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Authorities Unable To Fine Speeding Motorists on M25
Article by: rob brady
Date: 13 Dec 2012
Errors and legal problems have left the Highways Agency unable to issue speeding fines on the M25, despite an extensive network of 36 cameras being installed along the road.
As one of Europe's busiest roads, more than 500,000 drivers are reported to use the M25 every day. Considering the high percentage of drivers who flout the speed limit, this means that the potential for speeding along this stretch of road is exceptionally high.
However, an error discovered by the AOL website revealed that despite their presence, no cameras could capture speeding drivers on the 117-mile road. This was due to a combination of technical errors and failure to obtain the necessary permissions.
According to the report, the cameras (which were upgraded to digital models in 2009) needed separate authorisation to be legally enforceable. If this had not been obtained for the area where the camera was placed then any drivers caught speeding could avoid fines and prosecution through a legal loophole.
A spokesman for the Highways Agency explained that the organisation is working with local enforcement services "as a matter of urgency" to resolve the situation and ensure speed cameras on the M25 are fully operational as quickly as possible.
Labour's Road Safety spokesman, Jim Fitzpatrick, also commented on the situation, stating: "If there is one place where we need working cameras it is on that stretch of motorway".
Source
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| Comments
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 Posted by Kremmen on Fri Dec 14, 2012 7:17 am |
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I drive the western stretch daily and I've known this for years.
Once they do get them working there's going to be a pot of money coming in until the word gets about.
Back in 2004 when they started the widening project between the M3 and M4 they installed temporary 40mph cameras to protect the workforce. For 2 years whilst these cameras were active was the only time this section has flowed freely with no hold-ups.
Even Friday evening was clear !
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3 |
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| Posted by mjbwatson on Fri Dec 14, 2012 3:25 pm |
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Riding my motorbike down the M25 this morning heading clockwise from J5, I noticed that some of the average speed cameras no longer pointed at the front of oncoming vehicles but were pointing at the rear of vehicles having passed the camera. Is this now a general approach to ensure that rear numberplate only motorbikes are scanned as well?
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| Posted by legalspeed on Fri Dec 14, 2012 3:46 pm |
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Interesting reading. I know that the report is regarding M25 motorway cameras, but if upgrading a camera from an old style to a new digital type (eg. monitron etc. on non motorway roads?) needs re authorisation, as mentioned above, could it also apply to local / regional community camera partnership areas also? If so. I wonder how many replacement and upgraded cameras have been overlooked regarding re authorising? Perhaps someone with more knowledge than I have will know better. Just a thought though.
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| Posted by sussamb on Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:05 pm |
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| mjbwatson Wrote: | | Riding my motorbike down the M25 this morning heading clockwise from J5, I noticed that some of the average speed cameras no longer pointed at the front of oncoming vehicles but were pointing at the rear of vehicles having passed the camera. Is this now a general approach to ensure that rear numberplate only motorbikes are scanned as well? |
Hope so 
Where there's a will ... there's a way. |
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| Posted by timtech on Fri Dec 14, 2012 8:23 pm |
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The average speed cameras on the A23 roadworks are like that. I thought that was the reason. Makes sense. But there's still a lot of people out there that don't know the meaning of "average speed"!
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| Posted by DennisN on Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:19 am |
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| sussamb Wrote: | | mjbwatson Wrote: | | Riding my motorbike down the M25 this morning heading clockwise from J5, I noticed that some of the average speed cameras no longer pointed at the front of oncoming vehicles but were pointing at the rear of vehicles having passed the camera. Is this now a general approach to ensure that rear numberplate only motorbikes are scanned as well? |
Hope so |
+1. From recollection, I'm pretty sure only the anti clockwise cameras were pointing at the rear, clockwise they were pointing head on?
Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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| Posted by spook51 on Sat Dec 15, 2012 12:18 pm |
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| petrolhead276 Wrote: |
I would much prefer to have police vehicles patrolling the motorway as opposed to cameras, a friendly ticking off & a visible presence of mr plod is much more effective in my opinion. |
Do you really think a friendly ticking off is what you'd get if the cameras were removed and police patrols increased? How would they make up the lost income?
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| Posted by DennisN on Sat Dec 15, 2012 3:08 pm |
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Perhaps we could set up a roster of pgpsw members willing to exceed the speed limits on M25 in order to find out when the cameras become enforcement? (I'd do it myself, but unfortunately I live too far away to be able, sorry).
Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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