Wuss

After driving for almost 20 years, it looks like I am going to get my first ticket. I was going up the M1 on Friday night and I coasted through the roadworks (around Junction 20) at between 50 and 60 mph. I then realised that:

a) it was a 40mph limit (when did they start doing that - it's always been a 50 limit?!!)
b) it was a SPECS system taking the average speed!

Looks like I'm screwed, so I just have to sit here and wait for the letter... I know it's no excuse, but I had a really hard week at work so I was feeling a little tired. I admit that I drive around the 80 - 85 mph mark on the motorway, but I NEVER exceed the limit in a roadworks area...

I'm so p$$ed off with myself for not paying more attention,

Mark.

stann01

easily done m8 dont be so hard on yourself

gets me when your just cruising along watching your speed in these areas and the guy passes alongside you ever so slowly in the right lane makes you wanna go his speed! even if it is just over the limit.

Swen6

They do work, mate got done in them in august, the fine was through the door within a week!!!

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

oh cheer him up wont you mark

gubby

Went along the M42 a couple of weeks ago going westbound from the M6

Then somebody told me that all those overhead gantries contained speed cameras.

Anybody know if this is right as I could have picked up more than one.

Wuss

I'm prepared for the worst anyway!

I was actually waiting for one of the, 'You deserve it, you psychopathic tree killer..' statements from the 'I've never broken the speed limit in my life' brigade.

Having an 18 month old son, I actually fully support speed cameras as long as their presence is justified. However, if I am prosecuted for doing 55 mph in a section of roadworks on a motorway with very few cars (22:45 on Friday), I will be very unhappy. I have been driving on motorways since 1987 and I believe this 40 mph limit is deliberately designed to 'trick' drivers. I would love to request an independent test. Set the limit to 50 mph for one week and set it to 40 mph for abother week... I bet you would see a 20 or 30% increase in the number of drivers caught at 40mph...

Rant over.

Mark.

mikepaul

Happened to me, on M1 J10, they dropped the speed without changing the sign, NIP stated I was doing 57 in a 50! (the temp sign stated 60)

After the NIP, I sent a letter stating the above, and therefore the ticket was invalid. They wrote back stating no further action would be taken. If I had not complained I would have got a 3 points for nothing.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Exactly what I said in another thread about variable, artificially low limits.

They'll be part-funding the roadworks with the fines

Alcazar

Wuss

I wouldn't be surprised...

I was driving for four hours on Friday night and from 10.30pm until about 11.45pm, I saw at least 20 drivers who must have been pi$$ed. I bet you I will get a ticket and the 20 pi$$ed b@stards will get off scot-free despite posing a far greater danger to the public.

Arghhh...!

Mark.

ChrisB

Yes, through the section that now has variable speed limits and eventually the advanced traffic management (hard shoulder open to traffic) the gantries have been fitted out with cameras now.

I've no idea if they are working yet and if they are, if they trigger (and by how much) when a normal 70 limit is in place.

ZippyLane

Bad luck mate..

CyprusScooby

What are these Specs systems?

Are there alot of them in the UK?

Does Road Angel pick them up?

dpb

gawd,i tell yer - i DONT drive motorways v.often all. Drove to wales this year thro road -works on the M4.......It was only some distance after i thought about cameras and the posibility it was a 40 limit...must have been thro at 50

HOWY

Do they flash when they go off cos there are loads on the M62 roadworks between Manchester and Liverpool?

Gazz300

They do pick them up but there are none I am aware of in and around Barry. Saw you South Wales Section earlier. You will however have to watch out for the normal GATSO cameras on a trip to Cariff from the airport. At least 4 on your way in. Road angel will help you out though.

See you in the New Year.

bluepolarbear

No they don't

Swen6

Not that i'm aware of, my mate who got the ticket never mentioned he got flashed, i've been through them a couple of times sticking to 40 and cars go buying without a care in the world and i never saw them get flashed.

WRXewl

iTrader: (1)

SPECS cameras are timing ones and so dont flash ever coz they have infra red lights on them for them to see at night

HOWY

Oh **** how long does it take if you are going to receive a ticket?