Speed camera warning signs

[D-Type]

Can somebody explain the loophole regarding the border round the warning sign that some (no doubt expensive) lawyers have used to get clients off a speeding charge.

I'm just curious - I haven't been caught by one(yet!).

[Mr V]

Not sure of the loophole, but this all came about when 2 off duty coppers got caught, and they got away with it

[ensign14]

I understand that the coppers were caught by a speed camera with a purported 30 limit sign attached to the camera itself. However, the ring around the 30 was not red as prescribed, but black. That meant that it was not an official speed limit sign so not making a binding limit.

Now, if there had been street lights every 100 yards, or other 30 limit signs around, that would not have mattered because the 30 limit would have been mandatory in any event.

[Aysedasi]

Its all because the signs which designate limitations on driving (breaches of which are traffic ofences (in the uk)), are mostly, if not all, prescribed in terms of appearance. There are detailed regulations setting them out (and take my word for it, you wouldn't want to read them - an instant cure for insomnia...) and if they are not correctly displayed, the loophole could (and is, obviously) exploited. For my money, anyone who manages to get away with avoiding a conviction when caught by a traffic taxation camera deserves a slap on the back (assuming he wasn't dricving at some ridiculous speed at the time).

[D-Type]

Originally posted by Aysedasi
- - - For my money, anyone who manages to get away with avoiding a conviction when caught by a traffic taxation camera deserves a slap on the back (assuming he wasn't dricving at some ridiculous speed at the time).

Precisely - that's why I started this thread

The problem with the limits was thus:

There were no "proper" speed limit signs - by that I mean the white circular sign with a red border. The only signs were a rectangular yellow job with black border, speed camera symbol and a mini "proper" speed limit sign included on the yellow background within the black border.

So next time you get nicked, get back to where you were speeding armed with a pot of paint!

[redshoes]

As I recall the same thing happened with the M25 variable speed limit. Originally they just had the illuminated signs to flash the limit, then some bright spark realised that according to the highway code these are advisory only. The had to go back an fit illuminated red circles around every sign.

[Tim Falce]

Another get out is, do not sign the form asking for details of the driver. It is not mandatory to sign this, and if left unsigned it cant be used in court.

[Aysedasi]

Don't bank on that loophole being left open for very long.......

[Bluebottle]

Originally posted by falcemob
Another get out is, do not sign the form asking for details of the driver. It is not mandatory to sign this, and if left unsigned it cant be used in court.

I think that loophole has been closed.

The best way to not get caught is don't drive faster than the limit

[neilwaynesmith]

Originally posted by Bluebottle
The best way to not get caught is don't drive faster than the limit

Aaah, such innocence!

Actually, and I admit this is rare, but at a change in speed limits, the sign designating the new speed limit has to be clearly displayed on both sides of the road .
If not then according to law, the new limit doesn't apply.

Handy to think about when some of these cowardly who are too scared to go chasing criminals park a camera just inside the lower limit.

[Bluebottle]

There's a camera on the A40 heading into High Wycombe about 30 yards after the limit goes from 40 to 30mph on a straight road with no change in road conditions, proximity of houses etc etc..... Cerching! (cash register noise...)

[TimD]

And I nearly got rear-ended by a Mitsubishi Shogun when I slowed for that very one last week...

This raises a thought - suppose you slow down to pass a speed camera but you are rammed in the back by the guy behind, stopping his car but accelerating you past the camera so that it triggers. Do you then have a defence against the resulting summons do you suppose?

[Craig]

I'm sure they'll let you off the speeding ticket. But you'll likely get done for driving without due care for stamping on the brakes - technically you should have slowed to the lower speed limit prior to entering it. If we're talking a nice straight road with good visibility then sadly there'd be no defense that you missed the signs

[Bluebottle]

During the day, drivers are fairly sensible on the road in question but late night is another matter... having said that, I've not seen that one (or it's friend on the other side and furthur down the hill) flash at anyone yet!

Another question- were 'face on' speed cameras invented by a biker?

[neilwaynesmith]

Originally posted by Bluebottle
Another question- were 'face on' speed cameras invented by a biker?

If they were then respect is due for outwitting the traffic Nazi's

[Bluebottle]

Incidently, the camera me and Tim were talking about is on the main road at the end of my road. My road has a 30 limit and a steep decent past a school. The road can be used, although isn't signed, as a route between M40 and A40. There was a speed related accident the other night,involving a car travelling up the hill which hit another car and came to rest 100 yards uphill from the point of impact. There is no camera on this road, probably not enough traffic for it to pay for itself.