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Speed camera query about the different types

Brie
Brie Posts: 14,305 Ambassador
Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
I'm curious about the information I can see when driving....

I can see what my speedometer tells me.  And I can see what those roadside "are you speeding?" thingmes show.  Often there's a big gap.  My speedometer might say I'm doing 33mph in a 30 zone but the "thingmes" say I'm doing 29mph.  Others will say I'm doing 34 when my speedometer claims I'm doing 30.  I'm assuming my VW up speedometer is more consistent than the "thingmes"

The reason I ask is that on my regular route to work (where a lot of people ignore the limits) there is occasionally a van with an official speed camera.  I was zizzing along the other day, my car says I'm doing 33, the "thingme" says 29 so I'm wondering what the official camera might have logged.

I'm not worried about a ticket as I think even if I was correctly doing 33 I am within the variation limit.  If not, ok, I'll pay the fine.  

Just didn't know if anyone had official knowledge on these devices.
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Comments

  • Barkin
    Barkin Posts: 758 Forumite
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    I'd wager that your car speedo is reading faster than you're actually going. 
  • TadleyBaggie
    TadleyBaggie Posts: 6,571 Forumite
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    Speedometers by law cannot under read, so are often set to over read by 10% or so. So 33 on your speedo is most likely actually 30. Since the threshold for action doesn't even start until 35, I'm confident you will hear nothing further.
  • Brie
    Brie Posts: 14,305 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Barkin said:
    I'd wager that your car speedo is reading faster than you're actually going. 
    Willing to bet the price of a speeding ticket should I get one???   ;)

    @TadleyBaggie
    I'm liking your confidence.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Debt Free Wannabe and Old Style Money Saving boards.  If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

    "Never retract, never explain, never apologise; get things done and let them howl.”  Nellie McClung
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  • baser999
    baser999 Posts: 1,242 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Have you fitted different size wheels at any point, that could affect speedo reading.
    Just out of interest, if you know there’s the possibility of there being a speed trap along your route, why not just slow down along that stretch, rather than live dangerously and risk a fine. And at the same time, not put other road users at risk through your ‘zizzing along’ 
  • user1977
    user1977 Posts: 17,548 Forumite
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    Try out Google Maps or one of the other satnavs which give your GPS-derived speed - that's (on the whole) going to be more accurate than your speedo. My last car displayed 33 when actual speed was 30, 74 when 70, etc.
  • ontheroad1970
    ontheroad1970 Posts: 1,673 Forumite
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    user1977 said:
    Try out Google Maps or one of the other satnavs which give your GPS-derived speed - that's (on the whole) going to be more accurate than your speedo. My last car displayed 33 when actual speed was 30, 74 when 70, etc.
    At least the speedometer will be consistently slightly inaccurate.  I would never rely on a GPS based speed.  
  • Barkin
    Barkin Posts: 758 Forumite
    500 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Brie said:
    Barkin said:
    I'd wager that your car speedo is reading faster than you're actually going. 
    Willing to bet the price of a speeding ticket should I get one???   ;)
    Yup.          
  • Barkin
    Barkin Posts: 758 Forumite
    500 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    user1977 said:
    Try out Google Maps or one of the other satnavs which give your GPS-derived speed - that's (on the whole) going to be more accurate than your speedo. My last car displayed 33 when actual speed was 30, 74 when 70, etc.
    At least the speedometer will be consistently slightly inaccurate.  I would never rely on a GPS based speed.  
    While GPS may not be 100% accurate, it'll be more accurate than the car speedo, which will never display a speed slower than you're actually travelling. 
  • TooManyPoints
    TooManyPoints Posts: 1,564 Forumite
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    I'm not worried about a ticket as I think even if I was correctly doing 33 I am within the variation limit. 
    There is no such thing as "the variation limit." What you are probably referring to is the National Police Chiefs' Council's guidance on speeding enforcement. This suggests that speeding should not normally see action under (Limit + 10% + 2mph) - so 35mph in a 30mph limit. The guidance document is here:

    Microsoft Word - Speed Enforcement Guidance ACPO_2011 2015_May 2013_Internet (college.police.uk)

    you will note that it is guidance, not the law and that it does not replace an individual officer's discretion.
  • user1977
    user1977 Posts: 17,548 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Seventh Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    user1977 said:
    Try out Google Maps or one of the other satnavs which give your GPS-derived speed - that's (on the whole) going to be more accurate than your speedo. My last car displayed 33 when actual speed was 30, 74 when 70, etc.
    At least the speedometer will be consistently slightly inaccurate.  I would never rely on a GPS based speed.  
    It's always been consistent whenever I've tried it.
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