Safe Speed Forums

Hey guys,

I have just come on the way back from work to be flashed by a speed camera just a few hundred yards from where I live. The thing is this, I was driving at around 26mph. Why would I have been flashed?

I'm sure I have seen that camera flash people when they are on the other side of the road, it is a gatso camera. I was just past half way down the measurement track when it flashed.

If I get a letter from the local police with a fixed penalty notice, what options am I given if I was doing 26mph or if somebody on the other side of the road set it off?

I am just curious, as I am 18 years old and have only been driving for 18months so I have 6 maximum penalty points and my insurance will go sky high.

Thanks for those who reply.
Dan.

Hi Dan.



Did it flash twice at you? I think perhaps I read on another site they sometimes flash if no film in them - but am sure someone will be along to explain this in more details with some links. (We just have the one here and as far as I know - they are set to a certain threshold and have to give two photos to confirm your speed.

Take a google at Speed Traps Bible


http://www.speed-trap.co.uk/Accused_Hom ... s_Home.htm

for a run down as to what speed traps look like and how they are supposed to work. There are a few other sites as well.

If you do get anything in the post - and I doubt this would happen if you were at 26 mph - then check out the pepipoo site for advice for the next step and see if you can get a look at the photos.

_________________
Take with a chuckle or a grain of salt
Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight (P Diller).

A Smiley Per post
FINES USfor our COAST!

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.

Hi, thanks for the reply.

Yes it did flash twice. Very strange, and I'm quite worried that I might be left hanging on to my last three points for the next six months, but I was definately travelling under 30, as I generally go about 25 on speed cameras because to be quite honest I don't always trust them.

Very wise. :





If you were at this speed then I don't think you need worry too much. Despite all the bad publicity - I'd like to think those looking at these photos are fair and square.

Could be a blip - but if you have any doubts - then you have the right to ask and I would look at the pepipoo site for a means to query without "putting a back up" at this point.

If you can afford one or if you Dad can be tugged (my kids do "tug" me and I am far too soft with them perhaps. ) - then do look at a "useful gadget" in Halfords and then check out Steve Warren's site, e-bay and the manufacturer to see if you can get it much cheaper.

RA/ origin and so on are very useful. Go take a browse at Auto Express they had some really good reviews at useful gadgets at affordable budget prices too. Wel below the RA/origins and per the reviews - they deliver .. legally

_________________
Take with a chuckle or a grain of salt
Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight (P Diller).

A Smiley Per post
FINES USfor our COAST!

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.

PS - try not to worry too mucb.

I do have a son and daughter a bit older than you and two others a bit younger.

Am well aware of the insurance problem affecting youngsters as well. Perhaps you may consider checking out the IAM to ensure your progress and development.

_________________
Take with a chuckle or a grain of salt
Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight (P Diller).

A Smiley Per post
FINES USfor our COAST!

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.

I was very much thinking of it, I took the pass plus to prove my driving was better than those who simply drive fast everywhere with no care in the world. I was under the impression that I have to be contacted within two weeks of something like that happening, so in theory if I recieve nothing up to then, then I should be OK?

Dan

If you hear nothing within 14 days - assuredly in the clear and very much OK.

Try not to worry too much and apply COAST to your driving

You are new - there is a link to my big post on this in the past I am sure johnsher or Paul will point you in the ruight direction


C = Concentration/Courtesy/Consideration

O - Observation. Check out smell, reflections in windows and road markings


A= Anticipation. Based on all yout observations - you get a "feel" of what numpty ahead might just do.,..

S - Space ... increase your space and distance. Adjust your speed as this all give you

T= Time to react.. tiem to plan the journey.. your 2 second at least rule and so on...

when overtaking ensure you see person you overtook in rear mirror .. this is your margin a=of at least 2 seconds....

I have placed more meat on this over the past two years since joining - so please look through the archives and peruse the "Improve Driving" forum as I posted up my own notes from my Hendon course to help folks out.

_________________
Take with a chuckle or a grain of salt
Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight (P Diller).

A Smiley Per post
FINES USfor our COAST!

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.

OK thanks for the help up to now, I will keep you posted. Nice to have advice from an officer and not just anybody.

Cheers,
Dan.

Pleased to help Dan.

We are not dinosaurs feeding on driving licences. Honestly!


We like to see fair play and you come across as honest and a credit to your parents too..

Really hope everything turns out OK for you.

_________________
Take with a chuckle or a grain of salt
Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight (P Diller).

A Smiley Per post
FINES USfor our COAST!

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.

Dan, welcome !! Stick around In Gear's posts are often enlightening and educating, an example of what bib should be !

_________________
Gordon Brown saying I got the country into it's current economic mess so I'll get us out of it is the same as Bomber Harris nipping over to Dresden and offering to repair a few windows.

Chaos, panic and disorder - my work here is done.

http://www.wildcrafts.co.uk

Hi Dan, and welcome on here.
If you do get an NiP we on here will be able to tell you how to check your actual speed from the markings on the road, which are there as the accuracy check. The distance between the markings on the two photos will show the distance covered in the time between the two flashes, hence the actual speed can be calculated fairly accurately.
I really wouldn't worry too much about this if I were you, although the '6 points and you're out' for young drivers is a worry as I know from my 19 year-old grandson who has taken some advice and tuition from me and so-far has a clean licence. With cameras all over the place making no contribution to road safety no-one is immune from points. Just try to keep yopur licence clean until the 2 years is up and for as long as possible after that.
Good luck.

Hi Dan

Welcome and sorry to hear of your problem.

If you get a NIP then go to http://www.pepipoo.com/ for legal advice.

Ask for a copy of the evidence so you can check the validity of the allegation. If they refuse and you accept you were the driver then ask for it under the Data Protection Act. If they claim exemption from that then report back, as I had a ruling from the Information Commissioner's Office that they are not exempt from providing the evidence, even if you don’t take it to court.

Here's that COAST post.

Cheers for the help, Well I have the thread bookmarked so I will get back to you all on the matter, chances are it caught somebody on the other side somehow, but either way I will report back after a couple of weeks.

Hi Dan!



I am sure you'll be OK if at 26 mph and if there are two cars in the frame and they are not sure which trigged it.

As the guys have said - check out the pepipoo site for legal advice and UK Speed Trap Bible for knowing how these things work.

Try not to worry too much and do check out your local IAM to expand upon your developing skills.

It is a worry for youngsters as insurance premiums are way too high as it is. Add student debts and exam pressures on top .. and I fear worries mount. Check out the IAM - they teach you how to COAST properly and it does help. One of my own is 19 in August. He completed his IAM already and is fairly relaxed and steady as a result.

It's a relief to me and his mother to be honest .. because of his IAM - we managed to get a modestly small, but overall, decent deal on insuring him on our policies to drive our cars - and his own to build his own "no claims" record. As parents we feel we have done our best for him too.

Our next two (twins) will learn in July when they turn 17. We are already passing on all we know to them and getting them to check out potential hazards each drive. We are trying to educate to learn and enjoy developing skills and this is - we think - the best way forward.

Let us know how you get on and whatever happens - do stick around as 99% posters here do try to help share and discuss decent safety tips.

_________________
If you want to get to heaven - you have to raise a little hell!

Smilies are contagious
They are just like the flu
We use our smilies on YOU today
Now Good Causes are smiling too!

KEEP SMILING
It makes folk wonder just what you REALLY got up to last night!

Smily to penny.. penny to pound
safespeed prospers-smiles all round! !
But the real message? SMILE.. GO ON ! DO IT! and the world will smile with you!
Enjoy life! You only have the one bite at it.

Hey,

Well first of all, I'd like to thank you all for making more laid back over the past two weeks. I said I'd give you an update, and here it is.

Well, it was two weeks last Monday and I've heard nothing, so I think I am in the clear now

Cant type too much cos I am using my PDA, and it makes my arm ache, but I will be posting again!

Cheers,
Dan Ward.