RE: Average speed cameras not the end as we know it

[JohnGoodridge]

PistonHeads: average speed matters

[Peanus]

This article reeks of social engineering.

[SOL111]

andrewparker said:

I got done by the average speed cameras on the Grane Road between Haslingden and Blackburn over Christmas. It’s a wide free flowing road with a 40mph in place. I followed a old chap in an Escort doing 30-35mph, breaking for every corner, no matter how slight. On a straight section I overtook then coasted back down to 40mph, which was enough to push my average to 47mph. I don’t think you could have fun on that road in any car. I was in my Golf (the infamous PH favourite one), but even in my Up, which always feels like it’s going faster than it is, you feel like you’re standing still.

I don't think that stack up tbh.

[anonymous-user]

Esceptico said:

Sorry but this article is tosh.

A few years back I went on a tour of Scotland with some fellow PHers (mainly GT3 owners). I forget where we were on the second night but it was on the west coast. I needed to get back home so left really early. From looking at the map I had two possible routes which were roughly go south then east or east and south. Unfortunately I chose the later. I can’t remember the road I ended up on but it was about 120 miles of average speed camera controlled hell. Ruined the journey home as I was spending the whole time checking my speed and praying for the average speed cameras to disappear.

I don’t object to the average speed cameras on motorways but extending them to normal A and B roads will further kill the enjoyment of driving / riding.

The article says if you want to enjoy these roads get less power,
Your answer? You drove a GT3 and it was rubbish.


So basically you've agreed with his article even though it's tosh?

[InitialDave]

I'm surprised you don't hear more about people swapping their plates for something else to defeat the cameras. I'd think that if they were nabbing people for that, they'd broadcast it a lot to make it clear they'll get you if you try it.

So are people not doing it... or are they doing it and it's working?

[HocusPocus]

Come for a drive in the Isle of Man. Top Gear regularly do. Derestricted roads out of town, so no speed limit on much of the classic TT course including the mountain. Roads can be very empty in the way UK roads are not. So making progress in the right conditions can still be enjoyed.

Restrictions near towns are enforced by live policemen who lurk at the side of the road in hi viz jackets holding a radar gun. So a fair sporting chance. Local constabulary also have the novelty of a roads policing unit who actually spend time in cars or bikes patrolling the roads!! (Remember that in the UK??)

There once was a speed camera at Ballaugh Bridge many years ago, but it was decommissioned after being shot and toasted a few times.

[macky17]

Isn’t the fundamental issue here not the enforcement of speed limits, or even that speed limits should exist, but what those limits should be? Even us lot aren’t going to advocate speeding in built up areas or suggest our crap motorways should be mistaken for unlimited autobahns. Similarly, the most ardent, car-hating, safety obsessive wouldn’t suggest 30mph on a motorway or 20mph on A roads. The issue is how high/low the limits should be. Average speed cameras on B roads suck but if they were set to 60mph rather than 40 would we complain as much? (Ok, maybe 70).

[Esceptico]

keirik said:

Esceptico said:

Sorry but this article is tosh.

A few years back I went on a tour of Scotland with some fellow PHers (mainly GT3 owners). I forget where we were on the second night but it was on the west coast. I needed to get back home so left really early. From looking at the map I had two possible routes which were roughly go south then east or east and south. Unfortunately I chose the later. I can’t remember the road I ended up on but it was about 120 miles of average speed camera controlled hell. Ruined the journey home as I was spending the whole time checking my speed and praying for the average speed cameras to disappear.

I don’t object to the average speed cameras on motorways but extending them to normal A and B roads will further kill the enjoyment of driving / riding.

The article says if you want to enjoy these roads get less power,
Your answer? You drove a GT3 and it was rubbish.


So basically you've agreed with his article even though it's tosh?

No. I didn’t say I drive a GT3. I said most of the others did. I was in a 1972 911 with 215 bhp. Which was brilliant for 90% of the trip apart from the A9.

[andrewparker]

SOL111 said:

andrewparker said:

I got done by the average speed cameras on the Grane Road between Haslingden and Blackburn over Christmas. It’s a wide free flowing road with a 40mph in place. I followed a old chap in an Escort doing 30-35mph, breaking for every corner, no matter how slight. On a straight section I overtook then coasted back down to 40mph, which was enough to push my average to 47mph. I don’t think you could have fun on that road in any car. I was in my Golf (the infamous PH favourite one), but even in my Up, which always feels like it’s going faster than it is, you feel like you’re standing still.

I don't think that stack up tbh.

I’ve not spent too much time thinking about it tbh. I did a speed awareness course and the room was full of people who were angry that they’d been caught doing something against the law. My approach is more pragmatic, it’s a fair cop as far as I’m concerned. Perhaps I hit 70mph overtaking the other car and it took longer to get back down to the speed limit. If that’s the case it was certainly carelessness on my behalf and I’ve got nothing to complain about. I do think the limit on that road is ridiculously low though.

[K2iss]

Peanus said:

This article reeks of social engineering.

Either this or Dan Trent decided to have a go at trolling his readers.

[Jex]

Unsurprisingly PH is full of contradictions. I have a Ferrari F355, but in other forums people say it is ok, but it is underpowered by today's standards, so no good. But ok for UK roads then? I am disappointed by the introduction of ASCs on roads like this. I don't exceed speed limits in towns and villages and I take care on other roads not to do so and enjoy the the acceleration (it doesn't feel underpowered to me - my daily drive is a C-Max diesel approaching shed status) the handllng and the sound. My concern is about overtaking. When you are on the wrong side of the road you shouldn't hang about, but you then have to slow down in front of the person that you just overtook to get your average down. ASCs are like all speed cameras - no discretion or common sense involved. I suppose it is all a symptom of fewer Police and more powerful everyday cars.

[ZX10R NIN]

Average speed cameras on A roads aren't the big problem for me the bigger problem is that when they're introduced they normally come with a reduction of the speed limit form 60 down to 40mph. Now that's something I have a real issue with.

[227bhp]

I've been tempted more and more by these just lately:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Euro-Hide-Device-Stealt...

Yes I know

[TTmonkey]

More than 90% of average speed cameras aren’t even functioning. Have yet to receive a penalty notice from these in years of driving, and only when traffic is heavy have I ever been at or under the average on roads with these. You’d have to be driving like a complete maniac to lose your license to these.

Far more dangerous is the camera van on the side of the road. They are only deployed for one reason, which is active enforcement . Whereas fixed average speed cameras are more a psychological threat. Passive enforcement. Comply or else.... just in case... You think we are watching you....

[Blue62]

It's an on going debate in my local, cars are too fast, roads too congested etc.

I think the one inescapable fact that most petrol heads ignore, is that for the majority driving a car is simply about getting from A to B, enjoyment doesn't really come into it. So if average speed camera's reduce congestion/save lives/reduce environmental impact etc then what's the problem?

[jbforce10]

Ursicles said:

Average speed cameras are actually a danger as people just sent cruise control and then stop paying attention to what's going on.

I'd love to know the stats of accidents in asc zones.

If engaging cruise control causes people to lose attention when driving then they shouldn't be on the road. If anything, using cruise control allows the driver to spend more time looking forwards and checking rear view mirrors without the need for constantly checking their speed in an ASC zone.

[Esceptico]

TTmonkey said:

More than 90% of average speed cameras aren’t even functioning. Have yet to receive a penalty notice from these in years of driving, and only when traffic is heavy have I ever been at or under the average on roads with these. You’d have to be driving like a complete maniac to lose your license to these.

Far more dangerous is the camera van on the side of the road. They are only deployed for one reason, which is active enforcement . Whereas fixed average speed cameras are more a psychological threat. Passive enforcement. Comply or else.... just in case... You think we are watching you....

Why would they not be functioning?

[av185]

TTmonkey said:

More than 90% of average speed cameras aren’t even functioning.

Have you any actual evidence or a link to support this?

[anonymous-user]

Is PH sponsored by the Police now?

Speed kills, no, it really does, honest......

[Dan Trent]

gforceg said:

It appears to be Pitchforks United 1 Flexible Athletic 0 at the moment.

To add balance I agree with parts of the article and accept the sense in working around the problem. Or you could set cruise and spend your energy wingeing about it.

To be honest it's going better than I expected. But the final whistle is some way off...

Cheers!

Dan