Motoring Discussion > Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton Miscellaneous
Thread Author: AlexF Replies: 34

 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - AlexF
Good morning,

I was traveling yesterday from windsor to northampton, and i was wondering if the speed camera's above the motorway (m1) are active?? anyone been flashed or prosecuted??

really worried.

cheers
Alex
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - bathtub tom
I presume you mean the 'specs' average speed cameras?

The answer appears to be some are and some aren't.

There's been thousands of penalties applied due to them since they were first installed.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - AlexF
Hi i didnt mean the average speed cameras, the ones that are mounted above the motorway of frames. i joined at junction 21.

cheers.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Zero
I assume you mean you joined the M1 at J21 of the M25? And therefore you mean the cameras on the M1 from there to dunstable (ish)?

They are variable speed cameras, if the variable speed limits are up and visible then yes, they might or might not be working. If the variable limits are not lit then no they are not active.

 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - AlexF
Hi thanks for that mate,

i hope your right haha.

yeh thats correct i joined the m1 just before hemel hempstead and took the junction 14 exit towards newport pagnell.

There was no speed limit lit.

 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Meldrew
Specs cameras don't flash. They use ambient light assisted by UV Illumination in low light conditions.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Zero
>> Specs cameras don't flash. They use ambient light assisted by UV Illumination in low light
>> conditions.
And its so ineffective they have to supplement that with floodlights powered by generators.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - diddy1234
nice and green isn't it having to use diesel generators for extra tax purposes ?
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Manatee
I tend to forget about those and have certainly passed under them at 80 or so without getting any letters. One or two of the gantries do have cameras AFAIK but most do not - you can see enough to spot that's there's no gubbins there at all.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - AlexF
Hi there was no speed limit indicated, but the one i went under when i thought i was going a bit to quick has cameras mounted for all 4 lanes im sure.

The cameras were gray boxes mounted on the frames over the motorway.

Any ideas?

cheers.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Zero
Those are not specs, they are standard "flashers" Stop worrying, you are safe.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - AlexF
Thanks mate, i hope so :)

 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - FocalPoint
I use this bit of the M1 a lot.

I'm afraid I have seen the speed cameras flash quite a bit, though I don't know about prosecutions.

Several of the gantries which show the variable speed limit signs (north- and southbound) seem to have cameras with lines on the road and if you're travelling in the opposite direction you can clearly see when the flash goes off.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - diddy1234
just drive over 150mph on the motorway, no camera will get you then.

Will I try it. erm no but I will let someone else do it.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - AlexF
Morning,

Yes im sure they do flash but the particular set of cameras i went under i wasnt in a varibale speed limit eg. 60 lit up in a big circle.

cheers.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Meldrew
Specs cameras like these do not flash

tinyurl.com/8jkvheo

The large central box is the camera and the two boxes, one each side, are the illuminating/detector units, either infra-red or UV, depending on which source of information one reads!
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Zero
Yes, they are specs cameras. Specs cameras are not in use in the variable speed limit section of the M1, so not applicable in this case.

And they are also the ones that work so badly they need supplemental illumination
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Mr. Ecs
Has anyone come across a new type of camera being trialled on the A52 and A1.
It is concealled in the crash barrier at the side of the road/verge. One to look out for.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Old Navy
>> Has anyone come across a new type of camera being trialled on the A52 and
>> A1.
>> It is concealled in the crash barrier at the side of the road/verge. One to
>> look out for.
>>

Is it speed or ANPR ?
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Mr. Ecs
As far as I'm aware its a speed camera. But hopefully someone out there will know for sure.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Zero
where on the A1?
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - L'escargot
>> Has anyone come across a new type of camera being trialled on the A52 and
>> A1.
>> It is concealled in the crash barrier ................

Rules and regulations for speed cameras. www.lawontheweb.co.uk/Road_Traffic_Law/Speed_Cameras

Government Guidelines For Placement of Speed Cameras
www.speedcameras.org/speed_cameras_guidelines.htm
Last edited by: L'escargot on Wed 12 Dec 12 at 09:10
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - movilogo
>> if the speed camera's above the motorway (m1) are active?

If you are talking of grey boxy cameras on gantry over each lane, yes they are active as I have seen them flashing.

Don't know at what threshold they flash though. I have gone thru at 80 MPH and didn't flash.

 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Zero
>> >> if the speed camera's above the motorway (m1) are active?
>>
>> If you are talking of grey boxy cameras on gantry over each lane, yes they
>> are active as I have seen them flashing.
>>
>> Don't know at what threshold they flash though. I have gone thru at 80 MPH
>> and didn't flash.

They flash at 10% + 2mph above the speed limit posted on the variable speed limit. They are not active when there is no limit displayed.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - John H
>> If you are talking of grey boxy cameras on gantry over each lane,
>>

A bit late for the OP !
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - John H
>> Has anyone come across a new type of camera being trialled on the A52 and
>> A1.
>> It is concealled in the crash barrier at the side of the road/verge. One to
>> look out for.
>>

Have you actually seen it with your own eyes, as you seem to imply?

Or are you spreading this hoax:
www.pocketgpsworld.com/New-UK-speed-camera-scare-story-hoax-is-spreading-9412.php

Many other articles on the web of that hoax.
Last edited by: John H on Wed 12 Dec 12 at 09:31
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Mr. Ecs
Thanks John. That's confirmed the email I got. So no worries. Just thought I'd make sure on here. Trouble is it might give the powers that be an idea. ;-)
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - jc2
Be reminded that not all makes of speed camera flash-there are ,I think,six approved makes.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Dave_
The SPECS cameras on the Luton stretch of the M1 are switched off now, no more 50mph limits through that stretch. But the grey box GATSOs overhead do indeed work, in conjunction with the variable speed limits as others have mentioned.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Bromptonaut
Dave,

Are there still SPECS north of Luton - for the widening towards MK?

Off to France (via tunnel) next week and need a reminder!!
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - bathtub tom
ALL speed restrictions have been removed M1 J13 - J10.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Focusless
Interesting piece in the DT - no speed camera convictions on the M25 for a year:
www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9740880/M25-not-a-single-motorist-caught-by-speed-cameras-in-a-year.html

"Technical and legal difficulties have prevented the Highways Agency from switching on the network of 36 new digital cameras intended to enforce variable speed limits on the London orbital motorway."
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Armel Coussine
Tee hee... a lot of 90-100mph eager beavers on the M25. I always assume they know what they're doing when there are a lot of them, and join in. So far so good.
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Dave_
>> ALL speed restrictions have been removed M1 J13 - J10.

ALL temporary SPECS-enforced roadworks 50mph speed restrictions have been removed M1 J13 - J10...

It's quite common for the matrix signs to show 60mph through and just after j11 (Luton central) - I'd take the GATSO cameras behind the signs seriously.
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi on Thu 13 Dec 12 at 18:06
 Speed cameras, the m1 from windsor to northampton - Bromptonaut
Thanks Dave. I'd treat the VSL matrices as serious, it was the (lengthy) roadworks speed limits I was bothered by.
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