More mobile cameras?
Discussion
Is there something going on with mobile camera vans these days?
I got my first speeding ticket in 1982, on a clear sunny Sunday on an empty (yes, really) M5 in my Triumph Stag, pulled over by an SD1. Yes, the Stag could exceed 70. That was it for 40 years.
Four months ago I was snapped by a van in a temporary limit for roadworks on the A45 near Northampton - 45 in a 40, exiting a dual carriageway roundabout. I did my speed awareness course, turned on the digital speed display in the speedo and worked harder at keeping to the limits. 5 weeks later, I'm driving in the middle of nowhere somewhere near Biggleswade, and my exit on a rural roundabout had a little yellow sign saying road closed. I took a different exit, completely stuffed as I didn't know where I was and my satnav didn't know about the closure. Within half a mile I reach a small village with 30 signs immediately after a sharp bend. I stand on the brakes, but there's a van in the distance who clocks me at 35. Dammit, 3 points and a fine. I go on around the diversion and out of interest come back the other way to the roundabout - sign's gone, no sign of any work being done or any other disruption.
Then, this week, I'm going into Bletchley, where the roads infamously go from 70 to 30 and back frequently. I'm going round a roundabout with everyone else, having just come off a 70, and it's suddenly 30. There's also emergency vehicles barging through us all over the place on their way to an incident nearby. Other end of the dual carriageway, another van - I stood on the brakes again, but don't know what I was doing (definitely under 40) so no clue yet, but I'll be really surprised if I'm not up to 6 points now.
I don't get it - has my driving been fine for 40 years, and has taken a sudden nose dive? Whenever I mention this, so many people I know tell me they've just done a course, got 3pts or whatever. I really don't like to be cynical, but I'm not convinced. What's going on?
Please don't tell me not to speed - I know that, and accept I was. But it's getting to the point where I'm scared to take the car out.
I got my first speeding ticket in 1982, on a clear sunny Sunday on an empty (yes, really) M5 in my Triumph Stag, pulled over by an SD1. Yes, the Stag could exceed 70. That was it for 40 years.
Four months ago I was snapped by a van in a temporary limit for roadworks on the A45 near Northampton - 45 in a 40, exiting a dual carriageway roundabout. I did my speed awareness course, turned on the digital speed display in the speedo and worked harder at keeping to the limits. 5 weeks later, I'm driving in the middle of nowhere somewhere near Biggleswade, and my exit on a rural roundabout had a little yellow sign saying road closed. I took a different exit, completely stuffed as I didn't know where I was and my satnav didn't know about the closure. Within half a mile I reach a small village with 30 signs immediately after a sharp bend. I stand on the brakes, but there's a van in the distance who clocks me at 35. Dammit, 3 points and a fine. I go on around the diversion and out of interest come back the other way to the roundabout - sign's gone, no sign of any work being done or any other disruption.
Then, this week, I'm going into Bletchley, where the roads infamously go from 70 to 30 and back frequently. I'm going round a roundabout with everyone else, having just come off a 70, and it's suddenly 30. There's also emergency vehicles barging through us all over the place on their way to an incident nearby. Other end of the dual carriageway, another van - I stood on the brakes again, but don't know what I was doing (definitely under 40) so no clue yet, but I'll be really surprised if I'm not up to 6 points now.
I don't get it - has my driving been fine for 40 years, and has taken a sudden nose dive? Whenever I mention this, so many people I know tell me they've just done a course, got 3pts or whatever. I really don't like to be cynical, but I'm not convinced. What's going on?
Please don't tell me not to speed - I know that, and accept I was. But it's getting to the point where I'm scared to take the car out.
cowboyengineer said:
Just use Waze and pay attention
This.Also don't be ridiculous, if you keep within a reasonable excess of the speed limit then you'll be fine. You don't have to talk about it like you're being persecuted because your fate is entirely in your own hands. Anyone saying they have to stare at the speedo to drive is being obtuse, or if they genuinely aren't they shouldn't be driving.
How fast were you going that you needed to "stand on the brakes" to only get caught at 35 in the 30?
I suspect what you're describing is simply just bad luck, or perhaps you take a positive look upon it as having ~40 odd years of avoiding these traps (and points, from the sounds of it) through sheer blind luck.
I don't use Waze, but have bought a RoadAngel, seems to help, but I was in a different car for the third incident and hadn't moved it across. I've had it 3 months, during which time it's highlighted a lot of mobile camera sites but there's nothing there. Still very useful - but the only day I needed it, it was in the wrong car. Oh well.
How fast was I going? 35, slowing down from a legal 70 and coming around a roundabout. These cameras are parked a long way off, and catch your image instantaneously. You spot, them, then stand on the brakes, glance at the speedo, 20. Maybe I'm OK? No, a few days later it drops through the post. If you look at your images online, in the first photo the car is so far from the camera that it can't be identified. The second photo is the close-up with your plate on it. The temptation to stop quickly and turn around before the close-up photo is strong, but not practical in central Milton Keynes on a roundabout. Probably wouldn't work anyway?
On my awareness course, the instructor drew our attention to the fact that many forces (authorities?) are no longer allowing any leeway. One girl on that course had been photographed doing 32 in a 30, and was not happy - but the guy said in many areas now there is no margin, and certainly not the old 10% of old.
How fast was I going? 35, slowing down from a legal 70 and coming around a roundabout. These cameras are parked a long way off, and catch your image instantaneously. You spot, them, then stand on the brakes, glance at the speedo, 20. Maybe I'm OK? No, a few days later it drops through the post. If you look at your images online, in the first photo the car is so far from the camera that it can't be identified. The second photo is the close-up with your plate on it. The temptation to stop quickly and turn around before the close-up photo is strong, but not practical in central Milton Keynes on a roundabout. Probably wouldn't work anyway?
On my awareness course, the instructor drew our attention to the fact that many forces (authorities?) are no longer allowing any leeway. One girl on that course had been photographed doing 32 in a 30, and was not happy - but the guy said in many areas now there is no margin, and certainly not the old 10% of old.
rsk289 said:
I don't use Waze, but have bought a RoadAngel, seems to help, but I was in a different car for the third incident and hadn't moved it across. I've had it 3 months, during which time it's highlighted a lot of mobile camera sites but there's nothing there. Still very useful - but the only day I needed it, it was in the wrong car. Oh well.
How fast was I going? 35, slowing down from a legal 70 and coming around a roundabout. These cameras are parked a long way off, and catch your image instantaneously. You spot, them, then stand on the brakes, glance at the speedo, 20. Maybe I'm OK? No, a few days later it drops through the post. If you look at your images online, in the first photo the car is so far from the camera that it can't be identified. The second photo is the close-up with your plate on it. The temptation to stop quickly and turn around before the close-up photo is strong, but not practical in central Milton Keynes on a roundabout. Probably wouldn't work anyway?
On my awareness course, the instructor drew our attention to the fact that many forces (authorities?) are no longer allowing any leeway. One girl on that course had been photographed doing 32 in a 30, and was not happy - but the guy said in many areas now there is no margin, and certainly not the old 10% of old.
With respect this is rubbish. There's no way the girl was done for 32 in a 30. Most forces follow the standard tolerance of 10% + 2mph. If they did not they would risk undermining the accuracy of the approved devices by having cases routinely tested in court.How fast was I going? 35, slowing down from a legal 70 and coming around a roundabout. These cameras are parked a long way off, and catch your image instantaneously. You spot, them, then stand on the brakes, glance at the speedo, 20. Maybe I'm OK? No, a few days later it drops through the post. If you look at your images online, in the first photo the car is so far from the camera that it can't be identified. The second photo is the close-up with your plate on it. The temptation to stop quickly and turn around before the close-up photo is strong, but not practical in central Milton Keynes on a roundabout. Probably wouldn't work anyway?
On my awareness course, the instructor drew our attention to the fact that many forces (authorities?) are no longer allowing any leeway. One girl on that course had been photographed doing 32 in a 30, and was not happy - but the guy said in many areas now there is no margin, and certainly not the old 10% of old.
rsk289 said:
On my awareness course, the instructor drew our attention to the fact that many forces (authorities?) are no longer allowing any leeway. One girl on that course had been photographed doing 32 in a 30, and was not happy - but the guy said in many areas now there is no margin, and certainly not the old 10% of old.
The instructors would say that wouldn't they! We are continually hearing this on PH, I can't say it has never happened however I can say that NO ONE has ever been able to prove it.
A similar story is running on another thread at the moment but, as usual, as soon as the poster is asked for proof they disappear.
Maybe you could prove all the sceptics wrong by posting photographic proof of your '45 in a 40' ticket.
I've got to find it first... the instructor went round the group asking why they were on the course. When she told him her figures, he asked her what happened to her 10% - she said that she didn't know, and he said he knew - it doesn't exist in Bedfordshire (I think it was).
I think this explains the situation, although it is from a lawyer:
https://www.roadlawbarristers.co.uk/speeding-what-...
I had heard elsewhere that there was zero tolerance in Scotland. That may be just for average speed cameras, though.
I think this explains the situation, although it is from a lawyer:
https://www.roadlawbarristers.co.uk/speeding-what-...
I had heard elsewhere that there was zero tolerance in Scotland. That may be just for average speed cameras, though.
rsk289 said:
I've got to find it first... the instructor went round the group asking why they were on the course. When she told him her figures, he asked her what happened to her 10% - she said that she didn't know, and he said he knew - it doesn't exist in Bedfordshire (I think it was).
I had heard elsewhere that there was zero tolerance in Scotland. That may be just for average speed cameras, though.
That is all utter bo**oksI had heard elsewhere that there was zero tolerance in Scotland. That may be just for average speed cameras, though.
As is your 45 in a 40
I think the big difference is that fixed cameras have quite an involved process to be put in place - it has to be justified, signage has to be correct, traffic surveys and all that.
While a van can in theory be put anywhere! Seemingly always near a change in limit...
There's a stretch near me that was NSL (now 50) where they've stuck a 30 section in the middle as well, for a traffic light.
It's a good, wide, well sighted stretch with the lights being visible for a long way. 30 is far too slow, and pretty much everyone is ignoring it. It could easily still be 50 for that stretch, or perhaps 40.
There's a hard standing on the verge that's just been put in, it looks like prime territory for the camera van... They're also extending the length of the 30s either side, as they are having problems with speeding in those villages - of course, making the 30 stretch longer where it's not needed is only going to make people more likely to ignore it where it actually matters.
(There was only one response to the planning stuff, it was mine, and it was negative! But they did it anyway)
While a van can in theory be put anywhere! Seemingly always near a change in limit...
There's a stretch near me that was NSL (now 50) where they've stuck a 30 section in the middle as well, for a traffic light.
It's a good, wide, well sighted stretch with the lights being visible for a long way. 30 is far too slow, and pretty much everyone is ignoring it. It could easily still be 50 for that stretch, or perhaps 40.
There's a hard standing on the verge that's just been put in, it looks like prime territory for the camera van... They're also extending the length of the 30s either side, as they are having problems with speeding in those villages - of course, making the 30 stretch longer where it's not needed is only going to make people more likely to ignore it where it actually matters.
(There was only one response to the planning stuff, it was mine, and it was negative! But they did it anyway)
M3Gane-Fan said:
Mobile vans are cash cows designed to generate money! Nothing to do with safety if it were why point it from so far away & force drivers to stand on the brakes!
Agree with every word, they are turning up everywhere round were I live, as has been said just inside a speed change area, totally pathetic money grabbing arses. rsk289 said:
Is there something going on with mobile camera vans these days?
I got my first speeding ticket in 1982, on a clear sunny Sunday on an empty (yes, really) M5 in my Triumph Stag, pulled over by an SD1. Yes, the Stag could exceed 70. That was it for 40 years.
Four months ago I was snapped by a van in a temporary limit for roadworks on the A45 near Northampton - 45 in a 40, exiting a dual carriageway roundabout. I did my speed awareness course, turned on the digital speed display in the speedo and worked harder at keeping to the limits. 5 weeks later, I'm driving in the middle of nowhere somewhere near Biggleswade, and my exit on a rural roundabout had a little yellow sign saying road closed. I took a different exit, completely stuffed as I didn't know where I was and my satnav didn't know about the closure. Within half a mile I reach a small village with 30 signs immediately after a sharp bend. I stand on the brakes, but there's a van in the distance who clocks me at 35. Dammit, 3 points and a fine. I go on around the diversion and out of interest come back the other way to the roundabout - sign's gone, no sign of any work being done or any other disruption.
Then, this week, I'm going into Bletchley, where the roads infamously go from 70 to 30 and back frequently. I'm going round a roundabout with everyone else, having just come off a 70, and it's suddenly 30. There's also emergency vehicles barging through us all over the place on their way to an incident nearby. Other end of the dual carriageway, another van - I stood on the brakes again, but don't know what I was doing (definitely under 40) so no clue yet, but I'll be really surprised if I'm not up to 6 points now.
I don't get it - has my driving been fine for 40 years, and has taken a sudden nose dive? Whenever I mention this, so many people I know tell me they've just done a course, got 3pts or whatever. I really don't like to be cynical, but I'm not convinced. What's going on?
Please don't tell me not to speed - I know that, and accept I was. But it's getting to the point where I'm scared to take the car out.
This might sound like a crazy idea... but why don't you just stick to the speed limits? (and pay attention like another poster suggested)I got my first speeding ticket in 1982, on a clear sunny Sunday on an empty (yes, really) M5 in my Triumph Stag, pulled over by an SD1. Yes, the Stag could exceed 70. That was it for 40 years.
Four months ago I was snapped by a van in a temporary limit for roadworks on the A45 near Northampton - 45 in a 40, exiting a dual carriageway roundabout. I did my speed awareness course, turned on the digital speed display in the speedo and worked harder at keeping to the limits. 5 weeks later, I'm driving in the middle of nowhere somewhere near Biggleswade, and my exit on a rural roundabout had a little yellow sign saying road closed. I took a different exit, completely stuffed as I didn't know where I was and my satnav didn't know about the closure. Within half a mile I reach a small village with 30 signs immediately after a sharp bend. I stand on the brakes, but there's a van in the distance who clocks me at 35. Dammit, 3 points and a fine. I go on around the diversion and out of interest come back the other way to the roundabout - sign's gone, no sign of any work being done or any other disruption.
Then, this week, I'm going into Bletchley, where the roads infamously go from 70 to 30 and back frequently. I'm going round a roundabout with everyone else, having just come off a 70, and it's suddenly 30. There's also emergency vehicles barging through us all over the place on their way to an incident nearby. Other end of the dual carriageway, another van - I stood on the brakes again, but don't know what I was doing (definitely under 40) so no clue yet, but I'll be really surprised if I'm not up to 6 points now.
I don't get it - has my driving been fine for 40 years, and has taken a sudden nose dive? Whenever I mention this, so many people I know tell me they've just done a course, got 3pts or whatever. I really don't like to be cynical, but I'm not convinced. What's going on?
Please don't tell me not to speed - I know that, and accept I was. But it's getting to the point where I'm scared to take the car out.
Most people I know seem to have been on at least one or two 'Speed Awareness' or a 'Whats Driving Us' courses, or indeed recieved points, within the last few years, so yes, it seems that camera vans combined with more and more average speed cameras are having an effect.
It certainly had an effect on me. I was caught at 36mph in a 30 limit 3 years ago, and had to do a course, I then moderated my driving a bit, then almost got caught twice again in different places by different mobile camera vans. When I say 'almost', I was speeding, but saw them a long way off, braked, and someone never received the NIP though the post.
I decided that was it, I had enough of my own driving leading to me feeling 'on edge' at getting a speeding ticket, and I pretty much stopped speeding overnight.
I set my limiter to 76mph on the motorway (70mph on GPS), and I always set the limiter whenever I get into stretches of average speed cameras. In 30/40 zones I just make sure I stick to a speedo indicated 33-34 or 45ish. This isn't to say I don't speed at all, sometimes when I get out on roads I know have never had mobile or fixed cameras on them I will enjoy a spot of speeding.
I have to say, I'm much more chilled about my driving now that I rarely speed. I just sit there concentrating on the road and other traffic, and not worrying about being caught speeding or constantly wondering if there is a camera van round the next corner.
In short, yes the system seems to work. They will keep battering us with courses and 3 points until we stop speeding.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 23 March 10:34
M3Gane-Fan said:
Mobile vans are cash cows designed to generate money! Nothing to do with safety if it were why point it from so far away & force drivers to stand on the brakes!
So it's the camera van's fault that you have to stand on your brakes to stand any chance of not getting done? Maybe don't drive quite so fast, so that a gentle tap on the brakes would be sufficient. Lord Marylebone said:
rsk289 said:
Is there something going on with mobile camera vans these days?
I got my first speeding ticket in 1982, on a clear sunny Sunday on an empty (yes, really) M5 in my Triumph Stag, pulled over by an SD1. Yes, the Stag could exceed 70. That was it for 40 years.
Four months ago I was snapped by a van in a temporary limit for roadworks on the A45 near Northampton - 45 in a 40, exiting a dual carriageway roundabout. I did my speed awareness course, turned on the digital speed display in the speedo and worked harder at keeping to the limits. 5 weeks later, I'm driving in the middle of nowhere somewhere near Biggleswade, and my exit on a rural roundabout had a little yellow sign saying road closed. I took a different exit, completely stuffed as I didn't know where I was and my satnav didn't know about the closure. Within half a mile I reach a small village with 30 signs immediately after a sharp bend. I stand on the brakes, but there's a van in the distance who clocks me at 35. Dammit, 3 points and a fine. I go on around the diversion and out of interest come back the other way to the roundabout - sign's gone, no sign of any work being done or any other disruption.
Then, this week, I'm going into Bletchley, where the roads infamously go from 70 to 30 and back frequently. I'm going round a roundabout with everyone else, having just come off a 70, and it's suddenly 30. There's also emergency vehicles barging through us all over the place on their way to an incident nearby. Other end of the dual carriageway, another van - I stood on the brakes again, but don't know what I was doing (definitely under 40) so no clue yet, but I'll be really surprised if I'm not up to 6 points now.
I don't get it - has my driving been fine for 40 years, and has taken a sudden nose dive? Whenever I mention this, so many people I know tell me they've just done a course, got 3pts or whatever. I really don't like to be cynical, but I'm not convinced. What's going on?
Please don't tell me not to speed - I know that, and accept I was. But it's getting to the point where I'm scared to take the car out.
This might sound like a crazy idea... but why don't you just stick to the speed limits? (and pay attention like another poster suggested)I got my first speeding ticket in 1982, on a clear sunny Sunday on an empty (yes, really) M5 in my Triumph Stag, pulled over by an SD1. Yes, the Stag could exceed 70. That was it for 40 years.
Four months ago I was snapped by a van in a temporary limit for roadworks on the A45 near Northampton - 45 in a 40, exiting a dual carriageway roundabout. I did my speed awareness course, turned on the digital speed display in the speedo and worked harder at keeping to the limits. 5 weeks later, I'm driving in the middle of nowhere somewhere near Biggleswade, and my exit on a rural roundabout had a little yellow sign saying road closed. I took a different exit, completely stuffed as I didn't know where I was and my satnav didn't know about the closure. Within half a mile I reach a small village with 30 signs immediately after a sharp bend. I stand on the brakes, but there's a van in the distance who clocks me at 35. Dammit, 3 points and a fine. I go on around the diversion and out of interest come back the other way to the roundabout - sign's gone, no sign of any work being done or any other disruption.
Then, this week, I'm going into Bletchley, where the roads infamously go from 70 to 30 and back frequently. I'm going round a roundabout with everyone else, having just come off a 70, and it's suddenly 30. There's also emergency vehicles barging through us all over the place on their way to an incident nearby. Other end of the dual carriageway, another van - I stood on the brakes again, but don't know what I was doing (definitely under 40) so no clue yet, but I'll be really surprised if I'm not up to 6 points now.
I don't get it - has my driving been fine for 40 years, and has taken a sudden nose dive? Whenever I mention this, so many people I know tell me they've just done a course, got 3pts or whatever. I really don't like to be cynical, but I'm not convinced. What's going on?
Please don't tell me not to speed - I know that, and accept I was. But it's getting to the point where I'm scared to take the car out.
Most people I know seem to have been on at least one or two 'Speed Awareness' or a 'Whats Driving Us' courses, or indeed recieved points, within the last few years, so yes, it seems that camera vans combined with more and more average speed cameras are having an effect.
It certainly had an effect on me. I was caught at 36mph in a 30 limit 3 years ago, and had to do a course, I then moderated my driving a bit, then almost got caught twice again in different places by different mobile camera vans. When I say 'almost', I was speeding, but saw them a long way off, braked, and someone never received the NIP though the post.
I decided that was it, I had enough of my own driving leading to me feeling 'on edge' at getting a speeding ticket, and I pretty much stopped speeding overnight.
I set my limiter to 76mph on the motorway (70mph on GPS), and I always set the limiter whenever I get into stretches of average speed cameras. In 30/40 zones I just make sure I stick to a speedo indicated 33-34 or 45ish. This isn't to say I don't speed at all, sometimes when I get out on roads I know have never had mobile or fixed cameras on them I will enjoy a spot of speeding.
I have to say, I'm much more chilled about my driving now that I rarely speed. I just sit there concentrating on the road and other traffic, and not worrying about being caught speeding or constantly wondering if there is a camera van round the next corner.
In short, yes the system seems to work. They will keep battering us with courses and 3 points until we stop speeding.
Edited by Lord Marylebone on Wednesday 23 March 10:34
jm doc said:
Lord Marylebone said:
This might sound like a crazy idea... but why don't you just stick to the speed limits? (and pay attention like another poster suggested)
And when they reduce the limits further? And again? Because that's already happened and continuing to happen, on a massive scale. (See thread on 20 limits in Wales)Slow and slower until driving is really painful, impractical and expensive. Only then will you realise the error of your ways.
NGee said:
rsk289 said:
On my awareness course, the instructor drew our attention to the fact that many forces (authorities?) are no longer allowing any leeway. One girl on that course had been photographed doing 32 in a 30, and was not happy - but the guy said in many areas now there is no margin, and certainly not the old 10% of old.
The instructors would say that wouldn't they! We are continually hearing this on PH, I can't say it has never happened however I can say that NO ONE has ever been able to prove it.
A similar story is running on another thread at the moment but, as usual, as soon as the poster is asked for proof they disappear.
Maybe you could prove all the sceptics wrong by posting photographic proof of your '45 in a 40' ticket.
rsk289 said:
I've got to find it first...
Yet another poster doing the usual disappearing act.
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