M6 Variable Speed Sign Camera's

Fergie76

Apologies, if this covered elsewhere.

Yesterday I was travelling down the M6 just before Birmingham, where they have the overhead variable speed signs. On the back of the signs, was what looked liked speed camera's. You can't see them before hitting them, only looking in your rear-view mirror or across at the North carriage ones.

I thought speed camera's were meant to be in view and not hidden?

Like this (from direct gov website):



Digital enforcement cameras

Digital enforcement cameras are mostly used to enforce variable speed limits that are shown on overhead signs on certain motorways. These speed limits change in response to traffic conditions. They improve traffic flow and journey times if drivers stick to them. See 'Managing motorway congestion' for more details.

Stigy

Not 100% sure, but if the signage was clearly marked as being a speed restricted area or similar, I'm sure this would act as your warning...

bitemebankers

Stigy wrote: »

Not 100% sure, but if the signage was clearly marked as being a speed restricted area or similar, I'm sure this would act as your warning...

This exactly.

Besides, everyone knows the speed limit on the entire motorway network is 70mph. If you're doing more than 70, you're risking a penalty.

Hammyman

Fergie76 wrote: »

I thought speed camera's were meant to be in view and not hidden?

You thought wrong. There is no requirement in law for them to be signposted, placed in clear view, painted yellow or anything else. They only need to have that done if those specific cameras are part of a Speed Safety Partnership where a share of the revenue goes to the local authorities. The revenue from "hidden" cameras goes to HM Treasury.

Lum

Hammyman wrote: »

You thought wrong. There is no requirement in law for them to be signposted, placed in clear view, painted yellow or anything else. They only need to have that done if those specific cameras are part of a Speed Safety Partnership where a share of the revenue goes to the local authorities. The revenue from "hidden" cameras goes to HM Treasury.

This was true up until a few years back. Now the camera partnerships don't get to keep the fines even from the yellow ones. It is still true that there was never any legal requirement for cameras to be in plain view.

In theory this change is to stop the abuse of cameras on safe roads as there is no financial motivation on the part of camera partnerships. In practice the camera partnerships are now making their money from speed awareness courses instead and thus they really want to get people doing 80 in a 70 or 35 in a 30.

Fergie76

Ok, thanks.

I only thought this because quite a few years ago, on the M80 southbound by the Highland Spring Water factory, there is a speed camera that was hidden behind a big signpost, it was then replaced further out towards the road, so people could see it. I guess that must have been one of the 'Safety Partnership' ones discussed above.

Lum

Scotland may well have different rules, the stuff I stated applies to England&Wales. I have no idea what it's like up in Scotland.

MX5huggy

Lum wrote: »

Scotland may well have different rules, the stuff I stated applies to England&Wales. I have no idea what it's like up in Scotland.

Wet.........

Lum

MX5huggy wrote: »

Wet.........

Bear in mind that I live in Wales :P

fivetide

Fergie76 wrote: »

Ok, thanks.

I only thought this because quite a few years ago, on the M80 southbound by the Highland Spring Water factory, there is a speed camera that was hidden behind a big signpost, it was then replaced further out towards the road, so people could see it. I guess that must have been one of the 'Safety Partnership' ones discussed above.

The camera is 'hidden' but the fact that each gantry has a huge speed camera picture on it, there are lots of lines on the road and there are extra warning signs by the side of the road hardly mean they are trying to get one over on you.

We drove through there last week, I just stuck the cruise control on and chilled out.

5t.

Lum

Agree the cameras are pretty obvious what with the road markings and the signs. There's also safeguards such as a system to monitor what the variable signs are saying and shut them down if the signs are faulty. This one really is about compliance moreso than enforcement.

The theory is to smooth out traffic flow by slowing down the traffic piling into the back of an existing jam and thus allowing jams to clear. Time will tell if this actually works or not but if it does they get to save money in not upgrading the M6, which is a lot more than the revenue from a few fines.