Do Gantry Speed Cameras Always Produce a Ticket?

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:45 am

<thinly veiled shitting myself about getting another 3 points>

So, was doing about 42/43 no more in a 40 on a route I do at least once every day, I got distracted but I'm bang to rights.

What are the chances I am going to get away with it?

Are gantry cameras as officious as the yellow boxes?

theo · Post by **theo** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:47 am

Do you know it "flashed"? at that speed I'd be surprised if it got you.

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:51 am

It definitely flashed. Now I think I've been flashed for going through a red light.

I'm fecked.

Damm it.

rfurlong · Post by **rfurlong** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:53 am

you'll get away with it as the margin for error on the cameras is about +/- 10%

I have a similar question ....... if you get zapped by a handheld speed gun and don't get pulled over by the policeman holding it further up the road, does that mean A) you're off the hook as he's only after flagrant speeding or B) that poxy gun has wifi and is emailing me a ticket as we speak

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:53 am

If you were doing an indicated 42/43 is actually very unlikely you were doing more than 40 - car speedos tend to overead. Camera settings (and therefore police prosecution speeds) tend to be 10% + 2mph, so that would be a real world 46mph - this is not a hard and fast rule, but most police forces work to this.

If it flashed though then you should expect a letter, as you will have exceeded whatever setting they've placed on the camera.

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:54 am

What happens with a red light camera? Are you immediately prosecuted?

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:55 am

rfurlong wrote:you'll get away with it as the margin for error on the cameras is about +/- 10%

I have a similar question ....... if you get zapped by a handheld speed gun and don't get pulled over by the policeman holding it further up the road, does that mean A) you're off the hook as he's only after flagrant speeding or B) that poxy gun has wifi and is emailing me a ticket as we speak

Either/or. You'll just have to wait and see; NIP needs to be sent within 14 days

theo · Post by **theo** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:56 am

DAC2016 wrote:It definitely flashed. Now I think I've been flashed for going through a red light.

I'm fecked.

Damm it.

Stop posting on PR whilst driving then!

Benthos · Post by **Benthos** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:57 am

Defo been flashed 3 or 4 times without anything happening.
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No idea about speed cameras, though, just a random confession.

Really bad joke - I really have been zapped by a speed cam a few times without censure. Probably been done for speeding via those 6/7 times in my life, so can only assume that either I'm really lucky or they work ~2/3s of the time.

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:57 am

theo wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:It definitely flashed. Now I think I've been flashed for going through a red light.

I'm fecked.

Damm it.
Stop posting on PR whilst driving then!

To be totally honest, I was doing around 40, the lights changed but stopping felt more dangerous than carrying on due to the weather.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:59 am

DAC2016 wrote:What happens with a red light camera? Are you immediately prosecuted?

AFAIK a red light camera is an automatic NIP. However there's a decent chance you can get out of it if you can pull the old "I was sneezing at the time I reached the lights and couldn't see the red, your honour".

theo · Post by **theo** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:00 pm

DAC2016 wrote:
theo wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:It definitely flashed. Now I think I've been flashed for going through a red light.

I'm fecked.

Damm it.
Stop posting on PR whilst driving then!
To be totally honest, I was doing around 40, the lights changed but stopping felt more dangerous than carrying on due to the weather.

They might question why you were driving at the top allowable speed given the weather too.....

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:00 pm

Saint wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:What happens with a red light camera? Are you immediately prosecuted?
AFAIK a red light camera is an automatic NIP. However there's a decent chance you can get out of it if you can pull the old "I was sneezing at the time I reached the lights and couldn't see the red, your honour".

Ah well, at least I know, thanks.

rfurlong · Post by **rfurlong** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:00 pm

Saint wrote:
rfurlong wrote:you'll get away with it as the margin for error on the cameras is about +/- 10%

I have a similar question ....... if you get zapped by a handheld speed gun and don't get pulled over by the policeman holding it further up the road, does that mean A) you're off the hook as he's only after flagrant speeding or B) that poxy gun has wifi and is emailing me a ticket as we speak
Either/or. You'll just have to wait and see; NIP needs to be sent within 14 days

ah bollix

sneaky fookers in the dip under UCD flyover zapped me very early in the morning with not another car on that stretch of the N11 dual carriageway (which is also Irelands safest road probably) ...... meanwhile 16 yr old lads all over donegal are doing donuts on boreens with no insurance. Talk about shooting fish in a barrel instead of going out and tackling proper dangerous drivers on seriously shit rural roads

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:01 pm

theo wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:
theo wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:It definitely flashed. Now I think I've been flashed for going through a red light.

I'm fecked.

Damm it.
Stop posting on PR whilst driving then!
To be totally honest, I was doing around 40, the lights changed but stopping felt more dangerous than carrying on due to the weather.
They might question why you were driving at the top allowable speed given the weather too.....

Very valid point may I add.

dr dre2 · Post by **dr dre2** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:01 pm

DAC2016 wrote:<thinly veiled shitting myself about getting another 3 points>

So, was doing about 42/43 no more in a 40 on a route I do at least once every day, I got distracted but I'm bang to rights.

What are the chances I am going to get away with it?

Are gantry cameras as officious as the yellow boxes?

They say there is a tolerance of 10% +2mph so 47 would set it off. May be bollox but I've heard it a lot.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:02 pm

DAC2016 wrote:
theo wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:It definitely flashed. Now I think I've been flashed for going through a red light.

I'm fecked.

Damm it.
Stop posting on PR whilst driving then!
To be totally honest, I was doing around 40, the lights changed but stopping felt more dangerous than carrying on due to the weather.

Yeah, I wouldn't mention that as your defense. That would leave you open to driving without due care and attention, which has a potentially much higher penalty

Duff Paddy · Post by **Duff Paddy** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:02 pm

rfurlong wrote:you'll get away with it as the margin for error on the cameras is about +/- 10%

I have a similar question ....... if you get zapped by a handheld speed gun and don't get pulled over by the policeman holding it further up the road, does that mean A) you're off the hook as he's only after flagrant speeding or B) that poxy gun has wifi and is emailing me a ticket as we speak

It means you're clear - the handheld guards have to pull you over

hp18 · Post by **hp18** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:02 pm

DAC2016 wrote:
theo wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:It definitely flashed. Now I think I've been flashed for going through a red light.

I'm fecked.

Damm it.
Stop posting on PR whilst driving then!
To be totally honest, I was doing around 40, the lights changed but stopping felt more dangerous than carrying on due to the weather.

If you couldn't stop safely at a red then you were driving too fast. Enjoy your ticket.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:02 pm

rfurlong wrote:
Saint wrote:
rfurlong wrote:you'll get away with it as the margin for error on the cameras is about +/- 10%

I have a similar question ....... if you get zapped by a handheld speed gun and don't get pulled over by the policeman holding it further up the road, does that mean A) you're off the hook as he's only after flagrant speeding or B) that poxy gun has wifi and is emailing me a ticket as we speak
Either/or. You'll just have to wait and see; NIP needs to be sent within 14 days
ah bollix

sneaky fookers in the dip under UCD flyover zapped me very early in the morning with not another car on that stretch of the N11 dual carriageway (which is also Irelands safest road probably) ...... meanwhile 16 yr old lads all over donegal are doing donuts on boreens with no insurance. Talk about shooting fish in a barrel instead of going out and tackling proper dangerous drivers on seriously shit rural roads

Ah, sorry - not sure what the rules are in ireland

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:04 pm

hp18 wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:
theo wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:It definitely flashed. Now I think I've been flashed for going through a red light.

I'm fecked.

Damm it.
Stop posting on PR whilst driving then!
To be totally honest, I was doing around 40, the lights changed but stopping felt more dangerous than carrying on due to the weather.
If you couldn't stop safely at a red then you were driving too fast. Enjoy your ticket.

Yeah, I'm f**ked.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:05 pm

dr dre2 wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:<thinly veiled shitting myself about getting another 3 points>

So, was doing about 42/43 no more in a 40 on a route I do at least once every day, I got distracted but I'm bang to rights.

What are the chances I am going to get away with it?

Are gantry cameras as officious as the yellow boxes?
They say there is a tolerance of 10% +2mph so 47 would set it off. May be bollox but I've heard it a lot.

The law is the speed limit; some police forces actual enroced a zero tolerance approach, and I though that in Scotland they implemented something last winter as a trial as well. In general though it is 10%+2mph

earl the beaver · Post by **earl the beaver** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:09 pm

10% + 2 is for motorways as there is a fair bit of error in car speedos and occasionally on the cameras.

Outside of motorways and dual carriageways it's usually just 10% (as the +2 has so much of an impact) but police forces have their own ways of approaching it.

In my job we work with the police quite a lot to get data they collect and one of the forces is practically zero tolerance for enforcement.

Tim. · Post by **Tim.** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:09 pm

Similarly how many days after a 'flash' can you be reasonably sure you won't get a ticket?

They had shut the M3 and I was driving late through some complex diversion route last week. I was more looking out for the yellow diversion notices than the speed signs. Think I was flashed but it could have been really bright headlights from the side as I was going over a crossroads or ones from behind as the crossroads coincided with a dip in the road. Speed seemed ok but it's possible the 50 had dropped to 40 as it was a slightly more built up area in an unfamiliar town than the rest of that stretch.

No ticket yet...

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:11 pm

Tim. wrote:Similarly how many days after a 'flash' can you be reasonably sure you won't get a ticket?

They had shut the M3 and I was driving late through some complex diversion route last week. I was more looking out for the yellow diversion notices than the speed signs. Think I was flashed but it could have been really bright headlights from the side as I was going over a crossroads or ones from behind as the crossroads coincided with a dip in the road. Speed seemed ok but it's possible the 50 had dropped to 40 as it was a slightly more built up area in an unfamiliar town than the rest of that stretch.

No ticket yet...

You should receive your NIP before 14 days after the day after the offence.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:11 pm

Tim. wrote:Similarly how many days after a 'flash' can you be reasonably sure you won't get a ticket?

They had shut the M3 and I was driving late through some complex diversion route last week. I was more looking out for the yellow diversion notices than the speed signs. Think I was flashed but it could have been really bright headlights from the side as I was going over a crossroads or ones from behind as the crossroads coincided with a dip in the road. Speed seemed ok but it's possible the 50 had dropped to 40 as it was a slightly more built up area in an unfamiliar town than the rest of that stretch.

No ticket yet...

They have 14 days to send the NIP to the registered keeper of the vehicle. IIRC it has to be sent with the "reasonable expectation" that it will arrive inside the 14 day limit; i.e. they aren't responsible for a post office strike, but at the same time they can't post it on the 14th day as it would obviously arrive too late.

On the two occasions I've got an NIP they have both arrived inside 7 days

Tim. · Post by **Tim.** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:13 pm

DAC2016 wrote:
Tim. wrote:Similarly how many days after a 'flash' can you be reasonably sure you won't get a ticket?

They had shut the M3 and I was driving late through some complex diversion route last week. I was more looking out for the yellow diversion notices than the speed signs. Think I was flashed but it could have been really bright headlights from the side as I was going over a crossroads or ones from behind as the crossroads coincided with a dip in the road. Speed seemed ok but it's possible the 50 had dropped to 40 as it was a slightly more built up area in an unfamiliar town than the rest of that stretch.

No ticket yet...

You should receive your NIP before 14 days after the day after the offence.

Cheers to you and the Saintly one.

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:14 pm

There is no way of knowing if you've definitely been nicked is there? Just have to tough it out for 14 days

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:14 pm

DAC2016 wrote:There is no way of knowing if you've definitely been nicked is there? Just have to tough it out for 14 days

Yep

globus · Post by **globus** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:16 pm

DAC2016 wrote:There is no way of knowing if you've definitely been nicked is there? Just have to tough it out for 14 days

DAC. I know about these things. You may escape. You will have to wait.

Good luck.

fisgard792 · Post by **fisgard792** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:17 pm

apparently the tolerance is a myth

in the news last year, the chief plod in charge of the M1 around luton wanted to go full anal, and prosecute at 51 mph. not sure if he did it, but he could

also, i understand

average speed camera's take the number plate from the front, so motorcycles are okay

the camera is not great in rain as the diffraction caused by the rain, distorts the image

traffic camera's are not there for police funds, no sir

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:19 pm

globus wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:There is no way of knowing if you've definitely been nicked is there? Just have to tough it out for 14 days
DAC. I know about these things. You may escape. You will have to wait.

Good luck.

To be honest, I'm pretty much bang to rights I think.

Going through a bit of a rough time at the moment and I'm extremely distracted and got flashed by this on Tuesday.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -year.html

I've got to laugh, I've been caught by the most useless speed camera in the UK.

That's 6 points in 3 days.

Yeah, I'm fecked.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:20 pm

fisgard792 wrote:apparently the tolerance is a myth

in the news last year, the chief plod in charge of the M1 around luton wanted to go full anal, and prosecute at 51 mph. not sure if he did it, but he could

also, i understand

average speed camera's take the number plate from the front, so motorcycles are okay

the camera is not great in rain as the diffraction caused by the rain, distorts the image

traffic camera's are not there for police funds, no sir

Which is what I said

The simple fact is that most police forces work to guidelines that are 10%+2mph. In both my cases they even explained that guideline in the in the NIP, as they use it to then explain when they are more likely to offer a speed awareness course as opposed to 3 (or more) points.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:21 pm

DAC2016 wrote:
globus wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:There is no way of knowing if you've definitely been nicked is there? Just have to tough it out for 14 days
DAC. I know about these things. You may escape. You will have to wait.

Good luck.
To be honest, I'm pretty much bang to rights I think.

Going through a bit of a rough time at the moment and I'm extremely distracted and got flashed by this on Tuesday.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -year.html

I've got to laugh, I've been caught by the most useless speed camera in the UK.

That's 6 points in 3 days.

Yeah, I'm fecked.

You can survive 6 points in 3 days (unless you already have 6 on your license). Your premiums will go up a lot though

dr dre2 · Post by **dr dre2** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:23 pm

DAC2016 wrote:There is no way of knowing if you've definitely been nicked is there? Just have to tough it out for 14 days

Just wait. It's slightly different but I've successfully ignored a bus lane fine because they took longer than allowed to get it to me. Anecdotally the 10% +2mph seems to be right to me, there have been a few times when I've wondered it I've never been done. You'll also notice your satnav will show you doing around 3mph less than your speedometer. The speedometer is set with tolerance.with regard to the red light camera, did you enter the lights on orange but go past the exit lights on red? That's fine. I know you probably know that but lots of people are unsure.

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:23 pm

Looks like I'm going to have to choose the lesser offence of the speed camera (around 36 in a 30) and go to court to ask for a driving ban instead of points.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:24 pm

DAC2016 wrote:Looks like I'm going to have to choose the lesser offence of the speed camera (around 36 in a 30) and go to court to ask for a driving ban instead of points.

Why? Do you already have a load of points?

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:26 pm

dr dre2 wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:There is no way of knowing if you've definitely been nicked is there? Just have to tough it out for 14 days

did you enter the lights on orange but go past the exit lights on red? That's fine

Being utterly honest I think they went to red when I crossed the line. Nip and tuck but I think they were red. First I thought I was speeding and it was just a fraction over 40, now I've done some research it's definitely a lights camera

https://www.speedcamerasuk.com/database ... asg036.htm

DAC2016 · Post by **DAC2016** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:30 pm

Saint wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:Looks like I'm going to have to choose the lesser offence of the speed camera (around 36 in a 30) and go to court to ask for a driving ban instead of points.
Why? Do you already have a load of points?

Uhuh.

My only defence is that I do around 35,000 miles a year, which isn't really a defence.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:34 pm

DAC2016 wrote:
Saint wrote:
DAC2016 wrote:Looks like I'm going to have to choose the lesser offence of the speed camera (around 36 in a 30) and go to court to ask for a driving ban instead of points.
Why? Do you already have a load of points?
Uhuh.

My only defence is that I do around 35,000 miles a year, which isn't really a defence.

Hmmmmmmm

Not sure the driving ban is particularly a better choice for you.

TBH, you probably need some legal advice. There may be ways of keeping your license (essential to livelihood etc) in return for a huge fine and exorbitant insurance fees, but you'll almost certainly need a good solicitor to pull it off.

However, I'd definitely wait to see if they send you anything before worrying yourself to death over this