How do speed camera vans work??!!

[OdramaSwimLaden]

I went past one today. It was on the A413 and I came at it from it's front. it was on the other side of the road.

It had two black squares on the back, I assume it's blackened glass/plastic for the cameras to face out of.

If I pass it from the front and it is on the other side of the road, can it ping me if I'm (possibly) travelling too fast...?

ETA....there were not speed camera signs on the van so maybe an ANPR van??

Edited by OdramaSwimLaden on Thursday 10th April 16:44

[Nickyboy]

They can get you either coming towards or going away from them. At least if you see them facing the other way you can adjust your speed as you drive past.

[andy118run]

I guess there are regional variations but most speed camera vans I see are fairly bright and stripy with big camera logos on them. The camera will usually be pointed out of the open back/side windows.

What you describe sounds more like an ANPR van. I often see a dark blue van with darkened windows parked up on fairly busy roads around Norwich - lurking somewhere nearby will be a few police motorbikes ready to stop any vehicles flagged up by the ANPR (I presume).

[Mr Trophy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcDkm-bQb50

[bobthebench]

It can, but unlikely it was operating when you passed. AFAIK it cannot be used through glass or plastic. It will have windows, probably all round, which are lowered when the camera is being used. It can be used across lanes or carriageways, but there are risks with this in terms of other traffic, and the angle of detection - technically referred to as Cosine Rule. In short use head on or within about 5 degrees, no more.

[OdramaSwimLaden]

Thanks guys.

Does the 14 day rule still apply? (assuming all addresses, V5's etc, etc are up to date...)

[SS2.]

OdramaSwimLaden said:

Does the 14 day rule still apply? (assuming all addresses, V5's etc, etc are up to date...)

If you were pinged over the enforcement threshold, the police / SCP would be required to serve a Notice of Intended Prosecution on the [DVLA recorded] registered keeper of the vehicle within 14 calendar days of the alleged offence.

It's no get-out-of-jail free card if the address on the V5 was incorrect and the initial notice was posted elsewhere than your current address which resulted in the first correspondence you received being outwith the 14 day period.

[hedgefinder]

they generally sit in positions most likely (due to human nature, rightly or wrongly people do tend to brake suddenly when they see a camera van before even looking at their speedo) to cause accidents hidden round tight bends where speed limit changes might likely catch anyone either speeding up for the higher limit too quickly or not slowing down for the oncoming lower limit quickly enough. They then generate maximum income for the local authority all in the veiled guise of "road safety" ...
or

"road safety - my arse" as I prefer to call it..

[OdramaSwimLaden]

SS2. said:

OdramaSwimLaden said:

Does the 14 day rule still apply? (assuming all addresses, V5's etc, etc are up to date...)

If you were pinged over the enforcement threshold, the police / SCP would be required to serve a Notice of Intended Prosecution on the [DVLA recorded] registered keeper of the vehicle within 14 calendar days of the alleged offence.

It's no get-out-of-jail free card if the address on the V5 was incorrect and the initial notice was posted elsewhere than your current address which resulted in the first correspondence you received being outwith the 14 day period.

That is how I understood it. Thank you.