Speeding tickets on smart motorways

[TAFKARM]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37888207

 

Mine arrived for that Nottinghamshire stretch over the weekend.

[Rhett Turner - Black Country AO]

I think the trouble is they aren't that smart. Thankfully I don't have to use "smart motorways too often" I've twice had cause to use them recently and found them very frustrating. Both times they have been unusually quiet for the time of day but still have speed limits set that were low, meaning that it took real concentration to keep to the speed limit. If they were truly smart the limit would be higher or in one case not applied. 

I would bet that it's in situations like this that most of the tickets are applied, ie when a unjustified limit is in place.

 

 

Also when the motorway is busy and they want to be smart they should start to penalize drivers for going to slow, when busy they work by trying to keep everyone at the same speed and in the same lane, a few dawdling drivelers cause havoc at these times. 

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

Just used that stretch going past Nottingham yesterday. What I don;t know is when the unlimited sign is shown (as it was yesterday) do they still catch you if your going above say 77 ? Hope I don;t find out 

[tisme]

I think the trouble is they aren't that smart. Thankfully I don't have to use "smart motorways too often" I've twice had cause to use them recently and found them very frustrating. Both times they have been unusually quiet for the time of day but still have speed limits set that were low, meaning that it took real concentration to keep to the speed limit. If they were truly smart the limit would be higher or in one case not applied. 

I would bet that it's in situations like this that most of the tickets are applied, ie when a unjustified limit is in place.

 

 

Also when the motorway is busy and they want to be smart they should start to penalize drivers for going to slow, when busy they work by trying to keep everyone at the same speed and in the same lane, a few dawdling drivelers cause havoc at these times. 

 

 

Totally agree - the only time we use the motorways these days is well after peak rush-hour and you can guarantee that the speed limits are on - often as low as 40mph on the M1 from J13 downwards - no reason at all and mile after mile of an empty four lane motorway and we're all doing 40 

 

I'm sure they do it for the revenue or simply to annoy you or justify building the flipping things in the first place.

 

Trouble is they're totally unaccountable and will just use pathetic excuses as to why the limit lights are on

[TAFKARM]

Just used that stretch going past Nottingham yesterday. What I don;t know is when the unlimited sign is shown (as it was yesterday) do they still catch you if your going above say 77 ? Hope I don;t find out 

Mine was 60 in a 50, and seeing as I do 40k a year for work I tend to stick to the limit, so I think I got done between gantries.

[DonPeffers]

In a 60 zone on the A1 I've seen 30 mph signs, along with roadworks signs, and knew the real roadworks were about one mile ahead;  

 

you guessed it---there was a speed camera just after the temporary 30 sign, and it was reset to 30 from the original 60.

 

I'm all for keeping roadside workers safe but this one was just a money-spinner especially as there is a roundabout before the roadworks which obviously slows the traffic anyway.

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

Mine was 60 in a 50, and seeing as I do 40k a year for work I tend to stick to the limit, so I think I got done between gantries.

Thanks Russ, they always worry me and I like you see them as just a money raiser. It's the points that is the killer !!

[chris parkin]

I think on the hole they are a worth while thing to have and they have definitely made a difference to the Nottingham area for morning traffic. The real issue for me is the length of time it takes to complete this work. I travel around Sheffield daily and the work they are doing there has gone on for two years! This time is insignificant in comparison to the length of time taken on the Nottingham upgrade. It's a soul destroyer in the morning without having cruise control in my tin top.

[XTR2Turbo]

I think there are some fundamental issues with Smart motorways.  Part is their design, part is the way they are operated and part is the behaviour of motorists.

 

Sadly I feel this will result in a huge pile up / multi death accident.

 

For me the big issues are:

 

1) Smart motorways should not operate on uphill sections as you may not coast to a refuge

2) Red crosses seem to be ignored by many motorists .. the gantries should act as red light cameras giving instant points and fines if you go through a cross

3) The speed is often set at 50mph and lorries seem to want to travel 2 or 3 mph faster than many cars.  Perhaps lorries should be limited to the inside lane as aggressive driving from lorries seems the norm on the M1 sections

4) Poor quality speed setting in variable conditions.

[Kyle]

Just used that stretch going past Nottingham yesterday. What I don;t know is when the unlimited sign is shown (as it was yesterday) do they still catch you if your going above say 77 ? Hope I don;t find out

Most don't from experience. AFAIK they're only on when the speed is set below the 70mph or whatever. IMO all they do is bunch the traffic at and cause a nightmare or potential accidents. I'd love to see the accident that figures before and after for the area and be proven wrong though.

[Garry Bunn - Derby & Notts Joint AO]

Around j27 on the M1 there are a few HADECS 3 speed cameras mounted on the smart gantries. They are mounted about half way up and stick out the side around 1 1/2 m with 2 cameras. I am told they are active and that there are others on the smart stretches of motorway.

Just something else to be aware of.....

[dombanks]

I remember reading that the m62 past Leeds was getting people doing over 70. Essentially if the sign was showing a national speed limit white circle with a line through the cameras were live at 70 if the sign was blank, so off, then the cameras were also off.

I agree with the lorries also. Today in the m6 roadworks, average 50 cameras, there was a truck going crazy. Obviously 55ish he would flash lights and tail gate or undertake anything going at 50. My cruise was set at 55 ish and he left me standing

[stickymint]

http://www.speedcamerasuk.com/hadecs-3.htm

 

A good guide to read.

[Stuart]

When they first installed the ones on the M42 a colleague of mine didn't know what they were and speeded through the lot.  They gave him 3 points for every camera and banned him for 2 years.  Guess they probably still do that.

[Andrew O Byrne White - Ireland AO]

Most don't from experience. AFAIK they're only on when the speed is set below the 70mph or whatever. IMO all they do is bunch the traffic at and cause a nightmare or potential accidents. I'd love to see the accident that figures before and after for the area and be proven wrong though.

They usually don't although I have seen the odd occasion on the M42 and M6 where the cameras have been turned on at national speed limit. When it's like that it basically just flashes as every car goes past as everyone assumes they're off. I think they just do it every now and again to set an example.