time, no pedestrians around, good road conditions etc.
To cut a long story short, I just booted it. He vanished very quickly, and after a couple of roundabouts later, I didn't see him again

I remember seeing the "flash, flash", maybe this put him off?

So, I was a little concerned at first. Even though I was aware that normal Gatsos can not work when facing the wrong way, it still makes you paranoid. But I now remember, and often see, other cars being flashed going in the same direction (the wrong way), either when following them, or as Pluggers mentioned, when driving towards them when you are travelling below the limit.

As everyone has said, don't worry about the 14-day rule (I think 17 days is more like it, they are allowed 14 days to draw up the NIP, and a further few days to account for the post!)

As long as it is a reguar Gatso, you will not hear anything!

Cheers,

Will

(PS, I don't need any lectures about what was right or wrong etc etc, I am a courteous, careful driver 99.9% of the time, I just wasn't having any of his attitude on this occasion!)

 

[uumode]

I sympathise with you Flash - I remember a similar situation myself, was getting some "road rage" from another car, decided to put my foot down a bit ...
Will

Back in the early 90's when there seemed to be more police patrols on the motorway, I have twice driven at night on the motorway (when I had a mildly warm hot hatch) I see a vehicle's headlamps approaching from behind perhaps at 85mph when I'm doing about 80. Then flashed at several times to invoke me to move faster. Turns out it's a police car seeing if it can provoke a driver into a 'race' or speed off (or at least see a driver's reaction). Just glad I didn't put my foot down.

 

[Flash]

To be honest, it was a while ago and I am not sure how fast I was going!

It was a 40MPH limit, and I was in the Lexus at the time. Some idiot in an Audi, who had a bit of an attitude problem was "shown up".

He had tried to overtake me by waiting at a set of traffic lights in the wrong lane. I made it quite clear that he was not going to get away with it!

He tried to pull away fast, so I put my foot down. He obviously didn't like this (he was wearing his shades and has his bird with him!).

He continued trying to overtake me, so I put my foot down a little more (I know I know, I should just give in and let him pass etc etc - slapped wrists and all).

When he eventually realised this wasn't going to work with me, he decided to play the "I am being towed" game. I know the stretch of road very well, and it was a quiet time, no pedestrians around, good road conditions etc.
To cut a long story short, I just booted it. He vanished very quickly, and after a couple of roundabouts later, I didn't see him again

I remember seeing the "flash, flash", maybe this put him off?

So, I was a little concerned at first. Even though I was aware that normal Gatsos can not work when facing the wrong way, it still makes you paranoid. But I now remember, and often see, other cars being flashed going in the same direction (the wrong way), either when following them, or as Pluggers mentioned, when driving towards them when you are travelling below the limit.

As everyone has said, don't worry about the 14-day rule (I think 17 days is more like it, they are allowed 14 days to draw up the NIP, and a further few days to account for the post!)

As long as it is a reguar Gatso, you will not hear anything!

Cheers,

Will

(PS, I don't need any lectures about what was right or wrong etc etc, I am a courteous, careful driver 99.9% of the time, I just wasn't having any of his attitude on this occasion!)

Guess that must have made the prat in the Audi look silly as he obviously had a chip on his shoulder – Good for you - we’ve all been there and no one likes to be bullied. I can understand these “maxpower birds” being impressed or wooed by this Audi prat’s behaviour but I don’t think any half “decent” woman is impressed by that sort of “matcho” road rage behaviour/attitude such as the Audi. You must have really damaged his ego and hurt his pride in front of his bird. Personally, I think using speed and bullying on road to impress anyone/especially women proves how inferior and insecure the driver is. If the bird is impressed with such bad attitude (such as that of the Audi) then that says a lot about her!!!. Sometimes these people have got to be taught a lesson which you clearly did .

Flash

 

[Will]

Sorry, Flash, but I just noticed the irony of your user name!!!

Sorry mate, I couldn't help that one!

Cheers,

Will

 

[Flash]

Sorry, Flash, but I just noticed the irony of your user name!!!

Sorry mate, I couldn't help that one!

Cheers,

Will

LOL - I wa sthinkign exactly the same thing yesterday and was wondering how logn ti would be before someone else to pointe dthat out...

 

[Brian WH]

LOL - I wa sthinkign exactly the same thing yesterday and was wondering how logn ti would be before someone else to pointe dthat out...

Perhaps we should change it to " Flash - Oh B*gger Got a Ticket".

 

[Flash]

- LOL - I'll let you know within the next 14 days....

Flash