speed cameras no longer need the dashed lines on the road

topdaddy_2

IanMSpencer wrote: »

Whether lines are required depends on the technology of the camera. Modern digital cameras are a different beast to the old film cameras.

They can't just decide they don't want lines, it is down to the type approval for the device. Essentially, type approval means that they are accepted to be accurate in the courts and you'd have to come up with something pretty good to wrinkle out of it.

LT is being a bit silly with his sweeping generalisations. Lots of people have worked out that there is never a need to speed - set off earlier - and that even on long journeys there isn't much difference. He may be surprised to discover that advanced driving courses have speeding as an instant fail regardless of the excellence of the driving.

5 years ago I was a habitual speeder. now I am smugly reformed and do not speed, I get my joy from knowing that people like LT are quietly fuming as I breeze along at the appropriate speed for the road or the limit, whichever is the lower.

But he has a whopping three years experience of these things. He knows, you know?

Johnmcl7

IanMSpencer wrote: »

Whether lines are required depends on the technology of the camera. Modern digital cameras are a different beast to the old film cameras.

It's not the technology of the camera that matters, it's the technology of the speed capturing part that is important - the dashed lines are simply used to make it easier to calculate the speed from a pair of photographs to check against the radar reading, it makes no difference whether those photos were captured on film or digitally. For cameras that don't use radar technology, the secondary check is different - Truvelos use sensors embedded in the road and the secondary check when in forward facing mode is a single photo of the vehicle and its position. These are a completely different design to the dashed lines or dragon's teeth the gatsos frequently use.

They can't just decide they don't want lines, it is down to the type approval for the device. Essentially, type approval means that they are accepted to be accurate in the courts and you'd have to come up with something pretty good to wrinkle out of it.

The dashed lines are not part of the type approval for automated gatsos and never have been, the ones that do require some form of lines are much less noticeable and different entirely to the distinctive dashed lines.

John

misterbarlow

i always thought the lines were just for when two or more vehicles are in the photo, for them to check which one was the one speeding..

matttye

IanMSpencer wrote: »

5 years ago I was a habitual speeder. now I am smugly reformed and do not speed, I get my joy from knowing that people like LT are quietly fuming as I breeze along at the appropriate speed for the road or the limit, whichever is the lower.

Wow, mature attitude for an advanced driver.

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

matttye wrote: »

Wow, mature attitude for an advanced driver.

or simply a sarcastic comment on an Internet forum. The reality is that driving to the speed limit very rarely seems to get a reaction from other drivers.

matttye

IanMSpencer wrote: »

or simply a sarcastic comment on an Internet forum. The reality is that driving to the speed limit very rarely seems to get a reaction from other drivers.

Agreed. Doesn't bother me at all.

Once when I could barely see because of how heavy the rain was, I drove at 30mph on a dual carriageway (the A1). Even though both lanes were open hardly anybody overtook me. It was the first time I had seen the BBC weather forecast say there was "extreme" rainfall.

What does bother me is when people drive way under the speed limit when conditions are good. I'm always stuck behind people driving at 50mph in a 60 on my way to work. I'd say 9/10 times this happens even though it's a straight, well maintained road and weather has been good.

lister

londonTiger wrote: »

I speed as and when I need to, I have never been caught - that is because I am extra vigilent and aware of my surroundings when I speed so I can spot the traffic. I have been driving for 3 years.

Anyone who says they don't speed are either weekend drivers or drive <20 miles a week. If you have to drive daily you will speed. Notably on the dual carriage near my home which diverts traffic away from centre of London the speed limit is 40. but EVERYONE, I mean EVERYONE is speeding, even the inside lane drivers are doing 50+ because everyone is leaving the city to go home.

Well I must be the exception that proves the rule. I do an average of 5000 miles per month, and never intentionally speed. I aim where safe to maintain the limit (and as I have a HUD gps speedo, that means an accurate gps speed).

If I do speed it is for one of two reasons, slight fluctuations (+/- 2mph) due to changes in gradient, headwind etc., or on rare occasions, a failure to spot a limit change - can happen to anyone, but should be spotted rapidly. Doesn't mean I will never be caught speeding, but haven't so far in 23 years of driving.

PenguinJim

jimjames wrote: »

I drive considerably more than that per day (not week) and do not feel the need to speed.

I am incredibly jealous of you. I also drive a fair bit (~45 miles/day except Sundays) and I ALWAYS feel the need to speed!

Luckily I am a grown-up and can always resist the urge, but it's always there. :mad:

londonTiger wrote: »

I speed as and when I need to, I have never been caught - that is because I am extra vigilent and aware of my surroundings when I speed so I can spot the traffic. I have been driving for 3 years.

I shoplift as and when I need to, I have never been caught - that is because I am extra vigilent and aware of my surroundings when I shoplift so I can spot the security measures. I have been shopping for 3 years.

StrongWork

londonTiger wrote: »

I speed as and when I need to, I have never been caught - that is because I am extra vigilent and aware of my surroundings when I speed so I can spot the traffic. I have been driving for 3 years.

Out of interest, is all your driving in/around London?

buglawton

Iceweasel wrote: »

One of the inconveniences of 'Safety' cameras is the people who will insist on braking hard just before them.

The A90 Aberdeen to Dundee 70mph limit dual carriageway is a good example. But I'm sure it's similar elsewhere.

There are many cameras along this route and the regular travellers are unlikely to be caught out by any of them.

I can be driving along at a steady 70mph and have a steady stream of reps in Audis, 'white-van' men, etc etc going past me at speeds well in excess of 70 - some could be doing 90 even. They tend to stay in lane 2 and often run in convoy formation hardly ever returning to lane 1 even if there is a long clear stretch.

However when they approach a camera location they brake
hard down to around 60 to 65mph and swing left into any gap in lane 1 where those who are driving at 70 have to slow down for them.

If they only slowed to 70 it would not be a problem.

It's pitiful to watch - but not dangerous (for me) any more as I have grown to expect this childish behaviour.

I can understand someone wanting to avoid such a road, but in the case of the A90 there is no real alternative.

In the Scottish highlands recently, I found that most 70/60 down to 40/30 speed limit changes were forewarned by 3 motorway style countdown markers. Don't these exist on the Aberdeen/Dundee stretch?

This was one of very many 'makes life more straightforward' features I found in Scotland, e.g. free parking at many rail stations. No wonder nearly half the Scots want (even more) independence!