A40 Average Speed Camera's
Discussion
Hi all, lately I have been driving down the A40 and I notice people seem to be driving faster than the stated limit of 40mph. My question is how fast can you drive over 40mph without getting ticketed for it? I see there are tolerances like 10% + 2mph.
I drive 42mph and been fine since. But some people drive at least 45/46mph, makes me wonder how do they get away with it? Seems people flash you for sticking to 40mph in the outside lane, which is so annoying.
What's maximum speed have you guys done down the A40?
I drive 42mph and been fine since. But some people drive at least 45/46mph, makes me wonder how do they get away with it? Seems people flash you for sticking to 40mph in the outside lane, which is so annoying.
What's maximum speed have you guys done down the A40?
I use the A40 regularly, and I aim to keep my average to 43/44mph in the 40mph section, assuming that a 10% leeway will be OK.
I agree that those sticking to 40 in the outside lane can be an annoyance, particualarly if the road is clear and there is avaialble headroom up to the maximum average.
Lane discipline always seems to go out of the window in the average speed zones.
I agree that those sticking to 40 in the outside lane can be an annoyance, particualarly if the road is clear and there is avaialble headroom up to the maximum average.
Lane discipline always seems to go out of the window in the average speed zones.
Edited by Mandat on Sunday 3rd September 20:28
Welcome to PH
This is indeed a grey area and it would be very useful to have a definitive answer
May I suggest you make several identical journeys increasing your speed by 1mph increments until you start to get tickets then we'll know
Not only will this be a good public service it would also make you very popular and quite possibly an instant PH legend
Cheers
Yes 45 should see you free of speeding tickets. I use this all of the time, and set my cruise to 5mph above the limit and never had a ticket. The last section as you go over the bridge at the west gate shopping exit to the 30mph section near Marylebone exit there are no cameras. So fill your boots and keep an eye out for plod!! I hate people who are useless at lane discipline, but hey it's London and there are a lot of s++t drivers there!!!
I think I asked a similar question on the M3 equivalent thread - but what is that 3/4mph actually gaining you in real terms? Apart from putting you at odds with the rest of road users (and potentially causing conflict), does it help your day to make you feel like you're 'gaming' the system?
Since they introduced the cameras I drive at a GPS 44-45 mph and 55mph in the 50 average section after the hoover building as you're heading westbound.
Yes people in the outside lane sticking a a true 40 are annoying and should move over, we could all be getting home 10% sooner
The introduction of the average cameras doesn't negatively impact us during commuting hours, but it does make the journey home rather tedious when heading home late, feels like it takes an age on what is essentially a motorway in all but name (once you've cleared the traffic lights at park royal before some Derek chimes in).
Yes people in the outside lane sticking a a true 40 are annoying and should move over, we could all be getting home 10% sooner
The introduction of the average cameras doesn't negatively impact us during commuting hours, but it does make the journey home rather tedious when heading home late, feels like it takes an age on what is essentially a motorway in all but name (once you've cleared the traffic lights at park royal before some Derek chimes in).
C70R said:
I think I asked a similar question on the M3 equivalent thread - but what is that 3/4mph actually gaining you in real terms? Apart from putting you at odds with the rest of road users (and potentially causing conflict), does it help your day to make you feel like you're 'gaming' the system?
Most people want to get home as quickly as possible within the bounds of common sense. If you do not wish to do so, please just move over, then the majority of us can go about our day in the manner we wish to, as you can.C70R said:
I think I asked a similar question on the M3 equivalent thread - but what is that 3/4mph actually gaining you in real terms? Apart from putting you at odds with the rest of road users (and potentially causing conflict), does it help your day to make you feel like you're 'gaming' the system?
On a road which might have a natural speed limit of 50, 60 or 70+, an artificially low limit will end up being broken by many safe, careful & competent drivers. There is also an argument to be made that artificially low limits can be a negative to road safety as it can have an effect on driver concentration and risk compensation.
Notwithstadning the above, I think that most people are just trying to maximise reasonable progress through speed limit areas, whilst keeping within the threshold of police prosecution guidelines.
Ironically, during rush hour, it is nigh on Impossible to achieve the maximum average speed.
DeltaTango said:
Most people want to get home as quickly as possible within the bounds of common sense. If you do not wish to do so, please just move over, then the majority of us can go about our day in the manner we wish to, as you can.
But that's the bit I don't understand. Is it some kind of thrill at pushing 'the system' to its limits?What is the real difference between 40mph and 43mph in time terms over that stretch? Is that time worth it to cause potential conflict with other motorists and wonder whether you'll actually get that NIP?
C70R said:
I think I asked a similar question on the M3 equivalent thread - but what is that 3/4mph actually gaining you in real terms? Apart from putting you at odds with the rest of road users (and potentially causing conflict), does it help your day to make you feel like you're 'gaming' the system?
Speedometers must be accurate between 100% to 110% of actual speed. This will mean that there are people who all believe they are doing the speed limit but are actually travelling between 36 and 40 mph, so people will already be at odds. If people had good lane discipline then most of this potential conflict could be avoided.C70R said:
But that's the bit I don't understand. Is it some kind of thrill at pushing 'the system' to its limits?
What is the real difference between 40mph and 43mph in time terms over that stretch? Is that time worth it to cause potential conflict with other motorists and wonder whether you'll actually get that NIP?
You asked me pretty much the exact same thing on the M3 thread.What is the real difference between 40mph and 43mph in time terms over that stretch? Is that time worth it to cause potential conflict with other motorists and wonder whether you'll actually get that NIP?
I will respond similarly. The majority of people (in my experience of driving into and then out of london solely on the A40 every day for the past 10 years of my life) want to travel above the 40 or 50mph limit. They therefore use their common sense and drive at a GPS 43-45mph ish. The 'stretch' lasts for quite a few miles, it does save plenty of time, even more so if multiplied by 200 odd working days per year. There is no conflict with other motorists, I'm not trying to insert my bonnet into the chap ahead's boot, as I am not an onanist, I drive in a normal and courteous manner, I have to as I drive a ridiculous little car so get enough attention as it is. There is also zero fear of a NIP, given how we all know what the tolerances are.
Again I would question your lane discipline. If someone wishes to drive faster than you, let them. I am often letting people past who are wanting to travel at 60mph + in the 40mph average zone. I don't attempt to road captain them into submission, nor should you.
Jabbah said:
Speedometers must be accurate between 100% to 110% of actual speed. This will mean that there are people who all believe they are doing the speed limit but are actually travelling between 36 and 40 mph, so people will already be at odds. If people had good lane discipline then most of this potential conflict could be avoided.
Precisely. It's the same as someone on the motorway in lane 3 doing 70mph saying 'I'm doing the speed limit so it doesn't matter what lane I'm in, no one should be passing me anyway'. Irritating to the nth degree.Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff