Average speed checks and vans (A9)

[tomj_]

Hey all,

I've got a number of trips up and down the A9 coming up in a XLWB Sprinter. Wanted to check in and ask whether the average speed cameras along here differentiate between cars and vans, as I'll be subject to the lower 60MPH limit on the dual sections and then 50MPH on the single carriageway sections.

I assume the tolerance for speeding is the same as in England? (10%+2 or thereabouts). Will happily push it in England, but the lack of an awareness course option in Scotland if caught makes me want to double check.

If there are any locals who could offer some insight, it would be much appreciated!

Cheers

[944 Man]

HGV experience suggests: probably not. You might not know when the system has been upgraded though. Remember that Gatsos couldnt detect HGVs or other vehicles with lower limits (typically on NSL roads), but the odd one had a weighing plate...

[haggishunter]

As they’re average speed cameras they’ll use the number plate to identify the vehicle and thus know what it is.

I sit with the cruise on at 56/57 and never had an issue, it stops you from catching the trucks or one catching you. They all mostly sit on the limiter.

The dual carriageway sections aren’t covered allegedly but I certainly wouldn’t take the chance, be careful not to confuse these with an overtaking lane though. They do still still on the dual carriageway sections with camera vans so beware of that too.

[944 Man]

Im sorry but the poster above has little-no idea what he is talking about. Consider all of the HGVs driving at 50mph on 50mph single carriageway roads, which do not receive tickets.

[Mr Miata]

I worked somewhere that had LWB Sprinter vans. They definitely needed a C1 driving license and couldn’t be driven on a normal car license.

[ruggedscotty]

The date you passed your test will determine whether you are entitled to category C vehicles, however, there are a series of vans available for hire if you only hold a category B licence. The Renault Kangoo, Ford Transit or Citroen Relay are category B vehicles at Collison’s, and our Mercedes Sprinter and Luton Vans are extra-long wheel base with more space but still just within the 3500kg weight limit of category B.

[Lincsls1]

littleredrooster said:

I’m sorry, but I can’t make any sense of this statement. If they were doing 50 in a 50, they wouldn’t receive tickets surely?
Care to expand for those who have had wine?

Because speed limit for HGV on single carriageway is only 40mph.
Therefore if speed cameras were automatically identifying them as HGVs doing 50 there would be a lot more tickets.
See table above.

[martinbiz]

Mr Miata said:

I worked somewhere that had LWB Sprinter vans. They definitely needed a C1 driving license and couldn’t be driven on a normal car license.

Apart from the fact your post is incorrect, how is any of it relevant to the OP's post anyway?

[tomj_]

Mr Miata said:

I worked somewhere that had LWB Sprinter vans. They definitely needed a C1 driving license and couldn’t be driven on a normal car license.

Luckily enough the ones in our fleet are under 3500KG, so they're drivable on my license.

944 Man said:

HGV experience suggests: probably not. You might not know when the system has been upgraded though. Remember that Gatsos couldnt detect HGVs or other vehicles with lower limits (typically on NSL roads), but the odd one had a weighing plate...

Certainly seemed that way when I was following a HGV on its limiter down the A78 single carriageway average speed check a couple weeks back... You make a good point about not knowing if it's ever upgraded though.

[haggishunter]

Lincsls1 said:

littleredrooster said:

I’m sorry, but I can’t make any sense of this statement. If they were doing 50 in a 50, they wouldn’t receive tickets surely?
Care to expand for those who have had wine?

Because speed limit for HGV on single carriageway is only 40mph.
Therefore if speed cameras were automatically identifying them as HGVs doing 50 there would be a lot more tickets.
See table above.

On the A9 HGV are allowed to do 50mph, it was a trial that started when the cameras were installed and it never seems to have ended. I’m sure a quick search will let you confirm that for yourself.

[Heartworm]

Lincsls1 said:

Because speed limit for HGV on single carriageway is only 40mph.
Therefore if speed cameras were automatically identifying them as HGVs doing 50 there would be a lot more tickets.
See table above.

HGV speed limit on the single carriageway sections of the A9 is 50mph.

2 colleagues reportedly got tickets for doing 60mph in the transits by the A9 average cameras, but I never saw the actual ticket.

[martinbiz]

Heartworm said:

HGV speed limit on the single carriageway sections of the A9 is 50mph.
.

You might want to check that

[J6542]

martinbiz said:

Heartworm said:

HGV speed limit on the single carriageway sections of the A9 is 50mph.
.

You might want to check that

Only between Perth and Inverness. North of Inverness it’s back to 40

[blueacid]

martinbiz said:

You might want to check that

I drove the A9 from John O'Groats down through Inverness and South from there two weeks ago. The sections where the 50mph limit applies for HGV's is very clearly signed at the start of each single carriageway section.

Luckily, the Google Street View car did the same trip in August 2021, so you can see for yourself: https://www.google.com/maps/@57.3084436,-3.9396213...

[matchmaker]

It's worth noting that the dual carriageway stretches between Perth and Inverness do not have average speed cameras, but may have camera vans/parked up trafpol. Between Perth and Dunblane there are average speed cameras.

As mentioned earlier the overtaking lanes carry the single carriageway limits - a lot of people don't realise this and treat them as dual carriageway.

[Heartworm]

martinbiz said:

You might want to check that

I drive it 3 times a week, as others have said it’s clearly signed as a 50 for hgvs (up to Inverness)

[martinbiz]

Heartworm said:

martinbiz said:

You might want to check that

I drive it 3 times a week, as others have said it’s clearly signed as a 50 for hgvs (up to Inverness)

Yes I know that, I took your original post as suggesting the A9 as a whole was 50

[Drive Blind]

I travelled up the A9 in June.

Going by the behaviour of other drivers the average speed cameras only cover the single carriageway sections.
Vans would sit at bang on 50 with some then doing 80+ on the dc sections.

[tomj_]

Thanks everyone. First trip up tomorrow.

So I'll assume that it can work out vans, but I'm safe to use the 10%+2 tolerance? 54 on the GPS it is then on the SC sections (to give a little leeway if I need to).