Panicking about Variable Speed Limit, Threads merged |
Panicking about Variable Speed Limit, Threads merged |
Sun, 24 Jun 2018 - 19:25
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 159 Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Member No.: 7,325 |
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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Sun, 24 Jun 2018 - 19:25
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Sun, 24 Jun 2018 - 19:29
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 41,506 Joined: 25 Aug 2011 From: Planet Earth Member No.: 49,223 |
Did the sign changed from 60 to 40 as you approached? If so, there’s a period of suspended enforcement before the lower limit applies. (Statute usually says 10 seconds but is more in reality)
However, if it was 40 for a good period then it seems you’ve been caught. What the previous or subsequent signs are won’t amount to a defence. This post has been edited by Jlc: Sun, 24 Jun 2018 - 19:30 -------------------- RK=Registered Keeper, OP=Original Poster (You!), CoFP=Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty, NtK=Notice to Keeper, NtD=Notice to Driver
PoFA=Protection of Freedoms Act, SAC=Safety Awareness Course, NIP=Notice of Intended Prosecution, ADR=Alternative Dispute Resolution PPC=Private Parking Company, LBCCC=Letter Before County Court Claim, PII=Personally Identifiable Information, SAR=Subject Access Request Private Parking - remember, they just want your money and will say almost anything to get it. |
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Sun, 24 Jun 2018 - 19:34
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#3
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Member Group: Members Posts: 159 Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Member No.: 7,325 |
I didn't see the sign change.
But looking at the footage, there was only 42 seconds between me going under the first sign (60) and going under the 2nd sign at 40. (and then 40 seconds until back to national speed limit) I so hope I am not clutching at straws (which I think I might be) This post has been edited by mardeman: Sun, 24 Jun 2018 - 19:36 |
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Sun, 24 Jun 2018 - 19:36
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#4
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Member Group: Members Posts: 6,178 Joined: 1 Jan 2013 From: Glasgow Member No.: 59,097 |
How far away were you from the gantry signs when you could read the limits. you must have been very close if you couldnt reduce your speed from 60 to 40 before passing under the gamtry.
This post has been edited by StuartBu: Sun, 24 Jun 2018 - 19:39 |
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 06:20
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#5
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Member Group: Members Posts: 3,283 Joined: 5 Jan 2012 Member No.: 52,178 |
The only way I was going to get to 40 was to hit the brakes, which I did not think was safe. Would that be your reason for rear-ending someone who was travelling a lot slower than you? How sharply do you need to brake between being within sight of the 40 limit and getting there? Are there any rules that state a limit cant be reduced by 20mph in a short distance. Do you mean like when a National Speed Limit comes down to 30 in, let me see, no distance at all (i.e. where the sign is). Variable speed limits do what they say on the tin. You need to be vigilant and to react accordingly. I'm afraid you are clutching at straws somewhat, and will now just have to wait and see. If you killed your speed sufficiently, you may be under the threshold for a course, assuming you've not attended one in the last 2 years. |
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 06:29
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#6
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Member Group: Members Posts: 159 Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Member No.: 7,325 |
I'm afraid you are clutching at straws somewhat, and will now just have to wait and see. If you killed your speed sufficiently, you may be under the threshold for a course, assuming you've not attended one in the last 2 years. [/quote] I thought it was three years. I think I did one just over 2 years ago. I think I was doing just over 50. I doubt this will help, but it will show how I only passed two signs. The first was 60, and the second was 40. I know I was going too fast, and should have been paying more attention, but from the first sign to the second was just under 45 seconds. I wonder how many times people get flashed on the same gantry where a limit has reduced by 20mph within what can only be 1 mile. https://youtu.be/1rFy-Td0zgA (start at 37.40) |
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 06:57
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 6,723 Joined: 3 Apr 2006 From: North Hampshire Member No.: 5,183 |
Youtube Link doesn't work.
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 07:05
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#8
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Member Group: Members Posts: 159 Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Member No.: 7,325 |
Should be able to see it now.
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 07:19
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#9
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Member Group: Members Posts: 13,735 Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Member No.: 14,720 |
I wonder how many times people get flashed on the same gantry where a limit has reduced by 20mph within what can only be 1 mile. Almost never i suspect. You'll just have to wait 14 days, assuming you are the RK. -------------------- |
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 07:21
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#10
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Member Group: Members Posts: 159 Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Member No.: 7,325 |
I wonder how many times people get flashed on the same gantry where a limit has reduced by 20mph within what can only be 1 mile. Almost never i suspect. You'll just have to wait 14 days, assuming you are the RK. Leased car, so it could be even longer. Sitting here in an absolute panic. Job relies on driving, have a summer holiday booked that involves driving, and yes, I know I was not careful enough, and yes, I know I already have 9 points, but for this to happen within 45 seconds.... I suppose I just have to hope that I was doing under 50, and there was a tolerance (or the other cars parallel with me were the ones that got flashed) |
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 07:22
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#11
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Member Group: Members Posts: 6,723 Joined: 3 Apr 2006 From: North Hampshire Member No.: 5,183 |
I really don't think you have any leg to stand on. When the gantry with 40 comes into view, you most likely wouldn't have even needed to brake, just easing off the accelerator would drop the speed enough I suspect.
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 07:25
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#12
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Member Group: Members Posts: 159 Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Member No.: 7,325 |
You may be right.
Definitely would not have had to touch the brakes for 50, but 40 I am not so sure. You will see that two of the cars to my left did hit the breaks, but the BMW I didn't overtake. I presume that the cameras can take lots of photos quickly as if he was doing the same speed, is there any chance that the flash I saw was for him, or can they take many photos a seond. |
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 08:02
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#13
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Member Group: Members Posts: 41,506 Joined: 25 Aug 2011 From: Planet Earth Member No.: 49,223 |
A 40 limit is enforced at 46 mph. The camera system can process both lanes at once.
A 20 mph reduction in limit within a mile is nothing. Braking from 60 to 40 would take less than 2 seconds. (Most cars would come to a rest in around 3) This post has been edited by Jlc: Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 08:02 -------------------- RK=Registered Keeper, OP=Original Poster (You!), CoFP=Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty, NtK=Notice to Keeper, NtD=Notice to Driver
PoFA=Protection of Freedoms Act, SAC=Safety Awareness Course, NIP=Notice of Intended Prosecution, ADR=Alternative Dispute Resolution PPC=Private Parking Company, LBCCC=Letter Before County Court Claim, PII=Personally Identifiable Information, SAR=Subject Access Request Private Parking - remember, they just want your money and will say almost anything to get it. |
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 08:03
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#14
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Member Group: Members Posts: 159 Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Member No.: 7,325 |
Then it looks like I could be spending 56 days on foot
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 08:22
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#15
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Member Group: Members Posts: 1,547 Joined: 17 May 2010 Member No.: 37,614 |
Then it looks like I could be spending 56 days on foot 6 months is the standard period for a totting ban ... IF you do get the dreaded letter, and assuming the other 9 are all live for counting purposes, then when it gets to court you could make a case for the ban to be shorter (or avoided) by an exceptional hardship application. But at this stage - wait and see if you got lucky. |
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 08:26
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#16
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Member Group: Members Posts: 159 Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Member No.: 7,325 |
I love this site, but I haven't got any comfort from it on this occasion.
Please everyone keep their fingers crossed for me. from today, I will be using Cruise control, AND speed limited whenever I am out on the road. Its not worth it. Points so far are from Feb 2016 Jun 2016 Jan 2018 Cant find when I did speed awareness but really hoping that it was after Jun15! (although not sure with 9 points already that I would be offered one) |
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 08:37
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#17
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Member Group: Members Posts: 13,735 Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Member No.: 14,720 |
Cant find when I did speed awareness but really hoping that it was FTFY. Eligibility for SAC has nothing to do with points on DL. -------------------- |
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 08:46
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#18
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Member Group: Members Posts: 6,723 Joined: 3 Apr 2006 From: North Hampshire Member No.: 5,183 |
You posted in July 2015 about a 60 in 50, so if it was for that offence you look like you may be out of luck with regards to getting a SAC.
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 08:50
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#19
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Member Group: Members Posts: 159 Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Member No.: 7,325 |
Thanks.
I cant even see where I view old posts |
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Mon, 25 Jun 2018 - 08:52
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#20
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Member Group: Members Posts: 13,735 Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Member No.: 14,720 |
Thanks. I cant even see where I view old posts Click on your username to the left of each post. Drop down box - "find member's topics". -------------------- |
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