M1 - so called smart motorway

[sunshineandcake]

Hello,

I would welcome your views on the so called smart motorway known as the M1. I have this evening received a second notice of intended prosecution. Apparently I was doing 68 when the limit was 60.

Last year I received my first 3 points for doing 54 on the M1 again when apparently the limits was 40.

I am going through menopause and have fog brain. With the wretched speed changing so frequently, I can’t keep up with it. Is it just me? Or is anyone else experiencing this?

I am in my 50’s and a careful driver. I feel upset and angry at this fraudulently money making scheme as I see it. My car insurance will go up again with more penalty points.

I see maniacs on the M1 who know where the cameras are and get away with dangerous driving. Why not clamp down on them?

I would welcome your views/experiences of the M1.

You can’t miss the signs!

With the gantry speed limits, you need to be at that speed before you pass underneath the gantry. If you’re still slowing down as you pass underneath, you are breaking the speed limit. There are cameras on the back of the gantries. They will catch you.

OP, at this rate you'll lose your licence. Please see your GP.

I am going through menopause and have fog brain. With the wretched speed changing so frequently, I can’t keep up with it. Is it just me? Or is anyone else experiencing this?

I am in my 50’s and a careful driver. I feel upset and angry at this fraudulently money making scheme as I see it. My car insurance will go up again with more penalty points

Clearly you should not be driving if you cannot remember/understand the variable speed limits.

Lots of us in meno dont have an issue, and frankly I feel blaming it on meno fog is not acceptable. If you cannot keep up then you're a danger on the road.

No you are not

Two babies and menopause here trust me I’ve experienced it, but I’ve never used it as an excuse for breaking the law. So yes it’s crap?

OP, do you also hog the middle lane because it’s ‘safer’? If you can’t retain and stick to speed limits that are put in place for everyone’s safety, you shouldn’t be driving. Sorry if that’s not what you wanted to hear.

I had a speeding fine from a section of the M1 a few months ago that is a smart motorway and went from 50 to 40 then to 50 in succession. It was near home so I can only assume I was over confident on that part of the road and didn't watch the signs closely enough as I know the roads well. I opted for the motorway awareness course and actually it made sense why the limits change so much, and has definitely made me more conscious of keeping an eye on the signs.
Honestly OP, you dropped concentration and have received a ticket, that's all there is to it. The signs are clear.

Speed limits on motorways really could not be any clearer. Sorry you feel upset OP - that is likely to be down to your hormones too.

If your “brain fog” is so bad you can’t see a row of lit up signs and react accordingly or that 54 is less than 40 then you need to stop driving before your “brain fog” doesn’t see brake lights in front of you as someone slams in their breaks, or a small child running out into the road etc.

You may not like it, but you’re a danger to yourself and other road users.

Sorry but I agree that you should talk to your GP. It’s not hard to keep up with the signs. They’re very clear.

The cameras are normally mounted on a support post of a gantry (access, power) so you will literally have a speed limit sign in front of you as you pass the camera. Also most of the traffic will be keeping to the limit as regular road users know the speed limits are enforced. Do you need to get your Speedo checked?

I drive up and down the M1 all the time and the signs are very obvious. If your brain fog is that bad you shouldn't be driving

If your vain fog is that bad, you shouldn't be on the road!

How can this possibly be the signs fault @sunshineandcake?

Are you always this self aware?

Thank you for messages and invaluable support. What a great forum this is.

Sorry, but you've outed yourself as an unsafe driver, what did you expect? You're a danger to others.

Unreasonable anger is another early symptom of dementia.

The issue I had with it because it's AI operated not by a human it went from national speed limit to 40 between one gantry with no signs of traffic. I was slowing down when I saw it flash up but couldn't slam on so passed the gantry doing 48. Down from 70 in a very short space of time.

I got offered a course as haven't 'been caught' speeding before. The guy delivering it was a complete arsehole. I asked why the changes weren't gradual eg 70/60/50/40 and he said it wasn't appropriate to 'question the technology' complete dick. But it does infuriate me

That's not what my post was about.

If your brain fog is so bad that you can’t read road signs you need to stop driving.

this is the most ridiculous post I’ve read for a long time. Stop fucking speeding and you won’t get a ticket! I’m post menopausal driving over 45 years, never had a speeding ticket.

Wow. You certainly know how to encourage people to use this forum. Not.

there is no need for aggressive and rude replies.

thank you to the very few polite and understanding messages.

i shall simply speak to my friends next time for their opinions.

I don't think you can have it both ways:

• my brain fog prevents me from remembering the current speed limit
• I am capable of driving safely

Those two statements conflict.

They put the changing limits in for safety reasons, perhaps there is congestion or an accident ahead and they know that slowing down the traffic will help reduce that chances of an accident. You need to find a way of adapting to that, not campaigning against it.

Are you on HRT?

Also please stop speeding, please and thank you, and surrender your licence before you kill someone 🙏.

They’ll probably tell you they don’t want a lift.