General speeding questions amongst others
Discussion
Hi
Was traveling back from a trip to Birmingham (motorway) traveling at around 80-85 which i thought was a reasonable speed and went though a camera yet got flashed it was different than the usual cameras in that it had the usual white lines then a gap then another set a few yards later. I got caught out by the seccond set i think.
I'm thinking after seeing a 50 sign a few miles back it may have been set accordingly but it was 01:30 and the third lane was empty for as far as the eye could see. It was also an unlit stretch and there was no sign warning of cameras.
Are these 2 seperate cameras and what are the chances of me getting a NIP.
Someone here mentioned that motorway traps are set at 80 surely if residential 30's are at 39 why wouldn't motorway speeders be allowed the same % increase.
Also has anyone noticed how they are now using the same sign but are now refering to them as safety cameras. hmmmmm.
Also is it acceptable to use the fog lights (3series) on unlit dark stretches as i noticed other drivers giving me flashes from the other side for doing it.
Was traveling back from a trip to Birmingham (motorway) traveling at around 80-85 which i thought was a reasonable speed and went though a camera yet got flashed it was different than the usual cameras in that it had the usual white lines then a gap then another set a few yards later. I got caught out by the seccond set i think.
I'm thinking after seeing a 50 sign a few miles back it may have been set accordingly but it was 01:30 and the third lane was empty for as far as the eye could see. It was also an unlit stretch and there was no sign warning of cameras.
Are these 2 seperate cameras and what are the chances of me getting a NIP.
Someone here mentioned that motorway traps are set at 80 surely if residential 30's are at 39 why wouldn't motorway speeders be allowed the same % increase.
Also has anyone noticed how they are now using the same sign but are now refering to them as safety cameras. hmmmmm.
Also is it acceptable to use the fog lights (3series) on unlit dark stretches as i noticed other drivers giving me flashes from the other side for doing it.
Where on the M6? If it was in the road works - there are loads of them from Crewe down to Birmingham - then its very likely it was a 50 limit. (so 80mph would easily trigger)
Its not a good idea to use your main beam as it can dazzle oncoming cars and cause an accident - however if there is not enough light to see safely ahead then you should re-assess the situation to make sure you are safe, mainly your speed.
Its not a good idea to use your main beam as it can dazzle oncoming cars and cause an accident - however if there is not enough light to see safely ahead then you should re-assess the situation to make sure you are safe, mainly your speed.
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Also is it acceptable to use the fog lights (3series) on unlit dark stretches as i noticed other drivers giving me flashes from the other side for doing it.
They were probably trying to tell you it's not acceptable.
Legally fog lights may only be used with dipped beam, driving lights only with main beam. Also fog lights may only be used during times of reduced visiblility through rain/fog/snow. End of story!
- if you really need some extra light now and again, use the full beam...Most speed Cameras in most restricted roads i.e. 30 mph are set at 36mph to trigger them. Your speedo only has to be within 10% accuracy and therefore you are effectively being given 20% at 36 mph.
Driving with fog lamps on in conditions where it is not seriously reduced visibility is an offence. That is why you are being flashed!
Driving with fog lamps on in conditions where it is not seriously reduced visibility is an offence. That is why you are being flashed!
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Are front fog lights supposed to be the same intensity/alignment as dipped beam? ie - you have more light rather than brighter light?
No, a fog light diffuses the light emitted rather than having a beam. Driving lights are a beam and can be directed anywhere within reason, as they can only be used with main beam.
madcop - about speedo accuracy - correct me if I'm wrong but I believe it is illegal for the speedo to under report speed to any degree at all. The 10% figure thus determines how much it legal for a speedo to over report your speed.
Hence the policy of setting gatsos, speedchecks and so on above the limit is never anything to do with 'allowing for speedo error'.
Hence the policy of setting gatsos, speedchecks and so on above the limit is never anything to do with 'allowing for speedo error'.
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madcop - about speedo accuracy - correct me if I'm wrong but I believe it is illegal for the speedo to under report speed to any degree at all. The 10% figure thus determines how much it legal for a speedo to over report your speed.
Hence the policy of setting gatsos, speedchecks and so on above the limit is never anything to do with 'allowing for speedo error'.
Where speedo error is concerned, all that is required is that it is within 10% accuracy. There is no requirement for it to be accurate above but not below.
Setting of GATSO limits is everything to do with the accuracy of the speedo otherwise they would be set at the posted limits I would imagine.
In my experience, most speedos that are not calibrated do actually over-estimate speed but usually only at the top end of the scale. Therefore 30's, 40's, 50's, are pretty much spot on. Upwards of 90 is where they start to get a little unreliable. When travelling at 120 mph on a standard fitted speedo it is not inconceivable that the actual speed is around 110 mph.
I have in the past done calibration checks on panda cars that have been used to report motorists for excess speed and are not fitted with calibrated speedos. These were in some cases as much as 7 or 8 mph over estimating but still within the 10% limit in the 90's.
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Where speedo error is concerned, all that is required is that it is within 10% accuracy. There is no requirement for it to be accurate above but not below.
I can tell you where this comes from. In the SVA the vehicle must read within 10% over but NOT under at all. So the common trick is to set your speedo to read 32mph at 30mph so that you don't get caught out with a variance of meters. This is probably where this rumour bombjack has heard about comes from. Hope that helps.
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At an indicated 80mph most cars that I have tested are actualy doing in the region of 76 - 78 mph.
Seen speedos indicating 145 mph when true speed has been more like 125mph.
I can believe that. At an indicted 150mph (on an autobahn), I had plenty of revs left & was still accelerating, which I found curious as the car's supposed to top out at 155 (not elctronically limited). I'd be interested to try with some form of more accurate comparison (GPS, maybe?) to see just how far out my speedo is at any given point in the range...
Any suggestions?
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I can believe that. At an indicted 150mph (on an autobahn), I had plenty of revs left & was still accelerating, which I found curious as the car's supposed to top out at 155 (not elctronically limited). I'd be interested to try with some form of more accurate comparison (GPS, maybe?) to see just how far out my speedo is at any given point in the range...
Any suggestions?
How about M4 this Saturday? I will arrange for a very accurate reading if you like!
I'd be interested to try with some form of more accurate comparison (GPS, maybe?) to see just how far out my speedo is at any given point in the range...
Any suggestions?
If it's good enough for the cops, try IRS in Nottingham who certify most traffic cars. Cheaper option is to use an ex-cop car, which will still be certified. I've done it for several friends. They accelerate to a pre-arranged speed displaying in their car, I maintain a steady distance behind and give a true reading. The discepancies quoted are not unrealistic. Can't vouch for 20mph difference, then again can't really admit 140+ mph, but 10+ is surprisingly common.
Any suggestions?
If it's good enough for the cops, try IRS in Nottingham who certify most traffic cars. Cheaper option is to use an ex-cop car, which will still be certified. I've done it for several friends. They accelerate to a pre-arranged speed displaying in their car, I maintain a steady distance behind and give a true reading. The discepancies quoted are not unrealistic. Can't vouch for 20mph difference, then again can't really admit 140+ mph, but 10+ is surprisingly common.
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