Quick Question Regarding Mobile Camera Vans

Alty · 5 Aug 2009 at 17:52

This is the scene:

A busy cross roads Junction with rush hour traffic and a mobile camera van looking down the main road. I wait aaaages for a gap to get out and when one does arrive I put pedal to metal to get out. I turn left at the junction passing the Camera Van which is facing the oncoming traffic to myself. When I look at the speedo I see I am doing 35mph - d'oh!

The Question:

Do the camera vans pick up just oncoming traffic to itself or traffic in both directions? As I was travelling away from the van and am unsure.

The conclusion:

I don't need any speeding lectures as it was a genuine mistake and we are after all only human, but am curious as to whether I will get the points and fine or not.

Thanks in advance

whitecrook · 5 Aug 2009 at 17:54

<rolls magic 8 ball> .... No. You won't get points.

Defcon5 · 5 Aug 2009 at 18:16

you mean the front of the van was pointing towards you? It will only record from the rear usually

Alty · 5 Aug 2009 at 18:19

the camera was in the rear of the van and was facing the same direction that I was going (IE towards the oncoming traffic to myself)

Fido McNasty · 5 Aug 2009 at 18:21

Indicated 35 ? And the van was facing you ? If so, assume you're going to be ok and move on.

Alty · 5 Aug 2009 at 18:41

cheers, that seems to be the general consensus from another forum that had a similar account in except he was doing 40mph.

Matt82 · 5 Aug 2009 at 18:44

newer ones have lazors in them. they catch people going both ways. a girl i know very well was caught last year and my brother earlier this year too, both whilst driving away from the rear of one of these vans

Alibaba99 · 5 Aug 2009 at 19:26

Vans have the camera in the rear, but will target traffic travelling both towards and away from the rear of the van.

iaind · 5 Aug 2009 at 21:03

Even if they were pointing at you, at an indicated 35 you'll be fine

Morba · 5 Aug 2009 at 21:09

iaind said:
Even if they were pointing at you, at an indicated 35 you'll be fine

"should" be fine.

Rhyzz · 6 Aug 2009 at 11:09

speedo will be 1 or 2 mph, 10% tolerance on _most_ speed cameras so even if he did zap you, i doubt you'll get any points. Most of those cams are for ANPR anyway to catch the uninsured

Wossi · 6 Aug 2009 at 11:15

The police in my area won't pull you for doing 35, unless you are driving erratically/car is flagged/or they are suspicious. Had it confirmed by the traffic cops that pulled me for doing 37 in a 30 zone.

Alty · 7 Aug 2009 at 18:00

Plus with the oncoming traffic obstructing between myself and the camera van, I assume that may help? Since it was rush hour traffic and completely manic on the road at the time (IE not much space between cars either direction tbh).

Alibaba99 · 7 Aug 2009 at 18:55

Wossi said:
The police in my area won't pull you for doing 35, unless you are driving erratically/car is flagged/or they are suspicious. Had it confirmed by the traffic cops that pulled me for doing 37 in a 30 zone.

Except most camera vans are operated by civilians, and as they only have to tag you at a speed over the limit they can operate at speeds which a police man would ignore.