Regarding the Speed Cameras on the back of the M25 gantries...myth or truth?
1) When the signs are illuminated, the cameras automatically adjust to the prevailing speed
2) The camera behind the FIRST new speed limit is set at teh value of the previous speed limit sign
3) When no speed limit is shown, the cameras are set to 70 (ish)
My guesses:
1) True
2) True
3) True
Anyone KNOW any different?
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1) yes, but they give 5 minutes between the limit changing and the cameras becoming active at the new limit
2) don't know
3) Nope, definitely not. I have a, erm, friend who has tried it!
I'm trying to find the links I read a little while back all about how these particular cameras are set up, will post them here.
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Thanks. Found this line particularly humurous "It is only calibrated up to about 130mph. However, exceeding this as an attempt to avoid prosecution is probably a bad idea."
It says on that page that they can measure National Speed limit so it's possible that they are active when there is no posted speed limit...?
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Obviously, without wishing to incriminate myself, or anyone I know, I have SEEN vehicles travelling past the cameras in question at speeds WELL in excess of 70mph, when the speed signs have not been showing anything at all. I first discovered it myself when heading for Gatwick one night and being overtaken by first a Subaru travelling at 100mph+, then a Ferrari travelling at 100mph++++ ! So in my experience, they are not active when the speed limit is not shown.
There's another humourous quote on www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk about laser/radar detectors:
[The officer] just smiled and said we have not seen anything that works yet. He then went on to tell me a story about a driver with a £500 Detector, Radar and Laser. He complained when he was stopped that it never went off, and to make matters worse, when they pointed the Laser gun at it with only a few inches between the units it still never went off.
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Just because they haven't been seen to go off doesn't mean that they can't or won't - they may just have no film or camera in on that particular day.
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Or the speedsters may have one of these...
www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/priva.htm
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Having to do the journey every day from 12 - 10 and vv in the evening tracelling north rarely does there tend to be a speed limit. I reckon the cameras are set to somewhere around 95mph as see cars in both directions at times setting them off when no limit is posted.
However on on one of the gantrys between 11 - 10 both directions there are no cameras (at least visable) which those that know tend to take advantage off tut tut...!
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I'm one of those people that always assumed the cameras on the M25 gantries were only active when the variable speed limit signs were in force. I've seen the cameras going off from time to time on the opposite carriageway but was sure the variable speed must have been in force on that carriageway.
About 4 weeks ago however I was 'got' at 7am on a Saturday morning and received the Notice of Intended Prosecution 4 days later. There was no variable speed limit in force and I was in lane 3 M25 Egham towards jnct. 12 (anti-clock).
So unfortunately they do seem to work.....
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PST,
What speed were you clocked at?
VD5D.
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PST,
Do you mind letting us know what speed? Purely for research purposes of course.
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I purposely didn't mention the speed because it's not something I'm too proud of (it's not big and it's not clever etc...).
If it helps I'd accelerated to pass a line of traffic in lane 3 (out of 4) because an unmarked BMW 5 series was bearing down on me with the alternate headlamps flashing.
I reckon it was about 95mph. I had been doing 80mph when I accelerated.
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" If it helps I'd accelerated to pass a line of traffic in lane 3 (out of 4) because an unmarked BMW 5 series was bearing down on me with the alternate headlamps flashing."
Appeal on the basis that you were getting out of the way of a police vehicle on an emergency call.
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Thanks Brian - I'll probably wait and see. If it's just the fixed penalty and 3 points I probably won't argue. If I have to go to the magistrates court anyway then I'll mention it. I think the trouble with appealing is that it then incurs all sorts of additional costs and you end up paying these too and you're dependant upon the magistrate on the day as to how 'mitigating' your mitigating circumstances were.
A bit of a defeatist attitude I know....
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A bit of a defeatist attitude I know....
But probably a very realistic one.....I wonder what guidelines there are for Magistrates regarding "mitigating circumstances" and if anyone knows of them.
Good luck, Chad.R
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I have spoken to a magistrate whose advice is to write back ASAP saying something on the lines of:
"I remember this incident well.
Please take into consideration the fact that I was avoiding an accident, making way for a police car."
This will be reviewed by an inspector who will either accept the circumstances or reject.
If rejected you can still go to court and give your version.
His opinion is that the Mags in court are likely to be lenient if you are genuine and sincere.
Obviously if you have a good case then avoiding points will help your insurance record.
HTH
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Thanks for the advice Brian - I'll give it a go.
All I have received so far is the Notice of Intended Prosecution - the form where you incriminate yourself as the driver. This was accompanied by a FAQ sheet which included questions such as "Am I incriminating myself"? to which the answer was convoluted but amounted to 'no'.
And "If I take the option of going to court I may get a heavier fine if found guilty" to which the answer was along the lines of 'Yes'.
On the assumption that I eventually receive a fixed penalty, it was the heavier fine bit that put me off.
The bottom line is I did (substantially) exceed the speed limit and should console myself with the 'thank you' gesture from the police passenger as he sailed past :)
But like I say I'll put a letter together and see what happens...
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"console myself with the 'thank you' gesture from the police passenger as he sailed past "
Do include the "Thank you" bit in your letter, it's evidence that the police were approving your assistance in getting out of their way in the most appropriate fashion.
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I'm sure this was the case, but bear in mind they'll check emergency call history at the time to verify your account of events. The unmarked BMW will also have been recorded on camera as well, so beware.
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As regards 3), they certainly can be working when the limit is 70. A colleague was booked for 96miles/hr by one of the M25 cameras. No idea, of course, what the trigger level was.
Regards
John S
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