Yikes - who got flashed by the speed camera?

aliferste · 19-11-2008, 08:15

Driving to pick up my wife from work - I cruised passed a speed camera - as soon as I got onto the white lines in the road - two flashes - looked at my speed and it was just nudging past the 30 mark - 31/32 tops. At the end of the white lines was a taxi, not sure how fast it was going.

It was a Gatso Speed Camera - any idea who it was that got flashed - me or the taxi?

**Kymmy** · 19-11-2008, 08:35

If it was a 30 zone then it wouldn't have been you. I think that most speed camera's in 30 zones are set to 40 with most set to 50.

Only solid way of telling is if you get a NIP through the post within 14 days

**Russ** · 19-11-2008, 08:38

Would have been the taxi - the gatso measures from you entering the white lines to you leaving then - a copper told me that once although I'm sure Derek will be able to confirm that for you.

**Kymmy** · 19-11-2008, 08:44

The white lines are just for a secondary speed confirmation (the camera takes two pictures and they use the white lines set a certain distance apart to measure distance travelled over time and hence get an accurate speed) mainly as the radar units within the system are not known for their 100% accuracy so it's handy to have a backup for prosecution purposes...

But yes if what you say is true I'd agree that it was the taxi

Charlie_Bubble · 19-11-2008, 09:36

Normally cameras are set to 10% + 3 or 4mph, so in a 30, that would be about 36-37mph. As already said by Kymmy, the radar measures your speed and takes 2 pictures a set time apart so that they can measure you visually against the white lines in case the accuracy of the radar is questioned. If you were going just above 30, I'd say it was probably the taxi accelerating a bit too early when he thought he was out of the camera zone.

**Derek** · 19-11-2008, 11:11

From what you've said I'd imagine it was the taxi that triggered the camera.

bmxbandit · 19-11-2008, 11:25

Seems unlikely it was you - in part also because many cars overestimate their speed slightly, but how much varies with speed. For instance, when my dial reads 30mph, radar and differential GPS reckon I'm actually about 27-28mph.

**Kymmy** · 19-11-2008, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmxbandit

Seems unlikely it was you - in part also because many cars overestimate their speed slightly, but how much varies with speed. For instance, when my dial reads 30mph, radar and differential GPS reckon I'm actually about 27-28mph.

I can confirm that my speedo over-reads by about 10%. In fact I think it's illegal for a manufacturer to do a speedo to under-read???

**Graham M** · 19-11-2008, 11:38

Most small cars will over-read by about 10% and it also depends on how well your tyres are pumped up apparently, but larger vehicles AND newer vehicles are generally more accurate

Gary L · 19-11-2008, 11:41

I was out yesterday driving along a stretch of road where the speeds change constantly.
on the 60 the car infront dropped to about 55. as soon as he hit the 40 sign he dropped right down to 30. 30 sign and we were doing 25. that's when I had enough and went around him.
when you consider that your speedo is out by around 3-4 miles, we were actually doing 60/51 - 40/26 - 30/21.

You can safely bet he's never had a speeding ticket in his life.

**Graham M** · 19-11-2008, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

I was out yesterday driving along a stretch of road where the speeds change constantly.
on the 60 the car infront dropped to about 55. as soon as he hit the 40 sign he dropped right down to 30. 30 sign and we were doing 25. that's when I had enough and went around him.
when you consider that your speedo is out by around 3-4 miles, we were actually doing 60/51 - 40/26 - 30/21.

Yep that irritates me too but sometimes when I'm in the same position it's better to be safe than sorry!

Quote:

You can safely bet he's never had a speeding ticket in his life.

And that's a bad thing is it?

**Derek** · 19-11-2008, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

You can safely bet he's never had a speeding ticket in his life.

Either that or he's on nine points...

bopdude · 19-11-2008, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

I can confirm that my speedo over-reads by about 10%. In fact I think it's illegal for a manufacturer to do a speedo to under-read???

I said more or less the same thing years ago

CF link

Gary L · 19-11-2008, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham M

Yep that irritates me too but sometimes when I'm in the same position it's better to be safe than sorry!

Safe than sorry?

Quote:

And that's a bad thing is it?

Why would I think that? I'm just going along with the topic of thread, and saying that at those speeds he'll never get a ticket.
another thing I notice happen is the car in the right hand lane going through the speed cams always slows down enough for me to overtake him or her in the left without either of us getting flashed.

---------- Post added at 11:52 ---------- Previous post was at 11:47 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

Either that or he's on nine points...

I'm not a perfect driver and occasionaly do speed, but the last 6 points I had expired about five years ago. so if I can do it so can he

**Graham M** · 19-11-2008, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

Safe than sorry?

IE less speed = safer in most situations

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

Why would I think that? I'm just going along with the topic of thread, and saying that at those speeds he'll never get a ticket.
another thing I notice happen is the car in the right hand lane going through the speed cams always slows down enough for me to overtake him or her enough for me to pass them in the left without either of us getting flashed.

Sorry I think I misinterpreted what you said