Specs cameras

[Ian B Walker]

I have just been sent an email with the following info, though I would pass it on.

The new electronic signs on the M6 were switched on this Tuesday. The bad
news is that they are rigged with the SPECS speed cameras. This probably
applies to all the new signs being installed on the M62, M60 and M56. SPECS
is a computer-camera based system.
As you go past the sign a digital camera reads your number plate. When you
go past the next sign your number plate is read again. The computer 'knows'
how far apart the signs are so it can work out your average speed between
the two, or three or four.
The system is fully automatic and will issue a ticket without any form of
human intervention. It does this for every single vehicle that passes. You
will not know you have been caught as the cameras don't flash. They work
24/7, 365 days a year, and theoretically, there's absolutely no limit on
the number of tickets that the system can issue.

The whole section of the M6 between Knutsford and Preston is wired, both
ways. The system is set to trigger a ticket at 78MPH. (Don't take this as a
guarantee) Radar detectors will be of no use as SPECS is entirely passive,
there is no laser beam to detect.
Be warned and spread the news!

 

[RichardM]

There have been several of these emails going around, always the same text but with different motorways and junctions, as far as I am aware they are all a hoax.

The original was the M4 and Thames police even issued a notice on the front page of their website that it was not true.

 

[Ian B Walker]

I was wondering about that Richard, I came up it on Sunday and nothing registered on my Angel. I hope it is a hoax or it looks like a trip to the classifieds with my car, Gulp!

Ian

 

[Steve_Perry]

As discussed previously on the M4...

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3936&highlight=specs

Wording does look very similar.

S.

 

[jimmy]

I would say it was another hoax.

If it were for real, I am sure that Blackspot would have it in their database and your trusty Road Angel would have warned you.

I have (too much?) faith in my Road Angel.

 

[Tan]

Hi

I know that they were using specs on the roadworks on the bridge section of the M6 between Knutsford and the Manchester/Liverpool Junctions ( Sorry very bad with Road names and numbers), over the summer as it showed up on my Origin B2.

 

[RichardM]

I believe thats the only place SPECS are used on motorways, near roadworks or else where they are well signposted.

 

[sjc]

Before you read this please be aware I am a director of DanTrack limited – it’s not intended as a sales pitch, just useful information. The system has saved me on a number of occasions.

The tracking systems in my vehicles can be linked to a XDA or PDA type devices to provide SPEED camera protection and Navigation. I have XDA car kits fitted in both the V220 and my wives 4motion for this purpose. It gives me phone (legal), Navi and SPEED warning plus many other things. Needless to say, my (new) W124 320 Coupe will be fitted with the same over the Christmas period.

As said, it’s not meant to be a sales pitch but it’s what I do. We work with ACPO; ABI Thatcham etc etc so if you want more information on these systems and links etc please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Regards Simon.

 

[pepe]

driving up to leeds on monday and my road angel failed to pick up 2 gatso cameras that were on the M42 soon after joining from the M5 at birmingham. no excuse really since i updated it sun evening. needless to say i wont be putting 100% faith in it from now on !! How does the updating work anyway ? do the police have to notify "Blackspot" of new cameras ??

 

[Ian B Walker]

I am led to believe that you can store a new hazard while on the move and when you update your angel it is added to the data base therefore warning all other users. I have found two new ones in the Preston area and uploaded then. Something in the back of my mind tells me that there is some kind of reward for this although I have failed to find out what or how it is done.


Ian

 

[pepe]

yes i have stored new cameras before (and deleted one near my house that someone gave a burning tyre necklace to)unfortunately i was going to fast to see this one in time to store the new location !!! anthough it was dark and the flash didnt go off and it wasnt there last week so i guess its not operational yet, was still a bit scary though when i thought i was invinsible now !!!

 

[RichardM]

Blackspot/Roadangel don't give a reward for finding a new camera, although I think some of the other makes do. Its probably worth sending them an email telling them the road etc and I'm sure they'll check it out.

 

[lordofthenazgul]

They ARE using SPECS on the M6 on Thelwall Viaduct (the bridge to hell), a mate of mine was caught doing 46 mph across 3 cameras and received the cursory £60/3 points

 

[RichardM]

That is in road works though and clearly signposted isn't it?

 

[lordofthenazgul]

Well, yes it is, but are they active more often than not?, a lot post how many offences were committed in the previous month, etc.
The point is that they are not the radar type and wont be picked up.
How many roads do you know of that have the speed camera sign posted, but no sign of a camera?, i can think of several.

 

[RichardM]

Thanksfully though there aren't many roads, especially motorways, that have speed camera's but no signs. With road works on motorways you should always be very carefull, especially when there are speed camera signs.

 

[Richard W]

The ones on Thelwall are well marked, big flourescent screens behind them.

On a trip over christmas I was passed by quite a few cars doing well over the 40 limit!

What worried me was the ones at Knutsford services (M6 J19) - are they still live? I remember them being put there for the recent junction rebuild, but it looks like they're on concrete bases not temporary ones......

Any info folks?

 

[jimmy]

Well, yes it is, but are they active more often than not?, a lot post how many offences were committed in the previous month, etc.
The point is that they are not the radar type and wont be picked up.
How many roads do you know of that have the speed camera sign posted, but no sign of a camera?, i can think of several.

The Road Angel warns of these Specs cameras as well as all fixed and temporary speed cameras. The only thing you still have to be wary of is the mobile vans.

The speed camera signs are used only where there is a fixed camera or they frequently use mobile vans, so if you see a sign but no camera it is likely that there is a van working that road every week or so.

As far as I am aware Blackspot do give a £50 reward if you store a camera location that is not on their database. They tell me they have never given out any rewards as they always get the database updated quickly.

It could be the cameras that were seen on the M5/M42 are not active?

Local authorities have to get planning permission before erecting a speed camera, so the information is readily available. Blackspot have a 'relationship' of sorts with police and local authorities.

In six months or so and just over 20,000 miles, I have never passed a camera without my Road Angel warning me (as far as I am aware!!) I have had a few 'false' warnings where temporary cameras have been or are about to be sited.

'Stick to the limit and you wont get a ticket!'

 

[GrahamC230K]

I passed two Gatsos in December that the RA did not know about, and I updated it at the start of the month. However I saw them and added them so will contribute to the database when I do a long overdue update tonight. Didn't think Blackspot did rewards though.

 

[lordofthenazgul]

Jimmy, just read your profile and your 3 days older than me, you old g*t!!