A Speeding question (of sorts)

T

Trug

Well-known member
We had a drive up to Northumberland today and there was the usual road works on the A1. The "Average speed 50mph" signs were in place. There were probably about 7 or 8 sets of cameras along the length of the roadworks. I was doing between 45 and 48 along the whole stretch except for the last set of cameras where I speeded up to over the 50 (about 55) before realising what I had done and slowed back down immediately. If I get a speeding fine I shall have to hold my hand up and say "Sorry guv."
So what I am asking, and I don't have a clue as to the answer is this. Is the Average 50 MPH measured from one camera to the next camera or is it measured for the whole length of the restriction- in thhis case about 8 miles.
 
I believe it's from A to B to C to D etc etc. So people who rush between the two are doing themselves no favours.
 
You'll probably be ok at an indicated 55mph. Firstly most car speedos read slightly fast, secondly there is a tolerance in the cameras, they will give you a margin for error. I think you would have to be close to an indicated 60 before you got a ticket. (I wouldn't dare test my theory though but)
 
It varies depending on the local authorities on how many average speed cameras are used to record an average speed offence.

A minimum of two are required to be passed through before your average is calculated.

So in some areas you can drive 50 miles at 50 and pass loads of cameras but pass the last two at 55 and can be reported for an offence.
 
Chris_Boro said:
It varies depending on the local authorities on how many average speed cameras are used to record an average speed offence.

A minimum of two are required to be passed through before your average is calculated.

So in some areas you can drive 50 miles at 50 and pass loads of cameras but pass the last two at 55 and can be reported for an offence.
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ThanksChris, that seems harsh to me.
 
Trug said:
ThanksChris, that seems harsh to me.
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It's to catch people who think they can crawl at 40 most of the way then blast through the end.

Might look harsh if you've been going along carefully for along way, but equally those last few miles could be where people are working or have narrow lanes etc.

Though in your case, going through the last camera at 55 is unlikely to be picked up on given the distance between cameras and the tolerance built into the system.
 
I got a ticket recently, said to my wife they’re is a camera up ahead, in about a mile, my mind drifted was downhill to the camera and as I pass it realised I sped up.
3 weeks ago, wife said you’re the only person I know who speeds up for a camera
 
I was also told that if you are in a different lane to the one you started in the camera can't pick you up. Not sure how true that is like.
 
Cambsred said:
Why not set it to 50? Isn't that the speed limit?
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Two reasons really. One being all modern cars over report their speed so 55 won't actually be 55. Second being, and I know it's a myth but it's one that often gets adhered too. If you're doing 10% above the speed limit you probably won't be prosecuted. Setting it too that means I can get home earlier. My car has the most boring interior ever so I have no desire to sit in it for longer than necessary
 
Davey_C said:
that'll be why you cant change lanes on the a19 possibly then
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No that's almost certainly to improve traffic flow. I used to work for the Highways agency and when they were putting in "Smart" signals on the M25. At one point they had to segregate the lanes. traffic flowed much quicker when this happened. Which is why you now often see "Congestion, stay in lane" signs up in heavy traffic.
 
hewielewie said:
I was also told that if you are in a different lane to the one you started in the camera can't pick you up. Not sure how true that is like.
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Sadly not true these days.

As told to me by a traffic cop, most forces allow 10% plus three, so for a fifty zone read 58 and you’ll not get nicked. Also for the first few mph over that you’ll be offered a speed awareness course rather than points. His actual words were along the lines of ‘Your Speedo over-reads by a few mph, we allow 10% plus three, so if you’ve got 82 or less on your Speedo we won’t be looking at you.’

But don’t quote me in court.
 
Ingleby_Flash said:
Sadly not true these days.

As told to me by a traffic cop, most forces allow 10% plus three, so for a fifty zone read 58 and you’ll not get nicked. Also for the first few mph over that you’ll be offered a speed awareness course rather than points. His actual words were along the lines of ‘Your Speedo over-reads by a few mph, we allow 10% plus three, so if you’ve got 82 or less on your Speedo we won’t be looking at you.’

But don’t quote me in court.
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This is interesting. The only time I've ever been caught speeding was in Thornaby and I was doing 34 in a 30 which must have been right on the limit. Not sure what my speedo was saying at the time but given it was a battered old fiesta probably 21-38 MPH
 
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