Contesting variables speed camera ticket ?

[steve1968]

Got a ticket for 73 on the M1 southbound between J30 and 31 Friday 17.39 so heavy traffic .

Ticket states exceeding variable speed limit of 60 mph but I didn't see any notification of the lowered limit , drove the same stretch last night although later at night and on Saturday and still didn't see anything .

Is this worth contesting ? I was of course still doing over 70 so will I be wasting my time ?

Any advise welcome

[giantdefy]

If, as I believe is correct, the camera is a HADECS3 it will have a shot of the variable limits being displayed from the adjacent camera installed for that very purpose.

[PurpleMoonlight]

What speed would you have been doing if the traffic was light?

[TooMany2cvs]

steve1968 said:

Got a ticket for 73 on the M1 southbound between J30 and 31 Friday 17.39 so heavy traffic .

Ticket states exceeding variable speed limit of 60 mph but I didn't see any notification of the lowered limit

There's bloody great big illuminated signs on gantries at regular intervals along that stretch.

[steve1968]

TooMany2cvs said:

There's bloody great big illuminated signs on gantries at regular intervals along that stretch.

As per original post , I didn't see any , neither did my passenger .

[steve1968]

giantdefy said:

If, as I believe is correct, the camera is a HADECS3 it will have a shot of the variable limits being displayed from the adjacent camera installed for that very purpose.

So if I request evidence the shot will show my car with the 60 limit displayed on the gantry ?

[xjay1337]

Did you both just not pay attention?
Were you keeping with flow of traffic or barging ahead?

Not sure if you have any right to photographic evidence. Maybe say you were sharing driving and would like a photo to see who was driving or something.

[Cliftonite]

A reason for having a dashcam.

[TooMany2cvs]

steve1968 said:

TooMany2cvs said:

There's bloody great big illuminated signs on gantries at regular intervals along that stretch.

As per original post , I didn't see any , neither did my passenger .

That doesn't alter the fact they exist...

[Pica-Pica]

TooMany2cvs said:

steve1968 said:

TooMany2cvs said:

There's bloody great big illuminated signs on gantries at regular intervals along that stretch.

As per original post , I didn't see any , neither did my passenger .

That doesn't alter the fact they exist...

We had similar before on here, someone doing 84 ? in what they thought was a 70 as the M62 West comes to an end. In that case there were (still are) three countdown markers to a 50 limit.

On the issue of overhead gantry speed signs, I notice many flicker to refresh. I assume this is to draw attention to them, as the speed limits do not change.

[anonymous-user]

Have a read on there about 'halogen' etc
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/variable_sp...
Near the bottom tells you what time the signals/logs etc come on and off. If the signals weren't working it would show up as a 'fault' I am led to believe, on MM1 (the early hard shoulder running) that would be lead to the HS being closed, MM2 (all lane running) wouldn't have that default I don't think.
They are now known generically as 'smart' motorways (unlike many of the users ) if they have all the extra technology.
It's long winded but might give people and idea how the system works.
There's no need to be seen as a c##k first off by sending a FOI request in just ring the HE info line and all for the info

[HantsRat]

steve1968 said:

So if I request evidence the shot will show my car with the 60 limit displayed on the gantry ?

You can't request evidence as such. You can ask for help identifying the driver but this won't show the 60 limit displayed. This will be shown in court if you contest it. If the new HADECS 3 then it will have another shot of the displayed speed limit.

[chopper602]

speedyguy said:

Near the bottom tells you what time the signals/logs etc come on and off. If the signals weren't working it would show up as a 'fault' I am led to believe, on MM1 (the early hard shoulder running) that would be lead to the HS being closed, MM2 (all lane running) wouldn't have that default I don't think.

A single signal fault wouldn't cause the hard shoulder to close, only the signals / message signs failing that are 'essential' (at the start and end of the link) would not allow the HS to be opened in the first place.

[CoreyDog]

I drive that part of the M1 twice a day.

You have smaller single sign ganteries that advice a new limit then the main ganteries covering all lanes that show the enforced limit.

You really can't miss the main ganteries, they are numerous and highly visible if they are displaying information. The cameras are also bright yellow stuck on the side, again, can't really miss them either. The cameras are active even when a temp limit isn't in place.

That part of the M1 I stick the cruise control on indicating 75 when the ganteries aren't lite up like Christmas trees, never had an issue.

I once went through one of these just as the limit decreased to 60, about 25 metres away when it changed. I went through at an indicated 73, thankfully nothing.

The cameras go off with quite a flash that is also hard to miss, quite distracting if travelling at night and a camera goes off in opposite carriageway.

[chopper602]

CoreyDog said:

as the limit decreased to 60, about 25 metres away when it changed. I went through at an indicated 73, thankfully nothing.

The is a 'period of grace' for enforcement when the limit changes. I think about 30 seconds, otherwise it could change whilst you go under it and you get nicked.

[E36GUY]

steve1968 said:

As per original post , I didn't see any , neither did my passenger .

IANAL but I wouldnt try and contest it, at 73, as paltry a margin as it is, you were over the speed limit irrespective of any reduced speed limits in place.

[Pica-Pica]

chopper602 said:

CoreyDog said:

as the limit decreased to 60, about 25 metres away when it changed. I went through at an indicated 73, thankfully nothing.

The is a 'period of grace' for enforcement when the limit changes. I think about 30 seconds, otherwise it could change whilst you go under it and you get nicked.

Otherwise people would always be braking, not a good outcome.