M25 Speed cameras

[moonloops]

Must have been when they were first installed if you are talking about the SPECS in the roadworks, you certainly would not drive through them now at warp speed without a ticket I can guarantee it. I also seem to remember him telling me that Gatso were set to give a single flash at speeds over the limit but up to 80mph then after that it was a double flash and you were nicked, what you also have to bear in mind is not all the grey boxes actually have cameras in them so yes you could zoom past at warp speed but it's a dummy camera. The ones that have internals are set as my earlier post. Will e mail my pal for clarification.

No not the roadworks ones on M25, I'm talking about the fixed ones with variable speed limits near Heathrow. I've also gone through all the specs around J28 M1 with no tickets

 

[flango]

No not the roadworks ones on M25, I'm talking about the fixed ones with variable speed limits near Heathrow. I've also gone through all the specs around J28 M1 with no tickets

Awaiting info on the gantry cameras, but as regards to SPECS on the M1 and any other SPECS Installation only one pair of cameras are live at anyone time (as confirmed by 3 police forces and speedcheck services themselves) therefore it is possible to drive through a section of SPECS cameras and not get caught. However if you drove through the full length of a SPECS installation and went past every camera you would definintely be caught and sent a NIP unless the cameras were not in operation for some reason.

 

[thebook]

As an aside, is there truth to the (again) rumours that the SPECS system is only calibrated for each individual lane ie, if you switch lane between cameras (and stay in the different lane) you can argue the calibration cannot be deemed as accurate?

 

[Noodle-Pulp]

A friend of mine does the programming for these and SPECS, the ones on the variable speed limits on both the M25 and M42 are always active even when restrictions are not in place. The Threshold limit is 81 mph under unrestricted conditions. At 60 mph limit Threshold is 67 mph, 50 mph limit = 56 mph, 40 mph limit = 45 mph.

That'll be that urban myth about 10% leeway to allow for inaccurate speedos then..

 

[flango]

As an aside, is there truth to the (again) rumours that the SPECS system is only calibrated for each individual lane ie, if you switch lane between cameras (and stay in the different lane) you can argue the calibration cannot be deemed as accurate?

That used to be the case when they had one camera per lane and you are correct you could also avoid getting caught by simply changing lanes but not anymore One camera covers all 3 lanes although there are usually 2 camera's per pole.

 

[James Rothwell]

I went through a speed camer and set it off on Christmas Day it was one of the last cameras in that chain around heathrow on the m25.

Haven't heard anything yet.

 

[neilrr]

I know someone who drives home on the M25 & M4 from Leatherhead to Maidenhead late at night (2 in the morning-ish) at WARP speed & has never had a ticket.

 

[vibesg]

I was in London in November and after meandering all the way down the M40 I was glad at the prospect of a well lit and clear M25. It was midnight so I put my foot down to clear the cobwebs (just had the sl for a month) and was soon doing upward figures with a big grin across my face when...FFlashh! I was rudely shocked into coming back down swiftly to the nationaly acceptable limit. The variable speed lights were NOT illuminated on the gantry. Put a dampner on my weekend. I've never counted 14 days so carefully. He he I can laugh about it now but I even remembered my prayers. Didn't receive anything thankfully.
That was November and this is now. Needless to say if anything comes through the post now I will happily tell them how to crush it and where to stick it.

 

[prprandall51]

I can only add my personal experience. I got flashed by a gantry camera whilst doing just shy of 100 and didn't get a ticket around the middle of last year. Naturally, it was NSL at the time - and the road was 5 lanes wide and completely empty.

I had an uncomfortable couple of weeks but never heard anything.

 

[prprandall51]

That used to be the case when they had one camera per lane and you are correct you could also avoid getting caught by simply changing lanes but not anymore One camera covers all 3 lanes although there are usually 2 camera's per pole.

But it is a legislation issue not a camera / coverage / technology issue. The Average Speed system wasn't licensed for apprehending people when they changed lanes within the capture zone. Further legislation is required to allow the cameras to catch lane hoppers, though that might now have been passed.

 

[marty359]

What about the gantry cameras on the M20,do they work?

I was talking to someone about this last week at work and he said the cameras on gantrys are not speed cameras as they have to be painted yellow,even though theres a blue truvelo on the A406 near me

Ive seen plenty of people get flashed on the M25 but only ever in the clockwise direction when theres no speed limit in place,I dont risk it either way if my road angel picks them up its good enough for me.

 

[flango]

Further legislation is required to allow the cameras to catch lane hoppers, though that might now have been passed.

Yes it most certainly has been passed, very quietly I might add

 

[flango]

Update on M25 Gantry cameras

e-mail from the horses mouth so to speak.

Ian

Can confirm that the M25 cameras you refer to were calibrated on 29th Dec and are now set exactly at ACPO guidelines (see table below). These cameras were converted to digital in 2008 and previous to that and the variable speed limit being introduced were actually set at a fixed 93 mph.

Limit Threshold
20 mph 25 mph
30 mph 35 mph
40 mph 46 mph
50 mph 57 mph
60 mph 68 mph
70 mph 79 mph


The cameras are live all the time, however I am aware that not all violations are prosecuted, not sure why (maybe ask your contacts at the Met?).

You are quite correct that not all installations have camera and radar equipment in them and they are moved between gantries but not all that regular.

Hope this does not mean you have been caught and are looking for a way out?

If you need anything else just shout

Best regards
Mark

 

[Gridlock]

Cool, thanks - What sort of handshake do you need to know if you have been caught and are looking for a way out?

 

[wemorgan]

Cool, thanks - What sort of handshake do you need to know if you have been caught and are looking for a way out?

the kind that contains a £20 note

 

[flango]

Cool, thanks - What sort of handshake do you need to know if you have been caught and are looking for a way out?

It's not the handshake, its down to getting off on technicalities, such as camera out of calibration, incorrect settings or road markings etc. Lucky I don't need it though? Never been caught on camera yet

 

[jeremytaylor]

Post #33 is interesting.

I've long thought that the M25 'speed cameras' were just an invention to slow people down. I know people who have often driven through just shy of 100 and no ticket. And when there is a variable speed limit, I have seen cases where some gantries have a speed limit for, say, lanes 1,2, and 4, but nothing for lane 3. Maybe a bulb failure in the sign, but where do you stand legally?

 

[st4]

Post #33 is interesting.

I've long thought that the M25 'speed cameras' were just an invention to slow people down. I know people who have often driven through just shy of 100 and no ticket. And when there is a variable speed limit, I have seen cases where some gantries have a speed limit for, say, lanes 1,2, and 4, but nothing for lane 3. Maybe a bulb failure in the sign, but where do you stand legally?

My Logic,

The M25 is a motorway like any other.

Therefore in the scenario you suggest if the limit was set in lanes 1,2 and 4 and not shown in lane 3 and you were in lane 3 going above the limit whilst cars in lane 4 were going slower, you could be opening yourself up for a dangerous driving charge as you'd be "undertaking" or passing on the left.

Likewise if lanes 1,2 are clear and you are in lane 3 (going faster because there is no limit) you'll have a job explaining and defending your choice of lane.

The only time that one will work is when lanes 1,2 are moving, lane 4 is empty and lane 3 you can use @ a higher speed than the one in lanes 1 and 2

 

[jeremytaylor]

The only time that one will work is when lanes 1,2 are moving, lane 4 is empty and lane 3 you can use @ a higher speed than the one in lanes 1 and 2

Exactly that. But would you get done for sppeding/could they do you for speeding?

 

[st4]

Exactly that. But would you get done for sppeding/could they do you for speeding?

Oooft, you'd have to be able to prove the gantry light wasnt working. A passanger with a camera would be able to facilite this for you