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AIBU?

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Average Speed camera

160 replies

Mummy289 · 30/07/2023 10:02

So I have had my licence 10 years never speed, tbh see it as dangerous and don’t want to risk other people’s lives. Never been pulled over nothing ever.
Yesterday driving along a motor way, go around a roundabout the motor way has no speed signs, stupidly go by the sat nav (it’s a motor way so just assumed 70mph).
See i have passed an average speed camera as I turn in which is fine as doing 70 or under, halfway down the road there is a bloody 40mph sign, so I have slowed down to 40mph (this is half way up the road). Anyway turns out the whole road is 40mph just no sign 🙄, I’m not going to fight it as I don’t want to make it worse, and it’s miles from where I live to get a picture would be a pain. I did check it as I left so I know there was no sign. The cameras are working at the temples speed limit of 40mph. So I was doing 70mph (prob just under half the way) then 40mph just under half way the rest. So assuming averagely doing 56mph-58mph.
Seems I’m looking at 4-6points or even disqualification 🤷🏼‍♀️. First offence is there any chance of a course? I’m gutted as I never speed and it was a new area and if there had been a sign I would have stuck to it. I’m assuming it fell over although even on google maps there is no signs 🤦🏼‍♀️. Which was 2 months ago although was road work signs. Too busy talking to the kids. I’m clearly not going to try and get out of it, just really worried about the consequence tbh.

OP posts:
SerendipityJane · 30/07/2023 15:39

I was also using the sat nav

Which is no excuse. Quite a few roads around here have lower speed limits than the sat nav (google maps) thinks.

SgtPercyTwentyman · 30/07/2023 15:33

Mummy289 · 30/07/2023 10:02

So I have had my licence 10 years never speed, tbh see it as dangerous and don’t want to risk other people’s lives. Never been pulled over nothing ever.
Yesterday driving along a motor way, go around a roundabout the motor way has no speed signs, stupidly go by the sat nav (it’s a motor way so just assumed 70mph).
See i have passed an average speed camera as I turn in which is fine as doing 70 or under, halfway down the road there is a bloody 40mph sign, so I have slowed down to 40mph (this is half way up the road). Anyway turns out the whole road is 40mph just no sign 🙄, I’m not going to fight it as I don’t want to make it worse, and it’s miles from where I live to get a picture would be a pain. I did check it as I left so I know there was no sign. The cameras are working at the temples speed limit of 40mph. So I was doing 70mph (prob just under half the way) then 40mph just under half way the rest. So assuming averagely doing 56mph-58mph.
Seems I’m looking at 4-6points or even disqualification 🤷🏼‍♀️. First offence is there any chance of a course? I’m gutted as I never speed and it was a new area and if there had been a sign I would have stuck to it. I’m assuming it fell over although even on google maps there is no signs 🤦🏼‍♀️. Which was 2 months ago although was road work signs. Too busy talking to the kids. I’m clearly not going to try and get out of it, just really worried about the consequence tbh.

First offence, I say it's highly likely you'll be offered a course. If so take it. Apart from the obvious reasons, I learnt a lot from mine. It was basically a short advanced driving course and well worth the time I spent on it.

SgtPercyTwentyman · 30/07/2023 15:32

Ohdearwhatnow4 · 30/07/2023 10:04

Did the camera flash, when you went past? As not all cameras work are switched on.

Average speed cameras don't flash.

Mummy289 · 30/07/2023 15:29

Like I was also using the sat nav and had no idea what the roads were called, if I had know it was the same road but there had been a roundabout inbetween I would of thought about it a bit more. For me that went wrong and I clearly need to plan my route and go through it first and not stick it on the sat nav.

OP posts:
Mummy289 · 30/07/2023 15:27

@BIWI well I always take care and I knew I hadn’t seen a speed sign. But yes I didn’t put 2 and 2 together than there was road works and I was doing 40mph previously. However I’m always making sure I’m safe in the road. Like I knew there wasn’t a sign to say speed and also noticed the road work signs. I just hadn’t sat there and thought about it. But i would have noticed a child trying to cross as they would have been right there for example.

OP posts:
BIWI · 30/07/2023 15:19

Hopefully you won't get a ticket @Mummy289 - but you really do need to make sure you're paying proper attention when you're driving.

This jumped out at me from your OP:

Too busy talking to the kids

So 'driving without due care and attention' as well as speeding!

bookworm44 · 30/07/2023 15:04

Shade17 · 30/07/2023 14:41

Having just done a speed awareness course myself, it's only 70 on a dual carriageway if there's some kind of barrier in the middle.

By definition it has to be divided to make 2 carriageways, otherwise it’s a a single carriageway isn’t it? That divider can be as simple as a strip of grass though.

If the divider is only a strip of grass the speed limit isn't 70

Mummy289 · 30/07/2023 15:00

@CharlotteBog thank you, I actually feel I would rather a speed awarness course so I didn’t do this again. I’m just so anxious that I’m so far over it’s going to be lots of points or worse. Although I have never had any driving convictions.
my hubby did 4 years ago (his will be going and mine added on typical he was 40 doing 55 and got 3 points and no course although it was his first.

OP posts:
Mummy289 · 30/07/2023 14:56

@CharlotteBog so I didn’t notice the barrier but looking on google there was a barrier but they have took it down for the road works. Of course stupidly I have gone by the Tom Tom (which clearly still thought it was a dual carriage way) but I didn’t put 2 and 2 together with the roads works. So yes it’s my fault but I’m left a little frustrated with the lack of speed limit come off the round about as I don’t speed and now will get a lot of points and be way over the limit. Even with the barriers down I wouldn’t of known it was 40mph, even from the sign from before the round about I just assumed there would be a speed sign after the roundabout

OP posts:
SerendipityJane · 30/07/2023 14:54

Often people think this is a dual carriageway.

Anyone who thinks this and has a licence should surrender it immediately.

Mummy289 · 30/07/2023 14:53

@Motherhubbardscupboard thank you, I think I had been silly as did 40 before the roundabout then didn’t see a sign and did 70 till the 40 sign but I would of done 40 if I had seen a sign earlier but suppose I have learned a lesson. just hope it’s not to a big cost. I just don’t know the area. If there had been other cars on the road I would have just stayed the same speed of them I should imagine but as it was a free road I didn’t even think. 🤦🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
CharlotteBog · 30/07/2023 14:50

Shade17 · 30/07/2023 14:41

Having just done a speed awareness course myself, it's only 70 on a dual carriageway if there's some kind of barrier in the middle.

By definition it has to be divided to make 2 carriageways, otherwise it’s a a single carriageway isn’t it? That divider can be as simple as a strip of grass though.

I think confusion arises on road with 2 lanes of traffic going each way without any sort of physical barrier separating them. Often people think this is a dual carriageway.

Likewise a road with a single lane going each way but with a physical barrier down the middle; many people don't realise national speed limit applies (70 for dual carriageway).

OldTinHat · 30/07/2023 14:48

If the speed restriction signs were orange, then its an advisory. Red then it's the speed limit.

What colour were the signs through the average speed limit?

Soapyspuds · 30/07/2023 14:44

They will probably have calibrated to work out what your average should be given that the 40mph starts part of the way after the cameras. I doubt anything will come of this.

Shade17 · 30/07/2023 14:41

Having just done a speed awareness course myself, it's only 70 on a dual carriageway if there's some kind of barrier in the middle.

By definition it has to be divided to make 2 carriageways, otherwise it’s a a single carriageway isn’t it? That divider can be as simple as a strip of grass though.

Bromptotoo · 30/07/2023 14:38

Thelittleweasel · 30/07/2023 14:27

@Mummy289 please note the post from @Bromptotoo . If the notice is not sent within 14 days it will not be enforceable. If you are ticketed you will be called to court and can plead guilty by letter. If you have reasons that you want to put before the court it is in my opinion always best to go and appear.

Just to be clear it needs to be sent to the Keeper registered at DVLA within 14 days. If it's a company car, a hire car or for some other reason not registered at the home address of the person for whom it's a daily driver the Notice will go there. They can still name you as the driver and you can be NIP'd yourself.

The number of notices regarding civil parking infringements and Congestion or ULEZ charges that to bailiffs before the actual owner takes notice have to be seen to be believed.

A general public information notice to (a) check you've updated DVLA and (b) to open and check your mail should be on the TV every day.

SerendipityJane · 30/07/2023 14:36

VisionsOfSplendour · 30/07/2023 13:55

It is kind of obvious that average speed cameras are going to measure how long it takes you to travel between them 😀

I wouldn't bet my pension on that.

Shade17 · 30/07/2023 14:36

If you were done at 56-58mph then you’d be just outside the threshold for speed awareness course and it’d be a standard 3 point/£100 fine job. Don’t sweat it.

SerendipityJane · 30/07/2023 14:33

Popworld · 30/07/2023 13:52

Sounds terrible.

Just out of interest can you push past the set limit? Or would you need to turn it off first?

<shrug> I deal with it.

If you act as if you're kicking down, it releases the limiter. One of the least used features in the car.

Thelittleweasel · 30/07/2023 14:27

@Mummy289 please note the post from @Bromptotoo . If the notice is not sent within 14 days it will not be enforceable. If you are ticketed you will be called to court and can plead guilty by letter. If you have reasons that you want to put before the court it is in my opinion always best to go and appear.

ThingsgetbetterwithalittlebitofRazzmatazz · 30/07/2023 14:14

If it doesn't have a central reservation or barrier then it's not a dual carriageway, so I'm not sure what your point is?

CharlotteBog · 30/07/2023 14:14

bookworm44 · 30/07/2023 11:29

I think a speed awareness course would be a good idea for you. They teach you how you should know what speed you should be doing without relying on signs and how to differentiate between different roads. I found it all very helpful when i did mine a couple of weeks ago. It was at a conference centre, not online.

THIS.
Everything you're saying OP, about seeing the 40 sign then no more and then presuming this, that and the other will be clarified in a SA course.

I've been on 2 and they are very good. I hold my hand up to speeding and will never do so again. I was caught doing 60mph in a section of 50mpg duel carriageway at 1am, and reaching 35mph leaving a 30 into a 40.

Honestly though, these cameras must be making so much money. I have people tail gaiting, flashing lights and beeping when I go 30mph through road works on main roads, or 40 though motorway repairs or 50 on the traffic management stretches of the motorway.

ladyvimes · 30/07/2023 14:05

Only if it has a central reservation like a barrier. If it doesn’t have one it’s 60!

Quite worrying how many drivers don’t seem to know that…

Motherhubbardscupboard · 30/07/2023 14:03

Just re-ran it on Google maps and there are two average speed cameras. But no 40 sign until further up. Not sure what speed limit the road I came out was, on Google its 50 but they are temporary signs. So could gave been national speed limit. Either way the 40 signs needed to be earlier if they intend to catch people going faster than 40

VisionsOfSplendour · 30/07/2023 13:55

LadyLeo99 · 30/07/2023 13:49

Markings aren't needed for average speed cameras to work. Oh my goodness, so much misinformation in this comments section 🙄

It is kind of obvious that average speed cameras are going to measure how long it takes you to travel between them 😀