Safe Speed Forums

As a newbie here I apologise if this topic has already been covered (couldn't see it when I searched?) or if I transgress any protocols with my first post.

Anyway, I'd appreciate a little reassurance if poss. please concerning a flash from a Gatso (safety camera - not red-light-jumper detection type) which was located on the kerbside of the opposite carriageway, i.e. facing me as I approached it. I can confirm that it was definitely a standard fixed Gatso - not Truvelo. As I approached it from the opposite direction/carriageway I was doing 42-ish in a 30 limit when it flashed in my face. I am sure that it was not triggered by any vehicles in the opposite lane.

The graduated markings were present on both sides of the road (with hashed lines separating the two lanes).

Ok, ok, I know I was an idiot (the missus has already given me sooooo much grief on the subject!) but I'm no boy-racer, the road was clear and straight, early Saturday afternoon, good conditions, no parked vehicles or pedestrians around and I was (honestly) driving carefully. Still, lesson learned and I have no excuse as I freely admit

My understanding from hours of Googling so far is that fixed Gatso's are not type-approved for forward facing use, i.e. that the evidence would be inadmissable. However, one or two 'pundits' indicate otherwise.

Does anybody have a definitive answer on this please as it is causing a fair bit of concern.

Many thanks.

Welcome to Safespeed.

If you're 100% sure it was a bog-standard Gatso facing you, then you are absolutely 100% fine as far as I am aware. Anyone care to back me up?

[Conspiracy theory mode]They say that the camera partnerships often set them to go off at facing traffic to put the willies up drivers, I've had this happen in Brighton once.[/conspiracy theory mode]

Thanks for the welcome and the quick reply John.

- Yes I'm sure about the camera type (unless they've started disguising other types in a standard Gatso box - heaven help us ).

As far as the conspiracy theory goes, if that was their intention it has had the desired effect - I'm thinking of hiring a little old lady to walk in front of me with a red flag attached to her zimmer-frame!

It is the only time I've experienced any bother with a camera as I do make an effort to stick to the limit these days, so as well as temporarily blinding me in one eye, it was a bit of a nerve-jangler to say the least.

Hope you are right - either way though I'll post an update here in a month (allowing for bank-hols + 14 days + a bit) as to whether or not I hear anything.

All the best

Yeah, I bet you feel a whole lot safer, crawling about with one eye permanently trained on the dashboard, lol.

Well, a period of over 1 month has now elapsed since my brief interlude of surplus-velocity-induced guilt and paranoia and 'twould appear that the high priests and acolytes of the great God of Gatso have chosen not to smite me on this occasion with a NIP in the rear-end

So, planning to strip down the gearbox and sell gears 2-5 on fleabay cos, suitably chastened , in future I shall only be using 1st and reverse

- exits singing 'ohhhh ...you gotta pick a sprocket or two...

While running on sunny Southends sea front I often see there Gatso's flashing on coming traffic.