Caught by a speed camera on M25 - first 2 years of having a licence! HELP :(

VanyaHargreeves

Hi everyone,

I was driving down the M25 southbound about two hours ago and got caught by what I think is a speed camera just before junction 7. I got three camera flashes!

I've never had any sort of speeding fine and never been caught by a camera so don't know if this is standard, sorry if it is.

I had my satnav on, it said that my true speed was 73mph. On my speedo that's about 77-78. I wasn't paying that much attention to how fast I was going

My question is - is this going to result in a fine and points on my licence? Is it likely to be 3 points? I'm worried as I've not been driving for that long and don't want my licence taken away

Thanks for your help,
Jenny

powerful_Rogue

Are you sure the speed limit was 70? This section of the motorway is a smart motorway where they can reduce the speed limit via the overhead gantries.

Ive been in quite a few work cars that have been flashed on this section of the motorway - despite doing the correct speed limit. Nothing has every materialised from it.

All you can do now is wait the 14 days to see if a Notice of Intended Prosecution comes through the post.

bargepole

VanyaHargreeves wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I was driving down the M25 southbound about two hours ago and got caught by what I think is a speed camera just before junction 7. I got three camera flashes!

I've never had any sort of speeding fine and never been caught by a camera so don't know if this is standard, sorry if it is.

I had my satnav on, it said that my true speed was 73mph. On my speedo that's about 77-78. I wasn't paying that much attention to how fast I was going

My question is - is this going to result in a fine and points on my licence? Is it likely to be 3 points? I'm worried as I've not been driving for that long and don't want my licence taken away

Thanks for your help,
Jenny

On the M25, the gantry mounted cameras only operate when the variable speed limit is showing a figure less than 70, so if there was no illuminated sign in a red circle showing 60 or whatever, you will be OK.


Also, the threshold for prosecution is 10% + 2mph, so to get done in a 70 you would need to be doing an actual speed of 79 or over.
Nothing should happen, but if the registered keeper gets a NIP within the next 14 days, come back here and let us know.

The_Slithy_Tove

VanyaHargreeves wrote: »

I was driving down the M25 southbound ... just before junction 7

The M25 runs east/west at junction 7.
All you can do is wait 14 days to see what happens, if anything.

*~Zephyr~*

bargepole wrote: »

Also, the threshold for prosecution is 10% + 2mph, so to get done in a 70 you would need to be doing an actual speed of 79 or over.

I don't think this is right at all. A friend of mine attended the Speed Awareness course on Friday (so as to avoid 3 points) and was told that the 10% theory only ever applied to the handheld devices used to measure speed and that stationary cameras will prosecute even 1 mph over the limit.

This is further reinforced by the fact that my brother-in-law was prosecuted for doing 31 in a 30 zone.

bazster

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

I don't think this is right at all. A friend of mine attended the Speed Awareness course on Friday (so as to avoid 3 points) and was told that the 10% theory only ever applied to the handheld devices used to measure speed and that stationary cameras will prosecute even 1 mph over the limit.

This is further reinforced by the fact that my brother-in-law was prosecuted for doing 31 in a 30 zone.

I have personal (and expensive!) experience which suggests the 10% leeway is an urban myth. When I suggested it to my barrister (yes barrister!) he just laughed and said under no circumstances was I to raise this in court.

Rover_Driver

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

I don't think this is right at all. A friend of mine attended the Speed Awareness course on Friday (so as to avoid 3 points) and was told that the 10% theory only ever applied to the handheld devices used to measure speed and that stationary cameras will prosecute even 1 mph over the limit.

This is further reinforced by the fact that my brother-in-law was prosecuted for doing 31 in a 30 zone.

The 10%+2mph is the guidance for fixed devices, as they cannot take into consideration conditions at the time - but they are only guidance.


The operator of manned devices has the opportunity to consider the conditions at the time, and may decide that it is necessary to enforce at any speed above the limit, or allow more than 10%+2mph.

bargepole

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

I don't think this is right at all. A friend of mine attended the Speed Awareness course on Friday (so as to avoid 3 points) and was told that the 10% theory only ever applied to the handheld devices used to measure speed and that stationary cameras will prosecute even 1 mph over the limit.

This is further reinforced by the fact that my brother-in-law was prosecuted for doing 31 in a 30 zone.

Well your brother in law should have fought that in court, 1mph is within the tolerance of accuracy of cameras anyway.


These are the ACPO guidelines:


http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2013/10/18/new-acpo-speed-limit-enforcement-guidelines-welcome/48553/


... which are exactly as I said.