A feast of flashing - M25 West section
Discussion
I drive the M25 about once per week but have rarely seen the cameras flashing. Today however...
(1) J 17 - 16 anticlockwise - about 1030h - variable 50-60 with free flowing traffic, camera lane 3 flashing almost continuously (but not in lane 4 where traffic faster). May have got me - ugh
(2) J 8 - 9 clockwise - about 1500h - variable limit sign 60 but no congestion - flashes lanes 2 and 4. No obvious reason for 60 limit and de-restricted from from 2 gantries later.
(3) J 11 - 10 anticlockwise - 1500h - no restriction signs - lane 4 flashing occasionally.
There are lots of new road markings from J10 through to J8 and today lots of blue flashing lights in both directions - mostly unmarked. The M25 was never good but now spend more time checking speed and watching for cameras than compatible with keeping a good lookout for other motorists. Is there some new speed enforcement initiative?
(1) J 17 - 16 anticlockwise - about 1030h - variable 50-60 with free flowing traffic, camera lane 3 flashing almost continuously (but not in lane 4 where traffic faster). May have got me - ugh
(2) J 8 - 9 clockwise - about 1500h - variable limit sign 60 but no congestion - flashes lanes 2 and 4. No obvious reason for 60 limit and de-restricted from from 2 gantries later.
(3) J 11 - 10 anticlockwise - 1500h - no restriction signs - lane 4 flashing occasionally.
There are lots of new road markings from J10 through to J8 and today lots of blue flashing lights in both directions - mostly unmarked. The M25 was never good but now spend more time checking speed and watching for cameras than compatible with keeping a good lookout for other motorists. Is there some new speed enforcement initiative?
For traffic lights we have the amber phase to warn you when they're about to change.
Why not have the variable speed limit signs flash for say 15 seconds before they change, and if the limit changes from one sign to the next have the sign accompanied by a couple of flashing amber beacons. I realise that the beacons would be on most signs virtually continuously but I think they would be an improvement.
It is annoying when the signs go 50 - 50 - 50 - 40 - 50 with the reduction for no apparent reason. You have to look at signs and speedo so frequently that it is distracting from the real focus of concentrating on the traffic.
Why not have the variable speed limit signs flash for say 15 seconds before they change, and if the limit changes from one sign to the next have the sign accompanied by a couple of flashing amber beacons. I realise that the beacons would be on most signs virtually continuously but I think they would be an improvement.
It is annoying when the signs go 50 - 50 - 50 - 40 - 50 with the reduction for no apparent reason. You have to look at signs and speedo so frequently that it is distracting from the real focus of concentrating on the traffic.
Like much of the motorway network the whole thing has obviously turned into an expensive multi lane liability and cash raising scam.IE it's the choice between getting caught between junctions in a massive tail back or getting nicked for exceeding an arbitrary speed limit which could be anything between 40 possibly less-70 mph with no logic or reason.In general it's probably best to try to plan a route which avoids the motorways wherever possible.
They're very obviously in some kind of dummy mode right now - they flashed me at 68 in a 70. I suspect they're trying to get everyone to slow down before they turn them on for real, as if they did that then they wouldn't be able to deal with the volume of tickets issued.
Plenty of posts here with people panicking about being flashed and, surprise surprise, no NIPs have arrived yet.
Plenty of posts here with people panicking about being flashed and, surprise surprise, no NIPs have arrived yet.
It is quite surprising how difficult it is to get any clear information about the way the gantry cameras are being used on the M25. There are multiple threads on lots of forums dating back over more than 10 years and lots of speculation. No common "truth" emerges which is surprising considering the wealth of collective knowledge. So what I think I have gleaned is as follows
1. HADECS cameras can enforce variable limits but not sure if also NSL
2. The flash is not necessarily in the same lane as the active camera
3. If active probably enforce at or around ACPO guidelines - uncertain with regard to NSL enforcement
4. If limit changes enforcement changes after one minute
5. Cameras take 3 pictures but uncertain how many flashes - some say 2 - I just saw single flashes
6. Surrey Police have recently (when?) taken over use of cameras in western section so things may be changing
7. Current interest is around "managed motorways" and new HADECS 3 cameras which monitor lane use and speed
8. Despite thousands of posts only a very few have admitted being caught - and then details are hazy
It would be nice to talk to one of the operators to establish facts.
1. HADECS cameras can enforce variable limits but not sure if also NSL
2. The flash is not necessarily in the same lane as the active camera
3. If active probably enforce at or around ACPO guidelines - uncertain with regard to NSL enforcement
4. If limit changes enforcement changes after one minute
5. Cameras take 3 pictures but uncertain how many flashes - some say 2 - I just saw single flashes
6. Surrey Police have recently (when?) taken over use of cameras in western section so things may be changing
7. Current interest is around "managed motorways" and new HADECS 3 cameras which monitor lane use and speed
8. Despite thousands of posts only a very few have admitted being caught - and then details are hazy
It would be nice to talk to one of the operators to establish facts.
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