HADECS 3 cameras on the M25
Discussion
Going back a step, this thread is specifically about HADECS3 on the M25 and the more recent posts referred to the installations on the southern part i.e. the ones between J10 & 11 and J5 & 6.
It seems that Surrey and Kent forces have been happy to set the trigger speed to a 'reasonable' level when a VSL is not in place. I've established that through research and observation, but that's not to say they wouldn't change their minds tomorrow and set it to, say 79mph togenerate more revenue keep the roads safer. We each take our own risk with this.
Other HADECS3 sites might have much lower trigger speeds set for NSL running. I couldn't say and I would err on the side of caution myself if I was in unfamiliar territory.
Each force can operate HADECS3 how they want and set their own enforcement thresholds.
As to distinguishing different vehicle classes, it's only going to happen if the vehicle exceeds the threshold speed set and get's it's photo taken by the main camera, so there will be situations where a goods vehicle could be well over it's permitted speed limit but won't get caught. As already said, the cameras immediately before the HADECS3 gantry are there to record any VSL in place and are not ANPR cameras.
It seems that Surrey and Kent forces have been happy to set the trigger speed to a 'reasonable' level when a VSL is not in place. I've established that through research and observation, but that's not to say they wouldn't change their minds tomorrow and set it to, say 79mph to
Other HADECS3 sites might have much lower trigger speeds set for NSL running. I couldn't say and I would err on the side of caution myself if I was in unfamiliar territory.
Each force can operate HADECS3 how they want and set their own enforcement thresholds.
As to distinguishing different vehicle classes, it's only going to happen if the vehicle exceeds the threshold speed set and get's it's photo taken by the main camera, so there will be situations where a goods vehicle could be well over it's permitted speed limit but won't get caught. As already said, the cameras immediately before the HADECS3 gantry are there to record any VSL in place and are not ANPR cameras.
cmaguire said:
FurtiveFreddy said:
Some of us have tried, but you seem happier to believe your own version of reality 
The thing I can't find confirmed or denied is whether they differentiate between class of vehicle. As to prosecutions for exceeding the 70mph limit when there is no active reduction in force, there are numerous reports from BBC, The Times etc regarding prosecutions with very non-committal responses from the relevant constabularies as to what their trigger speeds are. Thinking you can happily travel around below 85 wouldn't be very sensible from reading what they say.Here's some typical FUD published on Saga's website. Cue elderly drivers slamming on their brakes at 72mph when they spot a yellow box by the side of the road.
It says it there, so it must be true! 
SAGA Magazine said:
Cameras to issue speeding fines on smart motorways.
...The HADECS 3 (Highway Agency Digital Enforcement Camera System 3) also has zero tolerance built in as standard.
So a driver who strays over the speed limit by as little as one mph will now face a £100 fine, three penalty points on their licence, and increased car insurance premiums for the next five years.
...The HADECS 3 (Highway Agency Digital Enforcement Camera System 3) also has zero tolerance built in as standard.
So a driver who strays over the speed limit by as little as one mph will now face a £100 fine, three penalty points on their licence, and increased car insurance premiums for the next five years.
It says it there, so it must be true! cmaguire said:
You're cherry picking. That also doesn't prove it's OK to do less than 85 everywhere either
FurtiveFreddy said:
Other HADECS3 sites might have much lower trigger speeds set for NSL running. I couldn't say and I would err on the side of caution myself if I was in unfamiliar territory.
FurtiveFreddy said:
The radar will be on all the time, not just when there's a VSL in place, but the trigger speed is >85mph (probably quite a bit more) when NSL applies. There have been reports of notices issued for 100 and above but I don't remember seeing any in the low nineties. As always, make your own mind up rather than relying on anything you read on forums.
cmaguire said:
FurtiveFreddy said:
The radar will be on all the time, not just when there's a VSL in place, but the trigger speed is >85mph (probably quite a bit more) when NSL applies. There have been reports of notices issued for 100 and above but I don't remember seeing any in the low nineties. As always, make your own mind up rather than relying on anything you read on forums.
FurtiveFreddy said:
Yes, this is the case for HADECS3 on the south M25 as I said previously. If you don't want to believe it, stick to 70mph, but just make sure you stay in lane 1 please.
It was the Clackett Lane ones that kicked off all the over-zealous enforcement complaints in the first place.cmaguire said:
It was the Clackett Lane ones that kicked off all the over-zealous enforcement complaints in the first place.
As seems to be the case at HADECS3 sites, the trigger speed was set very low when they were first installed in order to test the system and/or make them obvious. I have not seen any evidence of anyone receiving a NIP for a speed below 90mph there. If you know of any, please share. cmaguire said:
From personal experience that source is also wrong.cmaguire said:
Er, no. Like I said, you believe what you want to believe. I'll base my understanding on my own research and observation.Just to be clear, I'm not trying to convince you or anyone else of anything other than you should use your own judgement to decide how you go about your business.
The reality is that whatever the validity of any sources, they can 'do' you for topping 70. It is unlikely, and in practice staying within the generally acknowledged tolerance and therefore keeping it at 78 or below is probably OK. Taking a chance by passing one of these at over that is just plain daft, and I'll carry on being one of those doing up to 100 between them and then slowing down for them. I don't like having to do that, but hey-ho that's how it is. I have travelled the Northern section of the M25 doing exactly that, passing a Jaguar XF doing 80 odd. Having been passed he decided to go faster (I get this a lot) and upped his speed to 90 odd. He kept pace with me, yo-yo style, by virtue of the fact I was slowing to c.80 for the gantries (it was dark and impossible to see any cameras). Not long after I had passed one of the gantries he had his picture taken and that was the last I saw of him.
Ken Figenus said:
Even Brexit was more lucid and clearer than this thread. Well done to all that post and actually have fact and knowledge but keep their cards close to their chests
If your looking for proof of trigger speeds there simply isn't any. The authorities or the firms who set the things up aren't about to say anything & the official spin is nonsense that is reported in the different sources cmaquire keeps reading. I drive for a living all over the UK & regularly pass Hadecs in the upper 80s so know that speed is safe, I don't know what the actual trigger speed of any of them because I've never triggered one.
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