Speed Van

Newstarter1

Evening All

Passed a speed van last night, but didn't see it in time. I saw a little flash when I was really close and then another as I was passing it. I'm guessing this does not bode well for me, although when I did spot it I checked my speed and it showed about 3kms over. Is there any chance those flashes were for someone behind? Does anyone know from what distance the camera records your speed? Am dreading the next few weeks waiting for the post...:eek:

Sobanek

Newstarter1 wrote: »

Evening All

Passed a speed van last night, but didn't see it in time. I saw a little flash when I was really close and then another as I was passing it. I'm guessing this does not bode well for me, although when I did spot it I checked my speed and it showed about 3kms over. Is there any chance those flashes were for someone behind? Does anyone know from what distance the camera records your speed? Am dreading the next few weeks waiting for the post...:eek:

AFAIK, they always take pictures. Even if you're not speeding.

rovoagho

They also don't flash any more, at least in the visible spectrum. You should see a doctor about that.

Newstarter1

This one definitely flashed - there was a small area above the non camera side that definitely had a white light that went on and off

Mr.Fred

Maybe he opened the door. :-)

Newstarter1

Thanks!

So is there any leeway with the speed vans - I know someone once told me it was the speed limit +10% but I'm not sure they weren't taking the mick or if not, if this is still the case with the vans?

nashmach

You are not alone, also passed one last night and it flashed too.

Don't know why it flashed me as I was doing 90 in a 100 zone but there were other cars from the boat travelling in the same direction going much harder.

Like the OP dreading the post.

nashmach

You are not alone, also passed one last night and it flashed too.

Don't know why it flashed me as I was doing 90 in a 100 zone but there were other cars from the boat travelling in the same direction going much harder.

Like the OP dreading the post.

Mr.Fred

I think they can setup on one side of the road but they're actually catching the cars driving on the opposite side away from the van if you get me.

V.W.L 11

AFAIK the way they do it is e.g,speed limit of 50km's so 10% of 50 =5 + 3km's means at 58km's you are over,my source says its how the gatso's work it out but i am OPEN TO CORRECTION

Newstarter1

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

AFAIK the way they do it is e.g,speed limit of 50km's so 10% of 50 =5 + 3km's means at 58km's you are over,my source says its how the gatso's work it out but i am OPEN TO CORRECTION

I am so hoping you are right.
Thanks!

Stella Virgo

a buddy of mine (mad bastard ) got pulled for speeding a while back ,fined, points, etc....swore revenge on the nice gentleman in the gatso van , he got the reg of the van, got plates made up ,every time the van is in the area, he goes past it like a demon on crack ,yer man in the van nearly burns out the camera taking shots, best revenge ever :D:D:D a gatso van that fines itself :pac::pac::pac:

Sobanek

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

AFAIK the way they do it is e.g,speed limit of 50km's so 10% of 50 =5 + 3km's means at 58km's you are over,my source says its how the gatso's work it out but i am OPEN TO CORRECTION

My ma got caught doing 89 kph in an 80 kph zone, so I think you're not correct.

V.W.L 11

Newstarter1 wrote: »

I am so hoping you are right.
Thanks!

i've heard that calculation being given by more than one person and they are both reasonably senior in age,best of luxk though if you hear nothing in the next 2/3 weeks it will be positive i imagine,check out garda checkpoints cork in facebook and twitter the man who runs both pages knows his stuff

V.W.L 11

Sobanek wrote: »

My ma got caught doing 89 kph in an 80 kph zone, so I think you're not correct.

read the part of my sentence which is in CAPITAL LETTERS

V.W.L 11

Sobanek wrote: »

My ma got caught doing 89 kph in an 80 kph zone, so I think you're not correct.

where the +3 comes from i dont know but even if you add the 10% only then maybe thats why :-) i am only passing on info from people who have actually experienced it and thankfully i never have and hopefully never will

paulmclaughlin

Stella Virgo wrote: »

a buddy of mine (mad bastard ) got pulled for speeding a while back ,fined, points, etc....swore revenge on the nice gentleman in the gatso van , he got the reg of the van, got plates made up ,every time the van is in the area, he goes past it like a demon on crack ,yer man in the van nearly burns out the camera taking shots, best revenge ever :D:D:D a gatso van that fines itself :pac::pac::pac:

I'd take that story with a pinch of salt, if I were you.

Newstarter1

To be honest, I couldn't really see me doing something similar :eek: I think if I do get a notice in the post, I'm more likely to resemble the chauffer from 'Driving Miss Daisy' afterwards than the mad bastard (and I quote) mentioned earlier

djimi

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

AFAIK the way they do it is e.g,speed limit of 50km's so 10% of 50 =5 + 3km's means at 58km's you are over,my source says its how the gatso's work it out but i am OPEN TO CORRECTION

Chances of getting away with doing 135 on a motorway are extremely remote in fairness.

There is a certain amount of discretion used at times, but despite what the urban legend might say I dont think there is any sort of "10% + 3" type hard and fast rule.

corktina

Allowances are there because speedos are inaccurate. Thus if you get a ticket (EG) that says you were doing 89 in an 80, then you actually were doing that speed and your speedo probably was reading 98 or so! (or put simply, bang to rights)

djimi

I could understand allowances if speedos read low, but the fact that speedos read high surely means that the speedo is making all the allowances that you need? If your speedo is even 5% inaccurate then it is reading 126 when you are at the motorway limit. How much more of an allowance do people expect?

I have no issues with descretion being shown, but anyone who thinks that they are going to get away with going "10%+3" over the limit, when in reality their speedo is possibly reading even higher than that again, is massively deluding themselves (in other words, they feel they should be getting away with a speedo that reads 142 or possibly more on a motorway).

V.W.L 11

djimi wrote: »

I could understand allowances if speedos read low, but the fact that speedos read high surely means that the speedo is making all the allowances that you need? If your speedo is even 5% inaccurate then it is reading 126 when you are at the motorway limit. How much more of an allowance do people expect?

I have no issues with descretion being shown, but anyone who thinks that they are going to get away with going "10%+3" over the limit, when in reality their speedo is possibly reading even higher than that again, is massively deluding themselves (in other words, they feel they should be getting away with a speedo that reads 142 or possibly more on a motorway).

its a guide/allowance,the statute books and their content is what matters at the end of the day

ironclaw

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

AFAIK the way they do it is e.g,speed limit of 50km's so 10% of 50 =5 + 3km's means at 58km's you are over,my source says its how the gatso's work it out but i am OPEN TO CORRECTION

Respectfully, thats utter nonsense.

Firstly, its not called GATSO. Thats the fixed cameras of which there are few if any operational in Ireland. Its usually RedFlex or MulitNova / Robot Van.

All GoSafe and Garda speed tech is accurate to +/- 1.5km/h. So, the tolerance used be somewhere in the region of 3km/h (So 53km/h real speed in a 50km/h was a snap) Apparently its now lower.

However, that said, if your speed is showing 53km/h, your true speed is probably anywhere between 5 and 10% less (47km/h or there abouts) So if you are snapped doing say 55km/h in a 50km/h, your speedo was probably showing upwards of 58km/h. i.e. You knew your were well over the limit.

Garda vans do occasionally flash (The tech is being phased out) But if it flashes, you will absolutely know about it. Its blinding, I mean daylight and your cornea's won't thank you for it. If you are seeing a 'small' flash in the window, its more than likely your headlights reflecting off the reflector in the flash unit itself.

Also, bear in mind, a speed camera will not snap two offenses at the same time. i.e. If you are neck and neck with someone, the photo must be discarded. They can only issue a fine to a single motorist, travelling in either direction but the motorist must be on their own i.e. You can't snap a car coming towards and going away at the same time.

Newstarter1

Can I just clarify my speed was 3kms over the speed limit in the area.

Just a question though. If all speedos are inaccurate and read high as suggested, then that would mean that if you were driving at the speed limit of an area, you would be automatically speeding, wouldn't it??

Newstarter1

That's my question answered - thanks! The flash I saw was definitely not blinding, so perhaps it was a reflection from both my car and the car behind

RandomAccess

Newstarter1 wrote: »

That's my question answered - thanks! The flash I saw was definitely not blinding, so perhaps it was a reflection from both my car and the car behind

That's the most likely answer I reckon.

V.W.L 11

ironclaw wrote: »

Respectfully, thats utter nonsense.

Firstly, its not called GATSO. Thats the fixed cameras of which there are few if any operational in Ireland. Its usually RedFlex or MulitNova / Robot Van.

All GoSafe and Garda speed tech is accurate to +/- 1.5km/h. So, the tolerance used be somewhere in the region of 3km/h (So 53km/h real speed in a 50km/h was a snap) Apparently its now lower.

However, that said, if your speed is showing 53km/h, your true speed is probably anywhere between 5 and 10% less (47km/h or there abouts) So if you are snapped doing say 55km/h in a 50km/h, your speedo was probably showing upwards of 58km/h. i.e. You knew your were well over the limit.

Garda vans do occasionally flash (The tech is being phased out) But if it flashes, you will absolutely know about it. Its blinding, I mean daylight and your cornea's won't thank you for it. If you are seeing a 'small' flash in the window, its more than likely your headlights reflecting off the reflector in the flash unit itself.

Also, bear in mind, a speed camera will not snap two offenses at the same time. i.e. If you are neck and neck with someone, the photo must be discarded. They can only issue a fine to a single motorist, travelling in either direction but the motorist must be on their own i.e. You can't snap a car coming towards and going away at the same time.

sorry about that professor

rovoagho

Aww, did the big bad knowledgeable user make oo feel aw stoopid?

Thanks ironclaw, I didn't realise some vans with non-IR flashes were still out there.

djimi

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

its a guide/allowance,the statute books and their content is what matters at the end of the day

Is it in the statute book to allow a certain amount over the limit?

V.W.L 11

djimi wrote: »

Is it in the statute book to allow a certain amount over the limit?

you are the expert dear sir,please continue with your expertise your majesty

ironclaw

djimi wrote: »

Is it in the statute book to allow a certain amount over the limit?

No there is no Statue limit. If your 1km/h over then you are speeding. Its cut and dry.

Common sense would dictate you would allow the margin of error in the allowance i.e. If the equipment is accurate to +/- 1.5km/h, then you'd take anything 2km/h as being 'over' the limit as it leaves no room to be challenged. In my observation, Garda generally seem to pull people in what I would term 'taking the mick' speeds i.e. 10km/h over the limit but they could just as easily pull for 2km/h over the limit.

However, Irish law makes no provision for the equipment to be calibrated, in good working order or provide proof it is accurate. So basically, if someone says you were speeding then thats it. If someone with enough money wanted to challenge it (And your probably talking Supreme court as you would be challenged a statue) then I'd welcome it as its utterly bonkers as it stands.

Btw, the lads are camped in Donnybrook this fine evening :rolleyes:

Truckermal

I see the go safe van on the Cork-Mallow road earlier, Bah humbugs. ..:rolleyes:

Cantona's Collars

Quick query,are these vans meant to be parked around accident blackspots?

There was one parked outside the VEC in Enniscorthy today & IIRC they were told not to park there anymore after so many complaints that it was just a location to collect revenue rather than actual road safety.The van hadn't been there in around 18 months but today it was parked up shooting fish in a barrel as the speed limit signs on that stretch of road are ambiguous at best.

ironclaw

zerks wrote: »

Quick query,are these vans meant to be parked around accident blackspots?

They don't have to be at the blackspot. Generally the blackspot is on a road and they decide how long to make the 'zone'

That road (R702) is a GoSafe zone so they can operate anywhere the wish along the zone. You'll often find however that they can only operate in one or two locations i.e. Conveniently around a blind corner, no line of sight on approach and at a convenient pull in location i.e. You can guess where they are going to be.

Cantona's Collars

ironclaw wrote: »

They don't have to be at the blackspot. Generally the blackspot is on a road and they decide how long to make the 'zone'

That road (R702) is a GoSafe zone so they can operate anywhere the wish along the zone. You'll often find however that they can only operate in one or two locations i.e. Conveniently around a blind corner, no line of sight on approach and at a convenient pull in location i.e. You can guess where they are going to be.

As I said,I'm nearly certain they were told not to park there as it was tantamount to extortion as people were being done for doing slightly over the 50kph limit as there are large 60kph signs on the road yet nearer the location that the van was there are miniscule 50kph signs which are barely noticeable so people kept on or below the 60kph limit & thought they were doing the right thing.
Funny how the van doesn't park at the other side of the town where the 'ethnic minority' race each other in vans & jeeps.:rolleyes:

ironclaw

zerks wrote: »

As I said,I'm nearly certain they were told not to park there as it was tantamount to extortion as people were being done for doing slightly over the 50kph limit as there are large 60kph signs on the road yet nearer the location that the van was there are miniscule 50kph signs which are barely noticeable so people kept on or below the 60kph limit & thought they were doing the right thing.
Funny how the van doesn't park at the other side of the town where the 'ethnic minority' race each other in vans & jeeps.:rolleyes:

Unless a judge told them not to park there, then it doesn't matter a yarn. GoSafe can operate in any marked zone, outside those zones, its Garda van territory.

rovoagho

Garda vans can operate anywhere, I'm pretty sure that includes inside GoSafe zones.

ironclaw

rovoagho wrote: »

Garda vans can operate anywhere, I'm pretty sure that includes inside GoSafe zones.

Correct.

mikeecho

@ Ironclaw

(our views on speeding may differ, but..)

you have the patience of a saint.

I've long since given up explainig speed cams etc on the motors forum

it feels like an infinite loop