Hi guys, 

 

Was driving along today on a 30 mph road when i notice a bike parked on the grass mound and a man in high vis with a camera on a pole, thought it was a mobile surveyor or something, i was wrong. was a police man with a speed device. When i looked at my speedo as i went past im sure it was around 37 mph, does this mean ill get a speed awareness course? or a fine and points. I read that it is 10% plus 9mph max so 42mph for the course.

 

Just wondering about any of your experiences or knowledge.

 

Cheers James

The chances are you will get the course if you have not had any other speeding tickets in the last 3 years. They actually word it along the lines of you may be offered a speed awareness course. Chances are you'll have a ticket in the post over next few days to a week. You'll have to send it back to the office that deals with it saying you were the driver and then a few days later the actual ticket with the optional offer of a course will pop through the door. They tend to be very efficient with this, sickening how efficient really.

Good luck and dont feel too down about it.

The chances are you will get the course if you have not had any other speeding tickets in the last 3 years. They actually word it along the lines of you may be offered a speed awareness course. Chances are you'll have a ticket in the post over next few days to a week. You'll have to send it back to the office that deals with it saying you were the driver and then a few days later the actual ticket with the optional offer of a course will pop through the door. They tend to be very efficient with this, sickening how efficient really.

Good luck and dont feel too down about it.

Thanks for the reply, i haven't had any previous convictions since getting my licence 4 years ago, i plugged the satnav in a min ago and went for a drive, my speedo reads 37 and the satnav 35 so in fact less than i thought, obvs due to the tolerances put on speedos. so hopefully like you said be offered the course, don't facing paying the same premium for another year, as just did a quote for my renewal and it stays the same instead of reducing ahhh.

If you follow this link you will see the list of when you get a warning, a course and court.  It is quite some way down but rather than look it out and post it in here I will let you have a look.

 

Hope that helps.

 

http://www.cambs-police.co.uk/roadsafety/docs/201305-uoba-joining-forces-safer-roads.pdf

If you follow this link you will see the list of when you get a warning, a course and court.  It is quite some way down but rather than look it out and post it in here I will let you have a look.

 

Hope that helps.

 

http://www.cambs-police.co.uk/roadsafety/docs/201305-uoba-joining-forces-safer-roads.pdf

Thanks buddy, lets hope my friendly avon and somerset police force use the guild lines more than there judgement

don't forget, a lot of speedo's actually over-read the speed, your actual speed could be a few mph below the reading.

Hi guys, 

 

Was driving along today on a 30 mph road when i notice a bike parked on the grass mound and a man in high vis with a camera on a pole, thought it was a mobile surveyor or something, i was wrong. was a police man with a speed device. When i looked at my speedo as i went past im sure it was around 37 mph, does this mean ill get a speed awareness course? or a fine and points. I read that it is 10% plus 9mph max so 42mph for the course.

 

Just wondering about any of your experiences or knowledge.

 

Cheers James

James,

Last year I had similar experience. My notice stated I was doing 40 in a 30, BUT, I still had the driver awareness option.

In all honesty I enjoyed the course. It also made me consistently abide by speed limits from then on in. Now I see a 30, so I do no more than 30. For some strange reason, it all feels better too.

Good luck

I did a Speed Awareness Course last year - 39 in a 30.  Like Kev, I quite enjoyed it.  I now use my cruise control more to stop myself edging up the speedo.

 

Gaz

James,

Last year I had similar experience. My notice stated I was doing 40 in a 30, BUT, I still had the driver awareness option.

In all honesty I enjoyed the course. It also made me consistently abide by speed limits from then on in. Now I see a 30, so I do no more than 30. For some strange reason, it all feels better too.

Good luck

This is good new to me, i never usually speed, only when the roads are clear and safe to do so, i think it was a combination of to much throttle and the turbo kicking in and talking to the Mrs which distracted me. In the end i hope i get the course to avoid the points, but if im honest its a life lesson non the less. I'm looking at it in a positive way in which either way ill learn from it and concentrate more. 

Best idea is to take it as a wake up call, sit back and see what happens because what ever will be will be and there isnt anything you can do about it.

I put an app on my android phone which runs the battery down and I still have to set speed on it. Tomtom sat navs warn you about speed. After all that I noticed my Roomster has a speed warning which helps a great deal. Its all too easy to drift along with the traffic and be speeding. When you are within the speed limit youll also find the prat behind getting closer and closer, resist the temptation to creep your speed up.

Sit back and dont think about what if's and see if anything appears through the door. From what youve said chances are it will but take it on the chin chances are youll get the course. On the brightside you dont even have to tell your insurance company because it is not a conviction!

Youll be fine, let us know how you get on.

if you were only doing a "real" 35 you will not hear anything

if you were only doing a "real" 35 you will not hear anything

Sadly not true.  If you go by the 10% plus 2mph guideline then you would be right BUT Lincolnshire Police have been known in the past to remove the 2mph when they are short of people on the courses.  They are within their rights to do so and if you read the guidelines that I posted a link to you will see ACPO clearly state this. 

 

As others have said wait and see and if you get a pass great but if not do the course and take from it what you will.

Hi all,

 

Just a quick update to say ive received nothing in the post regarding this issue! Brilliant, im guessing it could of been a police officer checking insurance and MOT ect, or just trying to put the brighteners on people, either way it has certainly made me drive the speed limit since. 

 

James

Lincolnshire Police got the missus at 34 in a 30, then 2 weeks later 45 in a 40.  She was livid, but there you go. In this county they don't seem to use discretion at all if it's marginal.

 

Cost - 1 fixed penalty, 1 speed awareness course, 1 new Sat Nav that bitches if she goes 3 mph over.

Edited 24 July, 201510 yr by camelspyyder

Lincolnshire Police got the missus at 34 in a 30, then 2 weeks later 45 in a 40.  She was livid, but there you go. In this county they don't seem to use discretion at all if it's marginal.

 

Cost - 1 fixed penalty, 1 speed awareness course, 1 new Sat Nav that bitches if she goes 3 mph over.

 

1 County for me to avoid on the bike

Lincolnshire Police got the missus at 34 in a 30, then 2 weeks later 45 in a 40.  She was livid, but there you go. In this county they don't seem to use discretion at all if it's marginal.

 

Cost - 1 fixed penalty, 1 speed awareness course, 1 new Sat Nav that bitches if she goes 3 mph over.

I'll be more careful in Lincolnshire.  So what margins are they using?

 

Just found this on Lincolnshire Police website, update March 2015

 

 

Consistency

 

Consistency of approach does not mean uniformity. It does mean taking a similar approach in similar circumstances to achieve similar ends. Police officers are faced with many variables; the decision on enforcement action is a matter of judgement and the police officer may use discretion.

 

Road users do expect consistency from the police nationwide, and this feature has been identified as a benefit linked to the operation of safety cameras. Inconsistencies in enforcement practices undermine public confidence and contributes to resentment. The table below sets out the speed thresholds that will be used by the police service to ensure that proportionate and consistent enforcement action is taken. These thresholds are intended to strongly guide the use of police discretion - but this should not be seen as an indication that action will necessarily be taken against all offenders breaking this threshold. The overall level of resources into securing compliance must remain a matter of policy to be determined locally - but given similar circumstances an offender can legitimately expect to receive similar treatment countrywide.

 

Speed Enforcement Thresholds:

MPH Caution As Appropriate      Speed Awareness Workshop Referrals       Fixed Penalty Ticket (Conditional Offer)      Report for Summons

30       31-34 inc.                          35 – 42 inc                                                     43 – 49 inc.                                                   50 and above

40       41-45 inc.                          46 – 53 inc                                                     54 –65inc.                                                     66 and above

50       51-56 inc.                          57 – 64 inc                                                     65 – 75 inc.                                                   76 and above

60       61-67 inc.                          68 – 75 inc                                                     76 – 85 inc.                                                   86 and above

70       71-78 inc.                          79 – 86 inc                                                     87 – 95 inc.                                                   96 and above

20's and 30's are those limits I really stick too, I don't know why. Just seems to have crept up on me that it's worth more to be under, not on, regardless. Going 35+  won't get me to point B that much quicker. Had a bus, with passengers right up my exhaust yesterday, so close I could only see one solid body panel of colour, actually encourages me to slow down more now, I was doing 28 on satnav... But as I'm out into 50's and NSL I relax a bit more and drive to the conditions/mood. The spread of 50's on what use to be 60's is sickening though.

 

I must admit speedo watching is getting tiresome, modern cars are so responsive and easy to 'accelerate'. That and sign interpretation some times I'm blinded by signs to the point I don't know how I made the last 100yards of road. We've all been there I think in some way or shape. The satnav nag is the best thing for me for a few years in cars now. Although the eco nag on gear changes and now clutch use is too much. What I'd like is a HUD that is green or red, no other info, just green for in limit, red for over, I need no other info.

 

There are a lot of ANPR camera vans. I'm sure I drove past one trying to pull into traffic before a squeeze point, and the guy on the inside behind shutting my gap down. So my right of way; from the right, go to use the gap. Now I'm concentrating on not hitting anything, like a barrier, people, car in front or ejit car shutting my gap for giggles. I'm not looking at speedo now, I'm driving. I complete the merge and look at speedo, eek, van in easy sight now, I smile a guilty smile and look forward to my course/points.

Now maybe discretion of operator, maybe not, or an anpr only one. I never heard anything back, but boy, was a I worried my mk1 eye ball had let me down. I told myself off as I do when I know impatience has gotten to me. I could of stopped and waited for the lights to change so I could tuck in on the tail, but no I drove into a gap and drove to the surrounding traffic.

 

These M1 radar stealth cameras are going to hurt as they are indiscriminate.... still fretting over a late night drive home from a few weeks ago, only found out about them afterwards. Empty M1, citigo, thank god it's an effort to get past 90, although 80 would get me in trouble around leicestershire, I wish I had cruise control, to loose a lic in a citigo will be embarrassing, but it's most likely as I can't see the speed I'm doing past 50 due to stupid steering wheel and my proportions... I just know the rough angle of line = 70 and satnav nag at 80 Really must get the postit notes out.

I must admit it seems I'm pretty much always annoying someone behind as I'm doing 30 in a 30....go figure what that means.

 

As Colin said, it doesn't get you anywhere any faster doing 35, infact you often just catch up to whoever zooms off in front, only for them to be trapped at a red light 200 yards down the road anyway.

 

I got pulled over by Lincoln police for 34 in a 30 a couple of years ago. A firm warning, and a quick breathalyser check as it was part of the Christmas drink drive campaign, and I was on my way. Looks like I was just under the limit for being prosecuted.

Edited 17 August, 201510 yr by softscoop

20's and 30's are those limits I really stick too, I don't know why. Just seems to have crept up on me that it's worth more to be under, not on, regardless. Going 35+ won't get me to point B that much quicker. Had a bus, with passengers right up my exhaust yesterday, so close I could only see one solid body panel of colour, actually encourages me to slow down more now, I was doing 28 on satnav... But as I'm out into 50's and NSL I relax a bit more and drive to the conditions/mood. The spread of 50's on what use to be 60's is sickening though.

I must admit speedo watching is getting tiresome, modern cars are so responsive and easy to 'accelerate'. That and sign interpretation some times I'm blinded by signs to the point I don't know how I made the last 100yards of road. We've all been there I think in some way or shape. The satnav nag is the best thing for me for a few years in cars now. Although the eco nag on gear changes and now clutch use is too much. What I'd like is a HUD that is green or red, no other info, just green for in limit, red for over, I need no other info.

There are a lot of ANPR camera vans. I'm sure I drove past one trying to pull into traffic before a squeeze point, and the guy on the inside behind shutting my gap down. So my right of way; from the right, go to use the gap. Now I'm concentrating on not hitting anything, like a barrier, people, car in front or ejit car shutting my gap for giggles. I'm not looking at speedo now, I'm driving. I complete the merge and look at speedo, eek, van in easy sight now, I smile a guilty smile and look forward to my course/points.

Now maybe discretion of operator, maybe not, or an anpr only one. I never heard anything back, but boy, was a I worried my mk1 eye ball had let me down. I told myself off as I do when I know impatience has gotten to me. I could of stopped and waited for the lights to change so I could tuck in on the tail, but no I drove into a gap and drove to the surrounding traffic.

These M1 radar stealth cameras are going to hurt as they are indiscriminate.... still fretting over a late night drive home from a few weeks ago, only found out about them afterwards. Empty M1, citigo, thank god it's an effort to get past 90, although 80 would get me in trouble around leicestershire, I wish I had cruise control, to loose a lic in a citigo will be embarrassing, but it's most likely as I can't see the speed I'm doing past 50 due to stupid steering wheel and my proportions... I just know the rough angle of line = 70 and satnav nag at 80 Really must get the postit notes out.

Did you get a ticket through Colin or a lucky escape?

20's and 30's are those limits I really stick too, I don't know why. Just seems to have crept up on me that it's worth more to be under, not on, regardless. Going 35+  won't get me to point B that much quicker. Had a bus, with passengers right up my exhaust yesterday, so close I could only see one solid body panel of colour, actually encourages me to slow down more now, I was doing 28 on satnav... But as I'm out into 50's and NSL I relax a bit more and drive to the conditions/mood. The spread of 50's on what use to be 60's is sickening though.

 

I have always been the same - 20's and 30's are generally there for sensible reasons - ie dense residential areas with people around, and nowadays, it doesn't matter what time of day or night, there always seem to be people wandering aimlessly!   

 

Since my speed awareness course, (57 through average speed cameras on a 50 mph stretch of the M3 at 5.00 am) I tend to be MUCH more careful in residential areas - the sight of a 14 year old schoolboy paralysed for life by a "marginal" speeder and the photos of how it happened really shocked me!   I couldn't live with that on my conscience.

Like you, I am equally annoyed at the 40/50/60 limits that seem to be kicking in everywhere.   I think it will only be about another 5 years until there are no "National Speed Limit" stretches at all!

Glad it seems to have worked out for the original poster.   Maybe he wasn't a policeman (because they are supposed to be highly conspicuous if they are operating speed traps and there are supposed to be two of them in case of any accusation that the job wasn't done fairly, discriminating or victimising certain motoring groups.)   Quite often in rural areas, the police will "lend" members of the residents association a speed gun and, whilst offenders are not prosecuted, serious speeders will receive a cautionary letter from the police telling them that if they are booked in the future, this may be used against them.   Sussex Police I know has "Operation Crackdown" - no doubt other forces have similar schemes:

http://www.operationcrackdown.org/ 

What I'd like is a HUD that is green or red, no other info, just green for in limit, red for over, I need no other info.

 

 

FUBAR exists stage left and makes for the patent office! (make an app for it with a simple sat nav road network speed limits database along with camera alert, you could be set for life with it's pure simplicity) 

 

FUBAR exists stage left and makes for the patent office! (make an app for it with a simple sat nav road network speed limits database along with camera alert, you could be set for life with it's pure simplicity) 

 

Aye, it's on the wall of ideas, along with ... but yes a simple distraction free, would work for me.

 

 

Did you get a ticket through Colin or a lucky escape?

Still counting my fingers, perhaps a lucky escape.

No matter what apps or speed limit warning devices you use, be careful that you use your eyes as well!

My Garmin Sat Nav alerts me to the speed limit and gets free updates every three months or so.   However, a stretch of road nearby that was downgraded from NSL to 50 mph three years ago, and from 50 mph to 40 mph a few months ago still shows up as 60 mph!   |

Whilst there is always a possibility that the local authority has acted improperly or illegally in reducing the speed limit, I would prefer not to be the guinea pig that has to test that in court! 

I always without fail have someone glued to my rear bumper at some point as I'm sticking to the 20 and 30 mph speed limits. I don't know what's wrong with people and their obsession with wanting to speed all the time.

 

The speed camera van has been around a bit on the A64 near me lately. I just drive at or below 70mph anyway. No point going faster. Doesn't save much time and just uses more fuel anyway.

 

Phil

Yer we have a van here in Stockport snooping a lot lately. I drove past it at 33 so I'm sure I will be ok. But all said and done the limit is there for a reason. So to all theses people saying there using us drivers as cash cows smell the coffee its against the law and if you brake it you pay for it.