M4 Roadworks "Average Speed" cameras

[The Hitman]

Hi, just to keep it short, I know how they work, it was a 40 and there was only one lane. I past 2 sets of camera's on my side while traveling under the speed limit, there was a gap between me and the guy infront and I thought I'd close it up so applied a little right foot, took a couple of second to touch 50 and then I braked and was back at 40 probably within 10-15 seconds.....then a couple of minutes later another set a cameras Cock!! So, where do I stand? I suspect I'll be getting a nice little letter in the post this time.

[andmole]

The Hitman said:

Hi, just to keep it short, I know how they work, it was a 40 and there was only one lane. I past 2 sets of camera's on my side while traveling under the speed limit, there was a gap between me and the guy infront and I thought I'd close it up so applied a little right foot, took a couple of second to touch 50 and then I braked and was back at 40 probably within 10-15 seconds.....then a couple of minutes later another set a cameras Cock!! So, where do I stand? I suspect I'll be getting a nice little letter in the post this time.

I doubt your average speed over the whole length of the roadworks would be high enough. Don't forget if your speedo reads 40, then you are probably a little under (high 30's?). You were only over the limit for a very small proportion of your journey, so I think you'll be OK.

[craigw]

hmm, someone clever can probably work this out but (and there is a bit of supposition here but anyway.....) lets assume that you travelled between the cameras for 3 minutes and travelled at 10mph over the speed limit for lets say 18 seconds then you would have been above the limit for 10% of your travel time between the cameras. you would have been 25% above the speed limit for that 18 seconds.

calling someone clever because my brain is a bit fuddled but...25% over speed limit for 10% of the time..how fast does that make the average speed?

if we say you went at 40mph for 90 % of the time (162 seconds) and then at 50pmh for 10% of the time (18 seconds), is your average speed not 41mph ? surely thats ok? there must be the usual 10% allowance for speedo error i'm sure. Also, your speedo is probably very slightly out. good luck.

Edited by craigw on Monday 6th November 23:11

one thing in your favour I didnt take into account is the time it would take to accelerate from 40 to 50 would bring the average down further.

Edited by craigw on Monday 6th November 23:12

[The Hitman]

Thanks guys, I was wondering if the "10% over-is-ok" guideline would have applied with scamera's. I'm feeling better about it now.

I just updated my address with the DVLA aswell, so do you think there'd be a delay in them getting my new address details?

[randlemarcus]

And I think they have a wobble built in, so in theory the 10%+2 applies. You werent taking the michael, so you should be fine.

Next time, remember that SPECS aren't certified for multiple lane enforcement, and change lanes between cameras. Or get a bike, and do the whole bleeding lot at 70.

[The Hitman]

randlemarcus said:

And I think they have a wobble built in, so in theory the 10%+2 applies. You werent taking the michael, so you should be fine.

Next time, remember that SPECS aren't certified for multiple lane enforcement, and change lanes between cameras. Or get a bike, and do the whole bleeding lot at 70.

I would have changed lanes as I know all too well what I can get away with (no points yet, touch-wood ), but there was a contraflow going on and, even though I wasn't actually in the contraflow, they closed off the other 2 lanes for all the invisable workmen on the job, so I only had one lane available.

Edited by The Hitman on Monday 6th November 23:36

[GreenV8S]

What's the distance you made up, compared to the distance between the cameras? E.g. 20 yards gained, between cameras 200 yards apart, represents a 10% increase in average speed.

[The Hitman]

GreenV8S said:

What's the distance you made up, compared to the distance between the cameras? E.g. 20 yards gained, between cameras 200 yards apart, represents a 10% increase in average speed.

Not sure really, maybe a little under 100 metres gain, but then I was behind him for between 1 1/2 to 2 minutes before the next camera with no idea how far I traveled

[alphadog]

The Hitman said:

Hi, just to keep it short, I know how they work, it was a 40 and there was only one lane. I past 2 sets of camera's on my side while traveling under the speed limit, there was a gap between me and the guy infront and I thought I'd close it up so applied a little right foot, took a couple of second to touch 50 and then I braked and was back at 40 probably within 10-15 seconds.....then a couple of minutes later another set a cameras Cock!! So, where do I stand? I suspect I'll be getting a nice little letter in the post this time.

You'll be OK - a blip like that won't affect you average speed much, as mentioned in another posting, chances are your speedo over-reads by 2-3 mph and I have yet to hear of anybody being prosecuted for less then 46mph in 40mph temporary limits.

I find cruise control useful under such circumstances!