[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by AP_75

Thanks for all the responses - god its complicated isn't it....

What's really annoying is the l lack of lane discipline of many drivers these days so often end having to change lanes so many times to get around people insistent on staying in 3rd lane of 4!

Fastest lane on the M25 is invariably the one on the left in rush hour - I tend to stick with that one and just move over where a major road joins but back across as soon as possible after.

[Tengocity]

I tend to stay left these days to. More because it's less stressful, and tends to just go at a steadier speed. Radar cruise on, classic FM or radio 4 and it all seems to matter less!

[Watsey]

In my experience the gantry cameras are only operational when a variable speed limit is displayed. I've not had a problem with 'elevated' speeds when they're not lit.

As has been said, some gantries have Hadecs cameras mounted on a separate platform on the left hand side - I treat those as if they are always on and at 70mph limit even if a variable limit is not being displayed.

RoadAngel Gem+ is accurate for all cameras on the M25 (and it updates over the air), and so it should be, so on quiet stretches I will slow for them and resume speed afterwards.

[TimMcC]

Originally Posted by AP_75

Thanks for all the responses - god its complicated isn't it....

I've now taken to using cruise control set at c73 mph as safest option - you can generally which gantrys have the cameras by looking at the opposite carriage way but so many people seem to race through still.

What's really annoying is the l lack of lane discipline of many drivers these days so often end having to change lanes so many times to get around people insistent on staying in 3rd lane of 4!

Often I find that with 4, 5, 6 lanes the two right most lanes will be full of traffic leaving the others mostly empty. I usually end up in lane 1 or 2 passing most - not dodging in and out of traffic but sitting in the lane for miles at a time going 10 or 20mph faster. Weird.

[RichardM]

Originally Posted by Watsey

In my experience the gantry cameras are only operational when a variable speed limit is displayed. I've not had a problem with 'elevated' speeds when they're not lit.

I use the northern section J27-J22 daily and I have never seen them flash when a variable speed limit is not displayed. It may be different in other counties to Herts/Essex.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by RichardM

I use the northern section J27-J22 daily and I have never seen them flash when a variable speed limit is not displayed. It may be different in other counties to Herts/Essex.

I can categorically confirm that on the M1 the ones out left on the extra bit of gantry do work when NSL applies..... Cant say if that is all the time or some of the time but definitely at least some of the time.

[XWV]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

I can categorically confirm that on the M1 the ones out left on the extra bit of gantry do work when NSL applies..... Cant say if that is all the time or some of the time but definitely at least some of the time.

Thanks for this. I've tended to assume that they're inactive when NSL applies, but have stuck to setting the ACC at no more than 80 through the 'smart' sections to avoid particularly nasty surprises.

I guess I should be setting this lower now. Does anyone know roughly what the safe cruise control speed is for an F30 on these motorways?

[stefan4]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

M25/M42/M1 means cruise set a few mph above speed limit and that's it, not worth it anymore. And tbh you are very unlikely to even be able to do the speed limit anyway!!

this.

[....,,,,..,,..]

The new Hadecs 3 on the M6 are catching people.

If heading north up the M6 past Birmingham etc, you get used to the over motorway gantries with variable limits.

Once you get to Wolverhampton / end of M6 Toll or so, this all changes and its side of the road Hadecs 3 cameras, not the easiest to spot either.

On the south part where the M6 splits from M6 Toll there is a camera, it seems to be very busy..

[chris-c]

Originally Posted by Surg_Capt_R

Resurrection.

People still don't take the variables speed limits seriously. Last night on the M25 between junction 26-23, I lost count of how many drivers were flashed exceeding 50mph. More than 20 cars at least. One was annoyed or careless. Put his foot down and was flashed again at the camera after.

What I want to know is how long you've got grace between them showing a new speed

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by chris-c

What I want to know is how long you've got grace between them showing a new speed

AFAIK there's a 1 minute grace period. Many fixed cameras have a separate camera a short distance before the speed camera, which I understand is to record that the VSL was in operation when drivers are snapped.

[dopper99]

When there is no speed limit displayed (ie national speed limit is in force), I'd be interested to understand if the cameras still flash drivers over 70mph? (Although a threshold prob a bit higher than this).

Last weekend I was traveling down the M5 near Bromsgrove through a variable speed limit area with the gantries. But no speed limit was shown. I assumed the cameras were off - but fortunately I've not had anything through the letterbox this week.

Wasn't driving too crazy, but one lapse of concentration ..... and you can get caught out very easily.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by dopper99

When there is no speed limit displayed (ie national speed limit is in force), I'd be interested to understand if the cameras still flash drivers over 70mph? (Although a threshold prob a bit higher than this).

Last weekend I was traveling down the M5 near Bromsgrove through a variable speed limit area with the gantries. But no speed limit was shown. I assumed the cameras were off - but fortunately I've not had anything through the letterbox this week.

Wasn't driving too crazy, but one lapse of concentration ..... and you can get caught out very easily.

On smart motorways they are definitely on always, even when nothing showing.

On other motorways I think it's just down to luck.

[chris-c]

I remember taking a HUGE gamble years back on the M25 - "The cameras are NOT live if the signs arent lit".... Attempt 1 @ 80mph.. no flash. Attempt 2 @ 140 ... no flash. PHEW

I may or may not have been driving.

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by chris-c

I remember taking a HUGE gamble years back on the M25 - "The cameras are NOT live if the signs arent lit".... Attempt 1 @ 80mph.. no flash. Attempt 2 @ 140 ... no flash. PHEW

I may or may not have been driving.

Big gamble when it's deliberate, but thanks for doing the research

I got snapped a couple of years ago at around three figures on the M25, overhead gantry camera but no VSL, but luckily no fine.

I always slow to under 80 for Hadecs - I've seen them flash loads of times on the opposite carriageway (M25 and M3)and then looked in my wing mirror : no VSL indicated. Some of them do seem to be live all the time, but obviously I don't know whether they actually record the details and then issue an NIP.

[5557223]

Last night. M25. No speed limit on gantry and someone got flashed near M4 junction on the other side.

[Rudz]

They are bloody introducing Avg speed cameras on M23 all the way to/from Gatwick now, so my entire journey into work from Gatwick to Bromley via clackton now littered with cameras 😫😫 just great

[chris-c]

Originally Posted by Watsey

Big gamble when it's deliberate, but thanks for doing the research

I got snapped a couple of years ago at around three figures on the M25, overhead gantry camera but no VSL, but luckily no fine.

I always slow to under 80 for Hadecs - I've seen them flash loads of times on the opposite carriageway (M25 and M3)and then looked in my wing mirror : no VSL indicated. Some of them do seem to be live all the time, but obviously I don't know whether they actually record the details and then issue an NIP.

This was a good number of years back (as in 10). There is zero chance I'd do the same now.

I still get twitchy when people deliberately go faster at cameras facing you on the other side of the road.

[Dyl]

Originally Posted by Brigand

The new Hadecs 3 on the M6 are catching people.

If heading north up the M6 past Birmingham etc, you get used to the over motorway gantries with variable limits.

Once you get to Wolverhampton / end of M6 Toll or so, this all changes and its side of the road Hadecs 3 cameras, not the easiest to spot either.

On the south part where the M6 splits from M6 Toll there is a camera, it seems to be very busy..

I saw these last week traveling down to Devon, I took a picture so I could work out what they were as i'd never noticed them before. Sneaky bastards.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Dyl

I saw these last week traveling down to Devon, I took a picture so I could work out what they were as i'd never noticed them before. Sneaky bastards.

They are even sneaker, some are mounted separately before the gantry.

On the M6 a lot were put up over the winter months.

Since then some a partially obscured by trees (leaves) now.

Luckily I use Waze so I get some warning.