Variable Speed Gantry Cameras - some info

[Peter DLM]

Been flashed a couple of times over xmas on the M25 just before the Bell Common tunnel for J27 (M11) and on the M1 just before J13.

Heard nothing from both instances, and was indicating 90 in each case. It wasn't the gantry cameras over each lane, but the ones sitting on a shelf on the left upright of the gantry. They're sneaky and not that easy to spot as they're grey, they could be the HADECS jobbies.

I'm considering travelling at no more than 80 on these so-called "Smart" motorways as looking for grey cameras on the left on poles or shelves can be quite tiresome.

 

[meeeb]

I'm considering travelling at no more than 80 on these so-called "Smart" motorways as looking for grey cameras on the left on poles or shelves can be quite tiresome.

... and distracting!

Looks like they are effective then.

 

[E55BOF]

70mph scares me.

From which side - North of or South of...?

 

[dan-mb]

i go through those cameras( M42 and M6 Birmingham/Midlands region) all the time sometimes over the limited i thought they didnt work... i have had no tickets

 

[carat 3.6]

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.

So you cant see anything silly about giving no warning of approaching stationary traffic, then imposing a 40mph speed limit after you've started moving again?

The idea of the gantry is to give you advance warning of a hazard ahead, giving you time to slow down before you reach it. If you've come to a crawl some time before reaching that gantry, it isn't warning you of anything.

If the traffic is free flowing,and there are no upcoming hazards past the gantry, why would you want to impose a speed restriction?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

i go through those cameras( M42 and M6 Birmingham/Midlands region) all the time sometimes over the limited i thought they didnt work... i have had no tickets

And I think that's at the heart of this topic:

Until now the gantry cameras are only active when the variable speed limit signs are active, but now the cameras will be active all the time, and with much tighter tolerance than has been the norm, ie 10%+2mph.

The introduction of HADECS cameras also change things because there won't be warning signs, they will be painted blend-in grey, they will also operate on stretches where there are gantry cameras, and again with much greater tolerances.

Finally there was a long period where the M6/M42 cameras flashed, but resulted in nobody getting in hot water, over a technicality linked to the font used on the matrix signs which communicate the variable speed limits.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Finally there was a long period where the M6/M42 cameras flashed, but resulted in nobody getting in hot water, over a technicality linked to the font used on the matrix signs which communicate the variable speed limits.

BBC News - Sign error on M42 motorway may mean speeding let-off

 

[mattc43]

BBC News - Sign error on M42 motorway may mean speeding let-off

Some would argue 'typical affluent people who can afford a decent solicitor getting off on a technicality' but how many clearly readable number plates have been prosecuted due to the font or spacing being wrong?

Actually, going on what you see as you drive through Luton each day, not many number plates!! But you see my point.

(I have never been caught with an incorrect number plate, by the way.)

 

[Williamwoo]

Some would argue 'typical affluent people who can afford a decent solicitor getting off on a technicality' but how many clearly readable number plates have been prosecuted due to the font or spacing being wrong?

Actually, going on what you see as you drive through Luton each day, not many number plates!! But you see my point.

(I have never been caught with an incorrect number plate, by the way.)

Can't help but notice that the rear numberplate of my 204 is rendered virtually unreadable by Somerset muck at this time of year. Sadly I don't seem to have time to clean it...

 

[meeeb]

Can't help but notice that the rear numberplate of my 204 is rendered virtually unreadable by Somerset muck at this time of year. Sadly I don't seem to have time to clean it...

A dirty number plate carries a fine of up to £1000.

"There has been controversy over police cameras incorrectly reading number plates obscured by dirt. According to the AA Motoring Trust the automatic number plate recognition system used by the police is unable to read plates that are dirty or have the incorrect spacing. The police cameras can trigger spot checks if number plate lettering is obscured by dirt. These cameras read the plates as incorrect and alert roadside police who will stop vehicles. In the past the police may have turned a blind eye to dirty number plates obscuring letters and numbers but they are now more likely to prosecute."

Good luck!

 

[Williamwoo]

A dirty number plate carries a fine of up to £1000.

"There has been controversy over police cameras incorrectly reading number plates obscured by dirt. According to the AA Motoring Trust the automatic number plate recognition system used by the police is unable to read plates that are dirty or have the incorrect spacing. The police cameras can trigger spot checks if number plate lettering is obscured by dirt. These cameras read the plates as incorrect and alert roadside police who will stop vehicles. In the past the police may have turned a blind eye to dirty number plates obscuring letters and numbers but they are now more likely to prosecute."

Good luck!

Of course I realise a dirty numberplate is illegal - I only meant it tongue-in-cheek!

 

[John Jones Jr]

...AA Motoring Trust...

Love that bit.



not that it takes away from your point

 

[frostbite]

Couple of things.... the ACPO 'guideline' for the point at which a prosecution is considered is the speed limit plus 10%, plus 2mph. So in a 70mph limit the prosecution point, you would think, is 79mph, or is it 80mph? Some forces will prosecute at 79mph, others will allow 79mph and prosecute at 80mph. I know that Northumbria take the tighter line, Cheshire have taken the easier line. No, my knowledge is not borne of having fallen foul..!
A lot of people get over fixated about the relationship between correct/clean number plates and the prosecution of speeders. The increased use of ANPR in the fight against crime is the main drive behind it. Theft, robbery, kidnap, wanted criminals, stolen vehicles, vehicles without tax or MOT etc etc. The system can check thousands of vehicles an hour, much faster and more efficient than any cop who would be doing really well to manage much than one every 10 minutes. Very useful and has resulted in the capture of hundreds and hundreds of baddies who may have stayed undetected or free for longer or for ever.

 

[C240Sport97]

Very useful and has resulted in the capture of hundreds and hundreds of baddies who may have stayed undetected or free for longer or for ever.

do you have any credible statistics?

 

[RWDpetrol]

My mate has been flashed at 100 on the M25 in Kent by the new Hadecs cameras, nothing in the post. He's also been flashed at well over that by one of the regular over the gantry cameras, again nothing in the post. Both of these late at night.

What he doesn't understand is the cars speeding 20 over when variable limits are in force. That appears risky and dangerous during busy periods, which is of course when variable limits apply.

 

[John Jones Jr]

do you have any credible statistics?

You can't ask questions like that.

No, I bet the cops did get baddies but not the real baddies.

 

[frostbite]

do you have any credible statistics?

Not personally... I used to know them by month in one area and it was a lot.

ANPR doesn't catch speeders

 

[frostbite]

You can't ask questions like that.

No, I bet the cops did get baddies but not the real baddies.

What are real baddies? Car thieves - done. Drugs dealers - done. Human traffickers - done. Armed robbers - done. Terrorists - done. Paedo murderers - yep, them too.

 

[C240Sport97]

What are real baddies? Car thieves - done. Drugs dealers - done. Human traffickers - done. Armed robbers - done. Terrorists - done. Paedo murderers - yep, them too.

but where is your evidence?

 

[frostbite]

but where is your evidence?

In the files and intelligence systems of the police, you don't seriously think I am able/going to get into that and then publish it on here??

But here's a story.. Several years ago, Police in Scotland were hunting someone unknown after a number of children had gone missing. Various bits of intelligence pointed to a van with various bits of a registration number. ANPR was able to watch out for it and eventually the movements of a number of 'possibles' could be tracked and patterns emerged. In the end a 'possible' was stopped by the police and the officer, on looking in the back of the van, found... his own daughter. You ask him about the value of ANPR.