Urban Myth? The double flash
Discussion
I have seen his refered to on a number of posts. There seems to be an impression that 1 flash from a scamera means 'go easy', where as a double flash means points and £££.
Can anyone from the BiB confirm if this is true, or if it is urban myth.
Also, this 2 weeks to notify you after the scamera has caught you - is this myth as well?
Can anyone from the BiB confirm if this is true, or if it is urban myth.
Also, this 2 weeks to notify you after the scamera has caught you - is this myth as well?
It doesn't need a BiB to enlighten you on the double flash, a Gatso flashes twice. If it only flashes once, it usually means you didn't see the other flash 
The 14 days is true however. If you are the RK (Registered Keeper) then they have 14 days to NIP you. If a NIP arrives after 14 days then it's a get out of jail card.
There is the odd exception, such as a hire car or recent driver change etc.
The 14 days is true however. If you are the RK (Registered Keeper) then they have 14 days to NIP you. If a NIP arrives after 14 days then it's a get out of jail card.
There is the odd exception, such as a hire car or recent driver change etc.
The Gatso radar camera system is capable of enforcing with either one flash or two flashes. For approaching vehicles it takes one shot of the front of the vehicle and for receding vehicles it takes two shots of the rear of the vehicle.
However, in the UK the Gatso system is only legally certified to be used in receding mode (ie. two photos) but the systems are often set up to make use of appoaching mode for vehicles travelling well in excess of the limit. However, they can't prosecute on these but I suppose they could send out a warning.
So I guess in some respects you are right. But not for the right reason.
Edit: They must serve a NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) to the Registered Keeper of the vehicle within 14 days of the offence. That is not an Urban Myth.
>> Edited by JonRB on Monday 7th March 15:02
However, in the UK the Gatso system is only legally certified to be used in receding mode (ie. two photos) but the systems are often set up to make use of appoaching mode for vehicles travelling well in excess of the limit. However, they can't prosecute on these but I suppose they could send out a warning.
So I guess in some respects you are right. But not for the right reason.
Edit: They must serve a NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) to the Registered Keeper of the vehicle within 14 days of the offence. That is not an Urban Myth.
>> Edited by JonRB on Monday 7th March 15:02
BliarOut said:
The 14 days is true however. If you are the RK (Registered Keeper) then they have 14 days to NIP you. If a NIP arrives after 14 days then it's a get out of jail card.
Not exactly true, although close enough
What actually happens is that if the NIP isn't posted within 14 days, you're off the hook. Easy way to check is to look at the date on the NIP. There are also other get-outs, like if they have the registration number wrong on the NIP, just wait until the 28 days are almost up, and send it back with 'I have never been the owner of this vehicle' ticked
parrot of doom said:
The 14 days is true however. If you are the RK (Registered Keeper) then they have 14 days to NIP you. If a NIP arrives after 14 days then it's a get out of jail card.
Not exactly true, although close enough
Easy way to check is to look at the date on the NIP. There are also other get-outs, like if they have the registration number wrong on the NIP, just wait until the 28 days are almost up, and send it back with 'I have never been the owner of this vehicle' ticked
IIRC, it has to be posted with the expectation that it will arrive within 14 days. Posting on the 13th or 14th day is not good enough.
parrot of doom said:
The 14 days is true however. If you are the RK (Registered Keeper) then they have 14 days to NIP you. If a NIP arrives after 14 days then it's a get out of jail card.
Not exactly true, although close enough
Easy way to check is to look at the date on the NIP. There are also other get-outs, like if they have the registration number wrong on the NIP, just wait until the 28 days are almost up, and send it back with 'I have never been the owner of this vehicle' ticked
Not exactly true...
If the NIP isn't posted such that it could be reasonably expected to arrive within 14 days I think you'll find
JonRB said:
the systems are often set up to make use of approaching mode for vehicles travelling well in excess of the limit.
Nope!
The ONLY reason a Gatso (NOT any other type!!!) will flash you when you are approaching it, is when they are not carrying a camera. Then the settings will allow it to flash approaching traffic.
Good way of checking the threshold speed!
DJFish said:
in the UK the Gatso system is only legally certified to be used in receding mode
With this in mind, I'm suprised people don't deliberately exceed the speed limit when travelling towards the cameras to deliberately empty them of film.
Remember the radar knows whether the target is approaching or receding, so knows when to zap and when to save the film for another day...
[/quote]
With this in mind, I'm suprised people don't deliberately exceed the speed limit when travelling towards the cameras to deliberately empty them of film.
[/quote]
Remember the radar knows whether the target is approaching or receding, so knows when to zap and when to save the film for another day...[/quote]
Is that true, I was once chatting to someone by the side of the road, (the link A road between the M6 and M56). In the 20 minutes I was there the camera flashed about 15 times, 90% of those were cars on the other side of the road heading towards the camera, does this mean it was flashing and NOT using up the film?
Also at night surely this is dangerous to the motorist heading towards the camera?
With this in mind, I'm suprised people don't deliberately exceed the speed limit when travelling towards the cameras to deliberately empty them of film.
[/quote]
Remember the radar knows whether the target is approaching or receding, so knows when to zap and when to save the film for another day...[/quote]
Is that true, I was once chatting to someone by the side of the road, (the link A road between the M6 and M56). In the 20 minutes I was there the camera flashed about 15 times, 90% of those were cars on the other side of the road heading towards the camera, does this mean it was flashing and NOT using up the film?
Also at night surely this is dangerous to the motorist heading towards the camera?
blueyes said:Are you totally sure of your facts? My information is based on working with the Gatso camera sytem in 1995 when I wrote the control software for the M25 Variable Speed Limit cameras, which are basically standard radar Gatso cameras with extra hardware and software for the variable stuff
the systems are often set up to make use of approaching mode for vehicles travelling well in excess of the limit.
The ONLY reason a Gatso (NOT any other type!!!) will flash you when you are approaching it, is when they are not carrying a camera. Then the settings will allow it to flash approaching traffic.
That was the information I was given at the time about their operation, but I acknowledge that I could be wrong / have remembered it wrongly / misunderstood what I was told.
>> Edited by JonRB on Monday 7th March 22:55
!soapbox said:
I have seen his refered to on a number of posts. There seems to be an impression that 1 flash from a scamera means 'go easy', where as a double flash means points and £££.
Can anyone from the BiB confirm if this is true, or if it is urban myth.
Also, this 2 weeks to notify you after the scamera has caught you - is this myth as well?
You are sort of right.
Gatso only takes you from behind!
If the camera is live, then you will get two flashes.
If there is a dummy unit in the box, you will get just one!
Truvello is the one that points at you with the round lens and a red filter over the flash. That only flashes once and you are captured!
JonRB said:That's a brave thing to be admitting on here!
My information is based on working with the Gatso camera sytem in 1995 when I wrote the control software for the M25 Variable Speed Limit cameras, which are basically standard radar Gatso cameras with extra hardware and software for the variable stuff
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