The end of cruising at 85 mph on the motorway?
Discussion
OwenK said:
It's not about saving time. It's about driving at a speed that keeps you fully engaged with the task at hand, observant and focused. Yes you SHOULD be fully observant and focused at any speed, but the reality is that human beings just don't work like that.
Pah. I made that point some weeks ago in another thread, and pretty much got told I was a rubbish driver.Z06George said:
Well the M4 will be screwed if they ever get them. You get stuck with the trucks/coaches if you do less than 80 on there.
Well it looks like the M4 will be screwed soon - proposal is for J3 to J12 to be a "Smart" motorway! Mind you when I worked in Windsor I would have loved to stick with the trucks/coaches at 80 - the odd time I used it to commute 40 was an achievement! So welcome to the misery I have been enduring on the M3 every time I use it - nearly 2 YEARS into downgrading it to a "Smart" motorway with 50 mph average cameras, and nearly another year to go before completion! And I'll bet when they finish it we'll never see a limit higher than 40 anyway!
I've given it up now - I only used it to get to the A3 via M25 J12 to J10, so now I use A331, A31 then A3. There are camera signs on some of those, but I've yet to see a camera (apart from the one just before the Ace of Spades underpass) - much quicker!
Mind you it does make you wonder if motorways are starting to become a bit pointless....
frankenstein12 said:
Which is why i drive according to the conditions and have as yet in all my years driving and what must be nearly three quarters of a million miles mostly in excess of the speed limit on motorways I have never had a ticket.
Standard process on motorways is when on unknown motorway have waze/speed cam app on and keep a look out for gantry cams and these new ones.
At all times on known or unknown look as far ahead as you can to see if you can spot anything on any rises or bridges across the carriageway or lots of cars brakes coming on at the same time on approach to a bridge or going through a bend.
Keep to lane discipline and keep as far left as possible. A natural response for a speed camera operator is going to be to focus on the inside/overtaking/fast lane. The further to the left of it you are the better chance you stand of not being pinged or slowing down before they get a chance to ping you as they will expect the faster moving cars to be in the "fast" lane.
When passing onramps quick mirror glance shoulder check to see if plod are sat up the ramp waiting for someone to whizz on by. (This is a favourite trick on the M11/A14 between Bishops Stortford and Cambridgeshire.
Oh and of course on bridges and even footpaths be aware of foreign objects sticking up over the side of the railings (look for tripods). If there are even spaced pods possibly camera van hidden off to the side.
Unmarked cars. Usually in furthest lane to the left. Keeping to speed limit or thereabouts. New cars. Clean. Normally a little lower at the rear than should be. Look through car to see if there is a camera near the rearview mirror. Unmarked cars are definitely getting harder to spot.
Just a few things t observe when on every motorway journey.
Well, that's the first time anyone has ever written exactly as my brain works whilst driving on a motorway!Standard process on motorways is when on unknown motorway have waze/speed cam app on and keep a look out for gantry cams and these new ones.
At all times on known or unknown look as far ahead as you can to see if you can spot anything on any rises or bridges across the carriageway or lots of cars brakes coming on at the same time on approach to a bridge or going through a bend.
Keep to lane discipline and keep as far left as possible. A natural response for a speed camera operator is going to be to focus on the inside/overtaking/fast lane. The further to the left of it you are the better chance you stand of not being pinged or slowing down before they get a chance to ping you as they will expect the faster moving cars to be in the "fast" lane.
When passing onramps quick mirror glance shoulder check to see if plod are sat up the ramp waiting for someone to whizz on by. (This is a favourite trick on the M11/A14 between Bishops Stortford and Cambridgeshire.
Oh and of course on bridges and even footpaths be aware of foreign objects sticking up over the side of the railings (look for tripods). If there are even spaced pods possibly camera van hidden off to the side.
Unmarked cars. Usually in furthest lane to the left. Keeping to speed limit or thereabouts. New cars. Clean. Normally a little lower at the rear than should be. Look through car to see if there is a camera near the rearview mirror. Unmarked cars are definitely getting harder to spot.
Just a few things t observe when on every motorway journey.
I grew up driving in the 80s and 90s and there were Police everywhere...
Not so much now, but I still use the above principles
Its begining to look like the only way to get local authorities to actually listen to the motoring public is to follow the precidents set in other countries where camera initiatives have failed. I would follow the Greek/US example amd start a movement of mass vandalism and disabling of cameras until they are no longer financially viable to maintain.
Sadly the culture of blind compliance in the UK makes movements like this neigh impossible.
Sadly the culture of blind compliance in the UK makes movements like this neigh impossible.
The lack of driver judgement and concentration are probably significant factors.
Slow, sluggish punitive speed controls might encourage drivers to act like dullard drones and can create a lack of engagemwnt.
If real understanding of the dynamics of the car's mass,speed and energy is beyond the grasp of the lowest common denominator, must everyone suffer their inadequacies?
Slow, sluggish punitive speed controls might encourage drivers to act like dullard drones and can create a lack of engagemwnt.
If real understanding of the dynamics of the car's mass,speed and energy is beyond the grasp of the lowest common denominator, must everyone suffer their inadequacies?
The government could and should raise the limit to 80mph. But can you imagine the outrage the likes of the Daily Mail and The Express would stir up if there's even a tiny increase in accidents?
You can guarantee that there would be far more against it then for it, such is the risk averse environment we live in these days. We just need to get used to being spied on at all times as it's not going to get any better.
It will be automated cars eventually which will be a great thing as by then driving will be a complete and utter PITA the way things are going.
You can guarantee that there would be far more against it then for it, such is the risk averse environment we live in these days. We just need to get used to being spied on at all times as it's not going to get any better.
It will be automated cars eventually which will be a great thing as by then driving will be a complete and utter PITA the way things are going.
All that jazz said:
DIW35 said:
I recently got a NIP for doing 80 in a 70
I was quite proud as it's the first time i've been caught only a little bit speeding and have been offered a speed awareness course (said a bit tongue in cheek...!)
There seems to be more of these appearing on the M1 through Herts towards Watford. Although I've only seen them flash when the temporary limits are up, not when the signs are off.
Have heard they can now enforce the Red "X" as well.. That can only be a good thing, unlike some signs, if its a flashing red X , it's put on for a reason.
Have heard they can now enforce the Red "X" as well.. That can only be a good thing, unlike some signs, if its a flashing red X , it's put on for a reason.
fast_eddie said:
frankenstein12 said:
Which is why i drive according to the conditions and have as yet in all my years driving and what must be nearly three quarters of a million miles mostly in excess of the speed limit on motorways I have never had a ticket.
Standard process on motorways is when on unknown motorway have waze/speed cam app on and keep a look out for gantry cams and these new ones.
At all times on known or unknown look as far ahead as you can to see if you can spot anything on any rises or bridges across the carriageway or lots of cars brakes coming on at the same time on approach to a bridge or going through a bend.
Keep to lane discipline and keep as far left as possible. A natural response for a speed camera operator is going to be to focus on the inside/overtaking/fast lane. The further to the left of it you are the better chance you stand of not being pinged or slowing down before they get a chance to ping you as they will expect the faster moving cars to be in the "fast" lane.
When passing onramps quick mirror glance shoulder check to see if plod are sat up the ramp waiting for someone to whizz on by. (This is a favourite trick on the M11/A14 between Bishops Stortford and Cambridgeshire.
Oh and of course on bridges and even footpaths be aware of foreign objects sticking up over the side of the railings (look for tripods). If there are even spaced pods possibly camera van hidden off to the side.
Unmarked cars. Usually in furthest lane to the left. Keeping to speed limit or thereabouts. New cars. Clean. Normally a little lower at the rear than should be. Look through car to see if there is a camera near the rearview mirror. Unmarked cars are definitely getting harder to spot.
Just a few things t observe when on every motorway journey.
Well, that's the first time anyone has ever written exactly as my brain works whilst driving on a motorway!Standard process on motorways is when on unknown motorway have waze/speed cam app on and keep a look out for gantry cams and these new ones.
At all times on known or unknown look as far ahead as you can to see if you can spot anything on any rises or bridges across the carriageway or lots of cars brakes coming on at the same time on approach to a bridge or going through a bend.
Keep to lane discipline and keep as far left as possible. A natural response for a speed camera operator is going to be to focus on the inside/overtaking/fast lane. The further to the left of it you are the better chance you stand of not being pinged or slowing down before they get a chance to ping you as they will expect the faster moving cars to be in the "fast" lane.
When passing onramps quick mirror glance shoulder check to see if plod are sat up the ramp waiting for someone to whizz on by. (This is a favourite trick on the M11/A14 between Bishops Stortford and Cambridgeshire.
Oh and of course on bridges and even footpaths be aware of foreign objects sticking up over the side of the railings (look for tripods). If there are even spaced pods possibly camera van hidden off to the side.
Unmarked cars. Usually in furthest lane to the left. Keeping to speed limit or thereabouts. New cars. Clean. Normally a little lower at the rear than should be. Look through car to see if there is a camera near the rearview mirror. Unmarked cars are definitely getting harder to spot.
Just a few things t observe when on every motorway journey.
I grew up driving in the 80s and 90s and there were Police everywhere...
Not so much now, but I still use the above principles
Given up now... cruise control... 75mph.
7795 said:
All that jazz said:
DIW35 said:
I recently got a NIP for doing 80 in a 70
I was quite proud as it's the first time i've been caught only a little bit speeding and have been offered a speed awareness course (said a bit tongue in cheek...!)
Nowadays I apply the 10% rule everywhere and have given up going for performance metal as just find it endlessly frustrating never being able to use any of it. Comfort and kit is now the order of the day, too many cameras and numpties on the road these days.
I have resigned myself to sticking to 70 with the masses.
It was certainly safer to be able to go more quickly if needed as you can get away from most road users who seem to be in a daze.
Driving the Caterham on the motorway can be tricky when surrounded by other cars as you know many won't spot you if not careful.
It was certainly safer to be able to go more quickly if needed as you can get away from most road users who seem to be in a daze.
Driving the Caterham on the motorway can be tricky when surrounded by other cars as you know many won't spot you if not careful.
Davie said:
fast_eddie said:
frankenstein12 said:
Which is why i drive according to the conditions and have as yet in all my years driving and what must be nearly three quarters of a million miles mostly in excess of the speed limit on motorways I have never had a ticket.
Standard process on motorways is when on unknown motorway have waze/speed cam app on and keep a look out for gantry cams and these new ones.
At all times on known or unknown look as far ahead as you can to see if you can spot anything on any rises or bridges across the carriageway or lots of cars brakes coming on at the same time on approach to a bridge or going through a bend.
Keep to lane discipline and keep as far left as possible. A natural response for a speed camera operator is going to be to focus on the inside/overtaking/fast lane. The further to the left of it you are the better chance you stand of not being pinged or slowing down before they get a chance to ping you as they will expect the faster moving cars to be in the "fast" lane.
When passing onramps quick mirror glance shoulder check to see if plod are sat up the ramp waiting for someone to whizz on by. (This is a favourite trick on the M11/A14 between Bishops Stortford and Cambridgeshire.
Oh and of course on bridges and even footpaths be aware of foreign objects sticking up over the side of the railings (look for tripods). If there are even spaced pods possibly camera van hidden off to the side.
Unmarked cars. Usually in furthest lane to the left. Keeping to speed limit or thereabouts. New cars. Clean. Normally a little lower at the rear than should be. Look through car to see if there is a camera near the rearview mirror. Unmarked cars are definitely getting harder to spot.
Just a few things t observe when on every motorway journey.
Well, that's the first time anyone has ever written exactly as my brain works whilst driving on a motorway!Standard process on motorways is when on unknown motorway have waze/speed cam app on and keep a look out for gantry cams and these new ones.
At all times on known or unknown look as far ahead as you can to see if you can spot anything on any rises or bridges across the carriageway or lots of cars brakes coming on at the same time on approach to a bridge or going through a bend.
Keep to lane discipline and keep as far left as possible. A natural response for a speed camera operator is going to be to focus on the inside/overtaking/fast lane. The further to the left of it you are the better chance you stand of not being pinged or slowing down before they get a chance to ping you as they will expect the faster moving cars to be in the "fast" lane.
When passing onramps quick mirror glance shoulder check to see if plod are sat up the ramp waiting for someone to whizz on by. (This is a favourite trick on the M11/A14 between Bishops Stortford and Cambridgeshire.
Oh and of course on bridges and even footpaths be aware of foreign objects sticking up over the side of the railings (look for tripods). If there are even spaced pods possibly camera van hidden off to the side.
Unmarked cars. Usually in furthest lane to the left. Keeping to speed limit or thereabouts. New cars. Clean. Normally a little lower at the rear than should be. Look through car to see if there is a camera near the rearview mirror. Unmarked cars are definitely getting harder to spot.
Just a few things t observe when on every motorway journey.
I grew up driving in the 80s and 90s and there were Police everywhere...
Not so much now, but I still use the above principles
Given up now... cruise control... 75mph.
I may be wrong, but aren't they meant to be yellow if they are active ones set at the exact speed limit? Just before junction 26 of the motorway there are some bright yellow cameras before it gets really bendy (which is a good idea) but it does reduce the speed to 50mph, and people do go through them at 50 so I guess they do work... the ones in the picture aren't yellow. The end of the M6 toll southbound has many cameras that aren't yellow and, going through at 85, they haven't flashed at all.
Riley Blue said:
A) They do indeed flash as has already been stated.
I can't think of a technical reason why they would need to flash in good light, so I wouldn't assume they will always flash.It would be some very old tech if it couldn't capture a sharp, clean image of a 100mph car in anything up to dusk conditions without flash.
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