Safe Speed Forums

Hoping for some info on this one. Dropped someone off in Hampton today and on the way went through a Gatso at about 25mph (traffic permitting only that speed) and about 200yards later noticed a 30mph speed limit sign, which suggested it had been higher or lower previously. I drove back the same way I came and it turns out it is a 20mph section (with cameras facing both ways in same spot)... I hadn't noticed it was 20mph zone (totally unnecessary on the road in question) which is maybe unobservant but it was much clearer on return with warning sign showing 20mph and camera sign before returning camera.

My question is... do Gatsos work at 20mph? I thought that it was too slow and they weren't approved to catch at that speed? Am I just misinformed - if so, does anyone know of the camera in question (near here- cant remember exact section and isnt present on Google maps) and what it's catchment is set at?

Of all the speeds to be caught going I think 25mph would be one of the most frustrating, sooo incredibly slow and 20mph limits on main roads = stupid.

I know the camera in question, it's been there for years (along with the ridiculous 20 limit).

I don't know what it's trigger level is, but I've been through there more than a few times between 25-30mph and never had the FPN.

The 20 zone itself starts just before Church St, and continues all the way through to just past Plevna Rd (if heading towards Sunbury).

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What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

This makes me feel much better, thank you The limit seemed totally inappropriate, and the road soon went up to 40mph (within a mile heading west) which just made it more odd! Hadn't ever been down there before so was caught unawares of the 20 section

I've often wondered about that one myself.

There are a few intersteing 20 zones in that area.

I found this puzzling Q+A, is a 20mph limit actually enforceable?

Question:
"People seem to be driving faster than 20mph in a 20 zone. What can you do?"

Interesting answer from the Police:
"Police cannot enforce 20mph limits or zones. However, it is unlikely that people will be driving at over 20mph, as 20 zones should either be designed and engineered so that traffic cannot exceed this speed, or be placed in an area where traffic is naturally slow."

Found it here on the official Police website:
http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/faq/d ... ion=Q&ID=1

And if 20mph isn't enforceable in law, is ANY speed enforceable when 20 is displayed, ie 30, 40 50??????

I would think that 30 is enforceable as that would be dictated by the street furniture, however there are plenty of other charges you could face...eg, drive without due care, careless, etc.

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What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

Gatsos aren't allowed to be used to enforce speed restrictions of less than 30mph...

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Andrew.

This is what I thought after realising I was in a 20mph zone! However a google search for "20mph gatso illegal?" or "what speed can gatso enforce" or any number of any other variations turns up anything official looking. The wikipedia entry is pathetic too.

The documents keep moving.
Main site
The Radar Speed Measuring Device Conditional Approval 2000

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Andrew.

Re: Is a 20mph limit enforcable by camera?

I don't know, but always suspected it would be a tricky one to enforce in this manner because it would conflict with construction and use regulations.

It's a long time since I read them, but it used to be that a speedo had to be within 10% accurate between 20 and 90 mph, or the maximum speed of the vehicle if less than 90mph.

Posts on other threads suggest that the lower figure has been revised to 25mph. If this is the case then one could not accurately judge ones speed below 25 by use of the speedo alone - the speedo is allowed to be wildly inaccurate at such low speeds.

Does anyone else know different?

I think the answer is that yes, 20mph limits are as enforceable as any other, but not by the Gatso Radar 24 equipment.
20mph zones are a different thing entirely. Their description infers that they aren't enforceable at all.

Is there a legal requirement for a car to have a working speedometer at all times?

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Andrew.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/all/2002/speedometer_scandal_feature__1

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1) No one gets hurt
2) Nothing gets hit, except to protect others; see Rule#1
3) The Laws of Physics are invincible and immutable - so-called 'laws' of men are not
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Do not let other road users' mistakes become yours, nor yours become others
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79.5 at a true 70... that's ruddy ridiculous!

Ah, but is that during manufacture or use? They don't say.

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Andrew.

I suspect those figures are in kmh as that is already mentioned, in which case 70 = 43.4mph, and 79.5 = 49.3mph (a difference of only 6mph).

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What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?