Smart motorway - M1 section north (Bedfordshire) - ticket?

[Bosco]

As I hit the smart motorway network on the M1, circa 50 miles north of London, at around 8am yesterday morning, the 60 mph signs were lit up, I had started slowing down from around 75mph and I triggered the camera flash.

The motorway was pretty quiet at that time, bar a couple of other cars going north and there were no accidents, broken down cars, etc, so not sure why the 60 mph sign was on.

I now await the 14 days to see if I get a speeding ticket and 3 points - FFS!

Will I get a ticket (I did a speed awareness course last month - was doing 79mph on the M62) and why would the speed have been limited to 60 mph? - I've read on another thread re lorries and pollution in the rush hour, but on Christmas Day...

Anyways, Merry Christmas to All.

[bigandclever]

Bosco said:

The motorway was pretty quiet at that time, bar a couple of other cars going north and there were no accidents, broken down cars, etc, so not sure why the 60 mph sign was on.

Technology tests, probably.

[Semmelweiss]

Ditto at about 9:15am. 75mph, and went under a gantry and saw the flash. Just as I went through, I saw the 60mph variable limit sign and slowed right down to the limit. No obvious reasons for the 60, since there was very little traffic...

See you in 13 days time ...🤐

[julian987R]

Was the same 60MPH on the M4 out of London. I think it was likely due to the misty air and visibility wasn't crystal clear was it. I saw a few people get flashed. Thing is, why are you slowing down from 75? should be 70, then you might have slowed down in time.
Hate to say it but I would prepare to expect the worse.

[Cheib]

The stretch through Luton is very often set to 60 mph…though that is normally because there is a decent amount of traffic.

[Nurburgsingh]

They can reduce the speed limit to improve air quality too.

Yes I think that’s utter BS too.

[ChrisW.]

I tend to cruise at an indicated 75+ simply because the speedo over-reads a little, but it's a real problem when a 60mph strictly enforced limit can be applied at the flick of a switch for a problem that may not be and often isn't relevant for the whole of the limited speed limit distance ...

I think when a camera is catching everybody out there must therefore be some leniency ... good luck !

[BertBert]

ChrisW. said:

I tend to cruise at an indicated 75+ simply because the speedo over-reads a little, but it's a real problem when a 60mph strictly enforced limit can be applied at the flick of a switch for a problem that may not be and often isn't relevant for the whole of the limited speed limit distance ...

I think when a camera is catching everybody out there must therefore be some leniency ... good luck !

The leniency is that you can do up to 67mph in a 60 and (usually) not get caught until you do 68 or above. Also there is a time delay when the limit is decreased.

[S600BSB]

You may get a ticket. I got one for 76 on the M1 smart motorway south of Leeds.

[gsewell]

Bedfordshire safety partnership running low on their Xmas party and NYE party funds?

[M11rph]

BertBert said:

... Also there is a time delay when the limit is decreased.

Only 10 seconds, which catches a lot of people out. Early smart Motorways had anything up to a minute before applying the lower speed limit and many still think this is the case.
Just easing off the accelerator often won't be enough.

[ChrisW.]

BertBert said:

ChrisW. said:

I tend to cruise at an indicated 75+ simply because the speedo over-reads a little, but it's a real problem when a 60mph strictly enforced limit can be applied at the flick of a switch for a problem that may not be and often isn't relevant for the whole of the limited speed limit distance ...

I think when a camera is catching everybody out there must therefore be some leniency ... good luck !

The leniency is that you can do up to 67mph in a 60 and (usually) not get caught until you do 68 or above. Also there is a time delay when the limit is decreased.

I was under the impression that there is no leniency when the speed limit is reduced ... as you say a tad over 70 when the national motorway limit is in force does receive some leniency ... can you add any fact to the reduced speed limit leniency (or otherwise ?)

[_speedyellow_]

I've been flashed a couple of times through the section leading up to J13 but never received a ticket.
I have got to the point of CC at 75 mph and staying as far left as I can - I notice that there are two Time/distance cameras and I guess they are pointed to the two outer overtaking lanes.

Staying left as much as possible isn't easy when more often than not there are prats dawdling in lanes 1-3 at 60-70mph being undertaken by equally dawdling prats who don't seem to know how to use a motorway..

[bigandclever]

M11rph said:

BertBert said:

... Also there is a time delay when the limit is decreased.

Only 10 seconds, which catches a lot of people out. Early smart Motorways had anything up to a minute before applying the lower speed limit and many still think this is the case.
Just easing off the accelerator often won't be enough.

Tell you what, I'll post this from 2020 that says "in a statement to Auto Express, Highways England said: “Following a change in the speed displayed by signals there is a 60-second ‘grace period’ before HADECS3 cameras start enforcement, giving time for drivers to adapt to the new mandatory speed limit, especially when speed limits are reduced due to slow-moving or queuing traffic up ahead. This gives drivers time to slow down and reduces the need for braking sharply.” and you post a more recent response to a FOI request saying it's 10 seconds.

[livinginasia]

Hope for some good luck and that it doesn’t issue a ticket for you OP. These “smart” motorways and the resultant increase in fatal accidents they bring with them should be removed and put back to normal. Just paint a solid white line between lanes 1 & 2, turn the gantry signs to say “keep left unless overtaking”, remove the cameras and job done.

[SS2.]

M11rph said:

BertBert said:

Also there is a time delay when the limit is decreased.

Only 10 seconds, which catches a lot of people out. Early smart Motorways had anything up to a minute before applying the lower speed limit and many still think this is the case.
Just easing off the accelerator often won't be enough.

10 seconds is the statutory minimum, which is not necessarily the grace period in effect.

[M11rph]

SS2. said:

10 seconds is the statutory minimum, which is not necessarily the grace period in effect.

True. However, given that there is no indication to drivers whether a "grace period" is in effect or its duration then the only assumption a driver can make is that the Statutory Minimum is in force.

[speedking31]

bigandclever said:

M11rph said:

BertBert said:

... Also there is a time delay when the limit is decreased.

Only 10 seconds, which catches a lot of people out. Early smart Motorways had anything up to a minute before applying the lower speed limit and many still think this is the case.

Tell you what, I'll post this from 2020 that says "in a statement to Auto Express, Highways England said: “Following a change in the speed displayed by signals there is a 60-second ‘grace period’ before HADECS3 cameras start enforcement, giving time for drivers to adapt to the new mandatory speed limit, especially when speed limits are reduced due to slow-moving or queuing traffic up ahead. This gives drivers time to slow down and reduces the need for braking sharply.” and you post a more recent response to a FOI request saying it's 10 seconds.

60 seconds in September 2022 leasing.com

[Canon_Fodder]

S600BSB said:

You may get a ticket. I got one for 76 on the M1 smart motorway south of Leeds.

In a 60 limit, right?

[martinbiz]

ChrisW. said:

I was under the impression that there is no leniency when the speed limit is reduced )

Your impression would be incorrect