Question about SPECS

Berger · 24 Sep 2007 at 22:47

Specs cameras ontop of the huge towers, how far away from the cameras do they read registrations from?

Also, in a set of 4 cameras, do they measure speed between each one or just as a whole, so if you broke the limit in say the first pair you could slow for the next ones and thus end up under the limit?

Just curious as to how they work thats all.

Gilly · 24 Sep 2007 at 22:50

The distances depend on the angle/height of the camera mounting as well as the lens/lenses fitted.

Search for ANPR distances in Google

Berger · 24 Sep 2007 at 23:01

Gilly said:
The distances depend on the angle/height of the camera mounting as well as the lens/lenses fitted.

Search for ANPR distances in Google

Seems its around 40-50M from the cameras, thought it would be further than that with the height they are at!

Just saw them in traffic today on the M1 for roadworks and got me thinking, wasnt entirely sure where they started, slowed down when i was about that distance away from them, and then the traffic was going 10mph under the limit anyway.

Was wondering if they would pick up if people joined the SPECs controlled zone half way through ie, 2 cameras of the 4 left or not.

They seem a good way of enforcing the limit, but it seems to bunch traffic up....

stoofa · 25 Sep 2007 at 11:28

As far as I can tell it can all get rather complicated as you travel through the cameras.
There are entry and exit gates so just because you didn't pass the very first camera in the series and leave after the very last one that in no way means you couldn't be caught for exceeding the average speed check.

I've also read (but I cannot find a confirmation anywhere) that each camers is actually capable of taking an individual picture in the same way that cameras of old were.
So just because their primary role is average speed checking, go past one at 90mph and it alone should still be able to photo you.
However how that would stand up in court I don't know as the average speed checks don't have the full series of lines drawn on the road, usually just a white box.

I also believe that the rumour on swapping lanes is also incorrect and it's mainly down to which camera is paired up with which other cameras.
I'm sure somebody with enough spare points on their license will get it all worked out eventually and find out how most forces actually program entry/exit games and which cameras are paired.