Hindhead Tunnel Average speed camera
Discussion
Hi, I was driving down the A3 from Bordon to Guildford this morning at 68mph. Got to the Hindhead Tunnel and National speed limit was up, so carried on. Then half way through the tunnel Speed limit changed to 40mph. We all slowed down as you do. But what I don’t get is, it clocked me doing 68 on the way in and 40 on the way out. So will I get a ticket for speeding? How would it know I was half way through the tunnel when the speed changed? The cameras are average ones by the way.
Many thanks
Many thanks
More fu*kwittery from the highway designers. There should be one set of signs at the tunnel portal and no more until you get out the other side!https://www.gov.uk/guidance/a3-hindhead-tunnel-adv...
This suggests that any changes to the limit will be shown before you enter the tunnel and via the overhead signs, so if it’s changed whilst you’re in it - you don’t have anything to worry about if you slowed down. A quick google doesn’t uncover a vast storm of people being caught out by speed limit changes.
This suggests that any changes to the limit will be shown before you enter the tunnel and via the overhead signs, so if it’s changed whilst you’re in it - you don’t have anything to worry about if you slowed down. A quick google doesn’t uncover a vast storm of people being caught out by speed limit changes.
JustLiam85 said:
Hi, I was driving down the A3 from Bordon to Guildford this morning at 68mph. Got to the Hindhead Tunnel and National speed limit was up, so carried on. Then half way through the tunnel Speed limit changed to 40mph. We all slowed down as you do. But what I don’t get is, it clocked me doing 68 on the way in and 40 on the way out. So will I get a ticket for speeding? How would it know I was half way through the tunnel when the speed changed? The cameras are average ones by the way.
Many thanks
Don't worry about it... the average speed cameras are probably only there to catch people doing 90mph+ through the tunnel... the temporary limits tend to be a bit flaky and random sometimes... Many thanks
I've driven through it for years and had it switch from 70 to 40 while in the tunnel, it's nothing to worry about from a ticket POV. There should be CCTV of the change, and I assume the calculations of average would be made for varying amounts.
I do worry about a massive pile up being caused someday by cars braking from 70 to 40 and the following traffic not realising though. A 30mph speed difference in impact will be a big bang.
I expect they may catch a lot of vans in the tunnel, most do 60 as it's an A road but some are doing 70.
I do worry about a massive pile up being caused someday by cars braking from 70 to 40 and the following traffic not realising though. A 30mph speed difference in impact will be a big bang.
I expect they may catch a lot of vans in the tunnel, most do 60 as it's an A road but some are doing 70.
jeremyh1 said:
Luckily I don't have too many tyre problems but I had a blow out in the middle of the tunnel of all places
I
I think there used to be, or or still a comment in the HC about how long the gap should be if you stop in a tunnel, never figured why it was quoted, 5 or 15ft seems to ring a bell.I
I contacted their control room a few years back and they told me that the 40 limit was computer controlled, so pops up when the computer thinks it needs to... then an actual human overrides it if there isn't actually a problem.
On the approach to the tunnel there are flip signs that revolve rather than digital screens/signs, but these seem to be very slow to change.
I've seen one at 40, then it changed to 70 - all the time the ones just after it were still at 70. Sometimes it seems one gets stuck as the sign on the opposite side of the road doesn't agree either.
On the approach to the tunnel there are flip signs that revolve rather than digital screens/signs, but these seem to be very slow to change.
I've seen one at 40, then it changed to 70 - all the time the ones just after it were still at 70. Sometimes it seems one gets stuck as the sign on the opposite side of the road doesn't agree either.
JustLiam85 said:
Oh really? That’s interesting…how did you contact them? I can’t find a number anywhere.
I am really worried about it tbh.
I think it was through Highways Agency I managed to make contact. The first contact I'd made referred me to them.I am really worried about it tbh.
I was worried the first time it happened to me - the signs were changing from 70 to 40 and back again fairly quickly, almost flashing one then the other.
It wouldn't be hard for the computer to calculate when is the earliest time you should reach the next speed limit sign and therefore when you can be expected to slow down to the new limit and from that calculate what your expected max average speed should be for the overall journey. In reality they will just give a grace period for those in the tunnel and so long as your not taking the piss you will be fine
JustLiam85 said:
Yea I am pretty worried. I will try contact them. See what they say. The average cameras are only for the tunnel aren’t they. Just before you go in and when you come out. There isn’t anymore along that part is there.
Shouldn't be any problem, they'd replied to me saying not to worry when I'd contacted them about the flashing signs after I'd gone through slowing and speeding up several times in the tunnel as the signs had advised.Average is mostly in the tunnel, starts before and ends afterwards - you can see the cameras on entry and exit.
Only other average areas I know of on A3 are through Guildford and the also giant M25/A3 junction project where it's a temporary 50 for some time.
All good reasonable areas to have average cameras due to road work/number of junctions/risks.
It was more dangerous when there was just a small section of average 50 between the M25 and Painshill junctions on the A3 - many people ignored it in their rush to be first off at the junction so creating a big mismatch in speeds between traffic. Now that the 50 extends a few miles it's much safer.
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