M42 Variable Speed Camera's

jack_tyler

Hello, I'm looking for some help on how the Variable Speed Camera's on the M42 work.

I have been told that they are only active when the dot matrix sign is illuminated with a set speed, and if you go through them above this set speed then you will be flashed and sent an N.I.P. So if the sign is not active (i.e. not lit up) does that mean that the camera's are not active?

The reason I am asking this question is because, on Friday 30th June I was travelling on this motorway. This was the first time I had driven on my own with my son, since the loss of my husband 3yrs ago. I had already passed under one of the bridges that have these camera's on, when I noticed the sign that said Variable Speed Camera's. I was keeping with the flow of the traffic, which was around 75-80mph. The signs were not lit up and know speed was being shown, so does this mean that the camera's will not have been active? I am absolutely scared to death now, that I may get an NIP. I have been driving for 30yrs and never had a parking ticket, never mind a speeding ticket. I have cried and struggled to sleep since that day . A few people ive spoken to, have told me not to worry, because if the signs were not showing a Variable Speed, then the camera's will not have been active, as they are only put on when the traffic is busy or congested, but I am still worrying. So if anyone can give me some help or advice, id be very grateful.

Thank you

TonyMMM

Plenty of variable speed cameras are used to enforce the standard limit when no other limit is displayed. No way of telling how these particularly ones are setup.

However - normally enforcement would begin at 79mph (10%+2mph above the limit) - assuming you are the registered keeper you should receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution within 14 days, so you just have to wait and see.

If your speedo (which usually over read by 2-3mph) was showing 75-80 you will probably hear nothing.

Jackmydad

Most car speedos read "fast". Up to about 10% in some cases. Which would make your actual speed slower than what was indicated.
But at the end of the day if you've been caught going over the limit then it's happened. All the worrying in the world won't make any difference. Just be more careful in the future.
Not much consolation I know, but that's the way it is these days.

eddddy

... and even if you have been "caught", you will probably get the option of going on a speed awareness course.

The courses are very civilised, they don't tell you off or humiliate you or anything like that. But you have to pay a course fee.

System

As stated above, thanks to the speedo inaccuracy of a typical car and the ACPO guidelines you're usually going to be doing something around 85MPH on your speedo to trigger a speed camera. There are the odd exceptions, my MX5 is bang on accurate on the speedo so I'd be stuffed at 79MPH.

Have you a Satnav or a smartphone with GPS? Either of those can show your true speed and you can compare what they say to what your speedo says which may give you some peace of mind.