M4 newport Matrix signs and legal limit
Discussion
Hi
been out and about today, came through the M42 controlled section with the matrix signs showing 60 with a red circle round the numbers - just like a normal speed limit sign. So i guess enforcable ........
Came through Newport a little later and the new matrix signs in the controlled section through newport are just white numbers - 40 in this instance, with no red circle surround.
So I guess the posted limit applies i.e 50mph.
Question is - are the new signs in newport devoid of any red circles ?? or are they to be switched on after the average speed controls and posted 50 limit are removed ?
been out and about today, came through the M42 controlled section with the matrix signs showing 60 with a red circle round the numbers - just like a normal speed limit sign. So i guess enforcable ........
Came through Newport a little later and the new matrix signs in the controlled section through newport are just white numbers - 40 in this instance, with no red circle surround.
So I guess the posted limit applies i.e 50mph.
Question is - are the new signs in newport devoid of any red circles ?? or are they to be switched on after the average speed controls and posted 50 limit are removed ?
taken from argus website :
M4 speed cameras hailed a success
11:50am Thursday 9th December 2010
Print Email Share By Jessica Best »
MORE than 6,500 drivers were caught speeding on the M4 around Newport over the past year.
Figures from the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership show 6,547 people were caught speeding through the 50mph limit that stretches between junction 24 at the Coldra and junction 28 at Tredegar Park between September 2009 and September 2010.
The partnership said the temporary average speed cameras installed last year to slow traffic while work is carried out on the central reservation had reduced motorists’ average speed to 49.4 mph, but top speeds of 95 mph were also recorded.
Of the 6,547 notices of intended prosecution issued to drivers, 2,321 have already paid a £60 fine and received three penalty points on their licence.
Speed awareness courses were offered to 1,112 drivers and 660 drivers who drove 26 mph or more above the 50mph limit or failed to nominate the driver of the car were referred to court.
753 offences were cancelled, such as those involving emergency vehicles, and 1,701 are still ongoing.
The Argus reported last November how 100 drivers were caught by the £1.1 million mobile speed camera system in the first month after it was installed.
A partnership spokesman welcomed the latest figures, and said the 6,547 speeding divers represented a “tiny fraction” of the 100,000 vehicles that pass through that stretch of the M4 every day.
An Assembly spokesman described the latest statistics as 'particularly pleasing', and said it expected the average speed cameras to be removed by next summer, once the roadworks are finished and a variable speed limit has been introduced.
The RAC said it was also encouraged to see the majority of people complying with the speed limit, and emphasised that it is being enforced with good reason.
EDITORIAL COMMENT: Slow progress
IN the year since an average 50mph limit was introduced on part of the M4 in Newport more than 6,500 motorists have been caught speeding.
That sounds quite a lot but in fact represents only a tiny fraction of the number of vehicles using this stretch of motorway, meaning the majority of us are sticking to the rules, however unpopular they may be.
The limit was introduced in the interests of road safety to slow traffic while work is carried out on the central reservation.
Although, as the limit is still in place when there is patently no work being carried out, it is also often argued that the system is also being used as a way of raising money.
And there is still a lot of frustration out there that even when the carriageway is deserted motorway speeds are still classed as out of order.
Work is to be complete over the next few months.
Let's hope that the M4 around Newport can then revert to being a motorway and not a crawler lane.
M4 speed cameras hailed a success
11:50am Thursday 9th December 2010
Print Email Share By Jessica Best »
MORE than 6,500 drivers were caught speeding on the M4 around Newport over the past year.
Figures from the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership show 6,547 people were caught speeding through the 50mph limit that stretches between junction 24 at the Coldra and junction 28 at Tredegar Park between September 2009 and September 2010.
The partnership said the temporary average speed cameras installed last year to slow traffic while work is carried out on the central reservation had reduced motorists’ average speed to 49.4 mph, but top speeds of 95 mph were also recorded.
Of the 6,547 notices of intended prosecution issued to drivers, 2,321 have already paid a £60 fine and received three penalty points on their licence.
Speed awareness courses were offered to 1,112 drivers and 660 drivers who drove 26 mph or more above the 50mph limit or failed to nominate the driver of the car were referred to court.
753 offences were cancelled, such as those involving emergency vehicles, and 1,701 are still ongoing.
The Argus reported last November how 100 drivers were caught by the £1.1 million mobile speed camera system in the first month after it was installed.
A partnership spokesman welcomed the latest figures, and said the 6,547 speeding divers represented a “tiny fraction” of the 100,000 vehicles that pass through that stretch of the M4 every day.
An Assembly spokesman described the latest statistics as 'particularly pleasing', and said it expected the average speed cameras to be removed by next summer, once the roadworks are finished and a variable speed limit has been introduced.
The RAC said it was also encouraged to see the majority of people complying with the speed limit, and emphasised that it is being enforced with good reason.
EDITORIAL COMMENT: Slow progress
IN the year since an average 50mph limit was introduced on part of the M4 in Newport more than 6,500 motorists have been caught speeding.
That sounds quite a lot but in fact represents only a tiny fraction of the number of vehicles using this stretch of motorway, meaning the majority of us are sticking to the rules, however unpopular they may be.
The limit was introduced in the interests of road safety to slow traffic while work is carried out on the central reservation.
Although, as the limit is still in place when there is patently no work being carried out, it is also often argued that the system is also being used as a way of raising money.
And there is still a lot of frustration out there that even when the carriageway is deserted motorway speeds are still classed as out of order.
Work is to be complete over the next few months.
Let's hope that the M4 around Newport can then revert to being a motorway and not a crawler lane.
I can fully understand and appriciate there being a speed restriction on a given road where there is a likelyhood of injury to those like workermen or women and they state that the average speed cameras were introduced whilst the roadworks were taking place.
I have travelled that stretch on numerous occasions whereupon there has been to roadworks.
I agree its a busy stretch of motorway largely because the residents and visitors to Newport use it as a ring road because of the rubbish roads around the Town. The Authorities need to address the issues to free up the motorway.
Then they may consider letting the motorway flow to normal and national speed limits instead of raking in the cash generated by such speed detection devices and allowing the freedom of movement on the road.
I have travelled that stretch on numerous occasions whereupon there has been to roadworks.
I agree its a busy stretch of motorway largely because the residents and visitors to Newport use it as a ring road because of the rubbish roads around the Town. The Authorities need to address the issues to free up the motorway.
Then they may consider letting the motorway flow to normal and national speed limits instead of raking in the cash generated by such speed detection devices and allowing the freedom of movement on the road.
I am a bit concerned. I think the assembly has a bit of control over the setting of limits and have gone elf n safety mad. I can drive from one end of the country to the other in crap weather but as soon as I get to the M4 the signs are on. A cow farts across the channel they put the signs on for 50. Slightly hazy they put the signs on for 50. I hope they are not going to be used for that.
If a speed is indicated without a red circular border then it is advisory only and you cannot be prosecuted for exceeding it unless you exceed the otherwise mandatory speed limit or a police officer uses your speed as a reason to charge you with a more serious offence (doing 70 in freezing fog on a motorway when everybody else was doing 30 and there was an advisory of 40 for example - although the advisory probably wouldn't come into it).
As soon as the round red border is applied then it becomes mandatory and it is an offence to exceed it.
That's my understanding.
As soon as the round red border is applied then it becomes mandatory and it is an offence to exceed it.
That's my understanding.
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