Average speed camera lies?
Discussion
Near Plymouth there is a 3 mile section of average speed cameras on the A38 towards Ivybridge. They have been on for months with a 40mph limit (in a 70 zone!).
For the last few weeks these have still been there. However there is a sign that says "Cameras are turned off". But this is a yellow one on a removable stand on both sides.
What makes me "wonder" about these cameras is there are floodlights where they are so it can register number plates. These floodlights are ON at night time and dusk etc. Also there are new cctv cameras built in aimed at the average speed cameras. These were not there when the construction was being completed.
If the cameras are turned off why would the floodlights be on, only where there are cameras, when it is dark? And why new cctv cameras for average speed cameras?
They are concreted into the road so I think they are a permanent fixture.
I ask this because I joined the a38 at some speed from a slip road earlier and it is not clear you are entering the "zone" from the sliproad.
If I got prosecuted how would I even prove the signs were there on the day I got prosecuted? They could easily lie and say the signs were not present x days in the past.
These
The signs are on these kind of stands
http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/images/imgstore/197_y...
For the last few weeks these have still been there. However there is a sign that says "Cameras are turned off". But this is a yellow one on a removable stand on both sides.
What makes me "wonder" about these cameras is there are floodlights where they are so it can register number plates. These floodlights are ON at night time and dusk etc. Also there are new cctv cameras built in aimed at the average speed cameras. These were not there when the construction was being completed.
If the cameras are turned off why would the floodlights be on, only where there are cameras, when it is dark? And why new cctv cameras for average speed cameras?
They are concreted into the road so I think they are a permanent fixture.
I ask this because I joined the a38 at some speed from a slip road earlier and it is not clear you are entering the "zone" from the sliproad.
If I got prosecuted how would I even prove the signs were there on the day I got prosecuted? They could easily lie and say the signs were not present x days in the past.
These
The signs are on these kind of stands
http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/images/imgstore/197_y...
The cameras are infra red so wont be reliant on flood lights to read plates.
The floodlights are normally there only to highlight the cameras during the night so drivers are aware theyre there.
If there are signs saying theyre not working that should be the truth, the floodlights are probably are probably still on a timer from when the works were operating.
The cameras are usually concreted in due to thier size even on temporary works.
I wouldnt worry about it although if you are either contact the network agent / take photos of the signs for future evidence?
The floodlights are normally there only to highlight the cameras during the night so drivers are aware theyre there.
If there are signs saying theyre not working that should be the truth, the floodlights are probably are probably still on a timer from when the works were operating.
The cameras are usually concreted in due to thier size even on temporary works.
I wouldnt worry about it although if you are either contact the network agent / take photos of the signs for future evidence?
Perhaps install a dash cam to record the footage, then copy the video footage to your PC. In the event you are sent a speeding ticket you can review the footage to see whether they really are telling porkies!
Many dash cameras cost less than £100 which is less than the cost of one fixed speeding ticket.
Buys peace of mind.
Many dash cameras cost less than £100 which is less than the cost of one fixed speeding ticket.
Buys peace of mind.
Aeroresh said:
The cameras are infra red so wont be reliant on flood lights to read plates.
The floodlights are normally there only to highlight the cameras during the night so drivers are aware theyre there.
If there are signs saying theyre not working that should be the truth, the floodlights are probably are probably still on a timer from when the works were operating.
The cameras are usually concreted in due to thier size even on temporary works.
I wouldnt worry about it although if you are either contact the network agent / take photos of the signs for future evidence?
I'm not so sure...... I think the floodlights are on the road about where the cameras are aimed (although agree these are infra-red scams). I think its hard to read number plates via cameras in pitch black conditions. Ditto mobile scams mostly seem to be used at night where there are street lights. Just a theory based on much observation... Night ops of mobiles seems to be rare as a result The floodlights are normally there only to highlight the cameras during the night so drivers are aware theyre there.
If there are signs saying theyre not working that should be the truth, the floodlights are probably are probably still on a timer from when the works were operating.
The cameras are usually concreted in due to thier size even on temporary works.
I wouldnt worry about it although if you are either contact the network agent / take photos of the signs for future evidence?
Aeroresh said:
The cameras are infra red so wont be reliant on flood lights to read plates.
the cameras do rely on floodlighting to read the plates as does any ANPR system. This system has a system of IR floodlighting to illuminate the plates. This is not the same as the visible floodlighting.Aeroresh said:
The floodlights are normally there only to highlight the cameras during the night so drivers are aware theyre there.
No so.Aeroresh said:
If there are signs saying theyre not working that should be the truth, the floodlights are probably are probably still on a timer from when the works were operating.
I'm certain it will be the case that signs placed by the operator of the system indicate that the system is not in use. Aeroresh said:
The cameras are usually concreted in due to thier size even on temporary works.
Not so. Many of these systems use temporary weighted bases that are made of concrete. Temporary systems are rarely concreted in.Aeroresh said:
I wouldnt worry about it although if you are either contact the network agent / take photos of the signs for future evidence?
I can't see why anyone would want to know whether the cameras are operational or not in this situation...except of course if they are planning to or already have defied the limit between the cameras. Even if a ticket was issued for speeding when the signs said they were not in use the driver could still be prosecuted. If the cameras were being used with the signs there I'm sure aggrieved speeders would already have gone to press about it.Are the police lying about this? You really need to consider whether that is a reasonable proposition.
rich888 said:
Perhaps install a dash cam to record the footage, then copy the video footage to your PC. In the event you are sent a speeding ticket you can review the footage to see whether they really are telling porkies!
Many dash cameras cost less than £100 which is less than the cost of one fixed speeding ticket.
Buys peace of mind.
Many dash cameras cost less than £100 which is less than the cost of one fixed speeding ticket.
Buys peace of mind.
But if you are speeding dash cam evidence could shoot you in the foot. Eg, just the time between street lamps
rich888 said:
Perhaps install a dash cam to record the footage, then copy the video footage to your PC. In the event you are sent a speeding ticket you can review the footage to see whether they really are telling porkies!
Many dash cameras cost less than £100 which is less than the cost of one fixed speeding ticket.
Buys peace of mind.
If he was speeding, what difference does dash cam footage of a sign make?Many dash cameras cost less than £100 which is less than the cost of one fixed speeding ticket.
Buys peace of mind.
'Officer, I'm making a complaint.'
'Why, sonny?'
'Because I sped through the camera zone and got a ticket.'
'Yes. What's your point kiddo?'
'A sign said the cameras were off so I should have been able to speed without being caught.'
'Oh yes. Good point there kochee. I'll get the ticket quashed now.'
'Thanks officer. You are a gem, and you are quite cute.'
'Eh? You coming onto me sunshine?'
'Well, no, I just think you are a very nice man, with a great butt.'
'Look here sonny ... If you want to make something of it, meet me down that alley over the road in ten minutes.'
'Sure thing.' Giggle.
These cameras are there because they are replacing a road bridge over the A38. Until recently, the new bridge was being constructed so a 40mph speed limit and contraflow was in place. The work to construct the new bridge is now complete from the A38's perspective and has progressed to the road above. So, the roadworks are gone and the cameras are turned off.
Once the new bridge is opened soon, the roadworks will go back up for demolition of the old bridge. This is why the cameras have not been dismantled, as presumably they'll go back into use.
This is all there is to it.
Once the new bridge is opened soon, the roadworks will go back up for demolition of the old bridge. This is why the cameras have not been dismantled, as presumably they'll go back into use.
This is all there is to it.
tapereel said:
Aeroresh said:
The cameras are infra red so wont be reliant on flood lights to read plates.
the cameras do rely on floodlighting to read the plates as does any ANPR system. This system has a system of IR floodlighting to illuminate the plates. This is not the same as the visible floodlighting.Aeroresh said:
The floodlights are normally there only to highlight the cameras during the night so drivers are aware theyre there.
No so.Aeroresh said:
If there are signs saying theyre not working that should be the truth, the floodlights are probably are probably still on a timer from when the works were operating.
I'm certain it will be the case that signs placed by the operator of the system indicate that the system is not in use. Aeroresh said:
The cameras are usually concreted in due to thier size even on temporary works.
Not so. Many of these systems use temporary weighted bases that are made of concrete. Temporary systems are rarely concreted in.Aeroresh said:
I wouldnt worry about it although if you are either contact the network agent / take photos of the signs for future evidence?
I can't see why anyone would want to know whether the cameras are operational or not in this situation...except of course if they are planning to or already have defied the limit between the cameras. Even if a ticket was issued for speeding when the signs said they were not in use the driver could still be prosecuted. If the cameras were being used with the signs there I'm sure aggrieved speeders would already have gone to press about it.Are the police lying about this? You really need to consider whether that is a reasonable proposition.
Aeroresh said:
tapereel said:
Aeroresh said:
The cameras are infra red so wont be reliant on flood lights to read plates.
the cameras do rely on floodlighting to read the plates as does any ANPR system. This system has a system of IR floodlighting to illuminate the plates. This is not the same as the visible floodlighting.Aeroresh said:
The floodlights are normally there only to highlight the cameras during the night so drivers are aware theyre there.
No so.Aeroresh said:
If there are signs saying theyre not working that should be the truth, the floodlights are probably are probably still on a timer from when the works were operating.
I'm certain it will be the case that signs placed by the operator of the system indicate that the system is not in use. Aeroresh said:
The cameras are usually concreted in due to thier size even on temporary works.
Not so. Many of these systems use temporary weighted bases that are made of concrete. Temporary systems are rarely concreted in.Aeroresh said:
I wouldnt worry about it although if you are either contact the network agent / take photos of the signs for future evidence?
I can't see why anyone would want to know whether the cameras are operational or not in this situation...except of course if they are planning to or already have defied the limit between the cameras. Even if a ticket was issued for speeding when the signs said they were not in use the driver could still be prosecuted. If the cameras were being used with the signs there I'm sure aggrieved speeders would already have gone to press about it.Are the police lying about this? You really need to consider whether that is a reasonable proposition.
Fox- said:
These cameras are there because they are replacing a road bridge over the A38. Until recently, the new bridge was being constructed so a 40mph speed limit and contraflow was in place. The work to construct the new bridge is now complete from the A38's perspective and has progressed to the road above. So, the roadworks are gone and the cameras are turned off.
Once the new bridge is opened soon, the roadworks will go back up for demolition of the old bridge. This is why the cameras have not been dismantled, as presumably they'll go back into use.
This is all there is to it.
Is that the saltram bridge or another one?Once the new bridge is opened soon, the roadworks will go back up for demolition of the old bridge. This is why the cameras have not been dismantled, as presumably they'll go back into use.
This is all there is to it.
Why was the 40mph limit so long after said bridge? I don't understand the need for MILES of slow traffic after the actual construction zone.
It has been a while since I have been up north but there used to be the same above Bristol...miles and miles of 50mph average speed cameras but only a few hundred meters of actual work...Smart Motorways I believe.
Same on the A30 now... 40mph limit 4 miles before the actual work... including 2 downhill sections so cruise control doesn't work :S
tapereel said:
Aeroresh said:
The cameras are infra red so wont be reliant on flood lights to read plates.
the cameras do rely on floodlighting to read the plates as does any ANPR system. This system has a system of IR floodlighting to illuminate the plates. This is not the same as the visible floodlighting.Aeroresh said:
The floodlights are normally there only to highlight the cameras during the night so drivers are aware theyre there.
No so.Both yourself and Aeroresh appear to be agreeing that the cameras operate by IR, Aeroresh saying that the cameras themselves are IR, and you are claiming that they rely on IR flood lighting rather than the cameras being IR - So in either case, no visible light is required for the cameras to operate.
Aeroresh then states that the visible floodlighting is to help make drivers aware that the cameras are there, to which you've claimed is not the case.
So if the cameras rely on IR, and the visible floodlighting is not there to make drivers aware of the camera, as you suggest, what are the visible floodlights for?
Based on your version, they serve no purpose whatsoever!
twoblacklines said:
Is that the saltram bridge or another one?
Why was the 40mph limit so long after said bridge? I don't understand the need for MILES of slow traffic after the actual construction zone.
It has been a while since I have been up north but there used to be the same above Bristol...miles and miles of 50mph average speed cameras but only a few hundred meters of actual work...Smart Motorways I believe.
Same on the A30 now... 40mph limit 4 miles before the actual work... including 2 downhill sections so cruise control doesn't work :S
It is the Saltram bridge, yes.Why was the 40mph limit so long after said bridge? I don't understand the need for MILES of slow traffic after the actual construction zone.
It has been a while since I have been up north but there used to be the same above Bristol...miles and miles of 50mph average speed cameras but only a few hundred meters of actual work...Smart Motorways I believe.
Same on the A30 now... 40mph limit 4 miles before the actual work... including 2 downhill sections so cruise control doesn't work :S
I believe the reason why the contraflow extended so far beyond the bridge was because thats where the nearest crossover section of the central reservation was.
I was under the impression that the floodlights were there to illuminate the cameras so people could see them, not to illuminate the number plate/driver. The IR illuminator is either next to the camera itself or integrated into it. However, I have heard of some that aren't floodlit.
Edited by Monty Python on Monday 2nd May 21:49
Edited by Monty Python on Monday 2nd May 21:50
Monty Python said:
I was under the impression that the floodlights were there to illuminate the cameras so people could see them, not to illuminate the number plate/driver. The IR illuminator is either next to the camera itself or integrated into it. However, I have heard of some that aren't floodlit.
But the illumination is on the road where the cameras point, after the cameras, not on the cameras.Edited by Monty Python on Monday 2nd May 21:49
Edited by Monty Python on Monday 2nd May 21:50
At one part of this road the cameras are hidden behind a gantry of sorts so you only see the floodlights and not the cameras at all.
It is currently a 50mph limit again all the way down Deep Lane :/
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