Flashed by gantry speed camera on M42 that was turned off

[Brett748]

Hi Guys

Looking for a bit of advice. I was flashed last night by a gantry speed camera on the M42 last night that was displaying no variable speed limit and I was only doing 70 mph.

The sequence of variable speed limits was (I think) 50 - 40 -40 - 50 - National - 50 - off - off -50

I went through the third 50 mph signs, then saw the next one was turned off so pressed reset on my cruise which took me back up to 70 mph, as I went under the gantry the sign was definitely off (had a passenger who verified this) and I was greeted with two flashes despite only going 70 mph. As the sequence above says the next one was also off but I slowed to 50 mph a little worried by the flashes from the previous one.

Has anybody had any similar experiences? The one I went under was definitely displaying no variable speed limit and I definitely didn't exceed 70 mph so I shouldn't be concerned, however when you get flashed you always are.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Brett

[10 Pence Short]

How do you know it flashed and how do you know it was you it flashed at? I've always found because of their height I can't see the cameras in my rear view mirror until I'm well clear of them (and the markings).

[Brett748]

It was almost an empty motorway; just as I drove onto the lines it flashed, then just as I came to the end of them it flashed again.

[speedking31]

I've always wondered how, as a driver without dashcam, I could prove that there was no limit displayed as I passed. How do the authorities prove what the limit was set at, and more to the point, what limit was displayed?

A couple of weeks ago we saw the M42 cameras on one gantry displaying 50 over the hard shoulder and lane 3, but blank over lanes 1 and 2. No doubt that's impossible but we definitely saw it.

[MDahmen]

isnt a speed limit valid until it is replaced by a new one or one of the white signs that signifies end of the speed limit? Might not be the case in the UK, but am pretty sure it applies in Germany.

[NH1]

MDahmen said:

isnt a speed limit valid until it is replaced by a new one or one of the white signs that signifies end of the speed limit? Might not be the case in the UK, but am pretty sure it applies in Germany.

Wouldn't it need repeaters every so often.

[Pablo68]

Another perfect example of machine enforcement of the law doing nothing other than cause confusion in drivers minds, leading to less safe roads as people glue their eyes to the gantries trying to work out what speed the authorities currently want them to do regardless of any thing to do with actual driving conditions.

Frankly automated enforcement of motorway speeds is downright stupid and nothing other than lazy. I wonder just how many lives have been saved by millions of pounds spent and years of disruption from managed motorway schemes?

[covboy]

Pablo68 said:

Another perfect example of machine enforcement of the law doing nothing other than cause confusion in drivers minds, leading to less safe roads as people glue their eyes to the gantries trying to work out what speed the authorities currently want them to do regardless of any thing to do with actual driving conditions.

Frankly automated enforcement of motorway speeds is downright stupid and nothing other than lazy. I wonder just how many lives have been saved by millions of pounds spent and years of disruption from managed motorway schemes?

The M42 is apparently notorious for random operation of cameras at all times

[covboy]

speedking31 said:

I've always wondered how, as a driver without dashcam, I could prove that there was no limit displayed as I passed. How do the authorities prove what the limit was set at, and more to the point, what limit was displayed?

A couple of weeks ago we saw the M42 cameras on one gantry displaying 50 over the hard shoulder and lane 3, but blank over lanes 1 and 2. No doubt that's impossible but we definitely saw it.

I posted a couple of weeks back about the M6 between J6 & J7 where on the new "managed" section the O/H gantries were showing 40mph while there was still 50mph signs at ground level.

Incidentally now that this section is (nearly) in full operation, I note that after all the hoo-haa in the past about the size/shape of the numbers, these use, yet again, a different font to the earlier models - including the NSL sign being a fully filled white circle with black line (as the fixed signs) rather than a white ring with white diagonal. I've not seen these before.

[Alapeno]

Aside from the argument about the confusing speed cameras, last time I went down the M42 I noticed that under certain gantries they 'flash'.

I'm pretty sure it was the lights underneath appearing to flash as the metalwork of the gantry passes in front of it when passing directly underneath at 70.

I noticed it once and then purposely looked for it on some others and it happened a few times at 70 - I assume it has something to do with not appearing to flash at a lower speed.

Either that or I'll be getting a few points and fines!*

*this was months ago

[MDahmen]

NH1 said:

Wouldn't it need repeaters every so often.

i always thought it only needs a repeat if there is an access to the motorway, so as long as you are between two junctions there is no reason to repeat it as nobody "new", who has not seen the sign, can join.

[TheTurbonator]

Alapeno said:

Aside from the argument about the confusing speed cameras, last time I went down the M42 I noticed that under certain gantries they 'flash'.

I'm pretty sure it was the lights underneath appearing to flash as the metalwork of the gantry passes in front of it when passing directly underneath at 70.

I noticed it once and then purposely looked for it on some others and it happened a few times at 70 - I assume it has something to do with not appearing to flash at a lower speed.

Either that or I'll be getting a few points and fines!*

*this was months ago

The new ones on the M62 near Leeds do the same thing. Shat myself when I went under the first and saw a flash, but then when I was still getting flashed at every gantry, despite slowing down, I began to get suspicious. It really does look like a speed camera flash.

[Brett748]

Been a month now and heard nothing so it must have been a mistake.

Ironically I was driving along a road in Birmingham last Sunday evening and a fixed Gatso in a 40 zone flashed at nothing. I was about 200 yards before it and there were no other cars around, seems weird them randomly flashing. Do they do test exposures?

[Martin4x4]

TheTurbonator said:

The new ones on the M62 near Leeds do the same thing. Shat myself when I went under the first and saw a flash, but then when I was still getting flashed at every gantry, despite slowing down, I began to get suspicious. It really does look like a speed camera flash.

Agreed, They are absolutely chaotic and completely random.

They are not consistent and bear absolutely no relationship with road conditions.

[blueg33]

On the M40 Henley in Arden Junction slip road the variable speed limit sign is placed about 30 metres before the NSL sign, so my interpretation is that the NSL sign prevails

Then there are no speed limit signs on the Junc 4 northbound entry slip onto the M42. So does that mean that the 40mph on the roundabout carries on down the slip road until you get to the next variable speed limit gantry thats showing a limit? Tricky to merge safely onto a motorway at 40mph!

[Vaux]

blueg33 said:

Then there are no speed limit signs on the Junc 4 northbound entry slip onto the M42. So does that mean that the 40mph on the roundabout carries on down the slip road until you get to the next variable speed limit gantry thats showing a limit? Tricky to merge safely onto a motorway at 40mph!

The "start of Motorway" sign is where motorway regs/speed limits start.
Here? http://goo.gl/maps/U0jMN

[blueg33]

Vaux said:

The "start of Motorway" sign is where motorway regs/speed limits start.
Here? http://goo.gl/maps/U0jMN

I thought it might, so why does the Henley in Arden sliproad have an NSL sign on it? Nothing like consistency

[Vaux]

blueg33 said:

I thought it might, so why does the Henley in Arden sliproad have an NSL sign on it? Nothing like consistency

Here? http://goo.gl/maps/WMH9W
The NSLs look quite old? I think in the old days they did put sign 671/NSL on slip roads. It costs to remove signs, and those appear to be illuminated, which would cost more probably!

[Nightmare]

on Friday evening at about half ten I got flashed on the M5 going Southbound (well it was me, the car to my right overtaking or possibly one behind.) The gantry signs were all showing 60...and about 3 car lengths before reaching this one it changed to a 40 (incidentally for zero reason - they all then changed to the NSL sign a few minutes later and total traffic was very light the entire time and no roadworks or anything)

I had always assumed (not that id given it much thought) that there must be a delay between it changing and you being got for fairness sake!

So.....will i get done? (cos that'd be 60 in a 40 which isn't great.....)

[TheEnd]

I had a similar flash on the M42 and nothing become of it, and I've also seen the opposite side flash when no one's been around, so there's a good chance nothing will become of it.