Southampton - 30 zone on a dual carriageway???
Discussion
I have just recently received a nice letter for - allegedly - doing 50 in a 30 zone on a dual carriageway in Southampton (which I was visiting).
I am not from the Southamton area, so can anyone shed any light on as to why there is (apparently) a 30 zone on this dual carriageway (my registered speed is listed at exactly 50mph - which is precisely what I thought the speed limit was on this stretch of carriageway!)?
This is my first offence and I'm rather annoyed that I am potentially facing a 4-6 point endorsement, plus a fine. I am always careful to remain within the 30 limit in built up areas and am really annoyed that I seem to have been caught out by a 'rogue' speed restriction.
Also, can anyone provide any advise on how to proceed?
FYI - position of camera was A3024, Bitterne Road West, Bitterne, Southampton.
I am not from the Southamton area, so can anyone shed any light on as to why there is (apparently) a 30 zone on this dual carriageway (my registered speed is listed at exactly 50mph - which is precisely what I thought the speed limit was on this stretch of carriageway!)?
This is my first offence and I'm rather annoyed that I am potentially facing a 4-6 point endorsement, plus a fine. I am always careful to remain within the 30 limit in built up areas and am really annoyed that I seem to have been caught out by a 'rogue' speed restriction.
Also, can anyone provide any advise on how to proceed?
FYI - position of camera was A3024, Bitterne Road West, Bitterne, Southampton.
Reca said:
I have just recently received a nice letter for - allegedly - doing 50 in a 30 zone on a dual carriageway in Southampton (which I was visiting).
I am not from the Southamton area, so can anyone shed any light on as to why there is (apparently) a 30 zone on this dual carriageway (my registered speed is listed at exactly 50mph - which is precisely what I thought the speed limit was on this stretch of carriageway!)?
This is my first offence and I'm rather annoyed that I am potentially facing a 4-6 point endorsement, plus a fine. I am always careful to remain within the 30 limit in built up areas and am really annoyed that I seem to have been caught out by a 'rogue' speed restriction.
Also, can anyone provide any advise on how to proceed?
FYI - position of camera was A3024, Bitterne Road West, Bitterne, Southampton.
What made you think that the DC was a 50 limit ?
Visiting Southampton on a short break for the first time - I don't know the area at all. Only point of reference I had was the visible speed limit signs and I don't recall any stating 30 - only 50 (is this something that a visitor might easily miss? [I accept that the speed camera warnings thenselves are indeed very clear]). Is there just one sign denoting the 30 limit?
I should reiterate that I do respect the 30 limit, because as pointed out, it usually does apply in residential areas where children are likely to be present.
I should reiterate that I do respect the 30 limit, because as pointed out, it usually does apply in residential areas where children are likely to be present.
Based on the above comments, it looks very much like I may have missed the signs in this case...
Could any of you provide any insight as to what happens next / what I can expect for a first offence (I should add I have been driving over ten years now)?
Specifically: am correct in thinking it's 4-6 points on my licence? Any idea of what kind of fine I might expect and the possible insurance premium ramifications?
Could any of you provide any insight as to what happens next / what I can expect for a first offence (I should add I have been driving over ten years now)?
Specifically: am correct in thinking it's 4-6 points on my licence? Any idea of what kind of fine I might expect and the possible insurance premium ramifications?
gridgway said:
Doesn't have to be signed as a 30.
If it has street lighting & is not a motorway, in the absence of repeaters to the contrary it will be a 30.
Did I get that right VH? A streetlit DC is a 30 limit unless signed otherwise?
Graham
Yes that's right, unless it's a motorway which will be a NSL unless signed otherwise.
>> Edited by vonhosen on Tuesday 16th May 22:05
reca, go to www.abd.org.uk and select local issues and then Hampshire. The photo shows a camera on the centre reservation of a DC with a 30 mph limit near northam Bridge Southampton.
Note the position of the illuminated advertising hording which is designed to distract the driver. it would be more sensible to get rid of it if safety were the prime purpose.
Note the position of the illuminated advertising hording which is designed to distract the driver. it would be more sensible to get rid of it if safety were the prime purpose.
vonhosen said:
Doesn't have to be signed as a 30.
If it has street lighting & is not a motorway, in the absence of repeaters to the contrary it will be a 30.
Did I get that right VH? A streetlit DC is a 30 limit unless signed otherwise?
Graham
Yes that's right, unless it's a motorway which will be a NSL unless signed otherwise.
Highway code rule 103 is beautifully confusing on the matter! It differentiates between built-up areas (no road type specified) and non-built up areas (specifying the NSL for sc dc and mway). So is it that a steetlit dc is equivalent to being in a built up area? It also doesn't differentiate between dc's and mways.
GRaham
More than likely the one further back up the road as you are going down hill towards the Bridge and City Centre from the East.
You just pass under a road bridge whilst sweeping gently left the road then sweeps gently right towards a set of traffic lights, you eyes take you towards the traffic lights as they are important and away from the camera imhe.
Yes it has been a 30 for a lot of years, I personally think that stretch should be at least a 40 with pedestrian railings myself, but thats not going to make money, is it.
You just pass under a road bridge whilst sweeping gently left the road then sweeps gently right towards a set of traffic lights, you eyes take you towards the traffic lights as they are important and away from the camera imhe.
Yes it has been a 30 for a lot of years, I personally think that stretch should be at least a 40 with pedestrian railings myself, but thats not going to make money, is it.
gridgway said:
Doesn't have to be signed as a 30.
If it has street lighting & is not a motorway, in the absence of repeaters to the contrary it will be a 30.
Did I get that right VH? A streetlit DC is a 30 limit unless signed otherwise?
Graham
Yes that's right, unless it's a motorway which will be a NSL unless signed otherwise.
Highway code rule 103 is beautifully confusing on the matter! It differentiates between built-up areas (no road type specified) and non-built up areas (specifying the NSL for sc dc and mway). So is it that a steetlit dc is equivalent to being in a built up area? It also doesn't differentiate between dc's and mways.
GRaham
A built up area is signified by street lighting & is a 30mph limit unless signed otherwise irrespective of road type.
A motorway is a "special road" in law and is a NSL limit whether it has street lighting or not unless it is signed otherwise.
A road without street lighting (unless it is a motorway) is NSL unless signed otherwise (SC & DC obviously meaning different speeds under NSL for different vehicle types.)
vonhosen said:
BTW, there is some seriously big signs letting you know that it is a 30 :-)
Doesn't have to be signed as a 30.
If it has street lighting & is not a motorway, in the absence of repeaters to the contrary it will be a 30.
It's not as simple as that.
The lighting has to be consistent over the area of the unsigned section of road and the lamp standards must be at least 200 yards apart.
Reca said:
Sounds like the place!!!
Here then jsut to the north of the circle <a href="www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?local=h&scale=5000&lon=-1.3612&lat=50.9147&icon=x">Map</a
Reca said:
Difficult to tell from the map - but it certainly appears to match the bit of paper I have been issued with...
I live this way and even now I have to think about that one!!
Click on the aerial photograph tab its a bit clearer, you would have been coming from the right, its actually Maybray King Way.
Maybe there's a get out clause/technicality here, in as much its is known locally as the Bittern Road and the ticket says so, if it was that camera then it is the wrong address so to speak 
. Should I say that little stretch of dual is Maybray King way, the main road is the Bittern Road west >> Edited by HarryW on Tuesday 16th May 23:09
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