Jerome

Absolutely furious with myself last night. Went through a speed camera, that I know is there (pass it at least once a week) at an indicated 35mph, and was double flashed.

The camera is in Morden on the Espom road (A24) so beware - the tax collection must be in full swing for cameras set to go off just over 30mph.

Apart from my stupidity at (probably) getting caught, it really annoys me that this was at 10.15 PM, the road was clear, conditions good, a bright night and I will get done just the same if I'd done 54mph past a school at kicking out time.

I was watching out for a small Peugeot convertible in the right hand lane behind me and I must have crept up to an indicated 35 when I saw the camera flash at me in the door mirror. At first I thought it was for the Peugeot, then realised it was flashing at me.

The ultimate irony for me, was I left Central London around 7.00PM. Driving through mainly built up areas with dozens of pedestrians everywhere. Many of them crossing at inapropriate places which I slowed right down for and let cross. I was averaging well below 30mph. On the return journey from Ewell, more of the same, but with less pedestrians. Then, on the only clear bit, which is also dual carriageway, I get done for speeding.

Right now I am seething. A victim of tax collection at its most cynical. On the way into work this morning, if I'd seen a WPC getting a kicking, it would have walked right past. Not happy.


[This message has been edited by Jerome (edited 03 July 2001).]

dba

the 50 stretch on the A3 through Tolworth goes off at 63.

DrEvil

Jerome, calm down mate, you don't know for sure its a ticket yet. Some cameras flash twice and don't have films in..

Hope nothing comes of it, take it easy, Alex

Pete Croney

Talking to Paul Dowler (new Principal at Listers) and they have set up a camera just along from the dealership that is set to go off at 34 mph!!!

51 tickets in the first 20 minutes it went live. That's over 9 grand an hour.

Even IT contractors don't earn that

The joys of having a transport minister who doesn't have any intention of ever getting a driving licence

RonaldoH

Like Alex says Jerome, its not a definate "nick".....A friend was double flashed at some speed a while back, did'nt hear a thing....You will find as well that the average is actually taken from all the pictures anyway...

14 days from now, its either beer for sorrow, or beer for joy...My bets on Joy.



Ron

CharlieWhiskey

30 +10% = 33!

What do you expect!

There is talk of dropping the 10% as the newer cameras are more accurate!

AndrewC

CharlieWhiskey

The cameras may be more accurate but the legal requirements on the accuracy of your car's speedo hasn't changed so I think it would be difficult to drop the +10% (which I thought was adopted as a policy decision by ACPO rather than a legal requirement).

Andrew...

bennetm

Which way did it flash? If it was facing you I think you will be ok as it can't register a negative speed. Even if its the other way you might be ok. There is one near me, it goes off at 42 (30 zone). If you do over 40 with it facing you, it flashes when you are near level.

Also, I thought it was speed limit + 10% + 3 mph?

MB

Mungo

I've been flashed at an indicated 32 by one of the cameras in Ascot High St (30 limit), and at 52 on the A3 near the big Tescos at Raynes Park. Neither time did I get a ticket.

Jerome

Thanks for the support guys. I hope you're right and it didn't have any film in. Fingers crossed for the next 2 weeks.

MB,
The camera was facing my direction of travel so flashed me from behind.

Also, speeding is an absolute offence, no grey areas, no excuse. 30.0000000001 mph is speeding and could (in theory) get you points and a fine.

In practice however, because of speedo in accuracy, the police normally set the limit at 10% + 2mph to allow for speedo inaccuracy.
In this case they seem to have set it at below 35 mph.

DavidLewis

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by dba:
<B>the 50 stretch on the A3 through Tolworth goes off at 63.[/quote]

The Southbound camera (just before the Ace of Spades) seems to be triggered easier these days (others....never me ) Also, I've triggered it a few times while coming the other way.

SteveM

Hi ya,

Saw a program a few weeks back on this very subject, regarding the accuracy of car tachos.
No not yummy mexican snacks Um yummy.

Apparently the average tacho is less accurate at slower speeds, the make of the car being tested I cannot remember but I do remember the readings and at an indicated 30mph the actual speed of the car was 37mph.
and at 70mph the actual speed was 67mph.
So the lesson (which I must admit to abiding to, even if I do drive like a loon on major roads)is do not speed in a built up area. Because if these results are true across the board we are all at a disadvantage before we even move.

john banks

Did someone say that speedos are not allowed to UNDERREAD at all but can overread by up to 10%, hence a cut off of 31mph COULD be imposed??

pat

Hmmm, spray paint gets the point across that cameras are not wanted.

[Edited 'coz I can't spell!]

[This message has been edited by pat (edited 04 July 2001).]