Variable Speed Gantry Cameras - some info

[stereophoney]

Big article in the Sun today about this on the M25 in Kent. 1500 drivers in 10 weeks. 780 doing over 70. Camera is working all the time.

1500 sounds like a big number, but it's only on average 21 a day out of the thousands that use the road. If enforcement was so strict judging by the amount of people I see speeding I'd expect it to be a lot higher.

 

[carat 3.6]

You may have got that wrong. The 40 is probably on because of the congestion, not vice versa.

If traffic is heavy and there's an incident which causes congestion and causes vehicles to slow down at that point, an identical situation can continue long after the incident has been cleared so it looks as though the speed restriction is causing the problem.

No congestion, no incident's, just the gantry lit up for no reason. I've even seen them light up as your approaching, yet there is nothing but free flowing carriageway the other side.

All is does is bunch up the traffic till someone run's into the back of a "panic braker", then you get a mile long tailback behind it.

 

[E55BOF]

Between the m4 and m40 junctions of the m25 there is an unofficial speed limit of 100mph, never seen or heard of anyone getting caught by a camera there.

I use that section of the M25 every day going to work. I've seen the double flash on the opposite carriageway a few times, but only a few, in the last five years.

Anywhere there are gantries, I stay within the ACPO limits, just in case.

 

[John Jones Jr]

No congestion, no incident's, just the gantry lit up for no reason.

Yep, seen the exact same crap.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

I use that section of the M25 every day going to work. I've seen the double flash on the opposite carriageway a few times, but only a few, in the last five years.

Anywhere there are gantries, I stay within the ACPO limits, just in case.

That's far too sensible for far too many! I share your caution, more so since my ex boss was done at 85mph on that M4 to M40 stretch a few years ago. And even more so still since being a passenger in his car while he was on the phone with a copy of Glasses' Guide on his lap, and slowing just a little from 90mph because he lost all concentration on the road. He could well be there again and I don't want to be the poor sod he causes to have a serious accident. Those who think their driving skills will make it safe from them to drive at approaching 100mph along there "because the cameras aren't operating" seem to forget about all the other numpties on the road.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

It is possible that the cameras flash at 70 but the police do not actually follow up each photo with prosecution - so the cameras flashing and the speeding guideline could still be reconciled, in theory at least (no idea - just raising the possibility).

How about the additional possibility of all the "infringements" being kept in a database and analysed to highlight repeat offenders? Those recorded as having exceeded a set value (perhaps even lower than the current recommendations) on a number of occasions are then sent a letter in a brown envelope (if that is the colour - I've somehow managed to avoid ever having received one).

 

[John Jones Jr]

Those who think their driving skills will make it safe from them to drive at approaching 100mph along there "because the cameras aren't operating" seem to forget about all the other numpties on the road.

I don't get the impression anyone on this site forgets about numpties no matter what the road conditions or speed. I'm sure somebody will thank you for the reminder.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

No congestion, no incident's, just the gantry lit up for no reason. I've even seen them light up as your approaching, yet there is nothing but free flowing carriageway the other side.

All is does is bunch up the traffic till someone run's into the back of a "panic braker", then you get a mile long tailback behind it.

Had the gantry lights on from 60mph reducing down to 40mph over a few miles on the north east corner of the M25 last Friday morning. The road was relatively quiet and as usual no eventual sign of the "incident ahead". The vehicle speeds ranged from around the posted limit up to 40 or more above it. I chose to keep within 10mph of the posted limit, as frustrating and soporific as it was.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

I don't get the impression anyone on this site forgets about numpties no matter what the road conditions or speed.

I'd like to think you're right.

 

[John Jones Jr]

You of little faith...

 

[Deleted member 65149]

You of little faith...

Absolutely. I still follow the code of assuming all other drivers are numpties and therefore to always expect the unexpected. I don't know the skill and concentration levels of other drivers on the road and I'm not going to risk my life, nor anyone else's, by assuming they know exactly what they're doing. That's my choice.

 

[John Jones Jr]

If I hadn't been driving all these years I'd think you were almost sage like.

 

[donshl]

Why worry?! Surely no one goes above the speed limit of 70mph

 

[Rashman]

Why worry?! Surely no one goes above the speed limit of 70mph

70mph scares me.

 

[Chrishazle]

On my first driving lesson - in 1968 (!!) my driving instructor told me "look at all the vehicles around you, think what is the most stupid thing each driver could do - and be prepared, 'cos one day one of them will do precisely that!".

Sage advice that I've never forgotten, and has served me well over the years and kept me away from a lot of trouble.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

If I hadn't been driving all these years I'd think you were almost Saga like.

Corrected that for you

 

[John Jones Jr]

Corrected that for you

Ah, don't depress me another year gone, it only seems like five years ago I was thirty something and could whip past both the M40 & M4 junctions on the M25 at a steady 89 with not a worry in the world! All fcuked up now.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

70mph scares me.

In case you nod off?

 

[meeeb]

No congestion, no incident's, just the gantry lit up for no reason. I've even seen them light up as your approaching, yet there is nothing but free flowing carriageway the other side.

All is does is bunch up the traffic till someone run's into the back of a "panic braker", then you get a mile long tailback behind it.

That is at variance with what you said originally, and what prompted my response, i.e.

"First you get a sea of brake lights, then all 3 lanes come to a standstill for a few seconds, then you are on your way again."

If traffic is at a standstill then there is a reason and the reduced speed limit, advisory, or enforceable is valid.

My reply to you was a suggestion regarding a build-up of traffic without apparent cause.

I'm not arguing that there are occasions when a temporary speed limit seems unnecessary, but the situation you described is not one of them.

 

[modelman093]

On my first driving lesson - in 1968 (!!) my driving instructor told me "look at all the vehicles around you, think what is the most stupid thing each driver could do - and be prepared, 'cos one day one of them will do precisely that!".

Sage advice that I've never forgotten, and has served me well over the years and kept me away from a lot of trouble.

Driving down a country road with my instructor in 1960.
"consider meeting yourself coming from the opposite direction"
Point taken!