Cameras in Variable Speed Zones - a Definitive Answer?

[Andy_P]

Over the years, there has been an ongoing discussion about whether or not the various Motorway gantry cameras in Variable Speed Limit Zones are active when the signs are off.

There was apparently a facility to do this on the first bit of M25 around Heathrow, but from practical experience seeing others blast past them, this 70 mph limit was never enforced.
But that was with Gatso film cameras....

A colleague has fielded a query on a Saab forum about some cameras that are appearing on all the new widened motorways which look to be a different design to the old Gatso.
So the question was asked again....
Are the cameras set to check speed when the illuminated speed limit sign is blank?

Well they got an answer from the Highway Agency!!

[GerryC]

It's a woolly response to me that doesn't answer the question asked. Sure they are active when mandatory limits (red circle) are shown on the variable signs - that's what everyone expects.

They note that advisory signs (no circle, may have flashing lights) are not "enforcible" which is beside the point - nothing to do with cameras. The response is silent regarding whether the camera is active when advisory or no extra sign is shown.

As for only being active when mandatory signs are shown, the start of motorway or other permanent speed limit signs are mandatory signs.

I'm still in the dark.
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Gerry
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[G1LIW]

Let's face it: It doesn't matter a hoot whether the camera is on or off, lit or unlit, inside out or back to front: If someone exceeds the speed limit, then they should expect to receive points and a fine in the post, at the very minimum.

As a professional driver, I keep to the speed limits, as should every motorist out there as well. I use the 'overspeed' and speed camera alerts on my satnav to make sure that I keep to those limits - it's what I call a belt and braces approach to protecting my licence.

So, when all is said and done, why worry if a camera is working or not? if you're speeding, you deserve the points.
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Roger, G1LIW
Google Pixel 3a XL Android Smartphone | SatNav Sygic for Android | Waze for Android | CamerAlert for Android | Blog http://rogersblant.blogspot.com/

[Andy_P]

@ Gerry
Not definitive enough then....

[bandk]

[G1LIW]

Because of a little thing called Human Error. It's always wise to keep informed, and for the moments one DOES slip up - yes, even I have been known to go a tad over the limit on rare occasions - it's helpful to have an alert sound to remind me to slow the **** down

Oh, and no, no points here. My licence is a clean as a whistle
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Roger, G1LIW
Google Pixel 3a XL Android Smartphone | SatNav Sygic for Android | Waze for Android | CamerAlert for Android | Blog http://rogersblant.blogspot.com/

[DarrenR21373]

Sorry to stir things up even further, but...

it is my understanding that the Highways Agency announced that the VSL cameras are also used to enforce the NSL when the signs are not lit and are normally set at ACPO guidelines (79MPH). This was when the M25 cameras first went digital.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/February-1-3/1-3/feb0108m25digitalcameras/

This is obviously to raise as much revenue as possible, as the motorway speed limit is badly outdated for modern cars
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Drive carefully; the Government needs all the Taxpayers it can get.

[BigPerk]

Hmnm... 79mph isn't really bad on our motorways generally IMHO - 09 is more the norm on the M25 round here. I've often thought that 80 on motorways would be reasonable (even the Germans often drive quite responsibly on their OWN roads). As a GENERAL rule I can't see 90 being that safe in the UK. Not really a revenue issue as far as I am concerned personally.
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

[Wazza_G]

I was told that the cameras are still fully active when the boards are off & that they're now fully digital (so no films etc.) and that they're set to 79mph.

The chances of doing 79mph on the M25 between Wisley & Heathrow are virtually nil, unless you go at silly o'clock in the morning/evening.

[Darren]

Indeed, hard pushed to do anywhere near 70 on that stretch in daylight hours.

I have no issues with these cameras operating 24/7, I'd be more interested in knowing more about SPECS.

We've had some very vague responses from them when pressed on this matter, i.e. are they always live. I suspect, taking comments made from them and anecdotal evidence from local cabbies concerning the M3 sections, that they rarely are.

Permanent installs may well be different but it seems that the temp ones are used in the hope that drivers will slow down regardless.
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Darren Griffin

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