Where Do I Apply ...

[david63]

... for dispensation to exceed the speed limit on motorways, especially through roadworks?

It appears that everyone else has a special dispensation except me as nobody keeps to the speed limit any more.

[Stephen]

I know exactly what you mean David.

We were on the M25 Friday and Sunday and I'm thinking to myself while sticking to the 50mph speed limit 'am I missing something here, do other drivers know something I don't'.

Some are obviously doing far more than the 50 limit between the average speed cameras . They either couldn't give a t*ss or they have some magical device that tells them if the camera is working or not.

It does p*ss you off though watching them speed past while I am having to endure mile after mile of 50 mph monotony


Having found this link it's as I thought you can get devices to alert you of the cameras. Whether they also tell you if they are active or not I don't know, but it does make a mockery of the speed limit currently in force. But then I guess you can't blame people for having such devices when there is thirty miles of road works and cameras with only a half mile or less actually being worked on!
http://www.speedcamerasuk.com/specs.htm

[Dancing Queen]

Just follow them and do the same or did you and one of those nasty camera's picked you up

[Romig1]

... for dispensation to exceed the speed limit on motorways, especially through roadworks?

It appears that everyone else has a special dispensation except me as nobody keeps to the speed limit any more.

Don't be so sure.

There have been 50mph average speed limits on significant stretches of the M62 in W. Yorkshire for some time now, and it was reported last year that a huge number of people had been fined - leading to a nice bonus for the Treasury (I assume).

[Romig1]

I've just been following up in the local press about this story, and also found this article.

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yor ... as-6152759

I've suspected these gantry cameras in areas of variable speed-limits may be used to fine drivers at times of no restriction (ie National speed limit), but this apparently confirms it may be the case in future.

[qbman1]

... for dispensation to exceed the speed limit on motorways, especially through roadworks?

It appears that everyone else has a special dispensation except me as nobody keeps to the speed limit any more.

Don't be so sure.

There have been 50mph average speed limits on significant stretches of the M62 in W. Yorkshire for some time now, and it was reported last year that a huge number of people had been fined - leading to a nice bonus for the Treasury (I assume).

The cameras aren't there to make money, of course - or that's what was drummed into us at the speed awareness course I was "invited" to attend last year ! The fines fund the "re-education" of errant drivers such as me !!

[Silver_Shiney]

If I drove at the same speed as those who consider themselves exempt, knowing my luck it would be me who gets nicked!

Now that Bristol is a 20mph zone, it makes for interesting driving on a moped as the roads are in such a bad state of repair, and with car drivers to think they have right of way, it's simply not safe to keep glancing down at the speedo.

I remember hearing of Moshe Dyan (late Israeli defence minister) saying to a speed cop "I've only got one eye. What do you want me to watch, the road or the speedometer?"

[gilly88]

we have always assumed that the "speeders" were leaving the motorway before the next camera, thereby not getting their average speed measured.

[kaymar]

You have my permission, David. Go for it.

Let us know how you get on, though.

[Jan Rosser]

I've just driven up from South Wales to Billinge via M50/M5/M6 and there were loads of roadworks on the M6 but the majority of people were keeping to the 50 mph speed limit including me - got better things to spend my money on than speeding fines

[Stephen]

we have always assumed that the "speeders" were leaving the motorway before the next camera, thereby not getting their average speed measured.

Not always the case Gilly. I saw several slip roads with average speed cameras on them, no doubt picking up drivers who thought they had got away with it........snigger snigger

[Romig1]

we have always assumed that the "speeders" were leaving the motorway before the next camera, thereby not getting their average speed measured.

If you look carefully, it's rare to find any exits that don't have a camera in attendance. They usually site cameras at each entry/exit point to and from the limited area.

[Manoverboard]

Roaring along at 35 mph in the second lane will avoid getting a speeding fine ... just a thought.

[david63]

Roaring along at 35 mph in the second lane will avoid getting a speeding fine ... just a thought.

... but won't avoid getting booked for lane hogging

[Silver_Shiney]

what about dispensation from driving in fog without lights?

Don't these fools realise that you switch lights on, not so you can see but so you can be seen?

[oldbluefox]

At the weekend I did a couple of long journeys and was amazed by the number of coned-off areas on motorways and main roads, all with their accompanying speed limits. And rather than gather points and fines I stuck to them. What I found extremely irritating was that through most of these coned-off areas there was no work being done, and the cones went on for miles - miles of nothing so they left you wondering why. AS a consequence I can understand those who were overtaking me. On the odd occasion there were workmen and I understand the need to protect them but we seem to have gone cone-crazy.

I just wish I had invented them!!

[david63]

I have often thought that if the contractors were charged per mile/per day for having a road/motorway coned off whether it would help to focus their minds to get the job done quicker. After all there are 168 hours in a week and I would hazard a guess that they actually work on the road repairs no more than a third of that (and I am being generous with that)

[oldbluefox]

Whilst it is no excuse, if you are a businessman running late or on a tight schedule these (non) road works must be really irritating. I agree there should be a tight time limit during which the road can be cordoned off with an allowance for the roadworks to be completed and stiff fines for not starting on time.

[Dancing Queen]

And ...... have you noticed when there is someone working it's usually one doing the work and three others stood around chatting

[Delboy]

I know exactly what you mean David.

We were on the M25 Friday and Sunday and I'm thinking to myself while sticking to the 50mph speed limit 'am I missing something here, do other drivers know something I don't'.

Some are obviously doing far more than the 50 limit between the average speed cameras . They either couldn't give a t*ss or they have some magical device that tells them if the camera is working or not.

It does p*ss you off though watching them speed past while I am having to endure mile after mile of 50 mph monotony


Having found this link it's as I thought you can get devices to alert you of the cameras. Whether they also tell you if they are active or not I don't know, but it does make a mockery of the speed limit currently in force. But then I guess you can't blame people for having such devices when there is thirty miles of road works and cameras with only a half mile or less actually being worked on!
http://www.speedcamerasuk.com/specs.htm

Stephen

I have often wondered this especially on the M25, as you approach Heathrow there are a line of overhead signs at various intervals, often flashing a reduced speed limit, the other side of the signs is a speed camera and the road marked with the white lines.

I am driving along rigidly trying to to keep within those limits, and on the outside lane there are all these drivers flashing past me well above the speed limit shown, and like you I wonder how they can all be above the limit shown on not get a ticket in the post.

I know most Sat Navs alert you to where speed cameras are to be found, fixed or mobile camera's and will also alert you if are exceeding the speed limit in any area, but I don't know if they can tell you whether the cameras are operating or not.

On the Kent side of the M25, those average speed cameras are going to be there for a while yet.

[Ray B]

After a number of motorbike riders were killed on the A149 in Norfolk, average speed cameras were installed about 5 years ago, but the money ran out and only a few became up and running the rest just standing there. The thing as no one knows which part of the system is working and which part is not and so in all that time I have never seen a car overtake another in the 50 MPH control area , so one thing is sure , the sight of the caneras by the side of this road do seem to work.


Ray

[david63]

After a number of motorbike riders were killed on the A149 in Norfolk, average speed cameras were installed about 5 years ago, but the money ran out and only a few became up and running the rest just standing there. The thing as no one knows which part of the system is working and which part is not and so in all that time I have never seen a car overtake another in the 50 MPH control area , so one thing is sure , the sight of the caneras by the side of this road do seem to work.


Ray

I think that is the "norm" with most speed cameras - the majority of them are empty boxes and they keep moving the cameras from one to another

[Romig1]

Just a point.... front-facing cameras of the average speed type surely can't take the registration number of a motorcycle, can they?

[Stephen]

Just a point.... front-facing cameras of the average speed type surely can't take the registration number of a motorcycle, can they?

No Romig, they just shoot at the tyres. It tends to slow them down

[Dark Knight]

another major issue, is the self appointed speed police , who sit in the middle or outside lane at 48 mph, thinking they are being clever
thios more than anything causes hold ups in roadworks
if some smart a*se in a BMW or Audi wants to speed past...let em