[CHG]

Hi Guys,

I got notified by the office today that I've been given a speeding fine coming from Bristol to South Wales along the M4.

Now the point I've allegedly been done at is in the 50 MPH zone just before the toll.

For those who know the area, I need a bit of advice. Does anyone know where the 50mph zone comes into place? I always thought it was at the Bridge, just before the toll booths!

If so, the camera was on the top of that bridge facing onto the bridge itself, therefore I was in the 70 zone.

I've been done at 73 in a 50, but I honestly thought it was a 70!

Also anyone know the threshold for the Speed Awareness Course?

[doughboy]

Have you had the letter yet? Have the company returned it naming you as the driver?

If their was an optional awareness course they usually offer that straight off in lieu of the points.

73 in a 50 is a bit steep for a course i think? Maybe 35 in a 30.

[JLR1969]

The 50 limit is about 500 yards or maybe a even more before the booths. They regularly have a van that sits on a bridge about 300 yards before the booths.

The van is hard to spot because of the overhead signs.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

The 50 limit is about 500 yards or maybe a even more before the booths. They regularly have a van that sits on a bridge about 300 yards before the booths.

The van is hard to spot because of the overhead signs.

Quite right too; why on earth would the police bother looking for murderers, rapists or child molesters when there's us dastardly motorists to concentrate on - nothing to do with revenue, of course .

[BGM]

thought you meant actually on the bridge...

when i worked in swansea i used to absolutely cane it over the bridge

good good times indeed!

p.s. sorry i am absolutely no help

[xenon]

It's about 3/4 of a mile before the toll where it's at 50mph. Put it this way: they're unlikely to have made a mistake with where they've actually sited the van.

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Quite right too; why on earth would the police bother looking for murderers, rapists or child molesters when there's us dastardly motorists to concentrate on - nothing to do with revenue, of course .

plus one.

[chrisbin]

As others have said, there is a bridge over the motorway just prior to the tolls - its the service road that they use to send you back to England if you turn up at the tolls without any money....the 50mph zone starts some distance before that bridge, and, in all fairness, is very clearly signposted.....sorry...

PS it will be a camera van, so nothing to do with taking police off other duties...

[chrisbin]

Not wanting to rub it in, but just had a quick look to remind myself....

Signs at start of zone:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&...12,248.27,,0,5

Bridge where van will have been:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&...12,282.56,,0,5

Sorry....I think "fair cop" applies....

[willhollin]

Remember not to bend down in the showers!

[CHG]

Thanks guys for all your responses.

Initial letter came through this morning advising id been done and the office have just written back naming me as the driver.

Had a look at where the 50 zone starts and it turns out the camera must have been pointing exactly at the point where it drops to the 50!

It's a little harsh, but completely fair and guess I'm just going to have to take the wrap for it

Once, again thanks for your advice guys

[stevie996]

I got done on the same stretch on the 12 February on my way back from picking up my Boxster, ouch!

The green letter came today, £60 fine and 3 f*****g points. I was doing 69 so no chance of the £80 course and no points.

Steve

[Silver Shadow]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Quite right too; why on earth would the police bother looking for murderers, rapists or child molesters when there's us dastardly motorists to concentrate on - nothing to do with revenue, of course .

Since when did the police receive speeding revenue?? Oldest wives tale in the book. All the revenue goes to our 'big society' government!!

The cameras are manned by civilian camera operators usually employed by the local council or local road safety partnership so again.. nothing to do with the police.

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by Silver Shadow

Since when did the police receive speeding revenue?? Oldest wives tale in the book. All the revenue goes to our 'big society' government!!

The cameras are manned by civilian camera operators usually employed by the local council or local road safety partnership so again.. nothing to do with the police.

I heard, a while back now, that if the camera had a yellow back on it the revenue went to the police and if it didn't it was the council (or the other way round). No idea whether this is still the case or indeed how acurate it was in the first place .

[xenon]

Never was the case at all.

[urfankhaliq]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Have you had the letter yet? Have the company returned it naming you as the driver?

If their was an optional awareness course they usually offer that straight off in lieu of the points.

73 in a 50 is a bit steep for a course i think? Maybe 35 in a 30.

You first get a letter to the registered keeper and once you reply to that with the drivers name, thats when you get an option for the course (if available)

[JJD]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

I heard, a while back now, that if the camera had a yellow back on it the revenue went to the police and if it didn't it was the council (or the other way round). No idea whether this is still the case or indeed how acurate it was in the first place .

At one point the fines (or a percentage of) went to local safety camera partnerships (local council/police) but that changed in 2007 and since then they have went to the treasury.

Source: Daily Wail

[F31-340i]

This smacks of revenue generation......the 50 limit is I assume to get you to slow down for the booths, and possible queue of cars. Given the excellent visibility and straight in approach on a 3 lane motorway, this hardly requires driver prudence & hence potential speed enforcement in the same way as say an accident black spot with poor visibility or a dangerous junction.

Hence you've been done going 73mpg on a 3 lane motorway, where lets face it you're hardly in danger of failing to stop at the booths or run into the back of someone by misjudging your speed. The safety risk is surely almost inconsequential - if you don't see the queue or booths in time to stop, you're just not paying attention - the difference between 70mph and 50mph is completely irrelevant.

Totally pointless enforcement, IMO.