Speed camera sign facing the wrong way?

[adambart84]

So I have just got the dreaded letter in to say I was doing 56mph in a 40 zone, not good and I know I was speeding and shouldnt have been. However, I remember at the time it was one of the mobile speed camera vans stopped at the side of the road and the little blue sign that warns you its a speed camera was facing the traffic coming towards me, at the time I thought this meant the camera was for them and not me.

Is there any point in challenging this? Or is it a likely slam dunk? I have never had any points before and am a little annoyed as I work as a driver so it wont look good, but not the end of the world I guess

Might also be worth mentioning this happened in Northern Ireland, and I have a Northern Ireland license

[des8]

Re: Speed camera sign facing the wrong way?

Assuming NI is the same as the rest of the UK whilst the presence of speed cameras may be indicated with road signs it is not a legal requirement.

HOWEVER, section 4.2 of Northern Ireland SafetyCamera Scheme HandbookMarch 2006 makes interesting reading.http://www.psni.police.uk/safety_cam...e_handbook.pdf

The handbook isn't law, but if you can show the signs were incorrectly placed, it will allow you to make a complaint, which might make you feel better whilst admitting the contravention!

[stevemLS]

Re: Speed camera sign facing the wrong way?

Single or dual carriageway - I have never known whether those vans get cars going both ways.

I think the guidance requires only that vans are not behind obstacles and that the areas they will target are signed - meaning in general terms rather than specifically when vans are in operation. I travel a lot in North Yorkshire where, until recently when I think it changed, they famously didn't used fixed cameras - they did use mobile ones though and practically every major road has warning signs.

[mystery1]

Re: Speed camera sign facing the wrong way?

The guidance has no legal standing and means nothing. You can be caught either way unless it's a fixed camera e.g. gatso

M1

[stevemLS]

Re: Speed camera sign facing the wrong way?

Probably making my point imperfectly, what I was trying to say was that, even if it had any legal force, it does not seem to aim to prevent the situation OP has.

[adambart84]

Re: Speed camera sign facing the wrong way?

Oh well looks like I will have to take my medicine... There was a mention in the letter of a speed awareness course which would result in no fine or points if I am eligible, does anyone know what the criteria is?

[des8]

Re: Speed camera sign facing the wrong way?

No force seems to publish what the criteria are for being offered a speed awareness course.
However from other forums the cut off speed for 40mph zones seems to be 54mph, so probably you won't be offered one

[stevemLS]

Re: Speed camera sign facing the wrong way?

Google brings up information for some forces, South Yorkshire, for example http://www.safetycamera.org/faqs/speed-awareness-course suggests that the range to be eligible is 46 - 53mph, so it looks as though you will struggle.

[adambart84]

Re: Speed camera sign facing the wrong way?

Oh well cant blame anyone but myself, thanks for all the replies though

[stevemLS]

Re: Speed camera sign facing the wrong way?

Sorry not to be able to make any more positive suggestions.

[mystery1]

Re: Speed camera sign facing the wrong way?

I think, from memory, most forces are 10% + 9mph.

M1

[stevemLS]

Re: Speed camera sign facing the wrong way?

I think, from memory, most forces are 10% + 9mph.

M1

If my mental arithmetic is right, that would support the South Yorkshire criteria.