Cruised through the SPECS-controlled roadworks on the M1 northbound last night at exactly 50, but then booted it straight to 90 (in 3rd - vroom!) at the "End" sign, only to pass under another SPECS gantry - doh!

Question is, if you need the average speed from 2 cameras to convict you, and each camera is in a different limit (one 50, one 70), will I get away with it?

God I hope so!

Steve

 

I am assuming this is the setup around Junction 39/40 area, the locations of the SPECS system being:

Jun 39: 1/2 mile north of 39(Marker 2910)
Jun 40: 200 metres north of 40

As far as I'm aware the system is only active in the 50mph limit.Whereabouts is the 'End' sign in relation to the gantry?

 

how does specs work.....?


Plus some good news........

The last specs isnt live ,its covered up....

I travel passed there quite a few times over the past weeks

 

Average time between 2 points, takes piccies etc. Is totally digital so no worries about film running out, a complete B*stard in other words

I am sure Stuart can correct any mis-info i have provided

 

Partly related to this topic, i do get angry about the ability of the "authorities" to place an over-abundance of speed reduction signs before a "hazard" (normally coned off areas of primary routes with no sign what-so-ever of workers or any live construction activity) and yet a total *failure* to correctly indicate the end of such restriction.

On say, a motorway, where the 70mph speed is reduced to 50mph (for "safety" reasons), after the hazard there should be both an "End" sign (triangular umbrella tester with the word "End" below) _and_ a back to normal speed sign (e.g. circular "70" on motorways).

However, it seems to be a common these days for the authorities to "forget" the circular 70 or it's equivalent. Most drivers resume their _normal_ speed at the triangular "End" sign (if not before), but legally this not correct, and you must continue at the reduced speed until the next circular "Order" sign - which often does not exist!

One current such case is the roadworks on the A446 northbound past Coleshill, where the (dual carriageway 70mph) speed is reduced to 40mph (which itself is ridiculously high to negotiate the roundabout construction hazard), but at the end there is no "70mph" sign. Thus, technically, you can't exceed 40mph for many miles Northbound on the A446, until you see a new speed limit sign (ironically at the roadworks north of Bassetts Pole!).

If "the authorities" can't correctly define the limits of speed restrictions, how can drivers be expected to abide by them?

mb

 

Recent change in legislation (last year?) 'END' sign signifies end of all restrictions, including speed limits.

 

Phew!...yes, you're right BladeRnnr. I went past it again in daylight yesterday and the last one has a plastic bag over it, so it looks like I've got away with it this time.

Stuart - the gantry is about 100/200yds past the "End" sign, well into the "70" zone.

Cheers,

Steve

 

Dave Coulshaw,

that seems a rather strange change in legislation, as it potentially confuses the motorist (well it did me!). Also, you are potentially relying on some "grunt" to implement signage that has a legal status.

Also worryingly, whilst having a quick peek at my "Blackstone's Police Manual - Road Traffic 2000", i noticed the following item under "Temporary Speed Limits":

"As _restrictions_ rather than speed limits, offences under this heading do not require notices of intended prosecution (Platen v Gowing [1983] Crim LR 184), neither do they require corroboration."

Clear as mud, hey!

mb

 

Boomer,

I agree with your point about the general lack of adequate notice of the end of speed restrictions, it can be very annoying.

I would mention, however, that in general, the return to the national speed limit on a motorway should really be signed by a national speed limit applies sign, rather than an annoying 70 sign.

It seems to be the growing trend that many national speed limit signs are being replaced by potentially more restrictive order signs... not really a problem until the government change the national limit (as if), but annoying none the less.

It's a silly point, I know, but I feel I am being preached to more and more as 70 signs appear in place of the good old national limit sign... it's as though the government are treating us (drivers) a so stupid that we can't remember a simple set of limits for ourselves... thanks a bunch, nanny state! (Of course, if you ask a non enthusiastic driver, many won't actually know the national limit on some roads... but that's not the point! )

Moray

 

It was the set-up I was thinking of then. If the camera is covered up then you should be safe.

Just be remember it's there and that it might not be covered up the next time you go past!

If anyone wants to read up on how SPECS works, have a look at

 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by boomer:
<B>Dave Coulshaw,

that seems a rather strange change in legislation, as it potentially confuses the motorist (well it did me!). Also, you are potentially relying on some "grunt" to implement signage that has a legal status.

mb[/quote]

The same 'grunt' would be putting the national speed limit sign up as well? same difference. As I remember it, the change in legislation came from a distance delay from end of roadworks to the end of speed restriction causing confusion.

Also, any road with no speed limit/restriction signs for 400 yds is deemed 'national speed limit' - except residential areas, hence on restricted A & B roads and in roadworks there are signs every 400 yds, so 400 yds after the last sign in road works you are 'safe' to go back to 70.

 

>> so 400 yds after the last sign in road works you are 'safe' to go back to 70.

... er, 60mph (unless it's a dual carriageway, or you are an HGV etc) - but i know what you mean!

Going back in history, didn't the GLF (i mean, the National Speed Limit) mean "limitless, before the oil crisis and the 50mph tops of the 70's?

mb