M1 Variable Speed Cameras

CrazyPanda

Hi Guys, I was driving back from London the other night on the M1. It was about 11pm and there were 4 lanes of clear traffic. As I came over the brow I noticed a 60mph limit on the gantry so I slowed but the next gantry had a 40mph limit on. I slowed but the trucks trying to get up the hill didn't so they ended up right up my !!!!. I think I ended up going through at about 50-55mpg because I couldn't slow down any more without being eaten by a truck.

Why were they still on at that time when there was a minimal amount of cars on the road?

Any ideas?

TadleyBaggie

Were they actually limits, i.e. numbers in red circles? The old style speed on the gantry (and nothing else) are only advisory.

alleycat`

What was the weather like?

I know up around my neck of the woods it was utterly £$%^ so i'd expect it might be related to that?

As stated above were they in red circles or were they the older style advisory because of the weather?

TrickyWicky

As above, if its circled in red its a compulsory limit. If its orange flashing hazards its advisory. Gotta admit though, I've never chanced the orange flashys in a camera zone.

As for the lorries behind, there are lanes to your right they can use to over take if they want. What do you think they're going to do - ram you? It's more than their job is worth.

It doesn't worry me going slower than lorries on the motorway, I've done it frequently.

arcon5

The lorries wouldn't have jut drove in to you, they would have slowed down or changed lanes - although I'd probably just stick to 60 if it was a temporary change, that's not really a valid excuse for doing so.

Arfa__

At least with a huge lorry right up your !!!, they'd obscure your rear plate from the gantry speed cam....

forgotmyname

Had that on the M6 a while back.

Roadworks 50mph. But the overhead gantry said 40mph in red circle.

Just as the roadworks end the overhead sign said showed the national limit sign.

As i passed the lorry to the side of me and rounded the bend a little there is the camera overhead and a few yards furthe on the 50 sign again.

I never heard anything, But would have have been hard to prove?

CrazyPanda

No they were mandatory. In red circles. It was clear, roads were dry and it was really quiet. I haven't been driving very long so I do realise that they're not going to ram me but its quite nerving when they drive right up behind you and show no signs of overtaking. I also don't like to irritate other road users so I didn't really no what the best course of action was to do!! The next gantry then had the NSL sign...

CrazyPanda

Arfa__ wrote: »

At least with a huge lorry right up your !!!, they'd obscure your rear plate from the gantry speed cam....

Something tells me these modern day cameras may be fast enough to still see!!

CrazyPanda

Yes they were in red circles, that what confused me. It was totally clear with no rain or wind so I couldn't understand why they went from 70 to 40 and back to 70 over 3 gantry's...

Happychappy

CrazyPanda wrote: »

Yes they were in red circles, that what confused me. It was totally clear with no rain or wind so I couldn't understand why they went from 70 to 40 and back to 70 over 3 gantry's...

I don't think either agreeing with or trying to understand why there are speed limit signs illuminated is actually part of the Road Traffic Act

Sometimes the reason may be debris in the road, or a jackknifed artic, you know, things that numpties drive into and always claim I never saw it ? So often a clue is a drop in the speed limit, just wait 14 days and all will be revealed