Worried - Spurious NSL sign on Smart Motorway

[Chris-omxi1]

Hi all,

I'm hoping you may be able to put my mind at ease on this, as it has me really worried.

A bit of background: For the first time in 22 years I was caught speeding on the M1 near Sheffield a month or so ago, as I didn't slow down quickly enough - completely my fault and received 3 points and fine for the offence.

Since then I have been really careful as I don't travel on the motorway network as much as I used to do and therefore when driving from Southampton to York last week, was dismayed to see the smart screen on the gantry showing the NSL sign to signify the end of a reduced speed limit - although I had not seen a lowered speed limit proceeding it! Now I'm worried that I missed it and in for yet another fine!

My question is, has anyone else noticed a spurious NSL displayed without a proceeding speed reduction? Am I worried over nothing?

[QuickQuack]

Not spurious but it's possible that the section you were entering had a lowered speed earlier but it's now back to NSL, rather than the section you're leaving having been a lowered limit sector.

[NGee]

Chris-omxi1 said:

Hi all,

I'm hoping you may be able to put my mind at ease on this, as it has me really worried.

A bit of background: For the first time in 22 years I was caught speeding on the M1 near Sheffield a month or so ago, as I was speeding - completely my fault and received 3 points and fine for the offence.

Since then I have been really careful as I don't travel on the motorway network as much as I used to do and therefore when driving from Southampton to York last week, was dismayed to see the smart screen on the gantry showing the NSL sign to signify the end of a reduced speed limit - although I had not seen a lowered speed limit proceeding it! Now I'm worried that I missed it and in for yet another fine!

My question is, has anyone else noticed a spurious NSL displayed without a proceeding speed reduction? Am I worried over nothing?

FTFY

[Chris-omxi1]

QuickQuack said:

Not spurious but it's possible that the section you were entering had a lowered speed earlier but it's now back to NSL, rather than the section you're leaving having been a lowered limit sector.

Thanks, that makes sense and will hopefully be the case.

[Chris-omxi1]

NGee said:

Chris-omxi1 said:

Hi all,

I'm hoping you may be able to put my mind at ease on this, as it has me really worried.

A bit of background: For the first time in 22 years I was caught speeding on the M1 near Sheffield a month or so ago, as I was speeding - completely my fault and received 3 points and fine for the offence.

Since then I have been really careful as I don't travel on the motorway network as much as I used to do and therefore when driving from Southampton to York last week, was dismayed to see the smart screen on the gantry showing the NSL sign to signify the end of a reduced speed limit - although I had not seen a lowered speed limit proceeding it! Now I'm worried that I missed it and in for yet another fine!

My question is, has anyone else noticed a spurious NSL displayed without a proceeding speed reduction? Am I worried over nothing?

FTFY

Thanks. Yes, I was doing 70mph and din't drop down to 40mph quickly enough.

[BertBert]

Seen plenty of odd NSL signs where there has been no apparent reduced limit in place. That's in doing about 2k motorway miles a month.
Bert

[IJWS15]

It is possible that a previous gantry had a lower limit applied after you had passed it.

Too late to worry now anyway, 14 days and you will know.

[silverfoxcc]

First time for everything dept

Was on the M25 between thw M40/M4 anticlockwise Tues night Gantry showed 20-20-40-40 thought that was impossible

[BertBert]

An error, but not impossible

[JimPD]

NSL signs after miles of unlit gantry signs - happens all the time. I wouldn't worry.

My particular hate (daily Sheffield - Nottingham on M1) is when there are are no NSL signs illuminated after variable limits in place, everyone resumes NSL speeds when gantry signs are unlit, but I worry every camera I pass.

Also 40mph limits imposed because 'queuing traffic on slip road' even when there isn't. A lot of drivers have learnt that there are no cameras around J28 (the most common place for this) so ignore the limit. Others slow to 40mph. Recipe for disaster.

40mph is just stupid for a motorway limit in any case.

System is a joke IMHO.

[xjay1337]

JimPD said:

NSL signs after miles of unlit gantry signs - happens all the time. I wouldn't worry.

My particular hate (daily Sheffield - Nottingham on M1) is when there are are no NSL signs illuminated after variable limits in place, everyone resumes NSL speeds when gantry signs are unlit, but I worry every camera I pass.

Also 40mph limits imposed because 'queuing traffic on slip road' even when there isn't. A lot of drivers have learnt that there are no cameras around J28 (the most common place for this) so ignore the limit. Others slow to 40mph. Recipe for disaster.

40mph is just stupid for a motorway limit in any case.

System is a joke IMHO.

Do agree system is a joke.
However on a smart motorway I would take it if no limit is displayed the national applies.

[BertBert]

xjay1337 said:

Do agree system is a joke.
However on a smart motorway I would take it if no limit is displayed the national applies.

We have debated it at length with strong views that the limit continues from the start to the end without the need for lit signs in between.

We also don't think enforcement takes place at a camera without a lit sign.

It would seem an odd choice to deliberately choose not to display the limit when you have signs able to do so.

Bert

[4rephill]

BertBert said:

xjay1337 said:

Do agree system is a joke.
However on a smart motorway I would take it if no limit is displayed the national applies.

We have debated it at length with strong views that the limit continues from the start to the end without the need for lit signs in between.

We also don't think enforcement takes place at a camera without a lit sign.

It would seem an odd choice to deliberately choose not to display the limit when you have signs able to do so.

Bert

The highways authority have been asked about this by two different PH members, at different times, and both received emails from them that stated, a lower speed limit on the motorway remains in force until an alternative speed limit is shown on a gantry further on, at which point that speed limit then takes affect, or the NSL sign is shown.

They then pointed out that if a gantry further on does not show any limit, whilst technically the lower limit is still be in place, they do not prosecute drivers for driving at the Nation speed limit for their vehicle.

There's no grey area, and there's no: "we think" about it, the Highways Authority have stated clearly that if there is a blank gantry after a lower limit speed limit zone, they will not prosecute drivers for driving at the National speed limit.

[SCEtoAUX]

NGee said:

Chris-omxi1 said:

Hi all,

I'm hoping you may be able to put my mind at ease on this, as it has me really worried.

A bit of background: For the first time in 22 years I was caught speeding on the M1 near Sheffield a month or so ago, as I was speeding - completely my fault and received 3 points and fine for the offence.

Since then I have been really careful as I don't travel on the motorway network as much as I used to do and therefore when driving from Southampton to York last week, was dismayed to see the smart screen on the gantry showing the NSL sign to signify the end of a reduced speed limit - although I had not seen a lowered speed limit proceeding it! Now I'm worried that I missed it and in for yet another fine!

My question is, has anyone else noticed a spurious NSL displayed without a proceeding speed reduction? Am I worried over nothing?

FTFY

Yep

[BertBert]

4rephill said:

BertBert said:

xjay1337 said:

Do agree system is a joke.
However on a smart motorway I would take it if no limit is displayed the national applies.

We have debated it at length with strong views that the limit continues from the start to the end without the need for lit signs in between.

We also don't think enforcement takes place at a camera without a lit sign.

It would seem an odd choice to deliberately choose not to display the limit when you have signs able to do so.

Bert

The highways authority have been asked about this by two different PH members, at different times, and both received emails from them that stated, a lower speed limit on the motorway remains in force until an alternative speed limit is shown on a gantry further on, at which point that speed limit then takes affect, or the NSL sign is shown.

They then pointed out that if a gantry further on does not show any limit, whilst technically the lower limit is still be in place, they do not prosecute drivers for driving at the Nation speed limit for their vehicle.

There's no grey area, and there's no: "we think" about it, the Highways Authority have stated clearly that if there is a blank gantry after a lower limit speed limit zone, they will not prosecute drivers for driving at the National speed limit.

I can't quite work out whether you are saying exactly the same as me to disagree with me or to agree with me

If you are worried about we think, then just consider that the Highways Agency neither make the laws, nor do they make enforcement policy. So I don't think it wise to take two pronouncements as absolutely cast-iron correct now and certainly not in the future.

Bert

[Chris-omxi1]

Thanks for every ones contributions to this topic, I appreciate the comments made.

I've not had anything through the post as yet and will update the thread if I do!

[BertBert]

I think we'd be very surprised if you did hear anything!
Bert