Firstly, I was going at 70 in a 50.
my excuse (if there is one) is that it was on a dual carriageway where, whilst there was temporary 50 speed limit due to road works, there was no roadworks to be seen. Both lanes open, no workers in sight. It’s been like that for weeks.
as I was going through I noticed a speed camera van on other side of road, but it was pointing down the other lane. Tbh I’ve just got so use to ignoring is (as does everyone) that by time I passed the van I had forgot it was a 50.
Can a mobile unit get you like that or do you have to be driving towards the back of it?
30 years of no points, am I about to be done?
No.
No.
It was looking the wrong way.
No.
It was looking the wrong way.
Edited later: It clearly wasnt looking the wrong way when it caught him though was it
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">Firstly, I was going at 70 in a 50.</span>
Can a mobile unit get you like that or do you have to be driving towards the back of it?
Clearly they can 🙂
my excuse (if there is one) is that it was on a dual carriageway where, whilst there was temporary 50 speed limit due to road works, there was no roadworks to be seen. Both lanes open, no workers in sight. It’s been like that for weeks.
How could that be an excuse if you're more than ten years old?
How could that be an excuse if you’re more than ten years old?
tbf it's not an excuse if you're less than ten either. You shouldn't be driving!
Yes.
Yes.
The speed vans round here have cameras out the back, side and front it seems.
TBH you have my sympathies (a bit). I was recently on a stretch of dual carriageway, coming back from Edinburgh, that I'm unfamiliar with. At the 50 signs, I slowed down but everyone else - without exception - cracked on at 70 or so. It was getting to the point that I felt a bit precarious, a moving chicane. I think the restriction had been in place for so long, with no work going on, that regulars were just ignoring it.
Mobile vans can operate with both traffic coming towards and going away. Whether they were operating in that mode at that time is a different question that you'll have to wait 14 days to find out (assuming you are the registered keeper).
a van can get you going away from it too, doesnt have to have the camera facing you.
Easy enough for him to scan across to the opposite lane and ping you, assuming he heard your V8 screaming through the gears, exhausts flaming, turbo spooling, induction roaring.... as you pelted down the tarmacadam! 😛
Ah well if they can I’m goosed then. As when I drove back past it I noticed that it was a 50 for about 50 yards, then turned into a 30😢 so if they can get me going the other way I’ll be banned as over double the limit. Which given there is not a hint of a road works, not even one solitary cone, seems pretty harsh tbh. Although I know there are many people on here whom have never committed a driving offence ever who will argue otherwise!
You shouldn’t be driving!
30 years of a clean license, no accidents probably suggests otherwise but hey ho. If I get a ban you’ll get your wish!
How could that be an excuse if you’re more than ten years old?
Whilst I'd agree, not an excuse, it is also absolutely the normal behaviour of most people behind the wheel of a car.
There has been a "temporary" 50mph limit in place on the a1 just south of the scotch corner since about a week after they reopened it from the upgrade. Nothing but a flood warning and the nsl marker a mile up the road visible on either carriageway. No one slows for it because it's been there for 18 maybe 24 months with nothing but a sandbag for to stop it blowing over for company.
I'm a stickler for limits but even I tended to just carry on at 70 after the first few instances of nearly being rear ended.
They finally started some work on the drainage a few weeks ago and immediately had several accidents because traffic actually slowed for the roadworks and lane closure that haven't been there for longer than the road has been fully open.
Im going to hazard a guess that if you were on a dual carriageway and the van was on the opposite side of the road, the central reservation would have been obstructing the view between the camera and your number plate. Either way, lynch him.
tbf it’s not an excuse if you’re less than ten either. You shouldn’t be driving!
30 years of a clean license, no accidents probably suggests otherwise but hey ho. If I get a ban you’ll get your wish
I think he means you shouldn't be driving if you're under 10...
You might get the option of a speed awareness course instead of points. Think that’s an option for first time offenders or those without points on their licence. Not sure if there is a limit though (i.e. has to be no more than x mph over) but wait and find out.
Many a time I’ve fully expected to be issued a fine and points and the letter never landed so I’ve got away with it thus far (30 years and counting). I’m much more cautious nowadays though.
lynch him
Lynching’s too good for his sort, even if he’s over 10 (or not, I’m confused now). Anyway back to the camera van . . .
You might get the option of a speed awareness course instead of points.
Not available in Scotland (I'm assuming that's where the offence took place).
30 years of a clean license, no accidents probably suggests otherwise but hey ho. If I get a ban you’ll get your wish!
It was a rubbish attempt at a joke aimed at molgrips, suggesting you shouldn't be driving under the age of ten. It wasn't a pop at you.
I think he means you shouldn’t be driving if you’re under 10…
👍
You might get the option of a speed awareness course instead of points.
Not available in Scotland (I’m assuming that’s where the offence took place).
Nor at 70 in a thirty...
On the upside op, at least it wasn't a motorway.
70mph on a clear dual carriageway - amateur!
Hopefully you weren't daft enough to to it twice:
ECHO reader Anthony Martindale was incensed when he was penalised after he was caught speeding on both directions between junctions 12 and 13 on February 6. The motorist fired off a letter to the ECHO as he was fined £100, awarded three points on his licence and ordered to take a driver's awareness course costing £90
So, planning for the worst
I hold my hands up, was in The wrong. If I get hauled over coals is there anything I could do to mitigate length of any ban? I’m thinking specifically taking a picture clearly showing that whilst the sign is there, there is actually no traffic works or any reason for them to be there.
not saying that would get me off, but it might provide some motivation.
I thought speed cameras could only take images as you go away from them? (Something to do with privacy protection for the driver/passenger...or has that changed?)
I doubt you'll get a ban for 70 in a 50. Especially with a previously clean licence. I actually doubt that you'll get done at all with the camera on the other side of the dual carriageway. No need to sell your car just yet!
There is actually no traffic works or any reason for them to be there.
not saying that would get me off, but it might provide some motivation.
That's not mitigation at all. You're basically admitting that you knew the signs were there but simply chose to ignore them.
I thought speed cameras could only take images as you go away from them? (Something to do with privacy protection for the driver/passenger…or has that changed?)
Nope. In fact the average speed cameras on the A9 are almost all front facing. In effect, the only two that will pick up a speeding motorcycle are near Tomatin and Moy
Nope. In fact the average speed cameras on the A9 are almost all front facing. In effect, the only two that will pick up a speeding motorcycle are near Tomatin and Moy
In France I've seen speed cameras painted to look like forward facing but in fact are rear facing - to catch bikers out 😯
I also don't think you'll get a ban, on a DC with no active workers.
The OP has put his hands up and admitted he was wrong so sadly we can't do him in with a pitch forking.
However.......temporary speed reductions where there is no current need are a pile crap imo. Firstly it slows up traffic for no need but secondly (and far more importantly) it stops the general motorist taking them as seriously as they should. Slowing up the traffic where the lanes are narrowed, or there are workmen at risk or the surface is not up to scratch is a really good thing - making the public complacent so they are more inclined to **** up when we really don't want them to is bobbins. Compounding the issue by putting a speed van out to catch people for not slowing down for a non reason is just adding to the naffness of the setup and increases the general opinion that they are just revenue generators rather than a safety incentive.
If I get hauled over coals is there anything I could do to mitigate length of any ban?
This may differ in Scotland, I don't know. You should get a Notice of Intended Prosecution within 14 days. This may offer you a fixed penalty. To mitigate anything you would have to reject that and attend court. If you were caught doing 70 in a 30 then I doubt you are going to get the fixed penalty as you will be "Eligible For Disqualification" which means you will get a ban and fine which will be a standard for the offence, adjusted up or down depending on mitigating factors such as Exceptional Hardship.
Contrition and remorse may help with a favourable judge, and being a first offence. I highly doubt though that "I thought I'd get away with it and here's some extra evidence proving my guilt" is going to work, somehow. Now, if the signage was incorrect and you could prove it, it may be unenforceable (again, in E&W), there are guidelines they have to adhere to.
I’m thinking specifically taking a picture clearly showing that whilst the sign is there, there is actually no traffic works or any reason for them to be there.
There's no visible reason for them to be there. They could be to protect people working near it or (if it's a bridge) under it. Could be for noise abatement or pollution reduction or because the road is unsafe or...
Compounding the issue by putting a speed van out to catch people for not slowing down for a non reason
The reason to slow down is that it was a 50 not a 70. The roadworks not being there is irrelevant.
I thought speed cameras could only take images as you go away from them? (Something to do with privacy protection for the driver/passenger…or has that changed?)
That sounds very much like an urban myth to me. Static Truvelo cameras are almost as old as Gatsos and are front-facing, and most mobile vans I've seen are too (they see you before you see them, otherwise everyone just anchors on).
not saying that would get me off, but it might provide some motivation.
The only motivation it will provide is for you to get royally shafted for ignoring signs.
The time for motivation is when they are deciding how long to ban you for.
The reason to slow down is that it was a 50 not a 70. The roadworks not being there is irrelevant.
That might be why the road user should slow down - you don't know what's ahead is the same as it was last week, so follow the rules. But that's not the reason to put in or leave the speed reduction without warrant. Or the reason to enforce/punish the slowing down or lack there of where no slowing down of traffic is actually needed.
That’s not mitigation at all. You’re basically admitting that you knew the signs were there but simply chose to ignore them.
that’s a fair point, and tbh exactly what I did, although I honestly didn’t clock that the second sign was 30mph. Why would they just not put one sign up, it just serves to confuse folks. Just popped along to where it was, speed camera now gone, I did 30mph, not one other car slowed down at all so it’s not just me! (Not that that is a defense).
they are ignored as for all intents and purposes it appears that they have just been left there. The big trianglular road works sign in the 30 zone has even been taken down and laid on its side! Ironically there are a load of cones on the road, but about 500 yards after the end of the restricted zone! There are no workers hiding in bushes, no works vans. There is absolutely zero reason for them being there.
as far as consequences go, a ban and a fine I can live with, but apparently I need to declare any criminal convictions to my employer. If I go to court I’ll get a conviction (not a penalty notice) which mean I could potentially lose my job.
As I understand it though, a speeding conviction is not a 'criminal' conviction it is a road traffic offence. I think! So it shouldn't fall into the losing your job category...
I’m thinking specifically taking a picture clearly showing that whilst the sign is there, there is actually no traffic works or any reason for them to be there.
The restriction can be there for a reason that is not obvious. A damaged bit of barrier (from corrosion, not necessarily impact damage) or works underneath the road that you cannot see. Not seeing the hazard is not a defence.
I doubt you’ll get a ban for 70 in a 50.
Yeah I would feel a bit miffed to get banned for 70 in a 50, that would seem very harsh.
A “friend” got 3 points and £100 for 83 in a 60, also in Scotland so no speed awareness course option.
As I understand it though, a speeding conviction is not a ‘criminal’ conviction it is a road traffic offence. I think! So it shouldn’t fall into the losing your job category
in Scotland if you get convicted of a road traffic offence in court you get a criminal record.
Yeah I would feel a bit miffed to get banned for 70 in a 50, that would seem very harsh
it wasn’t a 50. It was a 30. Basically it had a 50 sign, then 50 yards later a 30 sign. I admit I didn’t clock that the 2nd one was a different speed to the first. I mean why have 2 different signs right after each other, I had assumed the road was a 50. Which was an error on my behalf but a genuine mistake.
I've done similar - 65 in a 50 on a dual carriageway with roadworks, on the A1.
The lovely people at Leicestershire constabulary very kindly gave me a course on how to avoid doing such stupid things in future.
it wasn’t a 50. It was a 30. Basically it had a 50 sign, then 50 yards later a 30 sign. I admit I didn’t clock that the 2nd one was a different speed to the first.
Oh bugger, sorry I missed that bit, I wondered why bans were being talked about.
Hope it missed you 🤞
Why would they just not put one sign up, it just serves to confuse folks.
There are requirements for the signage and how far apart it has to be so they can't generally slow you from 70-30 without an intermediary reduction and the 30 sign will have to be at least a minimum distance after the 50 one.
The theory being slowing people from 70-30 is likely to cause problems and be unsafe so they "manage" the deceleration. (because people are idiots and can't slow down gradually. Maybe shimano make car brakes? )
