Variable speed fine

sheramber

I donlt see how the lorries obscuring your view affects things.

You say you saw the sign change , so if the lorries hadn't been there you would not have seen the sign change any earlier. You could only see when it changed , not before it changed.

Car_54

sheramber said:

I donlt see how the lorries obscuring your view affects things.

You say you saw the sign change , so if the lorries hadn't been there you would not have seen the sign change any earlier. You could only see when it changed , not before it changed.

If he couldn't see it before it changed, then how would he know it had changed?

MattMattMattUK

Car_54 said:

sheramber said:

I donlt see how the lorries obscuring your view affects things.

You say you saw the sign change , so if the lorries hadn't been there you would not have seen the sign change any earlier. You could only see when it changed , not before it changed.

If he couldn't see it before it changed, then how would he know it had changed?

That is not an excuse under the law, it potentially risks self declaring of "driving without due care and attention".

Car_54

MattMattMattUK said:

Car_54 said:

sheramber said:

I donlt see how the lorries obscuring your view affects things.

You say you saw the sign change , so if the lorries hadn't been there you would not have seen the sign change any earlier. You could only see when it changed , not before it changed.

If he couldn't see it before it changed, then how would he know it had changed?

That is not an excuse under the law, it potentially risks self declaring of "driving without due care and attention".

Did anyone say it was an excuse? I was simply responding to the poster who said "You could only see when it changed , not before it changed.", and pointing out the illogicality.

FWIW he hasn't been charged with careless driving, and it's too late now.

ThorOdinson

First, buy a dashcam.

Second, always drive far enough behind trucks that you can see well ahead. Move right at junctions in case they want to join. Be prepared to brake hard if they block your view.

The law is stupid but you have to deal with it as it is.

DavidLintern

I came across this post after receiving a notice of intended prosecution, under VERY similar circumstances. I am surprised by the amount of cynicism against the OP. I can 100% understand the situation and sympathize. I was travelling along the M4, about to join M5 where traffic is often snarled up, I was observing all the variable speed limits and adjusting my cruise control appropriately. Went under a limit of 50 travelling at 50, a few 100m up the road, was flashed, and looked up noticing the limit had changed to 40 on the upcoming gantry. I got a notice informing me I was going 47 in a 40. This feels completely wrong and unjust, but I'm unable to contest it, unless I want to risk extra fines, court appearances and extra points. Accept inaccuracies and wrongly admit to wrong-doing. Or contest it as is your right as an innocent party, but risk massively inflated fines and penalties?

Car_54

DavidLintern said:

I came across this post after receiving a notice of intended prosecution, under VERY similar circumstances. I am surprised by the amount of cynicism against the OP. I can 100% understand the situation and sympathize. I was travelling along the M4, about to join M5 where traffic is often snarled up, I was observing all the variable speed limits and adjusting my cruise control appropriately. Went under a limit of 50 travelling at 50, a few 100m up the road, was flashed, and looked up noticing the limit had changed to 40 on the upcoming gantry. I got a notice informing me I was going 47 in a 40. This feels completely wrong and unjust, but I'm unable to contest it, unless I want to risk extra fines, court appearances and extra points. Accept inaccuracies and wrongly admit to wrong-doing. Or contest it as is your right as an innocent party, but risk massively inflated fines and penalties?

If you ask nicely, the police will usually provide photo(s) "to help identify the driver". In a VSL, these normally show both your car and the displayed limit.

BTW if you were to contest it, what would be your defence?

sheramber

Car_54 said:

sheramber said:

I donlt see how the lorries obscuring your view affects things.

You say you saw the sign change , so if the lorries hadn't been there you would not have seen the sign change any earlier. You could only see when it changed , not before it changed.

If he couldn't see it before it changed, then how would he know it had changed?

That is my point.

the OP says he saw the sign change , therefore his point about the lorries obscuring his view beforehand is not relevant 


The sign did not change while the lorries were obscuring his view. 

victor2

DavidLintern said:

I came across this post after receiving a notice of intended prosecution, under VERY similar circumstances. I am surprised by the amount of cynicism against the OP. I can 100% understand the situation and sympathize. I was travelling along the M4, about to join M5 where traffic is often snarled up, I was observing all the variable speed limits and adjusting my cruise control appropriately. Went under a limit of 50 travelling at 50, a few 100m up the road, was flashed, and looked up noticing the limit had changed to 40 on the upcoming gantry. I got a notice informing me I was going 47 in a 40. This feels completely wrong and unjust, but I'm unable to contest it, unless I want to risk extra fines, court appearances and extra points. Accept inaccuracies and wrongly admit to wrong-doing. Or contest it as is your right as an innocent party, but risk massively inflated fines and penalties?

Presumably you don't have dashcam footage to support your experience, but if this is happening it surely won't be long before someone does. 
You can then imagine the uproar if countless such speeding "offences" get thrown into doubt.

strawb_shortcake

DavidLintern said:

I came across this post after receiving a notice of intended prosecution, under VERY similar circumstances. I am surprised by the amount of cynicism against the OP. I can 100% understand the situation and sympathize. I was travelling along the M4, about to join M5 where traffic is often snarled up, I was observing all the variable speed limits and adjusting my cruise control appropriately. Went under a limit of 50 travelling at 50, a few 100m up the road, was flashed, and looked up noticing the limit had changed to 40 on the upcoming gantry. I got a notice informing me I was going 47 in a 40. This feels completely wrong and unjust, but I'm unable to contest it, unless I want to risk extra fines, court appearances and extra points. Accept inaccuracies and wrongly admit to wrong-doing. Or contest it as is your right as an innocent party, but risk massively inflated fines and penalties?

I drive this section of road frequently and have noticed the gantry signs updating whilst driving, knowing this section of road often fluctuates between 40-60 and having recently done a speed awareness course I'm a little overcautious on my speed here so keep to the lower side. 

But as someone mentioned above, if this is unfairly catching people out then dashcam will eventually come out to support this.