Speed cameras that measure average speed

[Taz]

I was driving to a client yesterday down the M1 and there's a fairly lengthy section of roadworks in which average speed cameras are installed. The limit in the roadworks section is 40MPH and virtually everyone stuck to it!

There is a set of cameras that take your picture at the start of the roadworks and another set towards the end of the roadworks. The date and time is recorded with each picture and your average speed through the roadworks is then computed. If you go over 40MPH on average you will get a speeding ticket.

There were signs every few hundred yards warning of these new average speed cameras. What amazed me was that there was the odd idiot that continued to overtake everyone with a 100% guarantee of getting a speeding ticket.

So, are these cameras 'fairer' than the standard gatzo's? It allows you to have a lapse in concentration if your speed creeps up momentarily but all is not lost as you can slow right down before the second set of cameras to reduce your average speed. I cannot see how these cameras can be used for pure revenue generation as virtually everyone sticks to the speed limit.

[Barakka]

What amazed me was that there was the odd idiot that continued to overtake everyone with a 100% guarantee of getting a speeding ticket.

Car is probably still registered in the previous owners name.

[5lab]

this is the same as specs - whcih they have in some places. i think it is fairer, and safer (no emergency braking), however if you know where the cameras are (and aren't going past two) you can just beast it past anyways..

[Lowe]

Aye, the cameras you're talking about are the yellow vultures - SPECS.

Does have limitations though. Early versions only work on one lane. Swap lanes and you miss the camera..

Or as 5lab says, just turn off so you avoid the later camera..

As a system they're better - no distracting flashes to put drivers off. But, they still have weaknesses and still do no better than a proper Police patrol.

[Stringent]

I would rather they put cash into making better road surfaces. Some of the roads near me are terrible potholes. They just seem to be finding ways of cashing in on the motorist.

Wasn't there some article in the daily mail that said about the radar detectors which trapped a brick wall doing 40mph or something?

[Lowe]

The good old LTi 20.20 laser gun. I got done by one of those...

It's not that accurate since at range the beam spreads. Some States in the USA won't use it now.

[jamena]

There were signs every few hundred yards warning of these new average speed cameras. What amazed me was that there was the odd idiot that continued to overtake everyone with a 100% guarantee of getting a speeding ticket.

Not so amazing if you consider that a number of people won't have noticed the "average" bit of the warning? Of course having not seen (or noticed...gulp) an "average speed camera" warning I can't be sure? Any pictures about? One of those odd idiots might have been me doing 45 wondernig why everyone one else was being so good...dang.

[Konan555]

The good old LTi 20.20 laser gun. I got done by one of those...

It's not that accurate since at range the beam spreads. Some States in the USA won't use it now.

I'm not sure how much of an urban myth it is, but I was informed a 20-20 speeding case was thrown out in the US after a member the defence pointed it at a wall and it measured 5mph

[5lab]

before you critisize british road conditions you should see what other countries deal with. i've just returned from a >3000 mile roadtrip round europe and in some areas there were tramlines caused by trucks which were 2" deep! potholes are nothing in comparison

[Konan555]

Road surfaces in the Republic of ireland are, well, sub roman.