Speeding & Specs :(

[wackojackouk]

Hi guys

I take quite pride in having a clean licence so feeling a bit worried now and wonder if you can offer any advice for me about a potential speeding fine.

Travelling to work as usual down the M4. There is a 50mph section near Slough where they have the average speed check camera's (aka SPECS). I was talking on the fone (via Bluetooth Headset) to my insurance company (sods law eh) and travelling roughly about the speed limit (50mph). However when I got near the second camera I noticed I was doing approx 57mph - I didn't think I was going that fast as I was keeping up with the traffic to the side and in front and behind.

Anyway I heard these camera measure your average speed over the two points so if I was doing 50mph and then 57mph - ave is gonna be 54mph ish. Does anyone know if the SPECS camera's are really strict on the 50mph limit?

I've seem loads of drivers each day go faster than 60mph or at least 55mph average and I can't believe they all get done.

I read somewhere that most speed camera's are usually 10% over + 2mph for the inaccuracies speedo's can read thus this would be 57mph. Does anyone know if this is the case on the SPECS ones?

I think I also read somewhere you have to be sent a NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) within 2 weeks to be valid.

Any advice or information to put my mind at ease would be most welcome

Thanks

WJUK

[kaya]

not sure if they have dealt with it yet but there is a loophole, the cameras can only measure your speed legally if you remain in the same lane for each scamera, i have been a passanger and hit rediculously high speeds through specs (early hours of the morning with no traffic) using the above method many times successfully, the people you see speeding are probably doing the same

[anewman]

I think you'll be fine as assuming a constant increase in speed your indicated average is about 54mph which is about 51mph in real speed and unlikely to see you being prosecuted. Probably best to be more careful though.

[bargepole]

I read somewhere that most speed camera's are usually 10% over + 2mph for the inaccuracies speedo's can read thus this would be 57mph. Does anyone know if this is the case on the SPECS ones?

I think I also read somewhere you have to be sent a NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) within 2 weeks to be valid.

The ACPO guidelines say that 10% + 2mph is the minimum for a prosecution. Not all police forces follow this to the letter, but in my experience Thames Valley Police, who would be the authority here, usually do. So if your average was 56 or under, you *should* be safe.

The NIP must be sent to the registered keeper within 14 days of the alleged offence, otherwise it's invalid.

[bargepole]

not sure if they have dealt with it yet but there is a loophole, the cameras can only measure your speed legally if you remain in the same lane for each scamera, i have been a passanger and hit rediculously high speeds through specs (early hours of the morning with no traffic) using the above method many times successfully, the people you see speeding are probably doing the same
Not any more, the Home Office updated the Type Approval for SPECS cameras in April 08, so they can now legally monitor average speeds across all lanes and slip roads.

[Keith]

Still can't catch bikers! http://www.therevcounter.com/customstyles/trcdefault/smilies/burnout.gif

[Hintza]

When going through specs cameras at 50mph I use the sat nav @ 50 this shows as about 53mph. So you should be fine.

[tomstickland]

I tend to drive through the spec limited 50 zones at about 57indicated anyway, because I know my speedo overreads and there's a bit of margin on the limit.

[Indout96]

Dont you just love SAFETY cameras, mile after mile of people staring at their speedometer instead of the road all in the name of safety. Or maybe they just want our money :confused: :confused: surely it cant be that :rotfl:

http://www.speedcam.co.uk/speedsign.gif

[Conor]

Hi guys

I take quite pride in having a clean licence so feeling a bit worried now and wonder if you can offer any advice for me about a potential speeding fine.

Travelling to work as usual down the M4. There is a 50mph section near Slough where they have the average speed check camera's (aka SPECS). I was talking on the fone (via Bluetooth Headset) to my insurance company (sods law eh) and travelling roughly about the speed limit (50mph). However when I got near the second camera I noticed I was doing approx 57mph - I didn't think I was going that fast as I was keeping up with the traffic to the side and in front and behind.

Anyway I heard these camera measure your average speed over the two points so if I was doing 50mph and then 57mph - ave is gonna be 54mph ish. Does anyone know if the SPECS camera's are really strict on the 50mph limit?

I've seem loads of drivers each day go faster than 60mph or at least 55mph average and I can't believe they all get done.

I read somewhere that most speed camera's are usually 10% over + 2mph for the inaccuracies speedo's can read thus this would be 57mph. Does anyone know if this is the case on the SPECS ones?




I'd not be worrying TBH. Depending on your speedo accuracy, you could need to be actually doing over 61MPH indicated speed to trigger them. If you say you see a lot of drivers doing over 60, it suggests your speedo is more towards the 10% overreading end of the tolerance allowed.

[Altarf]

I was talking on the fone (via Bluetooth Headset) to my insurance company (sods law eh) and travelling roughly about the speed limit (50mph). However when I got near the second camera I noticed I was doing approx 57mph

An alternative view might be that perhaps you should concentrate on your driving, rather than making phone calls.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2201008/Driver-using-hands-free-phone-caused-fatal-crash.html

[vikingaero]

Still can't catch bikers! http://www.therevcounter.com/customstyles/trcdefault/smilies/burnout.gif

On the M2 widening works they have the usual 2 specs cameras on the blue pole pointing at traffic and an additional camera pointing rearwards for those lovely motorcyclists. Do they work? Don't know. But do ya feel lucky punk?:D

[alastairq]

An alternative view might be that perhaps you should concentrate on your driving, rather than making phone calls.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2201008/Driver-using-hands-free-phone-caused-fatal-crash.html


darn it..beat me to it!

specs cameras operate in pairs.

the $64000 question is...are the two paired cameras actually watching the same lanes?

Specs are there to overcome the old problem of motorists slowing only at a camera site.

They aren't actually operated by the Police.....

as for bikes? not yet enough of them on the roads to raise a problem......they are targetted elsewhere.


stop worrying, start focussing on the driving, and not what you do for a living........you'll know soon enough if you've dropped off the perch.

[natalie1974]

On the M2 widening works they have the usual 2 specs cameras on the blue pole pointing at traffic and an additional camera pointing rearwards for those lovely motorcyclists. Do they work? Don't know. But do ya feel lucky punk?:D

Yes they do work as my mum's stupid husband got his 3 points and £60 fine through the post yesterday :mad: