Speed Camera Question

[JoCannon]

I drove towards a speed camera yesterday doing about 45 in a 30, I got flashed once as I approached the speed camera on the other side of the road, there were no other cars around, and there were the white lines on the road under my car, can speed cameras get you if you are on the opposite side of the road but driving towards them? It was one of those old style yellow box ones.

[Grunty]

Yes they can. In fact some are able to be turned so they can cover each direction in turn. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[JudgeJ]

And you will be lucky to escape with the offer of a fixed penalty. Over 45mph in a 30 zone is viewed by some police forces in the same way as over 100mph on a motorway. They may insist that your case goes before the magistrates.

[BillyBB]

If it was a white flash as you were nearly past the camera you'll escape this time. If it was a Magenta flash expect an NIP.

[JoCannon]

Oh No!! I am going to jail..... Thanks for your help.

[JoCannon]

It was a single white flash!!

I am now hoping it was a UFO.

[dominoe]

I have been flashed like that many times and never heard anything. I think the white lines UNDER you car is standard practise to stop vehicles driving on the wrong side to try and avoid being caught. I`ve read recently that the new cameras (that can take a photo of oncoming traffic) do not flash a white light - this being because it was considered being flashed when approaching the camera could be dangerous and this is why so far they take a picture of the back. I do not think you have anything to worry about.

[chazza]

Do you mind me asking why you were speeding, on the wrong side of the road when there were no other cars about??

[JoCannon]

The wording of my question is misleading, I was driving on the correct side of the road (the left) the camera was on the opposite side of the road facing me (right hand side pavement) !!

Admittedly I was speeding, which I shouldn't have been!

But I don't make a habit of driving along on the wrong side of the road, promise.

[blueoval]

old style gatso cameras CANNOT be set off by travelling towards them. a flash of light regardless of colour is deemed to be dangerous and so can only take pictures travelling away from them. most gatso's have a resetting period and this can happen at any time, it is the camera's way of checking things are still working. a solitary flash is a reset, 2 flashes = 1 to activate it & 1 for picture being taken. don't worry you won't get done for speeding....this time! 45 mph in a 30 would only get you the mandatory 3 points and �60 fine, 60mph in a 30 would result in an instant ban, obviously all forces are different and have their own amount of leaway. eg. most police operate a 10% +2mph policy (usually) ie. 30mph + 10% (3) + 2mph = 35mph
i wouldn't worry about the flash unless it is behind you!

[loola]

I'm afraid that I have to disagree with blueoval on this one. Old style speed cameras that face you on the opposite side of the road can be triggered off by you travelling towards them. I have seen this happen on a number of occasions where a vehicle has been travelling in front of me in excess of 40mph in a 30mph zone, thus, making the camera flash. Best advice is not to speed then you will never have to worry about them!

[JoCannon]

I can only wait and see what happens I will make sure if I do get a ticket I will leave a note here so you all know in future.

[Grunty]

If you have been caught, the notice must be sent to you within 14 days. There are few exceptions to this, but the main one is if the records did not have your current address, but the absolute limit is 6 months.

[blueoval]

sorry loola, but in no uncertain terms, you cannot be flashed while travelling towards an old style gatso. they are designed to track speed going away from not towards them! if there is no-one else around, it is the camera re-setting itself, this also happens on traffic light cameras. what would happen if it was the dead of night, dark road, no street lights and you got flashed twice by a camera facing you? temporarily blinded resulting in a possible accident...that is why they only track you going away from them, otherwise you could sue.

[sehar]

no it cannot get u i work for the cam company, it is iligal to flash towards ur face

[tigga]

You definitely CAN trigger an old style gatso by travelling towards them, i 'know many people' who used to do it on motorbikes (due to having no reg number on the front) whilst giving the camera a little wave for good measure.

[loola]

trust me blueoval - you can!

[ELVIS68]

I`ve been flashed at night by the opposite camera,I put it down to having my full beam on, I never heard anything since

[blueoval]

well you all stick to thinkin you can be flashed that way! because i know the real explanation for the flashing. happy motoring all!!

[Furby]

My friendly local constable tells me that loola is right.........you can trigger the camera whilst going "over-speed" the other way. However, it seems you don't get done.

[kemal0303]

blueoval you are wrong. I personally enjoy triggering a certain camera about once a month as I travel towards it where I live. You were right when you said if the camera were to face the oncoming vehicle then it would temporarily blind them and thats why gatsos are placed behind the white dahses on the road so they flash behind you. Think about this though... if your correct then that would have to mean if someone was driving on one side of the road and someone was speeding on the oncoming side where there was a camera then are you trying to tell me the person who wasnt speeding on the other side of the road dosnt see the flash!!!! OF COURSE THEY DO.

To simplify it.... for you to be correct then that would have to mean when one person gets flashed on one side of the road then all motorists on the oncoming lane would not see a flash at all of any kind... and thats not true because ive been driving down many roads when I see people in the oncoming side flashed by a camera which was made to flash people on the oncoming side of the road. Therefore your argument is wrong. PLUS I personally trigger a gatso near where I live all the time by driving towards it.