I was going through Bristol under the new variable speed limit cameras that were not switched on at the time. It was 08.00 on a Saturday morning. Been under these things thousands of times and thought they were not active unless there was a speed limit actually posted? Well long story short the camera on one of the bridges activated and I have been sent a notice of prosecution. Does anyone know if this is valid and should I appeal. Obviously I was speeding but looking for a technicality!!! Cheers
It's not the Boys in Blue you should be asking (their answer will be obvious), but a professional legal advisor. As neither, I thought that the cameras could still prosecute at the unsigned speed limit for that road. I don't think a limit has to be shown to be a valid prosecution.
BBC News - Hundreds caught as M4 and M5 speed cameras around Bristol activated Still think there should be signs warning people. Anyway hope this raises awareness and others don't get done with another stealth tax.
Apparently, after reading up on this the cameras on the M62 are also active when not lit. Don't know about the M42 which I use a lot.
Basically they have turned the motorway cameras into money making devices. Bugger all to do with safety or traffic flow. To55ers the lot of them and a perfect example of the disconnect between the police/government and the general public, and yet they still wonder why more and more people are less willing to help them.
The rules regarding signs have changed quite significantly over the last few years. It used to be a requirement in built up areas that repeater signs had to be located at specific set distances, but.... This changed about 10 - 12 years ago removing that requirement and made it a requirement for repeater signs to be displayed at reasonable distances apart. On NSL roads, there has never been a requirement to have repeater signs. The most significant change is that until the early 90's, if a council wanted to change a speed limit, they had to consult the Police. The Police would lok at all the accident records, enforcement issues and also carry out what is called an 85 percentile where traffic speeds would be monitored for a set period t et an average speed of vehicles on that section of road. 15% of speeds recorded would be disregarded because you will always get those who will ignore limits anyway. But, this protocol was the basis for determining whether a change in speed limits was required, and if the Police were not convinced (we had specialist traffic management experts) or the evidence was not compelling, then any proposed changes would be binned. However, now, everything is in the hands of the council. They are not required to consult anyone, they tell the Police what they are going to do and they can do it on a whim, providing the changes are notified in the London Gazzette. And this is where many of the issues have arisen. There are a number of roads in my area where the limits have been lowered, but they are not enforced by the Police. Cameras are paid for and installed by the council, not the Police, but the Police have to run them. So it is unfare in these situations to lay the blame at the Police, because they have no say in where the cameras are installed. In respect of your NIP, yes it is valid providing the date on same is within 14 days of the alleged offence, then any prosecution will be valid. No signage does not provide a technical get out. If it was on a NSL, there is no requirement for signs, and therefore if you were caught above that limit, then you have little argument. If you were caught in a posted built up area, then if you were doing say 40 in a 30, and you believed it to be a 40 limit, you would have to show that your thinking was reasonable and why you thought it was a 40 limit, but again be careful, because it is generally accepted that if there are street lights it will be a 30 unless otherwise posted, and a reasonably comeptent rider or driver should know this. Sorry I cannot be more help
To be honest, we should consider ourselves lucky... in Australia there is no requirement to "advertise" speed traps... the police can be as sneaky as they like, including adding cameras to previously-innocuos gantries, hiding behind bushes, and even installing them in converted wheelie bins!
Having done a quick bit of research it would appear that Motorway cameras are Highways Agency and not council controlled. I believed they were Police controlled after an article I read following the start of NIPs being issued is S. Yorkshire. Oh well am sure it will only be a matter of time before HATOs are given the clearance to start doing people for speeding as well, in fact wouldn't be surprised if it hasn't already happened. Next step the local librarian and road sweeper will be issued with handheld speed guns, after all why should the be the only people not to have them. Cynical? Me?
One way to avoid it is to treat all cameras as live cameras, or as my grandad said if you can't do the time don't do the crime!
Don't worry I will now! I do over 50,000 miles a year in car and bike and the law of averages is against me. Having said that most people agree 80 is the new 70 when it comes to motorway driving, even the police! Might move to Germany lol
The 70 limit was enforced when it was dangerous and scary to go over in the cars and bikes of that time but modern cars and bike are only getting warmed up at 70 it's time the law was brought up to date with the vehicles we drive! Cars and bikes have never been safer but saying that drivers fannying about with their satnavs, in car menus and entertainment and let's not forget mobile's! And bikes with all the latest electronics and switch gear and menus Probably makes them even more dangerous than the older one! Last year I watched a HP4 rider almost go off road trying to adjust something at speed! Plumes of dust from roadside and clipping the kerd all at 70-80mph one lucky MoFo! Maybe we should leave things as they are Manufacturers should be responsible also for making sure certain things can't be adjusted on the move! So there less distractions and more concentration on driving and riding! I think that should be equally targeted rather than just speeding
Force everyone to be safe. No Cream cakes, sweets, speeding, chips, climbing, cycling, swimming, running, ping pong. that should solve the danger problem, and people getting hurt. PS. Ho hang on we can't forget war, politicians could ban that. Naa they need a world stage, and there 'place in history' Mike.
These Have been live for a long time and I use them often keep it under 80 on the speedo and never a issue. But I know people getting done for 79MPH + No matter if it's 8AM or 3am big brother is out there to get your cash for being a horrid person and speeding by a limit set when there was no ABS, crash structures etc yes I hate this part of the M4/5 now
I'm impressed you can speed there. I came through there last week and spent more frigging time in neutral than in gear.
And to think I was given a NIP for the stretch of the M4 eastbound between the M5 and M32 for 115mph over a measured 1/4 mile, and they had to abandon me at 125mph because they had a prisoner in the back. Wouldn't get away on the basis if a paperwork error these days And no I didn't see them behind me
Can those NPRs' read a numberplate that's been installed upside down and is there anything in the rules that says you mustn't do it?
If it is considered that the installation was done to deceive or avoid detection, then it become a potential criminal offence of attempting to perverse the course of justice which can carry a custodial sentence, but is a criminal record anyway. This is similar to those who have been done for using flip up plates. But, in any case, if all you have done is turn the plate 180 degrees, then it does not stop the plate being read.
