Average Speed Cameras

[spoonerl]

Do people actually realise how average speed cameras really work, because there is a stretch on the m1 where it's 40mph and people still do 50mph between 2 cameras and then slow down when they see one. By then it's too late because your average speed has been clocked at 50mph.

Does anyone else have any views on these types of cameras.

And would having these types of camera keep people to the speed limits rather than fixed ones. (but then the authorities wouldn't make as much money, or is that just me being bitchy)

[joebloggs]

The big problem with these systems at the moment is that many of them are deployed on trial basis to ensure that they do what they are meant to do, those deplyed in road works areas are usually affective in that they will result in a ticket being issued, Camden and Islington boroughs of London will soon role out these systems.
Bset bet is to comply with the posted speed limit because you really have no way of knowing which is a live system and which isn't.

[spoonerl]

Yes i agree with what you saying.

People do stick to the speed limits more because they know that they cant slow down for a brief second to pass the camera, they have to stick to the limit becasue they dont know when the last camera will be. These in my eyes is the answer to keeping vehicles to limits but it wont raise capital for the police so will it replace fixed cameras?

[Giveitback]

Originally Posted by spoonerl

Does anyone else have any views on these types of cameras.

Yeah, they're dangerous.

Have you ever been driven through one and looked at the other drivers? There's one at a set of roadworks nearby. I've watched the other drivers, and they're all doing one of 2 things.

1. Staring at their speedometer and ignoring the road ahead.
2. Using the reduced average speed to grab a drink/check their phone/change the CD/otherwise stop payuing attention to the road.

Generally, improving road safety!

[patdavies]

They will also be open to challenge when the new graduated fines become law.

If you have an average speed set-up and you are detected as having an average speed above the posted limit - just exactly where did you exceed the limit between the cameras and by how much?

Also, once again, motorcycles will get away with it as SPECS reads the front number plate

[Rob S]

Originally Posted by patdavies

Also, once again, motorcycles will get away with it as SPECS reads the front number plate

And what's the problem with that??

[demon_x_slash]

I'm not a driver, but I thought that people need variable speed on a motorway - overtaking other cars, avoiding the tailgating idiots, making room for those joining by a slip-road...
...that's why Average Speed Cameras puzzle me...

[falcon185]

I thought speed cameras were placed on roads where there had been two or more fatalities on that stretch of road within a perion of 12-18mths. These new SPECS cameras appear to be purely a revenue building excersise. Taking the average speed of vehicles ? what if there is a tail back between the cameras are we gonna get a ticket through the post for travelling too slow on a Motorway? ( minimum speed is 20mph I believe)

[falcon185]

Originally Posted by falcon185

I thought speed cameras were placed on roads where there had been two or more fatalities on that stretch of road within a perion of 12-18mths. These new SPECS cameras appear to be purely a revenue building excersise. Taking the average speed of vehicles ? what if there is a tail back between the cameras are we gonna get a ticket through the post for travelling too slow on a Motorway? ( minimum speed is 20mph I believe)

In order to try and reduce the risk of further fatalities on that road

[Giveitback]

Only in England. And of course, it doens't take into consideration the 'spike' effect - no accidents and then one freak one with two fatalities.

safespeed.org

[jonni2bad]

Originally Posted by Rob S

And what's the problem with that??

My own problem with that is......I had to sell my bike

As far as these cameras are concerned, I was also told that they only view the numberplates of cars in one lane, so on a dual-carraigeway you would just have to ensure you're not in the lane it points at (typically lane 2).

Does anyone know if this is correct or a new wives tale? (surely it can't be an 'old' wives tale?)

[Bookworm]

Originally Posted by Giveitback

Only in England.

Not at all. I lived in Switzerland 25 years ago. They'd time your entry at the toll of the m/way, and time you at exit. If you'd got there earler than a certain time, you were speeding at some point: automatic fine, based on the amount of km p h overlimit you were, the faster, the more expensive.

The impeccability of Swiss logic and precision

[Giveitback]

Ahh, Sorry, 'Only in England' referred to "I thought speed cameras were placed on roads where there had been two or more fatalities on that stretch of road within a perion of 12-18mths."

As in, in Scotland, they can stick cameras wherever and whenever they feel like it.

[Bookworm]

My bad.

[bluecloud]

SPECS is still a relatively new technology in the UK. It is still under assessment by several Police Forces. The primary function of SPECS is to control speed over longer distances on high-speed roads, normally motorways, were excessive speed is seen as a problem. Some Forces have employed SPECS in areas of roadworks. Essex Police have used SPECS on the M11 this year to maintain an average of 40mph through some roadworks. I travelled this section several times throughout the duration of the roadworks and have to admit that it controlled the speed very well and the traffic moved through surprisingly fluidly.

As for the placement of speed cameras. It is possible for the "two fatalities" rule to be circumvented. Firstly, local residents can apply to a Police Force for a speed camera if they feel that excessive speed is a problem. There is need to post permanent signs to notify the roadusers of such an area. Secondly, in an area of roadworks, the contractor can apply for a speed camera to protect the workforce. Both of these instances can be abused by the Police Force as the number of "complaints" varies from Force to Force.

As for the issue of number plate recognition, SPECS can be aligned to photograph either the front or the back of the vehicle. So all you fellow bikers out there, be careful. The cameras do tend to be aligned to photograph the front of a vehicle in order to aid driver recognition.

SPECS cameras tend to be placed over each lane for the simple reason that it helps to avoid mistakes when calculating average speeds. Speed cameras are not infallible and it is possible to register the speed of one vehicle in lane1 and recognise the registration plate of another vehicle in lane2. There is an ANPR system employed on the A66 near Stockton-onTees that covers both lanes with one camera and I have actually seen the wrong number plater being flashed up on the message board.

Hope this lot helps.



.

[spoonerl]

Spead Cameras certainly do pose a lot of questons.

I woulds like to pick out once again a quote from an earlier post

*** Also, once again, motorcycles will get away with it as SPECS reads the front number plate ***

My understanding of the law is that everyone must be treat equal. Doesn't the fact that motorcyclists cannot be treatee equal as motor vehicle drivers becasue the cameras are unable to capture their number plates equal to discrimination?

[deemacperth]

Not that I'm condoning speeding, but:

Drivers can avoid speeding tickets...by changing lanes | the Mail on Sunday