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The Real Facts About Motorway Steal Cameras
Article by: Darren Griffin
Date: 12 Feb 2015
We've had more emails about these 'stealth' cameras than just about any other subject we've covered so I thought it was time we set the record straight and cut through all the rubbish being spouted by The Daily Fail and Clarkson!
The cameras in question are called HADECS (Highways Agency Digital Enforcement Camera System). They are gantry mounted digital speed cameras, deployed on motorways where variable speed limits are operated. The first generation cameras could only cover one lane each, examples of these are those installed on the M42 and the M4 - A3 stretch of the M25, and they've been in use for some years, the first Home Office Approval for these was issued in 2008.
HADECS 3 is an updated variant with a single camera able to monitor up-to five active lanes of traffic, including those sections of motorway where a hard shoulder can also be used as a live lane. Even these aren't new, we first covered HADECS3 cameras back in May of 2014.
The biggest outrage being spread by the rags appears to be that they are hidden 'stealth' cameras and that they can issue speeding fines for exceeding the 70mph limit.
HADECS3 is no more discrete or stealthy than many other speed cameras, and being painted grey is not unusual. The original HADECS systems, installed over each live lane of a motorway, were hidden behind the variable speed limit signs so surely they were even better hidden?
The bluster about HADECS3 being used to enforce 70mph limits is also nothing new. These cameras have the type approval to enforce any speed limit that is legally in force and so they can be used to issue tickets for 70mph limits if Police so wished. We do not know of anyone who has been prosecuted for exceeding 70mph, as a result of evidence from a HADECS system, but that's not to say you should assume they aren't or won't ever be used for that purpose.
Whilst we could argue that it can, at times, be difficult to know the exact speed limit on a stretch of road, there is little excuse for not knowing that 70mph is the UK's national speed limit.
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| Comments
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 Posted by Kremmen on Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:58 am |
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Personally I'm in favour as I've witnessed some horrendous speeding on the M25 western section . Shame they haven't issued any tickets since 2008 though. Speed limits are there for a reason.
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| Posted by Darren on Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:15 am |
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| Kremmen Wrote: | | Personally I'm in favour as I've witnessed some horrendous speeding on the M25 western section . |
I'm with you. I simply fail to understand the issue. The limit is 70, we all know that, no-one can claim they didn't.
| Quote: | | Shame they haven't issued any tickets since 2008 though. Speed limits are there for a reason. |
They've issued plenty of tickets, but for exceeding the reduced variable limits, not the 70mph limit.
Darren Griffin |
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| Posted by alan_sh on Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:45 am |
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My issue is the fact/rumour that they are set to issue tickets if you do 71mph. Can anyone confirm/deny this one?
Alan
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| Posted by Darren on Thu Feb 12, 2015 12:15 pm |
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| alan_sh Wrote: | | My issue is the fact/rumour that they are set to issue tickets if you do 71mph. Can anyone confirm/deny this one? |
I find that very difficult to believe. ACPO guidelines are 79 for a 70mph limit.
Darren Griffin |
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| Posted by M8TJT on Thu Feb 12, 2015 1:10 pm |
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We know it's the recommendations, but are they using them?
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| Posted by MaFt on Thu Feb 12, 2015 1:11 pm |
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| Darren Wrote: | | I find that very difficult to believe. ACPO guidelines are 79 for a 70mph limit. |
Even though the "10% plus 2" IS only a guideline, I can't see any forces ignoring that. Yes, technically, you could be prosecuted for doing 70.1mph but the first line of defence would be 'well my speedo isn't that accurate' etc. Forces won't want the extra paperwork, especially when they'd probably be asked why they ignored the guidelines...
So, while the 10% plus 2 is only a guideline, I've never seen or heard of ANY force not following it. So, I highly doubt that the Daily Fail (there's a reason for it's name you know  ) is right when they say they will prosecute at 71mph...
MaFt
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| Posted by acgale on Thu Feb 12, 2015 2:02 pm |
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| Quote: | | So, while the 10% plus 2 is only a guideline, I've never seen or heard of ANY force not following it. |
I got done for 34mph in a 30 in mid-Wales (mobile van - TomTom packed up 2 days before  ). I since found out many forces only allow for 10%
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| Posted by Kremmen on Thu Feb 12, 2015 2:10 pm |
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| Darren Wrote: | | Kremmen Wrote: | | Personally I'm in favour as I've witnessed some horrendous speeding on the M25 western section . |
I'm with you. I simply fail to understand the issue. The limit is 70, we all know that, no-one can claim they didn't.
| Quote: | | Shame they haven't issued any tickets since 2008 though. Speed limits are there for a reason. |
They've issued plenty of tickets, but for exceeding the reduced variable limits, not the 70mph limit. |
Unfortunately not on the M25 Western section between junctions 10 and 15 (Wisley to Heathrow). When the limit is at 40, 50 or 60 no one slows down if they don't have to and I've never heard of NIP's.
I think it was due to the font or colour on the speed signs being wrong and was highlighted here a while ago.
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| Posted by Darren on Thu Feb 12, 2015 2:39 pm |
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That may have been historically true, but I know of people who have had tickets for exceeding the lowered variable limit on the M4-M3 section in recent weeks. Same goes for the M3 SPECS zone, tickets are being issued.
Darren Griffin |
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| Posted by ChristopherW on Thu Feb 12, 2015 3:41 pm |
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Last November, I was flashed on the M1 out of London by one of these - thankfully nothing ever arrived in the post, definitely one of my nine lives gone!
I can confirm that at 2am, they're completely invisible in the dark  . I didn't see a speed camera warning sign (as I believe is supposed to be there), but who knows...
The gantries weren't lit at the time, but I understand that if they are being used by the police for enforcement, they are HO Type Approved to enforce the NSL even if gantries aren't lit. I shall certainly be curtailing my speed in future.
If these cameras are supposedly going to strictly enforce the NSL at 70 with no margin of error, how many people who waft along at 75-80 mph are going to be stung by this? Wouldn't the subsequent increase in NIPs end up overwhelming the police forces issuing them?
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| Posted by Darren on Thu Feb 12, 2015 4:16 pm |
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| ChristopherW Wrote: | | I didn't see a speed camera warning sign (as I believe is supposed to be there), but who knows... |
Not required to have signs.
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The gantries weren't lit at the time, but I understand that if they are being used by the police for enforcement, they are HO Type Approved to enforce the NSL even if gantries aren't lit. I shall certainly be curtailing my speed in future. |
Did you read the opening article?
| Quote: | | If these cameras are supposedly going to strictly enforce the NSL at 70 with no margin of error, how many people who waft along at 75-80 mph are going to be stung by this? Wouldn't the subsequent increase in NIPs end up overwhelming the police forces issuing them? |
There would be very little admin, the system is digital. apart from a verification that the VRN is correct that is. But as stated, currently the police don't appear to feel the need o use the for NSL breaches.
Darren Griffin |
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