Speed cameras on motorways

Hatter The Mad · 28 Mar 2009 at 11:57

I understand that in 2008 there was talk to roll out average speed cameras across plain stretches of motorway (no roadworks or contraflows). Did this ever happen?

Apart from ATM systems, contraflow situations and roadworks, would you ever find speed cameras on the motorways nowadays?

Berger · 28 Mar 2009 at 11:59

Yes, Cumbria scamera force use camera vans on the bridges over the M6.

Ive also seen them over the M56 near Manchester airport.

Hatter The Mad · 28 Mar 2009 at 12:03

Oh, apart from vans and mobiles. I'm kind of talking about fixed ones

rpstewart · 28 Mar 2009 at 12:14

There are fixed Gatso style cameras on the variable speed limit sections of the M25 & M42 and there's a huge section of average speed cameras down the A77 in Ayrshire.

Not aware of any others though.

Rotty · 28 Mar 2009 at 12:49

rpstewart said:
There are fixed Gatso style cameras on the variable speed limit sections of the M25 & M42 and there's a huge section of average speed cameras down the A77 in Ayrshire.

Not aware of any others though.

They aren't is use when limit is 70 afaik

I think they can't have fixed cameras on NSL motorways

Overlag · 28 Mar 2009 at 12:51

the cameras are there between a13 and m11 but ive never been given a ticket. i thought they was just for the information center so they know how fast the flow is going (on websites like trafficengland etc)

Minxy · 28 Mar 2009 at 12:53

Rotty said:
They aren't is use when limit is 70 afaik

I don't know how true that is. I have seen them flash when the limit isn't on but then who knows if the driver ever gets the NIP.

I reckon the M1 is going to go the same way, the gantrys are so close together on that bottom section just where you join from the M25 to go northbound. I can see that being the next variable limit section.

Dolph · 28 Mar 2009 at 12:55

Depends when the government decides it needs more revenue at the expense of road safety really...

Overlag · 28 Mar 2009 at 13:10

Minxy said:
I don't know how true that is. I have seen them flash when the limit isn't on but then who knows if the driver ever gets the NIP.

I reckon the M1 is going to go the same way, the gantrys are so close together on that bottom section just where you join from the M25 to go northbound. I can see that being the next variable limit section.

that is the plan. part of the whole upgrade was the Vairiable limits to keep it flowing.

Bomag · 28 Mar 2009 at 15:15

Rotty said:
They aren't is use when limit is 70 afaik

I think they can't have fixed cameras on NSL motorways

There is nothing which restricts enforcement of the NSL on Motorways; the only problem is that the workforce needed to do the enforcement would be massive and with no hypothication any more nobody will stump up the running costs.

JUMPURS · 28 Mar 2009 at 15:26

Rotty said:
They aren't is use when limit is 70 afaik

I think they can't have fixed cameras on NSL motorways

The ones on the M77 are on 24/7 iirc.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2005/07/15120124

Hatter The Mad · 28 Mar 2009 at 15:26

Do average speed cameras have to be clearly signed on a motorway? Can they be used on restricted roads?

Glaucus · 28 Mar 2009 at 16:32

Hatter The Mad said:
Do average speed cameras have to be clearly signed on a motorway? Can they be used on restricted roads?

The government removed the legislation saying speed cameras had to be visible and signposted. So they can hide in the bush now.

osc89er · 28 Mar 2009 at 17:12

JUMPURS said:
The ones on the M77 are on 24/7 iirc.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2005/07/15120124

It is not the M77. It is the dual carriageway section, ie a77

The_Dark_Side · 28 Mar 2009 at 17:29

Dolph said:
Depends when the government decides it needs more revenue at the expense of road safety really...

Taxing people on things they have to do (or can't avoid) in their everyday life is out of order.
But you don't have to speed, you choose to.

While being fined is never easy to swallow, the cause for complaint is lesser as you chose to speed in the first place. It's not like someone put a gun to your head and forced you to do it.

Dolph · 28 Mar 2009 at 17:32

The_Dark_Side said:
Taxing people on things they have to do (or can't avoid) in their everyday life is out of order.
But you don't have to speed, you choose to.

While being fined is never easy to swallow, the cause for complaint is lesser as you chose to speed in the first place. It's not like someone put a gun to your head and forced you to do it.

In a free society, laws and fines relate to reducing harm... exceeding the speed limit, by the government's own statistics, doesn't qualify.

The government should have to justify it's restrictions on the populace, not the other way around.

Lopéz · 28 Mar 2009 at 17:34

There are fixed Gatso cameras on the M4 in Port Talbot - but that short section has a permanent 50mph limit.

The_Dark_Side · 28 Mar 2009 at 17:37

Dolph said:
In a free society, laws and fines relate to reducing harm... exceeding the speed limit, by the government's own statistics, doesn't qualify.

The government should have to justify it's restrictions on the populace, not the other way around.

All very true, but until laws are changed they stand. Simply breaking them and complaining about being penalised for it does nothing but line the Govt. coffers.
They put up signs telling you that you're in a camera area, then they paint the things to make them easy to spot and guess what? Thousands of people are either too stupid or unobservant to realise this and are caught anyway.

If everyone stuck to the limit they'd make squat.

Fido McNasty · 28 Mar 2009 at 18:19

The_Dark_Side said:
If everyone stuck to the limit they'd make squat.

And if everyone broke the limit in the same day they would break. The speeding rule is for ignorant people who don't think beyond the windsreen. There are lots of them, very much like the ones who sit right on your tailgate. Sometimes these aforementioned people might have the kids in the car with them as well, screaming and demanding attention. Speed limits are there I fully agree, for a reason.

Speed limits however do not reduce accidents, merely the speed at which accidents usually occur. Failing to pay attention to your situation is by far the more dangerous risk.

The overall standard of public driving in this country is definately nothing to write home about. Yet speed limits are emperative for the blindly stupid to have that accident at a speed which more than likely allows them to still be able to walk away and check thier precious text messages or tend to the now traumatized children.

Speed cameras on motorways are clearly an earner. Speed cameras in built up areas are much more the life saver. There is no distinction between the two as far as the department is concerned.

Observations in a crazy world and just my opinion here and there.

The_Dark_Side · 29 Mar 2009 at 14:06

^^^
I found myself agreeing with your sentiments, but the basic fact remains unchanged.
Every driver has the ability to keep their license free of points if they wish. You're not forced to speed, nor is it very difficult to stay under the limit. What makes matters worse is that even when you do break the limit you're not going to get to your destination quicker than if you kept to it (unless it's a long journey and you're prepared to break said limit by a decent margin and for a long period of time).
Some people just like driving fast, and they are prepared to chance it in order to satisfy their desires, but for those who actually think they're getting where they're going noticeably quicker.....sorry, but you're misguided. It might feel like you're making better progress, but in truth you're saving a few minutes nothing more.