Discussion
Got caught doing 48 in a 40 on a section of the M60 which is subject to smart motorway cameras.
Car has ACC and reads the speed limits to adjust the speed accordingly.
Unfortunately it only reacts to the new speed once it goes past the sign (ie it doesn't adjust the speed down so you pass the new speed sign at the correct speed).
Two points to make on the above really;
1. Surely ACC could be programmed to have the foresight to pass the new speed limit at the correct speed? (just wanted to add that i know that this is an added feature of the vehicle and i am responsible for the speed that the car is doing and i should have adjusted the speed manually)
2. I had wrongly assumed that the Smart motorway on the M60 was average speed check (which is why i didn't over-ride the ACC as i would have brought my average down over the distance to the next camera as there was a build up of traffic before the next camera). Is it correct and fair that the Smart motorway can adjust a speed downwards AND have a camera on the digital speed limit sign as opposed to maybe a few hundred yards ahead to give drivers a chance to reduce their speed? Is there an allowance in the system to allow drivers time to adjust to the new speed? Does the camera become active the split second that it's reduced downwards? I can imagine this would unfairly catch out a hell of a lot of drivers who don't slam on as soon as the sign changes
(ready to be shot down)
Car has ACC and reads the speed limits to adjust the speed accordingly.
Unfortunately it only reacts to the new speed once it goes past the sign (ie it doesn't adjust the speed down so you pass the new speed sign at the correct speed).
Two points to make on the above really;
1. Surely ACC could be programmed to have the foresight to pass the new speed limit at the correct speed? (just wanted to add that i know that this is an added feature of the vehicle and i am responsible for the speed that the car is doing and i should have adjusted the speed manually)
2. I had wrongly assumed that the Smart motorway on the M60 was average speed check (which is why i didn't over-ride the ACC as i would have brought my average down over the distance to the next camera as there was a build up of traffic before the next camera). Is it correct and fair that the Smart motorway can adjust a speed downwards AND have a camera on the digital speed limit sign as opposed to maybe a few hundred yards ahead to give drivers a chance to reduce their speed? Is there an allowance in the system to allow drivers time to adjust to the new speed? Does the camera become active the split second that it's reduced downwards? I can imagine this would unfairly catch out a hell of a lot of drivers who don't slam on as soon as the sign changes
(ready to be shot down)
1. The last car I drove with auto speed recognition did start to adjust speed down as the car approached the sign for the lower limit. It did not wait until the sign was passed before it began to reduce speed.
2. ‘Does the camera become active the split second that it's reduced downwards? ‘ I understood that if the speed limit changes on a smart motorway then there is a short time delay before the cameras activate at the new lower speed limit. In your case did the speed limit suddenly change as you passed the sign?
2. ‘Does the camera become active the split second that it's reduced downwards? ‘ I understood that if the speed limit changes on a smart motorway then there is a short time delay before the cameras activate at the new lower speed limit. In your case did the speed limit suddenly change as you passed the sign?
I've driven a few cars with ACC fed from the speed limit warning system. The only one where I played around with the menus was a Ford Galaxy. It was a few years ago but I'm sure you could set two variables:
1) a speed offset (so if you always want it to try for 5mph over the limit you'd put 5 in here)
2) how aggressively to slow/speed for speed limit changes.
To avoid having that issue again, might be worth seeing if you have similar settings to adjust? I figured they were incorporated to allow for regional differences (e.g. places on the continent where they have umpteen speed limits in 100 metres would be very unpleasant with aggressive speed changes set, but in Scotland you really wouldn't want to risk coasting through at a ticketable speed).
1) a speed offset (so if you always want it to try for 5mph over the limit you'd put 5 in here)
2) how aggressively to slow/speed for speed limit changes.
To avoid having that issue again, might be worth seeing if you have similar settings to adjust? I figured they were incorporated to allow for regional differences (e.g. places on the continent where they have umpteen speed limits in 100 metres would be very unpleasant with aggressive speed changes set, but in Scotland you really wouldn't want to risk coasting through at a ticketable speed).
I don't think that any of the smart motorways are av speed systems. And yes if there is a camera on the first gantry displaying the limit it is allowed to get you. Fortunately, you'll be taught about these and many other interesting aspects of motorway speed management on the resulting course - what joy!
BertBert said:
I don't think that any of the smart motorways are av speed systems. And yes if there is a camera on the first gantry displaying the limit it is allowed to get you. Fortunately, you'll be taught about these and many other interesting aspects of motorway speed management on the resulting course - what joy!
Very interesting and thank youI've always scoffed at the morons who fly by at 90 then slam on as they go past the gantry thinking they'll be caught on the average speed camera... who's the moron now?
My car doesn't have such settings although it does decelerate quite quickly from the point it passes the new speed limit but obviously not quickly enough
Unfortunately the car i was in isn't my daily driver but lesson learned.... i'll be over-riding the ACC with my right foot in future
Driversmatter said:
It means the time between speed limit changing and detection is determined by these factors. I have seen paperwork relating to an offence 20secs after limit changed 70/60.
Thanks but I don't think the limit changed in this case. It's just that the camera was on the first gantry that displayed the limit which is the question. Not that the limit had just changed.Ultimately as the driver of the car, you carry the can for it. I agree the ACC might be classed as a mitigating factor but would not consider this to absolve you of responsibility.
All these electronic drivers aids are just that aids, the argument it was the car not me will get addressed at some point due to autonomous vehicles hitting the streets. Every investigation will become a game of computer forensics before deciding who is responsible i.e. driver A, B, C.... or Manufacturer X, Y, Z.
All these electronic drivers aids are just that aids, the argument it was the car not me will get addressed at some point due to autonomous vehicles hitting the streets. Every investigation will become a game of computer forensics before deciding who is responsible i.e. driver A, B, C.... or Manufacturer X, Y, Z.
gottans said:
Ultimately as the driver of the car, you carry the can for it. I agree the ACC might be classed as a mitigating factor but would not consider this to absolve you of responsibility.
All these electronic drivers aids are just that aids, the argument it was the car not me will get addressed at some point due to autonomous vehicles hitting the streets. Every investigation will become a game of computer forensics before deciding who is responsible i.e. driver A, B, C.... or Manufacturer X, Y, Z.
I don't think anyone on the thread has sought to blame the tech or even consider it as mitigating (as there's no point).All these electronic drivers aids are just that aids, the argument it was the car not me will get addressed at some point due to autonomous vehicles hitting the streets. Every investigation will become a game of computer forensics before deciding who is responsible i.e. driver A, B, C.... or Manufacturer X, Y, Z.
BertBert said:
Takemeaway said:
I've always scoffed at the morons who fly by at 90 then slam on as they go past the gantry
I think you can carry on scoffing at that!Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff