Speed limit sign error

[amancalledrob]

I went out for the May Day run yesterday (briefly, because it rained and I started getting wet) and on the way back I noticed the temporary speed limit signs outside a school (in Hurst Green, I think) didn't match - one was stuck on 20, the other correctly showing 30. There was a camera van parked up about 30 metres further on.

For clarity: I wasn't speeding - but out of curiosity what would be the deal if I was? Presumably one's safe following the higher limit displayed (30mph) but let's say you ride through at 40mph - is a ticket issued by the lonely-man-in-van valid or not?

[amancalledrob]

Red Devil said:

Hurst Green
https://goo.gl/maps/DzS3Dzs27Wk
https://goo.gl/maps/2UNnSBjg5Zv

You should be fine at 30 outside of school hours. The scamera shouldn't be set to trap below that figure.
I reckon a ping at 40 would be valid but IANAL. HG is a known hot spot and I wouldn't even take the chance.

Agreed, I only get "creative" with NSL zones for just that reason. I know all speeding is bad but I do stick to any sign with a number on it. I'm really just curious as to what happens when the signs on either side of the road don't match

[amancalledrob]

Type R Tom said:

The police and camera operators are meant to check the sites before they start enforcing to make sure everything is correct and therefore avoid any problems when they catch people.

I thought that, but when I challenged the guy in the van he just said the temporary sign was stuck and that there was nothing he could do about it. I don't understand why, at the very least, he didn't just pop a bag over the faulty signs. That area is still properly covered by accurate 30mph signs, so it would have solved more problems than it caused.

As it was, it was a very wet and miserable day and people were panic braking to comply with the 20mph limit erroneously being displayed. I guess the chances of braking from 30 to 20 causing a collision are minimal but it's still a risk that could have been avoided