Camera vans and vehicle classes
Discussion
Just something that came up in conversation in the pub last night - my mate (who drives a Transit-sized van for a living) claimed that roadside speed vans can't differentiate between vehicle classes. So for example on a single carriageway main road, he wouldn't get caught for doing, say, 59mph, because the van is set up to catch people doing 60+10%+2. Sounded very dubious to me, but is he right?
sim- you mention A5. Camera now removed ,on A5 at north side of Redgate junction ( Gatso) was reported to be set ,using radar return , to differentiate between vehicles depending on radar return.
There's also reports on the ABD site of other cameras set up to catch out vehicles by size.
There's also reports on the ABD site of other cameras set up to catch out vehicles by size.
Who me said:
sim- you mention A5. Camera now removed ,on A5 at north side of Redgate junction ( Gatso) was reported to be set ,using radar return , to differentiate between vehicles depending on radar return.
There's also reports on the ABD site of other cameras set up to catch out vehicles by size.
These were mobile vans, in Warwickshire/Leicestershire area, one on a single carriageway section and one on a dual. There's also reports on the ABD site of other cameras set up to catch out vehicles by size.
A mate of mine was caught by a Gatso doing 69 on a dual carriageway in a transit.
Reckoned the Gatsos were linked to induction loops in the road which would detect LGVs and trigger at a lower speed. He was unlucky to be passing an artic at the time which triggered the camera to flash but caught him instead.
Reckoned the Gatsos were linked to induction loops in the road which would detect LGVs and trigger at a lower speed. He was unlucky to be passing an artic at the time which triggered the camera to flash but caught him instead.
I also drive Transits regularly as part of work (we have a Connect, Custom, and a Jumbo) and while the Connect probably falls under car-derived van, my use is solely B-roads and motorways. I suspect some of the confusion may stem from how dual carriageway A-roads are 60mph for a van, but motorways are 70mph.
I once went to visit my parents on the way back from a job in one of the vans, they live near the A3 and I had to remind myself to keep it to 60. There are very few cameras on that stretch of road because, unless you're travelling at unsociable hours, you won't be able to reach 60 - but I'd be surprised if the majority of van drivers that overtook me knew the actual speed limit.
Always seemed a little odd that DCs were 60s and motorways were 70s in a van.
I once went to visit my parents on the way back from a job in one of the vans, they live near the A3 and I had to remind myself to keep it to 60. There are very few cameras on that stretch of road because, unless you're travelling at unsociable hours, you won't be able to reach 60 - but I'd be surprised if the majority of van drivers that overtook me knew the actual speed limit.
Always seemed a little odd that DCs were 60s and motorways were 70s in a van.
I guess the question for me is whether or not the camera will even trigger at 60mph plus on a NSL dual carriageway. We can all be clear that once triggered, they will figure out what the limit should be for the vehicle, but only once they have reason to check. If the camera is set to go off at 79, they won't have the reason.
Or does each system have the capacity to vary its trigger point depending on which vehicle passes it? I'm sure newer ones like Hadecs 3 can.
Or does each system have the capacity to vary its trigger point depending on which vehicle passes it? I'm sure newer ones like Hadecs 3 can.
Pssst - nothing to do with "taxation class" as some one mentioned (transits are PLG, just same as a car) - it is to do with the weight of the vehicle and if its primary purpose is to carry a burden (load).
Hence why SOME double cab vans are to normal car speed limits as they come under the definition of Dual Purpose vehicle - as do smaller 4WD commercials - Freelander vans as an example. Going by weight alone, the freelander van would be lower limits as per normal vans, but as its 4WD it is classed as dual purpose vehicle which is car limits. The law around van speed limits is so out of date and complicated, its no wonder people get confused, especially those that think they are in a "car derived van" - a term that is woefully out of date.
off to get my popcorn
Hence why SOME double cab vans are to normal car speed limits as they come under the definition of Dual Purpose vehicle - as do smaller 4WD commercials - Freelander vans as an example. Going by weight alone, the freelander van would be lower limits as per normal vans, but as its 4WD it is classed as dual purpose vehicle which is car limits. The law around van speed limits is so out of date and complicated, its no wonder people get confused, especially those that think they are in a "car derived van" - a term that is woefully out of date.
off to get my popcorn
sim72 said:
Just something that came up in conversation in the pub last night - my mate (who drives a Transit-sized van for a living) claimed that roadside speed vans can't differentiate between vehicle classes. So for example on a single carriageway main road, he wouldn't get caught for doing, say, 59mph, because the van is set up to catch people doing 60+10%+2. Sounded very dubious to me, but is he right?
There's a road near us - A556 between Northwich and J19 M6 - where this comes up all the time as it's 4 lanes, but not a dual carriageway.For years commercial vehicle drivers have been getting done because, incredibly, they think dual carriageway limits apply.
They used to differentiate between vehicles by the area of the rear of the vehicle, then they stuck sensors in the road, and now it's done by ANPR.
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