Police Motorbike Speed Trap
Discussion
I passed this man with a radar gun on the A12 today, on one of the 3 lane sections. This is the first time I've ever seen speed enforcement on the A12 in my 5 years of driving it daily, and I just have a couple of questions. The guy didn't seem to have any equipment other than a speed gun, does this mean he's waiting for someone who's going fast enough (presumably 90+), then he'll pursue them on his motorbike; or is it likely that he's got video and anyone caught speeding is simply going to get a penalty through the post?
The reason I ask is, I was doing 80 indicated down the stretch, which equates to about 75-76 on GPS. I assume this means it's unlikely I've been caught, even if it is enforced by sending out tickets, but I'm still a bit nervous about it. It does look to simply be a basic speedgun to me rather than a fancy tripod setup, but I thought someone on here may have a better idea.
Pulled this image from my dashcam.
The reason I ask is, I was doing 80 indicated down the stretch, which equates to about 75-76 on GPS. I assume this means it's unlikely I've been caught, even if it is enforced by sending out tickets, but I'm still a bit nervous about it. It does look to simply be a basic speedgun to me rather than a fancy tripod setup, but I thought someone on here may have a better idea.
Pulled this image from my dashcam.
I passed him there this morning as well - and wondered the same. I was doing just below 70 as I was held up in a line of traffic who had spotted him (thankfully). I reckon he would have had to follow anyone he caught with the speed gun but I got caught with a similar setup when they were sitting on a bridge with camera gear on a tripod at Mark's Tey and just had a NIP come through rather than anyone chasing me down!
He could send a NIP in the post within 14 days. He could follow and stop the vehicle or there may of been a vehicle parked further up the road that he will radio that can intercept the offending vehicle.
Either way, you will not be getting a letter or getting stopped for that speed you were doing. He would be there targeting those well above 75.
Either way, you will not be getting a letter or getting stopped for that speed you were doing. He would be there targeting those well above 75.
speedking31 said:
Wozy68 said:
Am I the only one that thinks he's being a bit of a numpty setting himself up there, it looks like he's on the hard shoulder on a bridge?
Surely not the safest place to be stood on a fast road.
Looks like a pavement, so that's OK then.Surely not the safest place to be stood on a fast road.
J
Warmfuzzies said:
Hooli said:
Seen that a few times on the A12 when I lived that way.
Very very common on that spot, been there for the last couple of weekends. 
I downloaded a speedometer app on my phone soon after, just to test what 80 indicated is, and it recorded a max of 76.6mph, with the main numbers mostly saying 75-76. I assume he has bigger fish to fry, although as far as line of sight goes, I can't see how he'd be able to get a steady lock on anyone gunning it in the fast lane, they mostly seem to do it from bridges which makes a bit more sense as it means lane 3 traffic isn't blocked by lane 1 and 2 traffic. There was a lot of traffic in lane 1 and 2, video from my dashcam below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKsUcQX6wpY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKsUcQX6wpY
Edited by George7 on Wednesday 17th June 22:48
A
You don't seem to know much about speed meters so are not best placed to advise on measuring speeds of vehicles in Kane 3 from that position. There isn't any problem doing this and plenty opportunities arise even in heavy traffic although some vehicles in lane 3 may be blocked they will be few.
George7 said:
I downloaded a speedometer app on my phone soon after, just to test what 80 indicated is, and it recorded a max of 76.6mph. I assume he has bigger fish to fry, although as far as line of sight goes, I can't see how he'd be able to get a steady lock on anyone gunning it in the fast lane, they mostly seem to do it from bridges which makes a bit more sense as it means lane 3 traffic isn't blocked by lane 1 and 2 traffic. There was a lot of traffic in lane 1 and 2, video from my dashcam below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKsUcQX6wpY
Essex use LTI TruCams which are lasers with a camera attached. They can be hand held or used from a tripod or monopod.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKsUcQX6wpY
You don't seem to know much about speed meters so are not best placed to advise on measuring speeds of vehicles in Kane 3 from that position. There isn't any problem doing this and plenty opportunities arise even in heavy traffic although some vehicles in lane 3 may be blocked they will be few.
tapereel said:
Essex use LTI TruCams which are lasers with a camera attached. They can be hand held or used from a tripod or monopod.
You don't seem to know much about speed meters so are not best placed to advise on measuring speeds of vehicles in Kane 3 from that position. There isn't any problem doing this and plenty opportunities arise even in heavy traffic although some vehicles in lane 3 may be blocked they will be few.
Fair enough, I am fairly clueless about speed meters, I was just making an assumption based on presumed line of sight. You don't seem to know much about speed meters so are not best placed to advise on measuring speeds of vehicles in Kane 3 from that position. There isn't any problem doing this and plenty opportunities arise even in heavy traffic although some vehicles in lane 3 may be blocked they will be few.
CAPP0 said:
Where on the A12 was this? There are a few 3-lane sections!
It was herehttps://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.88671,0.807619,3...
Going towards Colchester, away from Mark's Tey.
jith said:
speedking31 said:
Wozy68 said:
Am I the only one that thinks he's being a bit of a numpty setting himself up there, it looks like he's on the hard shoulder on a bridge?
Surely not the safest place to be stood on a fast road.
Looks like a pavement, so that's OK then.Surely not the safest place to be stood on a fast road.
J
Miscellaneous exemptions
9.42: TROs invariably exempt vehicles being used for fire service, ambulance or police purposes, or being used to remove an obstruction (such as a broken down vehicle).
It makes no mention of the "police purposes" being in an emergency only.
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