Evil speed camera!

ACG

Before i start, i know i was in the wrong and i know i deserve what i get but i cant help feeling this is just a little bit harsh...

I was on a Motorway that was coming to an end (50mph limit) and then becomes a dual carriageway (40 mph limit).

Big signs saying 40mph, so i took my foot off the accelerator and was slowing down and was doing around 44-46mph at the sign. Right after there was a speed camera van thing parked up literally 20-30 yards after the sign. Parked in a lay-by inbetween a bridge so it was pretty well hidden (not that that should make any difference).

There was still another quarter of a mile from the sign to where any residential properties were so there was very little chance of kids running across the street etc.

If the van had been a little bit further away i would have been at 40mph as i dont generally speed anyway and i was slowing down.

Im assuming i cant do anything, i also dont have a ticket yet either as it was only yesterday but i thought i would see if there was any technicality i can argue on?

It just seems really harsh as i was slowing down and it was hidden - making me think theyre actually trying to catch people out rather than ensure people are obeying the limits (which im all for) but doing it right after a speed limit change is a bit scummy.

HO87

Bad luck. Who knows, I'd doubt you were the only vehicle doing the same and there might have been another vehicle doing considerably more than you and have been the target rather than you. Its a waiting game now until any paperwork arrives. If you are the registered keeper then any Notice of Intended Prosecution should be in your hands within 14 days (counting the day of the incident as Day 0). Don't shilly-shally in replying though, failing to reply could cost you a large fine and a hefty 6 pointer endorsement (MS90) that insurers really don't like.

But don't despair. Depending on where in the country you are and whether you have done one in the last 3 years you might just be offered a speed awareness course. That is if your speed is in the range you have suggested. It will cost you 4 hours of your time but the tea and biscuits are free (I understand) and run out at about the same cost as the fixed penalty ticket - had you had one - but there are no points on your licence.

wiogs

" i thought i would see if there was any technicality i can argue on"

Do you think there is one?

You already said you were doing over the speed limit after seeing the signs so unless the paperwork you get is flawed you might just have to thole it.

Look on pepipoo when you get the paperwork

ACG

Do you reckon they will let me take £60-80 worth of biscuits?

It really annoys me, if i was actively speeding i would hold my hands up but for the sake of another 200-300 yards i would have been fine. So frustrating.

One other issue, my photo license expired a while back. I posted it off to them to update the photo and my address, they somehow managed to update the address with... my old address! and send it to the people who live there now who in return sent it back. Ive not got round to filling out the paperwork again - will that cause any problems as i technically have no photo license at the minute.

esmerobbo

Did you judge the 44/46 MPH on your speedo reading? If so you may not have been speeding at 44 and just over at 46 here are the ACPO guidelines with a bit of luck you will be inside.

As HO87 says depending where you are and as long as you haven't had one in the last 3 years a speed awareness course may be offered if you were above the thresholds,

The ACPO Speed Enforcement Guidelines
Speed Limit (mph) Fixed Penalty Summons
20 25 35
30 35 50
40 46 66
50 57 76
60 68 86
70 79 96

jaydeeuk1

ACG wrote: »

Before i start, i know i was in the wrong and i know i deserve what i get but i cant help feeling this is just a little bit harsh...

I was on a Motorway that was coming to an end (50mph limit) and then becomes a dual carriageway (40 mph limit).

Big signs saying 40mph, so i took my foot off the accelerator and was slowing down and was doing around 44-46mph at the sign. Right after there was a speed camera van thing parked up literally 20-30 yards after the sign. Parked in a lay-by inbetween a bridge so it was pretty well hidden (not that that should make any difference).

There was still another quarter of a mile from the sign to where any residential properties were so there was very little chance of kids running across the street etc.

If the van had been a little bit further away i would have been at 40mph as i dont generally speed anyway and i was slowing down.

Im assuming i cant do anything, i also dont have a ticket yet either as it was only yesterday but i thought i would see if there was any technicality i can argue on?

It just seems really harsh as i was slowing down and it was hidden - making me think theyre actually trying to catch people out rather than ensure people are obeying the limits (which im all for) but doing it right after a speed limit change is a bit scummy.

I highly doubt you'll get a ticket. If your speedo was reading 46, chances are you were really doing 42/43 so you won't get done.

ACG

I dont think there is a technicality no - but ive seen stranger things happen.

Fingers crossed i will "get away with it". Im just going to assume i will get a ticket, anything else is a bonus. Im in manchester, they do the speed awareness courses here (my mum has been on 2... hence why i dont speed).

bitemebankers

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

I highly doubt you'll get a ticket. If your speedo was reading 46, chances are you were really doing 42/43 so you won't get done.

Indeed. Most car speedos over-read by a significant margin. If you've got a sat-nav you can check this for yourself - the speed indicated on the sat-nav is way more accurate than the dial on your dashboard.

BJV

Have to say. Where I live drivers come off the motor way then to a duel carriage then single lane. It is the main run to the beach and drivers think that they can drive whatever speed they like.

We have had two cars damaged when they have been parked outside our house by drivers who where both speeding.

Sorry I am all for the little man standing up for themselves but when it comes to speed sorry I am with the ticket.

Ok on the motorway different story but where we live drivers who think that an extra 5 or ten miles will not make a difference have already cost me a fortune in excess's. Forgetting the factor that there have been accidents with cars, bikes, etc . The last one smashed into the back of the car along the side and then drove off! Nice!

Sorry you where speeding so have to accept what ever you get.

If they don't keep handing out the tickets and fines where do we draw the line. Sorry officer I only had 3 glass's of wine? Sorry I was only doing 41 in a 30 zone.

Sorry speed kills. If you hit a child at 30 miles a hour they are statistically more likely to survive, even a few extra miles makes a difference.

I am sure just like me you would find it difficult to cope if you killed some one.

wiogs

"if i was actively speeding" - you have admitted you were speeding, nothing passive about that.

"hence why i dont speed" or "i dont generally speed"

As has been said you may hear nothing in which case it is a bonus for you, but from now on don't speed, generally, actively or otherwise.

Jamie_Carter

ACG wrote: »

I dont think there is a technicality no - but ive seen stranger things happen.

Fingers crossed i will "get away with it". Im just going to assume i will get a ticket, anything else is a bonus. Im in manchester, they do the speed awareness courses here (my mum has been on 2... hence why i dont speed).

Why are you trying to wriggle out of it? You say that you were speeding, and that you saw the 40mph signs. You are supposed to reduce your speed to 40mph before you pass the signs.

If it turns out that you were speeding, then accept it. If it turns out that you were doing under 44mph, then you have been lucky. But either way, just learn from your mistake so that you don't do it again.