Mobile Speed Camera Vans

thedazman67 · 19 Oct 2007 at 14:09

Hey all, a little question can a mobile speed camera van catch you speeding if your going the other way, going away from the van rather than towards it.

thedazman

!bluetonic! · 19 Oct 2007 at 14:15

Depends on the van.

I'm thinking that the vans above the M4 in Swindon, Wilts can catch you either way. Last time I saw you they parked in the middle of the bridge.

If you can't wait for a straight answer on here, then phone up the Safety Camera Unit involved. They would have no reason not to tell you.

Lowe · 19 Oct 2007 at 14:15

Yes and no - it depends which window they're lasing out of though. Some have the camera pointing out the back, some out the sides - each of the Partnerships vans work differently.

thedazman67 · 19 Oct 2007 at 14:47

This one was pointing out the back, it was down the A6 going toward garstang just after the two texaco garages if anybody saw it this morning

ChrisD. · 19 Oct 2007 at 14:50

Then he could have got you if he was targeting you. The type of laser they use do cars traveling away and towards them, depending on the relief of the road of course.

thedazman67 · 19 Oct 2007 at 14:55

was afraid of that i was doing about 50mph in a 40 zone would it make a difference if the van was on the opposite side of the road to me.

Muffin` · 19 Oct 2007 at 15:40

Do they work in thick fog?

Was on the M6 going over the Thirwell Viaduct yesterday, outside lane was doing well over 100 for only about 25 meter vision. Would never dream of that speed in the broad day light going over into such an open area.

ChrisD. · 19 Oct 2007 at 15:44

thedazman67 said:
was afraid of that i was doing about 50mph in a 40 zone would it make a difference if the van was on the opposite side of the road to me.

If it was indicated 50 on your speedo then you were more then likely doing about 45. Unless there was no traffic coming from the other direction then it's unlikely that he targeted you. The operators generally visually check the speed of the cars before they get you with the gun.

Don't take it as gospel though, but good luck to you.

Alibaba99 · 19 Oct 2007 at 18:30

MilanoChris said:
If it was indicated 50 on your speedo then you were more then likely doing about 45. Unless there was no traffic coming from the other direction then it's unlikely that he targeted you. The operators generally visually check the speed of the cars before they get you with the gun.

Don't take it as gospel though, but good luck to you.

Operators are MEANT to visually check the speed before targetting a vehicle as the primary evidence is infact the suspicion of speeding, the laser system is used to provide confirmation of this. Doesn't stop many vans being used incorrectly and every passing vehicle being checked.

As to direction, vans can target vehicles travelling in both directions, regardless of whether they are sited at the side of the road or on a bridge over it. The van situated on the Rogiet bridge just before the toll booths for the 2nd Severn crossing is nominally there to cover the 50 limit approaching the booths but does a good business catching people heading towards Bristol on the other side of the motorway.

thedazman67 · 19 Oct 2007 at 20:40

fingers crossed. I wasnt even driving my own car today borrowed my dads as mine was in for a service.

ChrisD. · 19 Oct 2007 at 21:52

Alibaba99 said:
Operators are MEANT to visually check the speed before targetting a vehicle as the primary evidence is infact the suspicion of speeding, the laser system is used to provide confirmation of this. Doesn't stop many vans being used incorrectly and every passing vehicle being checked.

As to direction, vans can target vehicles travelling in both directions, regardless of whether they are sited at the side of the road or on a bridge over it. The van situated on the Rogiet bridge just before the toll booths for the 2nd Severn crossing is nominally there to cover the 50 limit approaching the booths but does a good business catching people heading towards Bristol on the other side of the motorway.

Thanks for the clarification, as I said I wasn't sure.

As for the one on the M4, I've been had by that one although it was on the way into Wales.