47 replies to this topic

[domdee]

I'm pretty sure the variables only catch you when they display a speed. i fly through at 90+ often because I'm a bad ass

[BronkoMini]

I don't have much to worry about as I only sit at 58mph on motorways and duel carriage ways as otherwise I would be deaf.

[Seba5tian]

Its because no-one believes a Mini goes that fast  ---- apart from us believers

 

Must be the case! I also got flashed early hours of the morning by a normal speed camera around Bristol a week later.. Again didn't get anything  Bet it would have been a different story in another car!

[robminibcy]

I must admit if used correctly the variable speed limits do improve traffic flow, yes there are a few who like to push in and weave about but on the whole most people do tend to take a bit of notice. However... I reckon 70% of the time there is no need! An perfect example was back in April when I was heading down to Cornwall on the m5. It was around 11am and the road was quiet and flowing just fine. As we enter Bristol the variable limit started and dropped to 60 so everyone is on the brakes as you pass the first gantry, a short distance later and with no change to traffic flow (if anything it had all bunched up) there is a single gantry showing 50 which everyone has to slow for and yet in the distance you can see the limit is 60 again!! If that's not a money maker I don't know what is!!

Edited by robminibcy, 10 October 2014 - 05:17 PM.

[MaxAndPaddy]

I must admit if used correctly the variable speed limits do improve traffic flow, yes there are a few who like to push in and weave about but on the whole most people do tend to take a bit of notice. However... I reckon 70% of the time there is no need! An perfect example was back in April when I was heading down to Cornwall on the m5. It was around 11am and the road was quiet and flowing just fine. As we enter Bristol the variable limit started and dropped to 60 so everyone is on the brakes as you pass the first gantry, a short distance later and with no change to traffic flow (if anything it had all bunched up) there is a single gantry showing 50 which everyone has to slow for and yet in the distance you can see the limit is 60 again!! If that's not a money maker I don't know what is!!

 

I don't have an issue with the variables most of the time, I remember the M42 before they brought it in and you would often spend a lot of the journey slamming the brakes on, grinding to a halt and then starting off again. Now its more of a persistent crawl along with occasional stops.  I'm not sure the overall journey time is much quicker but its better on the heart rate and tyre rubber.

 

Where I do get annoyed is where most of the time its at fifty and then they throw in one random 40, just to catch you out. Set the limit and then keep it consistent between the gantries.

[miniyellowmini]

 

Very unusual to ban someone for 90 mph in a 70 limit. Also unusual for it to come before a judge. It is usually a Magistrates Court when the speed is high enough for a summons to appear before a Magistrate to be issued, at which time a larger fine an/or a short ban is considered. I hope the following is a help.

 

I think the guy caught was made a bit of an example of .

 

The fact he stood up in court and said he didn't know the speed limit also shows a lack of attention or just ignorance to the highway code.

 

I know Stafford and some other counties have 0 tolerance to speeding. My dad was fined for doing 31 in a 30 zone past a speed camera in Stafford

 

I've seen the mobile camera van(s) out a lot around the Staffordshire area lately. Normally see at least one on a weekly basis.

[MaxAndPaddy]

I can confirm the cameras are definitely on

 

 

I can't complain, i wasn't paying enough attention, to prove that bad things come in threes

 

got a call from school to say my daughter had broken her finger

Backed car into lamppost at school breaking rear lights

Got speeding ticket after having left late to do the 6 hour drive to Exeter

 

thats the way life rolls.

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

How long did it take to come? Sorry to hear mate

[MaxAndPaddy]

about 3 days, been points free for a while now but not the end of the world, more annoyed with myself really but on a six hour trip its hard to keep focused and was just careless

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Very easily done. I think there should at least be a warning system where you get a warning to shake you up before any action is taken. Drivers that are passionate about driving would probably just need that 'We could catch you but we'll let you off this time' to respect the cameras even more.

 

How many points will you get?

[robminibcy]

6 points for doing 81!! That's very harsh, I thought they only convicted at 79? Or was this with a variable limit being displayed?

[Ben_O]

Ouch!

 

So what happens next?

 

It mentions 6 points, a fine and disqualification.

 

So what will they hit you with?

 

Ben

[Cooperman]

It'll be 3 points and £100 as a CoFP.

[Dan]

6 points for doing 81!! That's very harsh, I thought they only convicted at 79? Or was this with a variable limit being displayed?

81 was higher than 79 when I went to school!

The maximum penalty is what they apply if you force them to take you to court, plead innocent, ignore the warnings, fail to appear, and so on and so on showing no respect. If you take the fixed penalty, you will get less of a punishment as said. If you go to court, plead guilty, don't mess anyone around and have appropriate mitigation then you might get a different penalty altogether.

[robminibcy]

6 points for doing 81!! That's very harsh, I thought they only convicted at 79? Or was this with a variable limit being displayed?

81 was higher than 79 when I went to school!
The maximum penalty is what they apply if you force them to take you to court, plead innocent, ignore the warnings, fail to appear, and so on and so on showing no respect. If you take the fixed penalty, you will get less of a punishment as said. If you go to court, plead guilty, don't mess anyone around and have appropriate mitigation then you might get a different penalty altogether.

Ha ha, yes but seems strange that 2 miles an hour is the difference between innocence and 6 points, id have thought it would be 3 points max plus a fine. Don't really understand how it can be a 6 point offence even if that is a worst case scenario.