Average speed camera question

Britannia12345

On the motorway today I was driving through a stretch covered by average speed cameras. The speed limit is 50mph.
Today there were bad driving conditions on the motorway so the signs were showing 40mph. I was driving along at just under 40 but was being hassled by lorries and other drivers shooting up my backside then overtaking as they must have been doing 50 mph.
Are the average speed cameras still set to 50mph even if there is a temporary speed limit which is lower, like today, or would they pick up drivers exceeding 40mph?

CarterD

If it was roadworks I think it’s just set to 50 I’m not 100% sure though

lister

If the 40mph was indicated by new style gantries with speeds in red circles, it is an enforceable limit, and I would expect any cameras to automatically use the limit currently in force.

If it was by the older style matrix with orange numbers, no red circle and flashing amber lights top and bottom, it is just an advisory and not enforceable.

Same with '20 is plenty' signs, same with 'max speed 40 mph' signs (other speeds may be indicated) below bend signs (or other hazards), same with any number not in a red circle. They are requests. Request denied unless conditions require as far as I'm concerned - use your eyes and judgement.

Difficult to tell without being there, but the impression you give is that they would have been older style matrix signs so not enforceable, and by sticking rigidly to 40mph you were creating a hazard for other drivers. But were you too slow, or were they too fast for the conditions...

Jonesya

Britannia12345 wrote: »

Difficult to tell without being there, but the impression you give is that they would have been older style matrix signs so not enforceable, and by sticking rigidly to 40mph you were creating a hazard for other drivers. But were you too slow, or were they too fast for the conditions...

I think that's an opinion which isn't true, the Highway code is more clear cut, it's a temporary speed limit, not a speed suggestion.

Rule 257
Amber flashing lights. These warn of a hazard ahead. The signal may show a temporary maximum speed limit, lanes that are closed or a message such as ‘Fog’. Adjust your speed and look out for the danger until you pass a signal which is not flashing or one that gives the ‘All clear’ sign and you are sure it is safe to increase your speed.


I sympathise with the Op, a significant portion of drivers routinely ignore these and carry on doing normal speed which puts the more observant and law abiding drivers in a bit of a bind. It's one of the advantages of the new smart motorways that as more drivers learn about the variable speed cameras, more do now slow down and follow them as there's the stick of a speeding fine.

Britannia12345

They were the old style signs. It's so confusing because when the gantrys ran out I presumed the limit reverted back to 50 and sped up, then I saw another gantry way off in the distance and that was displaying 40 again, do I hope the 40 limit is not enforceable as I went over the average when I sped up.
I hate all these new speed limits on the motorway. All they seem to do is distract drivers as they're too busy watching their speedo instead of watching other cars.
I'm terrified of getting another fine after I got one a couple of years ago for doing 32 in a 30 limit. The fine is bad enough but it's the points on my licence that scare me!

GrumpyDil

From my speed awareness course my understanding is that speed limits contained inside a red circle are legally enforceable whereas any other speed limit sign is a suggestion/recommendation.

oldagetraveller

A couple of weeks ago I was driving along the M62 near jctn 10, the "smart" section. There were 40 mph limit signs illuminated (yes limit) on a gantry with "pedestrians in road" warnings and the camera flashes were like disco lights with many exceeding the limit. No doubt they will or have received a present through the post.

Car_54

Jonesya wrote: »

I think that's an opinion which isn't true, the Highway code is more clear cut, it's a temporary speed limit, not a speed suggestion.

Rule 257
Amber flashing lights. These warn of a hazard ahead. The signal may show a temporary maximum speed limit, lanes that are closed or a message such as ‘Fog’. Adjust your speed and look out for the danger until you pass a signal which is not flashing or one that gives the ‘All clear’ sign and you are sure it is safe to increase your speed.

But if it was a legally enforceable limit, the HC would use the word 'MUST' and reference the relevant legislation. It doesn't, and it isn't.


That doesn't mean it's OK to ignore it. Just that you would have to be charged with careless or dangerous driving rather than speeding.

AdrianC

GrumpyDil wrote: »

From my speed awareness course my understanding is that speed limits contained inside a red circle are legally enforceable whereas any other speed limit sign is a suggestion/recommendation.

You mean your reminder of what you already knew from learning to drive and following the highway code for many years...?

DoaM

oldagetraveller wrote: »

A couple of weeks ago I was driving along the M62 near jctn 10, the "smart" section. There were 40 mph limit signs illuminated (yes limit) on a gantry with "pedestrians in road" warnings and the camera flashes were like disco lights with many exceeding the limit. No doubt they will or have received a present through the post.

Was that due to the Tour of Britain cycle race?

[Deleted User]

lister wrote: »

If the 40mph was indicated by new style gantries with speeds in red circles, it is an enforceable limit, and I would expect any cameras to automatically use the limit currently in force.

They aren't that sophisticated in most cases.

Fixed speed cameras will do it, but the average speed ones usually don't adjust.