GATSO Cameras
29 November 2000, 12:42 AM
#33
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JohnF
The amber light also means STOP. So if you passed the light 1ms before going to red, you are still in the wrong. The amber light shows for approx 2 seconds before the red so should have plenty of time to stop if you're approaching at the correct speed.
Carl,
They have these 'crash detection' cameras in Japan. If I remember rightly, they loop a recorded 5 second segment onto RAM, then if the camera detects a 'crash' sound it dumps the few seconds before the crash and the crash itself onto tape (or permanent storage). Can not remember details, but the footage I saw of it in action looked impressive.
The amber light also means STOP. So if you passed the light 1ms before going to red, you are still in the wrong. The amber light shows for approx 2 seconds before the red so should have plenty of time to stop if you're approaching at the correct speed.
Carl,
They have these 'crash detection' cameras in Japan. If I remember rightly, they loop a recorded 5 second segment onto RAM, then if the camera detects a 'crash' sound it dumps the few seconds before the crash and the crash itself onto tape (or permanent storage). Can not remember details, but the footage I saw of it in action looked impressive.
29 November 2000, 11:38 AM
#35
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Stuart, while you are doing the speeding sums, can you enlighten us all how fast you need to go to be out of Gatso range before the 2nd piccie is taken? I've heard a rumour that 145 MPH gets you past the white lines so th pics can't be used for speed calculation.
Can someone try this out and let me know the outcome?
Can someone try this out and let me know the outcome?
29 November 2000, 01:02 PM
#36
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This might seem a bit boring but I worked it out:-
Assuming that there's 30 lines on road side as in Skoda pic and that they are each 5ft apart, you need to clear 30 x 5ft = 150 ft in 0.5 sec. Scaling this up gives 300ft in 1 sec up to 1080000ft in 1 hr which equals approx 204.5mph. A bit nippier than a standard scoob?
If you work this back based on 144mph top speed then you should be able to just clear 100ft in 0.5 sec i.e. 20 marks on road. Do all gatso's have same number of marks on the road?
Apple
Assuming that there's 30 lines on road side as in Skoda pic and that they are each 5ft apart, you need to clear 30 x 5ft = 150 ft in 0.5 sec. Scaling this up gives 300ft in 1 sec up to 1080000ft in 1 hr which equals approx 204.5mph. A bit nippier than a standard scoob?
If you work this back based on 144mph top speed then you should be able to just clear 100ft in 0.5 sec i.e. 20 marks on road. Do all gatso's have same number of marks on the road?
Apple
29 November 2000, 01:04 PM
#37
surely Amber means floor it or you'll have to stop?? 
Seriously, in law, amber means stop if it is safe to do so, it does not mean stop. In court you could not be convicted if the light was on amber as you start to cross the line.
I would contest if that was the only evidence. For all we know, the other 2 cars may have jumped the lights.
Seriously, in law, amber means stop if it is safe to do so, it does not mean stop. In court you could not be convicted if the light was on amber as you start to cross the line.
I would contest if that was the only evidence. For all we know, the other 2 cars may have jumped the lights.
29 November 2000, 02:19 PM
#38
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John,
Fair comment. My old driving instructer always told me that amber was stop. But it was a few years ago
This triffic light thing reminded me of an incident last weekend in wales...
It was early moring on our way to the stage when we came to a stretch of roadworks blocking off one lane of the b-road,which was on a very twisty section. The traffic lights were just before a bend. It was dark and the traffic lights appeared not to be working (no lights showing). So the driver went to go throught the roadworks. At that point they suddenly turned amber, so the driver hit the anchors. A second later it when to green. Obviosly the red light had gone, but it could have been nasty if there was something coming the other way. Even if we were driving cautiously, the blind bend did not leave us much room.
Fair comment. My old driving instructer always told me that amber was stop. But it was a few years ago
This triffic light thing reminded me of an incident last weekend in wales...
It was early moring on our way to the stage when we came to a stretch of roadworks blocking off one lane of the b-road,which was on a very twisty section. The traffic lights were just before a bend. It was dark and the traffic lights appeared not to be working (no lights showing). So the driver went to go throught the roadworks. At that point they suddenly turned amber, so the driver hit the anchors. A second later it when to green. Obviosly the red light had gone, but it could have been nasty if there was something coming the other way. Even if we were driving cautiously, the blind bend did not leave us much room.
29 November 2000, 04:25 PM
#40
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Actually, approaching any traffic lights at speed is a problem. Nearly all traffic lights are in 30 or 40 mph areas, and with most temporary lights, you expect to have to stop when you see tha warning sign.
But just outside Monmouth, on the 70 mph dual carriageway, on a dead straight road, is this set of lights.
If you approach at say 60 mph, it can happen that the lights change as you approach and you do not have the time or distance to stop (Braking distances and time are not linearly related to speed, IIRC) the two seconds of orange are just not enough at that speed
I got caught out once (only once) and ended up seriously screeching and sliding( no ABS, skinny tyres, panic)
Mercifully nothing was hit, and this was a long time ago
JD
But just outside Monmouth, on the 70 mph dual carriageway, on a dead straight road, is this set of lights.
If you approach at say 60 mph, it can happen that the lights change as you approach and you do not have the time or distance to stop (Braking distances and time are not linearly related to speed, IIRC) the two seconds of orange are just not enough at that speed
I got caught out once (only once) and ended up seriously screeching and sliding( no ABS, skinny tyres, panic)
Mercifully nothing was hit, and this was a long time ago
JD
29 November 2000, 06:14 PM
#42
Stef, dont argue with me on the technicalities of the Highway Code m8, you will loose every time! 
(i was the greater manchester road safety quiz champ at 10, once an anorack always an anorack 
)
extract from the Highway code
151. You MUST stop behind the white 'Stop' line across your side of the road unless the light is green. If the amber light appears you may go on only if you have already crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to stop might cause an accident.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 33
the full highway code is at
(i was the greater manchester road safety quiz champ at 10, once an anorack always an anorack )extract from the Highway code
151. You MUST stop behind the white 'Stop' line across your side of the road unless the light is green. If the amber light appears you may go on only if you have already crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to stop might cause an accident.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 33
the full highway code is at
29 November 2000, 06:48 PM
#43
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In response to an earlier comment. If you are approaching a set of lights that are on Green, I was told to approach as if they were going to goto yellow. Therefore adjusting your approach speed so you can stop if they turn yellow.
No criticism of anybody here. Just what I was told.
P.
29 November 2000, 08:58 PM
#45
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Starting to wander off topic even more but...
I read somewhere that traffic planners take into account the "moment of indecision", which is how long a motorist (on a given stretch of road) takes to decide whether to carry on or brake when the amber light appears.
Thus fast roads have a longer amber than slow ones (in theory).
Of course traffic planners also place Gatsos in accident blackspots as well
mb
I read somewhere that traffic planners take into account the "moment of indecision", which is how long a motorist (on a given stretch of road) takes to decide whether to carry on or brake when the amber light appears.
Thus fast roads have a longer amber than slow ones (in theory).
Of course traffic planners also place Gatsos in accident blackspots as well
mb
29 November 2000, 10:23 PM
#46
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I prefer to think of it as the 'moment of criticality' -- that point on the road where you realize that if the lights change you're going to have to stop a bit sharpish or go through them. I always make sure I know what's behind me when I approach that moment.
30 November 2000, 12:14 AM
#49
nope
another extract from the highway code
Single carriageway
114. Where a single carriageway has three lanes and the road markings or signs do not give priority to traffic in either direction
use the middle lane only for overtaking or turning right.
Remember, you have no more right to use the middle lane than a driver coming from the opposite direction
do not use the right-hand lane.
115. Where a single carriageway has four or more lanes, use only the lanes that signs or markings indicate.
Dual carriageways
116. On a two-lane dual carriageway you should stay in the left-hand lane. Use the right-hand lane for overtaking or turning right. If you use it for overtaking move back to the left-hand lane when it is safe to do so.
117. On a three-lane dual carriageway, you may use the middle lane or the right-hand lane to overtake but return to the middle and then the left-hand lane when it is safe.
I think some of you guys need to spend a weekend reading
another extract from the highway code
Single carriageway
114. Where a single carriageway has three lanes and the road markings or signs do not give priority to traffic in either direction
use the middle lane only for overtaking or turning right.
Remember, you have no more right to use the middle lane than a driver coming from the opposite direction
do not use the right-hand lane.
115. Where a single carriageway has four or more lanes, use only the lanes that signs or markings indicate.
Dual carriageways
116. On a two-lane dual carriageway you should stay in the left-hand lane. Use the right-hand lane for overtaking or turning right. If you use it for overtaking move back to the left-hand lane when it is safe to do so.
117. On a three-lane dual carriageway, you may use the middle lane or the right-hand lane to overtake but return to the middle and then the left-hand lane when it is safe.
I think some of you guys need to spend a weekend reading
30 November 2000, 12:31 AM
#51
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Why do most people have trouble with points 116 & 117?
Drives me up the wall.
Oh look, left lane is empty. But I'll stay in the middle. You never know, a car may appear from nowhere!Stuart,
Can't you guys have a sign in the back of your Traffic Cars that says 'Keep left unless overtaking' or words to that effect. That way traffic will flow better than the current half arsed measures introduced by governments IMO.
P.
30 November 2000, 12:47 AM
#52
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Thanks John, fine with built up areas - 30/40 zones max of 30/40, national speedlimit zones are sort of regarded as: whatever speed it is safe to do (IMHO) is probably being done. I am now off to the link though, just in-case I come across a speed camera on a 4 lane single carriageway, as you may save me some cash in the future. 
30 November 2000, 07:45 AM
#53
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This would explain why when your following someone they always break at every set of lights, despite the lights being on green.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Sith:
<B>
In response to an earlier comment. If you are approaching a set of lights that are on Green, I was told to approach as if they were going to goto yellow. Therefore adjusting your approach speed so you can stop if they turn yellow.
P.[/quote]
Trev
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Sith:
<B>
In response to an earlier comment. If you are approaching a set of lights that are on Green, I was told to approach as if they were going to goto yellow. Therefore adjusting your approach speed so you can stop if they turn yellow.
P.[/quote]
Trev
30 November 2000, 01:36 PM
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John, (or nayone else with an answer)
Are you required to follow road markings painted on the road, or are these for advice only.
Example: 2 lanes cross (essential dual carriageway) 2 lanes at a junction. The left lane has an arrow pointing left and straight on, the right lane an arrow pointing right. There are still 2 lanes across the other side of the junction. So if you are in the right lane are you allowed to go straight on?
I have just read my way quickly through the highway code and did not find anything about it (I may have missed it though )
Are you required to follow road markings painted on the road, or are these for advice only.
Example: 2 lanes cross (essential dual carriageway) 2 lanes at a junction. The left lane has an arrow pointing left and straight on, the right lane an arrow pointing right. There are still 2 lanes across the other side of the junction. So if you are in the right lane are you allowed to go straight on?
I have just read my way quickly through the highway code and did not find anything about it (I may have missed it though
)
30 November 2000, 02:46 PM
#59
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by johnfelstead:
<B>Stef, dont argue with me on the technicalities of the Highway Code m8, you will loose every time! (i was the greater manchester road safety quiz champ at 10, once an anorack always an anorack )[/quote]
Can I argue about correct use of the English language with you John? How exactly will Stef loosen you up, or do you mean 'lose' i.e. to be defeated or vanquished
Geezer.
P.S. It's anorak!
<B>Stef, dont argue with me on the technicalities of the Highway Code m8, you will loose every time!
(i was the greater manchester road safety quiz champ at 10, once an anorack always an anorack )[/quote]Can I argue about correct use of the English language with you John? How exactly will Stef loosen you up, or do you mean 'lose' i.e. to be defeated or vanquished
Geezer.
P.S. It's anorak!
30 November 2000, 03:13 PM
#60
LOL
I know my english is crap, and i do have a life myself (well, most of the time ).
Just seems to strike me that half the people out there haven't got a clue about the law with regards to road use, which is a little scary when you think that this BBS is made up, in the whole, by intelligent people.
I used to know the Highway Code inside out, i had to to win that competition, i have a pretty good photographic memory so i tend to remember lots of details in print. I dont spend my life re-reading boring articles, thank god, but i think some people need to make a bit more of an effort. I mean, how many people have been doing 60MPH and slagging people off for wanting to pass, when quite legitimately they could be doing 70MPH?
As to the right turn road painted signs, surprisingly, i dont seem to be able to find a single mention. I have always treated them as orders, not information. Maybe Stuart knows the law on this?
One thing to bear in mind, the highway code is a document to advise, it is not the law itself, thats why there are lots of references after most points in the text.
I know my english is crap, and i do have a life myself (well, most of the time
).Just seems to strike me that half the people out there haven't got a clue about the law with regards to road use, which is a little scary when you think that this BBS is made up, in the whole,
by intelligent people.I used to know the Highway Code inside out, i had to to win that competition, i have a pretty good photographic memory so i tend to remember lots of details in print. I dont spend my life re-reading boring articles, thank god, but i think some people need to make a bit more of an effort. I mean, how many people have been doing 60MPH and slagging people off for wanting to pass, when quite legitimately they could be doing 70MPH?
As to the right turn road painted signs, surprisingly, i dont seem to be able to find a single mention. I have always treated them as orders, not information. Maybe Stuart knows the law on this?
One thing to bear in mind, the highway code is a document to advise, it is not the law itself, thats why there are lots of references after most points in the text.