Am I worrying over nothing?
Discussion
This could be interesting…
I was travelling westbound on the A12 by Colchester tonight, and just past the junction where the A120 joins the A12 there is a 40 zone while some repairs are carried out to the grassy slopes to the side of the road. I am well aware that there are speed cameras present, and so I reduce my speed to 40mph. I check my mirror and notice that a Luton van has joined from the A120, but initially I think nothing of it. As I approach the first speed camera I check my speed – still dead on 40mph. I check my mirror again, and notice that this van is travelling a bit faster than I am. As I pass the camera the van pulls out to overtake, causing the camera to flash. I start laughing out loud and proceed on my way, knowing that it wasn’t me that set the camera off.
I know I shouldn’t be worrying about this as I KNOW I was obeying the 40mph speed limit, but I have nagging doubts and paranoia is starting to set in.
I am slightly concerned that even though it was the van that tripped the camera, I will also show up on the photo and that the speed superimposed on the picture will be that of the van. I am aware that the distance travelled over the road markings should be taken in to consideration, but in this day and age where everything is “fast-tracked” and generally automated I am worried that I might be on the receiving end of a NIP for OBEYING THE SPEED LIMIT!
A further concern is that if I receive a NIP I would have to plead not guilty and go to magistrates court over this. Now this wouldn’t concern me much if it wasn’t for the 3 bonus points I received in August 2000 for a moment of stupidity.
In the event that I am wrongly issued with a NIP and end up having to go to court to “prove” my innocence, would the current 3 points be “held against me” as it were? The thought of getting more points on my licence when I was obeying the speed limit is serious cause for concern.
Feel free to label me as a paranoid twat if you wish
I was travelling westbound on the A12 by Colchester tonight, and just past the junction where the A120 joins the A12 there is a 40 zone while some repairs are carried out to the grassy slopes to the side of the road. I am well aware that there are speed cameras present, and so I reduce my speed to 40mph. I check my mirror and notice that a Luton van has joined from the A120, but initially I think nothing of it. As I approach the first speed camera I check my speed – still dead on 40mph. I check my mirror again, and notice that this van is travelling a bit faster than I am. As I pass the camera the van pulls out to overtake, causing the camera to flash. I start laughing out loud and proceed on my way, knowing that it wasn’t me that set the camera off.
I know I shouldn’t be worrying about this as I KNOW I was obeying the 40mph speed limit, but I have nagging doubts and paranoia is starting to set in.
I am slightly concerned that even though it was the van that tripped the camera, I will also show up on the photo and that the speed superimposed on the picture will be that of the van. I am aware that the distance travelled over the road markings should be taken in to consideration, but in this day and age where everything is “fast-tracked” and generally automated I am worried that I might be on the receiving end of a NIP for OBEYING THE SPEED LIMIT!
A further concern is that if I receive a NIP I would have to plead not guilty and go to magistrates court over this. Now this wouldn’t concern me much if it wasn’t for the 3 bonus points I received in August 2000 for a moment of stupidity.
In the event that I am wrongly issued with a NIP and end up having to go to court to “prove” my innocence, would the current 3 points be “held against me” as it were? The thought of getting more points on my licence when I was obeying the speed limit is serious cause for concern.
Feel free to label me as a paranoid twat if you wish
AFAIK (certainly the spec says they do) GATSO's use the "round trip" time to indicate which lane the offender was in.
That is why the lines on each lane are further forward as you get further away - the radar is at an angle, and so the speed measurement is done across a thin strip that goes diagonally across the road.
The doppler effect that GATOs use of radar also gives the distance that the object is away (multiple objects give multiple reflections, each with their own distance). It's that distance that the camera uses to show which lane is speeding, as each lane is within a certain "range" of distances.
So - no - you shouldn't be worried - but it's your right to ask for the photo evidence anyway so even if they do cock it up the photos will prove otherwise (a pain I know to ask for them and then do the calculations but easy to prove your innocence)....
J
That is why the lines on each lane are further forward as you get further away - the radar is at an angle, and so the speed measurement is done across a thin strip that goes diagonally across the road.
The doppler effect that GATOs use of radar also gives the distance that the object is away (multiple objects give multiple reflections, each with their own distance). It's that distance that the camera uses to show which lane is speeding, as each lane is within a certain "range" of distances.
So - no - you shouldn't be worried - but it's your right to ask for the photo evidence anyway so even if they do cock it up the photos will prove otherwise (a pain I know to ask for them and then do the calculations but easy to prove your innocence)....
J
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