Mobile Cam: Need advice please

[maxima]

Hi guys,

I dont have a lot of experience in driving in the UK. I think I have accomodated concept of speed cams so far.

But today I saw mobile cam unit and I need your help to understand - had I caught on it.

I already have 3 points and my DL is under 2 years that means I can loose it. And I very depends on my car - I drive 120 miles a day to work place.

This is the situation. I was driving on M11 today around 8:30 from M25 to Standsted direction. About 5 miles before my turn to A120 - I saw traffic police van (black with green squares and black side windows). It stayed in little sleep road pointed of it front to the traffic. Road bends on it point to the right. And the police van was on my left. So - the front of the van was exactly against both traffic streams.

And also this little annex where it stayed is like hillock. Means the rear of that one was looking up the horizon and also it dead end and small bush and trees around. Plus as I said - M11 is bending to the right and that annex is on the left. Means rear of that van was looking off the road and to the sky.

And front was looking exactly to the traffic lopsided towards both streams - to and from London.

I (driving from London) was showing my back plate and cars moving to London were showing him their front plates...

I attached a picture of that place (sorry for such lousy picture)

I was driving 80 (may be 79 but definitely not 77). Before my brain (sleepy yet) had told me that this van is staying there not just to overlook the fields of Essex but probably measure the speed. It was too late I think. I was breaking to 70 immediately but if they had been shooting the traffic I get caught.

My questions - why he was pointed his front to traffic? (As I understand - they have camera on the back?)

If it is something new and they register traffic somehow through the windscreen - how likely they were screening oncoming traffic? or do they do both usually ?

will appreciate your advices guys!

Thanks!

 

[Gelding]

The mobile camera's are very sly no doubt.

I got caught doing 85mph on a mobile unit in south wales on rally weekend (Police EVERYWHERE)

Only got 3 points and to be honest the situation tends to lean towards a larger fine and just enough points to make sure that if you do it again you will be banned.

Although I have to say not sure what the score is regards drivers with under 2 years on their licence. In my experience though if it goes to court they will always take money over ban's, unless you are doing stupid speeds.

 

[maxima]

No - it is exactly the point. License going to be invalidated automatically (not ban) if you get 6 or more point in first 2 years. I have got 3. Another 3 is going to turn my license into piece of paper. It is for sure.

Do you thing they can capture traffic through windscreen?

I still hope that may be they were on patrol duty and chilled before next call.

 

[BearFace]

Hi guys,

I dont have a lot of experience in driving in the UK. I think I have accomodated concept of speed cams so far.

But today I saw mobile cam unit and I need your help to understand - had I caught on it.

I already have 3 points and my DL is under 2 years that means I can loose it. And I very depends on my car - I drive 120 miles a day to work place.

This is the situation. I was driving on M11 today around 8:30 from M25 to Standsted direction. About 5 miles before my turn to A120 - I saw traffic police van (black with green squares and black side windows). It stayed in little sleep road pointed of it front to the traffic. Road bends on it point to the right. And the police van was on my left. So - the front of the van was exactly against both traffic streams.

And also this little annex where it stayed is like hillock. Means the rear of that one was looking up the horizon and also it dead end and small bush and trees around. Plus as I said - M11 is bending to the right and that annex is on the left. Means rear of that van was looking off the road and to the sky.

And front was looking exactly to the traffic lopsided towards both streams - to and from London.

I (driving from London) was showing my back plate and cars moving to London were showing him their front plates...

I attached a picture of that place (sorry for such lousy picture)

I was driving 80 (may be 79 but definitely not 77). Before my brain (sleepy yet) had told me that this van is staying there not just to overlook the fields of Essex but probably measure the speed. It was too late I think. I was breaking to 70 immediately but if they had been shooting the traffic I get caught.

My questions - why he was pointed his front to traffic? (As I understand - they have camera on the back?)

If it is something new and they register traffic somehow through the windscreen - how likely they were screening oncoming traffic? or do they do both usually ?

will appreciate your advices guys!

Thanks!

I'd be mildly surprised if you even got a ticket, unless your driving was visibly erratic or unusual. If you do get a fixed penalty, I should think a ban is most unlikely. The best course of action is to wait two weeks and see - if you get a ticket, speak to an appropriate solicitor and take their advice.

 

[Gelding]

Sorry forgot to say that at the speed you were doing I would be supprised if you got pulled.

Police generally operate a 10% rule so anything around 80 generaly you wont get a ticket for.

 

[glojo]

I would say yes, 'it is possible' you were caught, but if the speed you are citing is that shown on your speedometer then you might consider yourself unlucky to get 'snapped'.

Hopefully you have learnt a lesson and you will try to keep within the national speed limit. We all break our speed laws, but you are living on the edge of not being able to drive.

Good luck, and fingers crossed.

John

 

[maxima]

Thanx guys

I am not crazy. I drive very reasonable. I've got E-Class with new tyres and 80-100 is safe speed for it. It is windy today so I kept 80. When M11 is about empty (sometimes around 8:50) I drive 90-95.

I've got 15 yrs of experience and hate racings and rallys.

My first 3 point I got at day I bought my first merc here - it was C class. And I was so much excited that was driving 38 through some village with 30 limit. But I couldnt consider that speeding. As it is safe speed for me (I was professional cyclist as well - I have a very good reaction).


About ban:

this is not a ban I was talking about. This is new regulation. Here the quote:

From June 1 1997, people passing their first driving test will be 'on probation' for two years. A total of six or more penalty points during that time will mean they have to go back to learner status, apply for a new provisional licence and take the test again.

 

[BearFace]

Thanx guys

I am not crazy. I drive very reasonable. I've got E-Class with new tyres and 80-100 is safe speed for it. It is windy today so I kept 80. When M11 is about empty (sometimes around 8:50) I drive 90-95.

I've got 15 yrs of experience and hate racings and rallys.

My first 3 point I got at day I bought my first merc here - it was C class. And I was so much excited that was driving 38 through some village with 30 limit. But I couldnt consider that speeding. As it is safe speed for me (I was professional cyclist as well - I have a very good reaction).


About ban:

this is not a ban I was talking about. This is new regulation. Here the quote:

Yeah, the new regulation is going to really inconvenience a few younger drivers (and deservedly so), but my point was that I'd be surprised if they hit you with a fixed penalty / three point ticket for driving at 77-80mph in a 70mph limit. Allowing for the guideline 10% margin for error, plus the additional few MPH that traffic officers allegedly have to use at their discretion (assuming you're not tailgating, hogging the middle/outside lane, weaving erratically or using a mobile phone...), it's unlikely that even if you were clocked at say 80mph, that they'd act upon it.

In the unlikely event that you face three points and the statutory demotion back to a provisional driver, I should think a decent lawyer could argue succesfully that the fixed penalty was inappropriate in the first place. Always have faith

 

[maxima]

i am sitting with all my fingers and toes crossed

i will tell you in 3 weeks what was the end of this sroty.

May be I just so much freaked out of idea to buy Toyota Avensis again!!! (cos with 0 yrs license I cant insure my eclass anymore). Hope you guys are right and there is nothing to shake of.

 

[DITTRICH]

Cameras fixed inside vans normally have the camera pointing out of a side window - I think. Camera 'guns' can be mounted in the cabin to face any direction. The 'guns' are very quick and can 'aquire' a speeding vehicle within a second or two and have a long range - 1km I think. However, the display on these units isn't too good I think and therefore they can't read a registration mark from a great distance, though they can measure speed and give chase if necessary. On balance, you may be in the clear I think.
lES

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Its likely pointing at the back of the cars travelling away from it - they aren't allowed by ACPO guidelines to monitor traffic across lanes.

I think you'll be unlucky, your speedo will be 3-4mph over your actual speed, so you may have been doing about 75-76, which is unlikely to result in an NIP.

If you do get an NIP, head straight over to www.pepipoo.com on the fightback forums, its the best place in the UK for legal advice on this.

 

[maxima]

Cool link. Thanks!

 

[Guy]

Hi guys,

I dont have a lot of experience in driving in the UK. I think I have accomodated concept of speed cams so far.

But today I saw mobile cam unit and I need your help to understand - had I caught on it.

will appreciate your advices guys!

Thanks!

Perhaps you can bookmark these sites and check them out carefully -

Essex mobile camera placements

and this one -

Fixed and mobile sites

I think that would be a very odd position for a van using a mobile speed camera; and that at 80mph [indicated] you'd be very unlucky to be singled out.

Good luck

 

[RichardM]

I use that stretch of road daily and the only time I've seen a camera van was when they had roadworks. Good luck mate, hopefully you'll be ok.

 

[pammy]

I am not crazy. I drive very reasonable. I've got E-Class with new tyres and 80-100 is safe speed for it. It is windy today so I kept 80. When M11 is about empty (sometimes around 8:50) I drive 90-95.

And all of those speeds are over the national speed limit. Unless you slow down you will get more points and poss lose your license.

 

[Ashley]

My first 3 point I got at day I bought my first merc here - it was C class. And I was so much excited that was driving 38 through some village with 30 limit. But I couldnt consider that speeding. As it is safe speed for me (I was professional cyclist as well - I have a very good reaction).

Right you all know I take the water but I am not now.

What about the kids playing football on the green is it safe for them 38mph?

Just wondered what you opinion of that is?

ps: Going to get someone calling me a t=$t again , can you leave your name this time?

 

[glojo]

What about the kids playing football on the green is it safe for them 38mph?

In your usual elegant, tactful manner, you have raised an excellent point.

Folks tend to look at speed limits as being a speed they should not exceed and hang the consequences.

Children are our most cherished possession and cars are capable of squiging?? them quite easily.

Drive to the conditions, NOT the speed limits.

Good point,
John

 

[Ashley]

John you just hit the nail right on the head mate. Absolutely spot on. You have rep.

Zooman

 

[mark.t]

appropriate driving speeds for the conditions.

 

[Ashley]

http://www.roadpeace.org/