[stevew]

Do motor way gantry cameras, eg the variable speed limit bit of the M6 around Brum operate, all the time or just when a reduced speed is in force?

Was coming back from London early hours of this morning, using the cruise control set at 70 through the gantry's, the signs were off (so 70mph speed limit etc) & cars were flying past me through the camera zone.

[dxb335d]

Only on when signs on!

[stevew]

Looks Like your right, found this on another website:

After travelling around the M25 several times a week since it opened 20-odd years ago, I finally got a definitive answer to the camera question off a Police Traffic Officer a few weeks ago.

The cameras will flash whataver limit is posted up - yes, even when the signs are unlit and the 70mph is in force (I've seen it happen loads of times). Apparently, current law (and this is gen from a bloke who should know) states that fixed speed camera evidence cannot be used on British motorways when the naional limit is in force.

His explanation went something along the lines of 'fixed-site speed cameras can only be used on UK motorways for temporary speed limits'. Basically to mean in sections of roadworks, and for the variable temporary limits such as those on the M25, which is what this guy was referring to in this instance.

'You can set the cameras off at 90mph but we can't do you'.

[JLR1969]

If your cruise was set at 70 your actual speed would have been about 66. I normally set my cruise at 80 then I am actually doing about 75 which is still a lot slower than a lot of drivers.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

If your cruise was set at 70 your actual speed would have been about 66. I normally set my cruise at 80 then I am actually doing about 75 which is still a lot slower than a lot of drivers.

According to mine 70 on cruise = 68 on the TomTom. If I want to do exactly 70 I set it to 72 on cruise.

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by stevew

'You can set the cameras off at 90mph but we can't do you'.

Steve, pop down here and go round the M25 between Jct 10 - 15 @ 120mph and let us know how you get on, thanks

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by stevew

According to mine 70 on cruise = 68 on the TomTom. If I want to do exactly 70 I set it to 72 on cruise.

Mine was based on the Passat so not as accurate as the BMW

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Steve, pop down here and go round the M25 between Jct 10 - 15 @ 120mph and let us know how you get on, thanks

Nah

[Carrera RSR]

Don't forget the 10% +2mph rule. Therefore you could be doing 83mph on the speedo, 78mph in reality and be under the 79mph threshold.

M4 past Swindon operate mobile speed vans. You will be nicked at 79mph and over.

[KadeSdad]

At what speed is a straight to court ruling, does it vary county by county? I got stopped at 90 plus once but luckily only got a ticking off and was sent on my way.

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by KadeSdad

At what speed is a straight to court ruling, does it vary county by county? I got stopped at 90 plus once but luckily only got a ticking off and was sent on my way.

95+ apparently, but I think it would depend on individual circumstances and what sort of mood the cop was in, and how you reacted to being stopped, attitude etc.

[E92westy]

Originally Posted by KadeSdad

At what speed is a straight to court ruling, does it vary county by county? I got stopped at 90 plus once but luckily only got a ticking off and was sent on my way.

I got caught by laser some years ago whilst out on the bike.
106mph.
Court appearance, six points, 500 quid but no ban.
Lucky really, as I had it flat out a bit later and might have been locked up!!

PS. The bike has been long gone and now I stick to all the speed limits.
Honest.

[dxb335d]

Usually over 100mph

[toxicnerve]

Originally Posted by Carrera RSR

Don't forget the 10% +2mph rule. Therefore you could be doing 83mph on the speedo, 78mph in reality and be under the 79mph threshold.

M4 past Swindon operate mobile speed vans. You will be nicked at 79mph and over.

This is completely untrue. There is no "rule", if they want to do you for doing 71mph they can. It's unlikely but they can. Same goes for cameras IIRC, if they are calibrated correctly then they can do you for anything above the posted limit if they want to.

All I would say is do not rely on the 10%+2mph rule to avoid getting busted!

[225_AB]

True no rule as such but ACPO (association of chief poise officers) guidelines are speed limit + 10% + 1 or 2 mph not sure whether it is 1 or 2.

[toxicnerve]

Originally Posted by doc_ab

True no rule as such but ACPO (association of chief poise officers) guidelines are speed limit + 10% + 1 or 2 mph not sure whether it is 1 or 2.

Guideline is one thing. Reality may be different however. Especially if it;s not a camera and a copper with a laser device. Maybe hes having a bad day and decides to stick it to you!

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

This is completely untrue. There is no "rule", if they want to do you for doing 71mph they can. It's unlikely but they can. Same goes for cameras IIRC, if they are calibrated correctly then they can do you for anything above the posted limit if they want to.

All I would say is do not rely on the 10%+2mph rule to avoid getting busted!

I've always relied on that rule and, touch wood, been fine for years.

They could never prove the accuraccy of their equipment to those levels, thats why ACPO go for the +10%+2mph, it means a clear breach has occured and one where instrument errors of the car or the camera could never be brought in as a defence.

83 got busted and 104 got busted, never at 79/80 which i've passed many cameras / lasers etc at that speed OK. (speedo speed, which is of course high anyway)

Agreed, if you start adding speedo error on top of +10% +2mph you might be on thin ice, especially with a human operated device rather than a machine.

Same for average speed 50's on mways, you're fine at a GPS 55 or so which is almost 60 on the speedo, again done the same for years.

BTW BMW speedos are notriously innacurate, much worse than others (there's a test somewhere on the US forum where BMW clocks were way out compered to other tested makes)

Maybe to inflate our egos??

Any how, when my speedo says 100 the GPS says 91 (on private land of course)

....And thats something else that annoys me... those silly flashing speed signs that show your actual speed.. they are set at speedo readings, not actual readings. So when I do 30mph GPS and the car speedo says 34, the damn flashing sign says 33!

[Carrera RSR]

OK you took my term of 'rule' too literally!!

It has been an unofficial 'guide' for some years but as stated 1mph is too fast for some forces/officers, as publicly advised by North Wales force.

This 'guide' is publicly advised by Wiltshire Police of the enforced speed on the M4.

Have spoken to many officers who view under 85mph as acceptable subject to road conditions.

90mph to 100mph is at the discretion of the officer of to be handled by FPN or court. Over 100mph usually means court and ban but this is my issue of the judicial system, there is no consistency!! I was banned for 6 months that for the same offence a colleague received 3 months, and another friend received a max of 12 points and fine and kept his licence!!

[beemerbird]

The discretionary rules also vary between Counties as I've discovered.