M5 Bristol - flashed in variable speed limit

[Notreallymeeither]

Hi all

Coming down the M5 from Gloucester [as I do every week] and going through the variable speed section of the M5 by cribbs causeway I went through a variable speed limit sign that said 60. About 400m later I was doing an indicated 58 past the camera, which surprisingly flashed twice as I went passed.

About 200m further I came into a 40 variable speed limit sign for some roadworks (which were not there).

How does the variable limit camera images work - does someone from the police review the evidence and check the 60 speed limit before the camera and realize that I was not speeding? Or is it more technical / automated and are all the signs linked with the camera?

I’ve been driving for 26 years without any points on my license and I am very hacked off to be flashed when I was doing 58 in a 60. I am assuming it was a random double flash and I’ll hear no more about it?

Thanks

[hoegaardenruls]

This may prove what we were told on a recent speed awareness course.

I took it with a pinch of salt, but there is apparently a small grace period for exactly this scenario where the speed limit is changing - you may be OK if that's to be believed.

[jackofall84]

I've been done myself on the same stretch, as the poster above put, on my speed awareness course I was also told there's a few minutes grace between if the sign changes and flashing you. I think I've also seen them flash randomly at people that appear to be doing far below the speed limit.

[TheDrownedApe]

There is a grace period. BUT isn't the grace period before they change the camera speed alert limit? I would have thought it's far easier to change the gantry speed, then 1 minute later change the camera alert speed limit....than it is to have an actually person checking the time stamp afterwards etc etc?

OP dash cam fitted? That might help if you do get a NIP

[Notreallymeeither]

Thanks all.

No, unfortunately no dash cam fitted.

Everyone else was driving at 60 ish so everyone thought it was that speed - but it was just me who got flashed grrrrr

[BertBert]

Notreallymeeither said:

Hi all
Coming down the M5 from Gloucester [as I do every week] and going through the variable speed section of the M5 by cribbs causeway I went through a variable speed limit sign that said 60. About 400m later I was doing an indicated 58 past the camera, which surprisingly flashed twice as I went passed.

How come the camera is 400 yards past the vble speed limit sign? Aren't the speed cameras at the same place so the pre-camera that takes a pic of the limit can take the photo to show the reduced limit?
Bert

[Rostfritt]

Notreallymeeither said:

Thanks all.

No, unfortunately no dash cam fitted.

Everyone else was driving at 60 ish so everyone thought it was that speed - but it was just me who got flashed grrrrr

I had it flash when we were all doing 50 and it was 60. Worried me for a bit but never saw anything. Wondered if I was imagining the flash.

There is a grace period after it drops of something like a minute. I assume that it is instant if the limit goes up.

[MrC986]

Avon & Somerset seem to have the tightest margins on the variable speed cameras, even when they’re switched off. If you’re eligible, take the course as you’ll definitely learn something useful.