Gatso direction?
Discussion
Now then, I always thought Gatsos took a picture of the back of your car as you went past it.
But the other day I was driving in West Sussex when a Gatso on the opposite side of the road flashed as I drove towards it - ie, it took a picture of the front of the car. There were no other cars around, and yes, I was slightly over the speed limit at the time.
Are they supposed to do this? And should I expect a letter on the doormat?
But the other day I was driving in West Sussex when a Gatso on the opposite side of the road flashed as I drove towards it - ie, it took a picture of the front of the car. There were no other cars around, and yes, I was slightly over the speed limit at the time.
Are they supposed to do this? And should I expect a letter on the doormat?
They are not supposed to do this but they do. IIRC they don't NIP you though as you don't have the road markings for them to check you were killing hundreds of innocent children at the time.
Hopefully someone will be along soon to confirm.
Whilst I think about it, has anyone complained about those feckin lights going off, the other day I was momentarily blinded when a Gatso went off, given I was heading towards it at dusk (I think the chap going the other way had a Merry Christmas, awaiting his NIP).
Hopefully someone will be along soon to confirm.
Whilst I think about it, has anyone complained about those feckin lights going off, the other day I was momentarily blinded when a Gatso went off, given I was heading towards it at dusk (I think the chap going the other way had a Merry Christmas, awaiting his NIP).
jasandjules said:
They are not supposed to do this but they do. IIRC they don't NIP you though as you don't have the road markings for them to check you were killing hundreds of innocent children at the time.
Gatsos only have the road markings as a double-check that the radar is performing correctly.
They are perfectly capable of catching you from in front, but are only approved for use in the UK when taking you roughly from behind.
Oddly (or not now apparently) I had this happen to me on the A1 in Scotland, and I wasn't even speeding (59mph according to my GPS Speed Sentry in a 60 and using cruise control). Suspect that if i had been speeding they may have tried it on with a NIP, infact i wouldn't be suprised if I get one now, I mean how many people actually know that gatso's are only type approved to screw you from behind.
And yes I agree the flash is blinding, hardly helping road safety is it.
And yes I agree the flash is blinding, hardly helping road safety is it.
Actually there is a Gatso which appears to be capable of taking pics in both directions.
Its known as a type 36 and uses induction loop sensors in the road plus road markings.
Mostly used in connection with traffic lights but have seen it used as speed detection device, both with and without the extra road markings.
iirc Steve Warren's site has a pic so you can recognise the difference between that and the normal Gatso.
Hope that helps, even if it doesn't ease the mind until you manage to identify which model it was. Sneaky eh? Especially as it is only type approved for rear photography according to the guideli... hush my mouth, code of practice!
FiF
Its known as a type 36 and uses induction loop sensors in the road plus road markings.
Mostly used in connection with traffic lights but have seen it used as speed detection device, both with and without the extra road markings.
iirc Steve Warren's site has a pic so you can recognise the difference between that and the normal Gatso.
Hope that helps, even if it doesn't ease the mind until you manage to identify which model it was. Sneaky eh? Especially as it is only type approved for rear photography according to the guideli... hush my mouth, code of practice!
FiF
Edited by Flat in Fifth on Wednesday 3rd January 11:56
If it was the older type of camer and it flashed twice then the first picture will be of your car and your plate, but the second will be of the empty road behind you. Therefore they can't tell how fast you were going and so can't prosecute. If it only flashed once, you've got nothing to fear at all.
I used to drive the A68 / A697 between Edinburgh and Scotland daily and have always tried to set off the cameras facing the other way in order to use up film; it's not a dangerous road. Since they installed the cameras I have never had a ticket.
By the way, I fully advocate the use of cameras in order to prevent speeding.
In towns.
I used to drive the A68 / A697 between Edinburgh and Scotland daily and have always tried to set off the cameras facing the other way in order to use up film; it's not a dangerous road. Since they installed the cameras I have never had a ticket.
By the way, I fully advocate the use of cameras in order to prevent speeding.
In towns.
PhillT said:
Sounds like I'm ok then, it was definitely a normal Gatso. Will post if anything arrives!
If you get a NoiP, you must give the info requested, then plead 'not guilty' and as the equipment is not type approved, they'll just drop the entire thing. Mind you, it would never get that far anyway, as they get literally thousands of front faced photos every week due to people like me doing our best to 'annoy' the prats by wasting their film by driving towards the Gatsos at over the limit and making them flash. Great fun!
I just received a nip from a front facing gatso.
1 flash in the dark straight in the face.
37 in a 30 late at night not a soul around.
Northamptonshire constabulary.
Sent it back pleading quilty as there is not enough time to ask for the photo or ask for anything really without running the risk of getting a failure to respond or something, and just making things worse.
Pete.
1 flash in the dark straight in the face.
37 in a 30 late at night not a soul around.
Northamptonshire constabulary.
Sent it back pleading quilty as there is not enough time to ask for the photo or ask for anything really without running the risk of getting a failure to respond or something, and just making things worse.
Pete.
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