M1 Speed Cameras - What's the story
Discussion
Having recently done a couple of day trips pretty much the full length of the M1, I'm pretty confused about the speed camera situation.
Waze seems to highlight them on some gantries but not others
Some other road users seem convinced that there are cameras in certain places and are slowing down to ~70, sometimes rather suddenly
I did see a multiple flash going off on the other carriageway
I passed more than one potential site at over 80 and didn't get flashed
Are there any differences between the smart motorway sections and the normal motorway sections.
I tried google, and didn't get anything useful.
Waze seems to highlight them on some gantries but not others
Some other road users seem convinced that there are cameras in certain places and are slowing down to ~70, sometimes rather suddenly
I did see a multiple flash going off on the other carriageway
I passed more than one potential site at over 80 and didn't get flashed
Are there any differences between the smart motorway sections and the normal motorway sections.
I tried google, and didn't get anything useful.
Our local paper posts lists of names and speeds of people convicted in court for speeding. Lowest conviction speed I’ve seen on the M1 in my area is 76. That’s smart motorway.
I drive smart motorway and think the cameras are only on sometimes. More if variable speed limit in use.
Read somewhere about average speed enforcement too, but don’t know much about this.
Also, I’m certain that they can focus quite far down range close to the next gantry, not just at the markings right in front of them. So I don’t accelerate until the next gantry.
My google maps warns me sporadically and at the wrong locations.
I drive smart motorway and think the cameras are only on sometimes. More if variable speed limit in use.
Read somewhere about average speed enforcement too, but don’t know much about this.
Also, I’m certain that they can focus quite far down range close to the next gantry, not just at the markings right in front of them. So I don’t accelerate until the next gantry.
My google maps warns me sporadically and at the wrong locations.
Whilst no particular expert on this, I travel on smart motorways at about 65 (indicated) and in over a year have had zero tickets.
On non smart motorways, I look out for lit variable speed limits with gantry cameras, and also the yellow speed cameras off to the side of the gantry (ie in the verge) regardless of variable or national speed limit. There's usually 1 or 2 cameras off to the left, and I think they have taken over the job of enforcing the grown up speed limits.
I feel I should point out I would still choose a speed I felt safe at, taking traffic and weather etc into account, regardless of cameras or variable signs. And should the rare event occur of actually seeing a marked car, I will do the only decent thing and overtake it at a 0.5 mph speed differential.
On non smart motorways, I look out for lit variable speed limits with gantry cameras, and also the yellow speed cameras off to the side of the gantry (ie in the verge) regardless of variable or national speed limit. There's usually 1 or 2 cameras off to the left, and I think they have taken over the job of enforcing the grown up speed limits.
I feel I should point out I would still choose a speed I felt safe at, taking traffic and weather etc into account, regardless of cameras or variable signs. And should the rare event occur of actually seeing a marked car, I will do the only decent thing and overtake it at a 0.5 mph speed differential.
I’ve reached the conclusion that it’s better to do motorway journeys driving like Miss Daisy in the inside lane, as the sheer stress involved otherwise, including the worry of a wee something in the post in the fortnight afterwards, is simply not worth it.
There is definitely a case for derestricted zones at some parts of the network, like that stunning four-lane section through Cumbria, where somebody driving say an M5 could really enjoy the high speed cruising ability safely.
There is definitely a case for derestricted zones at some parts of the network, like that stunning four-lane section through Cumbria, where somebody driving say an M5 could really enjoy the high speed cruising ability safely.
Ian Geary said:
On non smart motorways, I look out for lit variable speed limits with gantry cameras, and also the yellow speed cameras off to the side of the gantry
If these elements are present, then it IS a smart motorway.Anything with gantries where the non-NSL speed limit displayed on the gantries has a red ring, is a smart motorway. Any similar gantry that does not have the red ring is not a smart motorway and any 'limit' displayed on those is the same as the old 'matrix' limits, which were advisory and theoretically unenforceable (these usually have flashing amber lights as well).
I say 'theoretically' because it was always suggested by the police that failure to adhere to an advisory limit could be construed as driving without due care and attention. However I don't know if that was ever tried.
Countdown said:
Maybe it's just me but I seem to notice far less cockish driving (or the constant brake/accelerate/brake during rush hour) on stretches which have ASCs.
I'm the opposite! I'm still amazed at the amount of people still braking for average speed cameras, then accelerating afterwards. They've been around long enough now for people to know.omniflow said:
Waze seems to highlight them on some gantries but not others.
Because there aren't cameras on every gantry. On the bottom end of the M1 at least, the cameras are at the side of the road (as already illustrated) and not overhead each lane (as they used to be). I don't go further north than Northampton very often so can't comment on the rest of the M1.See multiple alternative threads discussing motorway speed cameras for further info.
Pretty much all (if not actually all) the overhead gantry cameras have gone now.
Noticed recently that on the M1 they have been showing NSL signs with the text displays saying Speed Camera or Speed Cameras. Mostly at the gantries with cameras, but at some others. This is where there isn't a VSL in force, so just occasional NSL signs.
I do quite a lot of motorway miles and don't find the VSLs particularly tiring to deal with. I am unconvinced of their value though. I like the idea that as the volumes grow, reducing the speed proactively can reduce the stop/start effect. I'm less convinced by the suggestion that reducing the speeds towards the area of congestion miles away really helps, but that's all based on belief rather than actual facts
I am utterly convinced that quite a lot of the variable limits are utter nonsense though!
Bert
Noticed recently that on the M1 they have been showing NSL signs with the text displays saying Speed Camera or Speed Cameras. Mostly at the gantries with cameras, but at some others. This is where there isn't a VSL in force, so just occasional NSL signs.
I do quite a lot of motorway miles and don't find the VSLs particularly tiring to deal with. I am unconvinced of their value though. I like the idea that as the volumes grow, reducing the speed proactively can reduce the stop/start effect. I'm less convinced by the suggestion that reducing the speeds towards the area of congestion miles away really helps, but that's all based on belief rather than actual facts
I am utterly convinced that quite a lot of the variable limits are utter nonsense though!
Bert
As I understand it, each areas force choses how they enforce speeding, so the M1 for example will pass through various areas, all having their own idea on how to use the equipment.
I've not found anywhere that says they enforce below the NPCC recommended tolerance of 10% + 2mph so 79 mph will be the lowest speed one of these cameras is likely to snap you at. I'm sure there are some out there that will get you at that speed but lots seem to be set much higher, my mate would smash it down the M1 to London at 100mph without getting tickets. When the variable limit is set, the majority seem to enforce at the NPCC levels (like most cameras do).
Unfortunately, as I've found out recently there are LOTS of dicks that have believe Facebook posts suggesting they will get done at 71mph. This means I sit at a nice steady 75 mph the whole trip and get utter bellends who come past me at 90 mph, then slam the brakes on at every camera, nearly causing accidents and forever getting in the way of people trying to just do a sensible, steady speed. Very frustrating!
I've decided motorways aren't the place for driving enjoyment anymore, they're just useful to get places quickly hence the steady place everywhere.
I've not found anywhere that says they enforce below the NPCC recommended tolerance of 10% + 2mph so 79 mph will be the lowest speed one of these cameras is likely to snap you at. I'm sure there are some out there that will get you at that speed but lots seem to be set much higher, my mate would smash it down the M1 to London at 100mph without getting tickets. When the variable limit is set, the majority seem to enforce at the NPCC levels (like most cameras do).
Unfortunately, as I've found out recently there are LOTS of dicks that have believe Facebook posts suggesting they will get done at 71mph. This means I sit at a nice steady 75 mph the whole trip and get utter bellends who come past me at 90 mph, then slam the brakes on at every camera, nearly causing accidents and forever getting in the way of people trying to just do a sensible, steady speed. Very frustrating!
I've decided motorways aren't the place for driving enjoyment anymore, they're just useful to get places quickly hence the steady place everywhere.
speedyguy said:
Nice, that's what causes Phantom queues and congestion for everyone else ?
Just stick to 75ish ?
If you think about it, that’s not possible. If I’m doing 90 and slow to 70, but the person behind me was already doing 70 cos they’re a good boy, then I won’t have caused them to slow down. Then when I speed up again they fall behind. So I won’t have generated any queue or congestion.Just stick to 75ish ?
CoolHands said:
speedyguy said:
Nice, that's what causes Phantom queues and congestion for everyone else ?
Just stick to 75ish ?
If you think about it, that’s not possible. If I’m doing 90 and slow to 70, but the person behind me was already doing 70 cos they’re a good boy, then I won’t have caused them to slow down. Then when I speed up again they fall behind. So I won’t have generated any queue or congestion.Just stick to 75ish ?
You are doing 90, brake and slow to 70, chances are that anyone behind you also doing around 70 will touch their brakes too when they see your lights come on.
The person behind you slows from 70 to 65, person behind him touches the brakes too and as he doesn't want to get too close to the guy in front he ends up doing 60, person behind him also touches the brakes and is at 55 etc etc
This goes all the way back down the queue until people actually come to a complete stop.
You must have been in traffic on a motorway before when it grinds to a halt, then start moving and goes back to normal speed although there is no crash or logical reason?
That's you that is.
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