A12 average speed cameras

[theplayingmantis]

Lots of works on the A12 now it seems, and average cameras just south of Colchester both ways which i understand will be permanent once the roadworks are completed, but not some south of Chelmsford it seems. Anyone know if these will also be permanent?

[Hammersia]

Seems possible, although the roadworks have got a year to go it looks like the "speed cameras not in operation" signs have been there for a while so I guess they're only for the finished job (70mph) rather than the roadworks (40mph). Will depend if they are likely to raise money or not.

[Johner]

Well, the average speed check zone between Witham and Kelvedon has been with us for some time . . . . . .at least 3 years, if my memory serves.

There is, I think, another one somewhere between Kelvedon and Colchester, so the new one, becoming permanent is, I suggest a very safe bet.

They are a bu99er when we are 'racing the sun' every June, they can play havoc with your average speed.

[theplayingmantis]

the witham/kelvedon ones have been there 10 years at least, and as per op I know the new ones south of Colchester tahts have been there for a few months now, for the current road improvements, will be permanent once finished.

I'm referring to new ones south of Chelmsford for the road improvements.

the witham/kelvedon ones are not really a problem as anything over 80 is pretty hairy until you get past colchester given the state of driving and volume of traffic on the a12 before and up to the football ground. they often help in fact as those who simply sit at indicated 70 (reality 66 per waze/google) slowly overtaking in L2 that refuse to get over yet cause long queues especially if impossible to undertake them (naughty...) often sit even lower in the original avg speed check zone and finally get left into L1 giving those actually driving at 70 or just over per reality (waze/google) to get past.

Edited by theplayingmantis on Monday 20th February 18:33

[CacheMonet]

theplayingmantis said:

they often help in fact as those who simply sit at indicated 70 (reality 66 per waze/google) slowly overtaking in L2 that refuse to get over yet cause long queues especially if impossible to undertake them (naughty...) often sit even lower in the original avg speed check zone and finally get left into L1 giving those actually driving at 70 or just over per reality (waze/google) to get past.

Edited by theplayingmantis on Monday 20th February 18:33

As a regular driver and motorcyclist on the A12 from the A130 to A14 for the past 5 years, I can probably count on one hand the number of times someone with cruise control set in an average speed check zone has moved into the often entirely empty lane 1.

It seems that average speed checks make drivers less aware, at least when using cruise control / autonomous, as it effectively removes another layer of responsibility and drivers are far more likely to zone out or muck about with the infotainment or even use their phones.

That said, the issues with the general standard of driving on the A12 go beyond far speed cameras

[mattvanders]

The “camera not in use” signs have come down on the east bound side so not sure if they are live now

[theplayingmantis]

mattvanders said:

The “camera not in use” signs have come down on the east bound side so not sure if they are live now

yep spotted this upon my return east from a month down west at the weekend. no discernible work or impact on the carrigeway at all going on yet 40...PITA and most drivers obeying in the 2 times ive been in them both n and s bound or e/w bound...depending on how you describe the a12 flow...i always say n/s not e/w

[DS129]

"Camera not in use" signs gone from London bound carriageway, everyone now down to 40.
No sign of anyone doing anything though