M6 Variable Speed Sign Camera's

Fergie76

Lum wrote: »

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.

The are not pretty obvious though, unless you can see through the variable speed sign or already know that they are there.

Yes, they are well signposted, however driving over 500 miles yesterday from Scotland to the south of England, I saw many a speed camera sign, without an actual camera being in situ.

As far as I am aware, I was not speeding and haven't been caught, I was just curious as to the rules.

forgotmyname

They also have them on the M42. Spotted them between the M6 exit and Junction 9 Heading towards Tamworth.

People dont seem to realise the variable speed signs also alter the camera settings. So Doing 70 when the signs say
50 results in a ticket.

mustrum_ridcully

Fergie76 wrote: »

The are not pretty obvious though, unless you can see through the variable speed sign or already know that they are there.

Yes, they are well signposted, however driving over 500 miles yesterday from Scotland to the south of England, I saw many a speed camera sign, without an actual camera being in situ.

As far as I am aware, I was not speeding and haven't been caught, I was just curious as to the rules.

Thing is a speed camera sign means there could be a camera especially a mobile unit - pay attention to what the other/local drivers are doing. If they're driving like saints then there really are cameras of one sort or another.

In Lum's part of the world on the M4 near Bridgend I've seen a really grotty speed camera sign (I swear it's one of the temporary ones they used for roadworks), guess what was on the bridge just after the bend in the road? A speed camera van. Locals must have known about this as 99% of the cars were doing 70 or less.

I've seen similar (except the signs were nice and big) on the M4 in England in Wiltshire (I think).

blueghost

these variable speed limits on the m6 are a joke, i only tend to travel off-peak on there but they always tend to be stuck at 60 even when there is little traffic which always leaves one lane free ost of the time as most people don't want to risk going any faster

globalds

These variable speeds work when the traffic is being actively managed.
When they are not lit up the cameras aren't working.

No signed speed and the camera won't take a picture.
Best thing is to get a satnav with speed camera alerts ..you will find there is only a handful with cameras on.

The real solution to the M6 bottleneck should have been a free alternative motorway , rather than an under used M6 toll.
But active traffic is better than sitting for an hour each day.

Lum

Fergie76 wrote: »

The are not pretty obvious though, unless you can see through the variable speed sign or already know that they are there.

It was big news when these first came out on the M25, and on the M42, though that was a while back now.

Also you can see the cameras on the gantries on the opposite carriageway.

However, unlike the M42 and M6 there are a few gantries where there are only cameras on one side, so be careful!

Kilty_2

blueghost wrote: »

these variable speed limits on the m6 are a joke, i only tend to travel off-peak on there but they always tend to be stuck at 60 even when there is little traffic which always leaves one lane free ost of the time as most people don't want to risk going any faster

No they're not, they work very well at peak times which is their intention.

Lum

The problem with them is, if they work perfectly, the people slowed down by them will never see the jam because they will have been slowed down just long enough for it to clear up. = waste of time, slowed me down to 50 and there wasn't even a jam.

Alternatively, they screw up, and you still pile into the back of the jam = waste of time. It was active and there was still a bloody jam!

Flyboy152

Fergie76 wrote: »

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.

Wouldn't it be better to stick to the indicated speed limit, than worry about speed cameras?

Wig

mustrum_ridcully wrote: »

In Lum's part of the world on the M4 near Bridgend I've seen a really grotty speed camera sign (I swear it's one of the temporary ones they used for roadworks), guess what was on the bridge just after the bend in the road? A speed camera van.

It is a temporary sign which they put up when they are on the bridge ahead. You're stuffed if you are in lane 2 or 3 and miss it because your view of the hard shoulder is blocked by other vehicles.

Locals must have known about this as 99% of the cars were doing 70 or less.

Most of them do that anyway. I avoid the M4 now and use the back roads. Same journey time within 3 - 4 mins and I don't have the hassle of traffic jams.