Strange camera van activity

Vertigo · 10 Jun 2006 at 17:35

On the way into Silverstone this morning I was in traffic on a dual carriageway NSL road moving along at 55-60mph when I saw a sign indicating a 40 limit in 3/4 of a mile. About 200 yards up the road was a camera van parked up with all the windows at the back open and the cameras sticking out. We all cruised past it at 55-60mph.

Thinking about it, I'm now getting a little worried about this. Why on earth would they position a camera before the 40 limit came into force? At the place it was located the limit was still 70 and we were all doing 55-60. I'm a bit concerned that the numpties operating it didn't realise the 40 signs they were "behind" were indicating a limit change in 3/4 of a mile and thought the limit was 40 at that point.

If I get an NIP through for this I won't be happy

woodsy · 10 Jun 2006 at 17:36

Sounds more like an ANPR Van, and not a speed camera van.

Vertigo · 10 Jun 2006 at 17:39

What do they check, road tax?

fatiain · 10 Jun 2006 at 17:41

Vertigo1 said:
What do they check, road tax?

I know the DoT drives ANPR vans around, they run the plates through 14 different databases. :eek:

Meridian · 10 Jun 2006 at 17:58

You said "cameras" in the plural? That's deffo ANPR, as speed cameras come in ones.

M

Dogbreath · 10 Jun 2006 at 19:00

Vertigo1 said:
What do they check, road tax?

Tax, vehicles on stolen list etc. Not sure if they actually check for MOT/Insurance yet but that's the ultimate goal whener DVLA get their act together.

Dogbreath · 10 Jun 2006 at 19:01

oops, double postage

Fr0dders · 10 Jun 2006 at 20:57

i think on saw traffic cops these vans also check the same PNC database that now holds new style MOTs and insurance details

oh and for what its worth, the ANPR vans are always blank

speed camera ones are nearly always stickered up so people cant accuse them of money making

just about every camera partnership in britain does it, even wales

Vertigo · 10 Jun 2006 at 21:26

Meridian said:
You said "cameras" in the plural? That's deffo ANPR, as speed cameras come in ones.

Yep, were definitely two windows open with visible cameras in them

matt100 · 10 Jun 2006 at 21:47

I saw that van, defo 2 cameras (I was passenger so had time to have a good nose) good job it wasn't a speed van for ferraris demo F430 which was giving it some stick with a bike in front of us..

I wouldn't have know but my mate's seen it in a few mags, dark grey.. reg V8 something or other iirc..

Anyway.. very well organised.. 4 lanes in, 4 lanes out, just how it should be