The 50mph M4 Port Talbot cash cow Is it legal
Discussion
They've introduced a 24hour 50mph limit on the M4 at Port Talbot
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/new-m...
Is it more cash cow than safety? Over 4000 caught over the limit yet none of those involved in collisions.
Peak enforcement times are weekends and evening when it's quiet and safe for 70mph. At other times of day it's busy, traffic is slow so little money to be made.
Apparantly it's being enforced at £100 at 56mph (below ACPO 57mph) on a clear motorway. Has anyone else heard same?
If the 50mph isn't proportionate and for safety is it legal anyway?
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/new-m...
Is it more cash cow than safety? Over 4000 caught over the limit yet none of those involved in collisions.
Peak enforcement times are weekends and evening when it's quiet and safe for 70mph. At other times of day it's busy, traffic is slow so little money to be made.
Apparantly it's being enforced at £100 at 56mph (below ACPO 57mph) on a clear motorway. Has anyone else heard same?
If the 50mph isn't proportionate and for safety is it legal anyway?
Conscript said:
Are there any facts to prove that introducing average speed zones on motorways actually improves safety?
I think I would rather have drivers doing 70MPH and looking at the road rather than 50MPH looking at their speedo.
They will probably take a leaf out f the Sscottish transport ministers book and just make up some proof like he did for averaging the M9 to Perth.I think I would rather have drivers doing 70MPH and looking at the road rather than 50MPH looking at their speedo.
It's improved the traffic around port talbot a lot. You still que but no where near as much. Most days I used to be a stand still but now it's always flowing.
I hardly think it's a cash cow they informed people and even didn't give speeding tickets for the first 2 months. If you're still ignoring it it's your own bloody fault.
I hardly think it's a cash cow they informed people and even didn't give speeding tickets for the first 2 months. If you're still ignoring it it's your own bloody fault.
There's big roadworks going on between J3 and J5 of the M54 at the moment.
On the eastbound carriageway, the speed limit is 50mph.
Westbound, it's 40mph.
I can't work out why there's a difference. I assume there must be a reason, but it eludes me. I don't mind the 50mph limit so much, but the 40 is painfully slow.
On the eastbound carriageway, the speed limit is 50mph.
Westbound, it's 40mph.
I can't work out why there's a difference. I assume there must be a reason, but it eludes me. I don't mind the 50mph limit so much, but the 40 is painfully slow.
Nickbrapp said:
It's improved the traffic around port talbot a lot. You still queue but no where near as much. Most days I used to be a stand still but now it's always flowing.
I think youre talking about busy periods. The OP is about other times of dayOr is the change youve notice due to that closed junction?
The average speed cameras are new, but the limit has been in place since the motorway opened, as far as I am aware.
There used to be fixed speed cameras, but the problem in this area is short sliproads and drivers who happily join the motorway at 30 mph. People would slam on the brakes for the cameras, and even with the average speed cameras, it's not at all unusual to see people voluntarily doing 35-40 all the way through the stretch.
The road is poorly designed, but drivers in the area are also excessively cautious, so that doing 70 mph could lead to some seriously scary closing speeds.
There used to be fixed speed cameras, but the problem in this area is short sliproads and drivers who happily join the motorway at 30 mph. People would slam on the brakes for the cameras, and even with the average speed cameras, it's not at all unusual to see people voluntarily doing 35-40 all the way through the stretch.
The road is poorly designed, but drivers in the area are also excessively cautious, so that doing 70 mph could lead to some seriously scary closing speeds.
CYMR0 said:
The average speed cameras are new, but the limit has been in place since the motorway opened, as far as I am aware.
There used to be fixed speed cameras, but the problem in this area is short sliproads and drivers who happily join the motorway at 30 mph. People would slam on the brakes for the cameras, and even with the average speed cameras, it's not at all unusual to see people voluntarily doing 35-40 all the way through the stretch.
The road is poorly designed, but drivers in the area are also excessively cautious, so that doing 70 mph could lead to some seriously scary closing speeds.
How long have you been driving?There used to be fixed speed cameras, but the problem in this area is short sliproads and drivers who happily join the motorway at 30 mph. People would slam on the brakes for the cameras, and even with the average speed cameras, it's not at all unusual to see people voluntarily doing 35-40 all the way through the stretch.
The road is poorly designed, but drivers in the area are also excessively cautious, so that doing 70 mph could lead to some seriously scary closing speeds.
Youre allowed to adjust your speed to avoid scary moments. No-one is saying you should drive at the speed limit regardless
saaby93 said:
think youre talking about busy periods. The OP is about other times of day
Or is the change youve notice due to that closed junction?
No the junction closing is the other side and the traffic is normally heaveir heading away from swansea.Or is the change youve notice due to that closed junction?
The limits always been 50, it's a 2 lane stretch with very short slip roads, it's windy and it's busy. I don't see a problem with it. It's for less than 3 miles anyway.
Nothing can be done about the 2 lanes it's all on a bridge with houses either side.
3xpendable said:
One thing I do like about the new average limit there is it takes away the idiots doing 70 all through there then stamping on the anchors for the GATSO.
In my experience (of the M1 roadworks average speed cameras), the majority of drivers don't know what the word "average" means.Conscript said:
Are there any facts to prove that introducing average speed zones on motorways actually improves safety?
I think I would rather have drivers doing 70MPH and looking at the road rather than 50MPH looking at their speedo.
This. Very much this.I think I would rather have drivers doing 70MPH and looking at the road rather than 50MPH looking at their speedo.
Even moreso in narrower than usual lanes through roadworks.
Nickbrapp said:
I hardly think it's a cash cow they informed people and even didn't give speeding tickets for the first 2 months. If you're still ignoring it it's your own bloody fault.
^^ This.Nickbrapp said:
The limits always been 50, it's a 2 lane stretch with very short slip roads, it's windy and it's busy. I don't see a problem with it. It's for less than 3 miles anyway.
Nothing can be done about the 2 lanes it's all on a bridge with houses either side.
^^ And this.Nothing can be done about the 2 lanes it's all on a bridge with houses either side.
Off course it is legal!!
They set the rules they think are adequate for the stretch of road and speed limit can be easily justifiable in most situations regardless if we think it is fair.
I find amusing that the motorway speed limit is the same for the last 30 years or so whilst the cars have improved massively! It would be interesting to extrapolate the cars performance of 30 years ago to see what the 70mph really mean on today's money!
Of course people will say yes cars are safer but there are a lot more cars on the road. Fair enough, I don't use a motorway to race but it would be nice to get somewhere faster, increasing speed limit to 80 is probably harmless...
I need to run the statisticians will be here is a jiff!
They set the rules they think are adequate for the stretch of road and speed limit can be easily justifiable in most situations regardless if we think it is fair.
I find amusing that the motorway speed limit is the same for the last 30 years or so whilst the cars have improved massively! It would be interesting to extrapolate the cars performance of 30 years ago to see what the 70mph really mean on today's money!
Of course people will say yes cars are safer but there are a lot more cars on the road. Fair enough, I don't use a motorway to race but it would be nice to get somewhere faster, increasing speed limit to 80 is probably harmless...
I need to run the statisticians will be here is a jiff!
saaby93 said:
Which section of road traffic act?
ooh - legal stuff! A short stretch of 50mph speed limit is not going to be dealt with in primary legislation such as the Road Traffic Act, it will be in secondary legislation somewhere, either a statutory instrument or an order given by the relevant secretary of state. Google something like '50mph limit port talbot legislation' and you'll find it soon enough.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff