M42 Possibly Sneaky Speed Cameras.

[jonnyfox]

I'd just pulled onto the M42 at the Belfrey south bound to Bham Airport this evening when a load of flashes on the other carriageway slip road caught my attention. Fairly sure they were coming from two cameras with a bunch of maintenance men working under them, it looked like they were being tested. I later saw the same cameras pointing up the NEC junction slip road which I came off. These cameras are yellow. My son took a few pictures on the way home. Now it could be nothing but the fact they are yellow raises alarm bells with me and the flashes whilst they could have been the orange light onto on the van were something very similar to what a speed camera does, it was quick fire white light.

 

Anyway could be nothing but maybe something us locals should take into account in the future.

 

 

[dobbo]

Look like the sneaky ones appearing elsewhere on motorways.  At least this time they're yellow not grey.

[un1eash]

Look like the ones on the M1 north of leicester heading to nottingham. When they were first installed they were being tested and constantly going off.

[jonnyfox]

I have seen the grey cameras but actually thought not being a bright colour were just observation. Looks like I'll be a good boy on the M42 in future.

[pa28pilot]

HADECS 3 are the new cameras being deplyed to Smart Motorways. The stretch of M42 in Birmingham was scheduled for installation.

 

More info:

http://www.speedcamerasuk.com/hadecs-3.htm

http://www.wmsafetycameras.co.uk/cameras_work.php?cameramovie=HADECS

http://www.bypass.redflex.com/international/media-centre/redflex-media/home-office-approval-redflex-hadecs-cameras

[jonnyfox]

Just found out.  They go live Monday at 12am.

[Flaming June]

But work only when variable speed limits are in force?

 

And there is zero tolerance - if the speed limit is reduced to 60 and you're doing 61 you will be snapped and then it's just a question of whether they want to enforce? 

[Eric]

Zero tolerance?  Really?  Sounds like a simple revenue earning scam if true.

[scatty]

I see the m1 cameras going off every now and again, generally when the reduced speed is on...

 

They definately don't go off all the time, I'm always checking when a car is going stupid fast past me...

[Mark H]

Good to know when they start as I drive that most days.

[jonnyfox]

I've been led to believe today that the Shirley camera has been active for a while but the others have been undergoing testing and are due online Monday. It is what it is people, blame the Aussie's :-) a toughie especially on a motorway but what you gonna do....

[Flaming June]

To clarify, I asked 2 questions if anybody knows the answers to them?

 

I don't.

 

Either way, we've been warned...

[kayj_prod]

Think yourselves lucky/unlucky you're not out here in the UAE! Speed cameras are everywhere, grey, moved around, hidden behind shrubs, in vehicles... However, the margin between the actual speed limit and the camera threshold is published. 120kph limit on the main highways, but cameras are set at 140kph. (Bought myself a 3.5l V6 Ford Edge, useless on bends, but handles 139kph well.)

The downside is that on local roads, depending on the emirate you're actually in, there is either a 20% margin or none at all, depending on whether the emirate needs to make some money or not from drivers speeding out of Dubai. ...its not always clear to a foreigner when you've crossed into a new emirate.

[Phil S1]

Great to hear from the UAE chapter of MLOC, hope you're enjoying your new job out there Keith, be sure to keep us posted on what you're getting up to.

[pa28pilot]

To clarify, I asked 2 questions if anybody knows the answers to them?

 

I don't.

 

Either way, we've been warned...

HADECS3 camera heads are active at all times; each head uses dual-band radar - and can simultaneously track and distinguish between five lanes of moving traffic. They are reported to be capable of both spot and average speed measurement.