Panicking about Variable Speed Limit, Threads merged Options

[mardeman]

I was driving down the M1 on Friday afternoon when I saw a sign for 60, so I slowed down.

I was in a variable speed limit zone.

The next sign I was travelling towards was still lit up, but as I got much closer saw it had dropped to 40.

The only way I was going to get to 40 was to hit the brakes, which I did not think was safe.

As I looked in my mirror I saw a flash. There was another car on my left that I think I was travelling at the same speed. The camera was on the gantry of the 40, so it wasn't even as if I went through a 40, and then it was the next gantry that took the photo.


I am panicking as I am already on 9 points, and as I drive a lease car it may now be a few weeks until I hear anything. I think I was doing about 50 as I went through the gantry.


Are there any rules that state a limit cant be reduced by 20mph in a short distance.

I have the journey on camera, and also the next gantry sign was back to national speed limit, with absolutely no obstructions on the road, or even on the hard shoulder.


Hopefully somebody might have a bit of positive news, otherwise I am very likely to lose my job (the first lot of points come off in Feb19, and then jun19)

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[mardeman]

When I got a NIP in January, it was 7th Jan (a sunday), and they sent me an 'admin fee' on the 15th, so they must be the registered keeper as they got the NIP within 5 working days.

[Jlc]

When I got a NIP in January, it was 7th Jan (a sunday), and they sent me an 'admin fee' on the 15th, so they must be the registered keeper as they got the NIP within 5 working days.

Ok, you might not have been caught then...

[StuartBu]

Just called my leasing company. Its been 13 days, and no NIP.

As it was Hadecs, I presume it would normally be sent in a couple of days.

I might call them again on Monday to see, but fingers crossed.

Been driving like a snail for two weeks, and for those of you who have doubted my ability to read signs (and not really wanting to start an argument) I have done a few hundred miles over the past few weeks, and it CAN be difficult to read the changes until you are too close, and yesterday I DID have to break to bring my speed down as the first sign was a 40, which I think is dangerous.

But, as always, thanks for your help.

Did you ever get to see the posted statement attributed to Highways Agency saying that drivers have 60 seconds after passing the first indication of a change of speed limit to reduce their speed TO that limit

[mardeman]

No I didn't, and that would be really interesting as the first sign was 60, and I then got through the second within the 60 seconds. But does that mean (in your understanding) that IF I were to go through the first sign that showed 40 at 70mph, even if it were the first with a camera, that I wouldn't get a NIP??

Not that I would want to do it, but it would useful to know.

I wonder if anyone on here has done the Speed Awareness course specifically on Variable Speed Limits

[StuartBu]

No I didn't, and that would be really interesting as the first sign was 60, and I then got through the second within the 60 seconds. But does that mean (in your understanding) that IF I were to go through the first sign that showed 40 at 70mph, even if it were the first with a camera, that I wouldn't get a NIP??

Not that I would want to do it, but it would useful to know.

I wonder if anyone on here has done the Speed Awareness course specifically on Variable Speed Limits

Not a smart idea but that would depend ( on my reading of the HA statement) if you were able to reduce your speed from 70 to 40 within the 60 seconds ( and stay at or below that limit until it changed again).
If you don't mind me saying so you really are making all this much more complicated than it actually is .

[Fredd]

Just called my leasing company. Its been 13 days, and no NIP.

Since you can't take the hint, I've moved this to the Flame Pit. Should you ever receive a NIP/s172 and this become an actual live case then I'll move it back again.

[notmeatloaf]

I don't think the 60 seconds applies in your circumstances, or at least you are misunderstanding it.

The 60 seconds grace is if a gantry you are travelling towards has the limit drop. That specific gantry will not enforce for 60 seconds.

It doesn't mean that if you pass a gantry set to 60mph you then have carte blanche to drive under any subsequent gantry at 60mph within the next 60 seconds.

The fact the camera was flashing, if you are correct, de facto means they are enforcing that gantry which must mean the limit has been the same for at least 60 seconds.

Seeing at the limits are not visible from 60 seconds away in flowing traffic it would be impossible to try and "take advantage" or it beyond knowing you don't need to slam on the brakes if the limit changes shortly before you pass under it.

I hope you don't mind me asking but have you had your eyes tested recently? It's a serious question. I have eyesight which is borderline driving legal. Of course I wear glasses. The limits are noticeably more diifficult to differentiate without even though technically legal. Perhaps worth a check.

This post has been edited by notmeatloaf: Thu, 5 Jul 2018 - 14:19

[peterguk]

Just to clarify for the OP:

The 60 seconds grace is if a gantry you are travelling towards has the limit drop.

That specific gantry will not enforce for 60 seconds. FROM THE TIME THE LIMIT IS FIRST DISPLYED ON THAT GANTRY

[StuartBu]

I don't think the 60 seconds applies in your circumstances, or at least you are misunderstanding it.

The 60 seconds grace is if a gantry you are travelling towards has the limit drop. That specific gantry will not enforce for 60 seconds.

It doesn't mean that if you pass a gantry set to 60mph you then have carte blanche to drive under any subsequent gantry at 60mph within the next 60 seconds.

The fact the camera was flashing, if you are correct, de facto means they are enforcing that gantry which must mean the limit has been the same for at least 60 seconds.

Seeing at the limits are not visible from 60 seconds away in flowing traffic it would be impossible to try and "take advantage" or it beyond knowing you don't need to slam on the brakes if the limit changes shortly before you pass under it.

I hope you don't mind me asking but have you had your eyes tested recently? It's a serious question. I have eyesight which is borderline driving legal. Of course I wear glasses. The limits are noticeably more diifficult to differentiate without even though technically legal. Perhaps worth a check.

I misinterpreted the HA letter which could have been worded more clearly ... So the only drivers who get the advantage of the 60 seconds are those who pass the gantry within that 60 seconds before it starts enforcing the speed.

[notmeatloaf]

Yes, the sixty second grace period applies only to vehicles passing under a gantry where the limit has changed on that gantry.

If the next gantry has a camera and has been displaying one limit for more than sixty seconds, even if it is lower still, the camera is likely active.