Motorists who exceed the speed limit by only a few miles per hour could find themselves in trouble after police announced a crackdown on speeders.
Traditionally, police have allowed drivers a margin of error of 10 per cent plus 2mph of the speed limit, meaning that in a 50mph zone drivers could get away with 57mph before getting fined.
However, some police forces around the UK are now set to do away with the margin for error, meaning that more drivers could end up on the receiving end of fines and penalty points.
I agree with the bit about paying more attention to the speedo than the road. Even the cruise control doesn't hold speed that steady especially as you come over the brow of a hill which the cruise has been applying more power.
Isn't still the case that the speedo is only required to be better than 10% accurate? What about sat-nav speed indications how accurate are they to use as a calibration reference for your speedo?
Or is it just another way of raising extra cash from the motorist.
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Quote: Originally posted by jonk on 05/8/2015I agree with the bit about paying more attention to the speedo than the road. Even the cruise control doesn't hold speed that steady especially as you come over the brow of a hill which the cruise has been applying more power.
Isn't still the case that the speedo is only required to be better than 10% accurate? What about sat-nav speed indications how accurate are they to use as a calibration reference for your speedo?
Or is it just another way of raising extra cash from the motorist.
The speedo can be up to 10% inaccurate BUT only one way.
It is allowed to tell you that you are going faster than the actual speed BUT NOT tell you that you are going slower then the actual speed.
This means that anyone speeding, their speedo could be showing quite a bit over the limit.
I have had a vehicle that did have an accurate speed fitted but it had an RS calibrated sticker on it and was a Honda ST1100 motorcycle.
Most speedometers read up to 10% higher than the vehicle is actually travelling. As suggested, they are not allowed to read lower so this margin is set by the manufacturers.
This means that if your speedo is reading 55 mph you are probably only doing 50 mph. Your speedo would have to be reading over 56 mph for you to be stopped and warned that you were doing 51 mph in a 50 limit.
I think that reading would be abundantly clear when glancing at your speedo without having to be glued to it.
Since you can't count on the speedo being exactly 10% higher the only safe bet is to keep that needle at the speed limit even if it means you are actually going a few MPH slower.
Quote: Originally posted by spikeymatt on 05/8/2015who says that the police speed check reading will be accurate 10% at low speeds 5% at higher speeds would be a sensible compromise
The police speed equipment are checked and calibrated on a regular basis and if you are "caught" you have the option to have it rechecked and the evidence of the accuracy going to court.
The RS Calibration Sticker on my motorbike had a certification number on it which could, if needed, be used to check the records as to when it was last checked and the calibration records for it.
Quote: Originally posted by Bob61 on 05/8/2015
Most speedometers read up to 10% higher than the vehicle is actually travelling. As suggested, they are not allowed to read lower so this margin is set by the manufacturers.
This means that if your speedo is reading 55 mph you are probably only doing 50 mph. Your speedo would have to be reading over 56 mph for you to be stopped and warned that you were doing 51 mph in a 50 limit.
I think that reading would be abundantly clear when glancing at your speedo without having to be glued to it.
Since you can't count on the speedo being exactly 10% higher the only safe bet is to keep that needle at the speed limit even if it means you are actually going a few MPH slower.
Haven help Vauxhall owners, their speedos are miles out, you have to drive at 35 to be doing 30 in them
Hi, bet there wont be a policeman using common sense involved, just be a tweek of the old cash cow camera and sit back and take the cash. around where I live tickets are issued at 33mph already so exceed 32mph in a 30 zone and its open you,re wallet.
Many drivers who are booked for speeding generally take it on the chin, because the reported speed is usually a bit less than they thought they were doing and because the speed is usually well over the legal limit.
Drivers who are done for doing, say, 72 on a motorway or 31 in a built-up area will feel very hard done by indeed, and will remember this in the future when the Police may need a favour or some co-operation.
Of course insurance companies, especially the atrocious Admiral, will have yet another excuse to hike one's premium.
Caravanners should be safe since our limits are well below what speed cameras will flash. Think I'll just keep mine attached all the time.
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I really hope it does backfire this is just revenue generation. Whatever happenned to common sense.
Dont get me wrong if you speed then you deserve all you get but if they start fining people for being 0.5mph over the speed limit, then this will just lead to severe ill feeling, increased accidents and increased litigation.
Driving standards are dire as it is. Now you will have people concentrating on keeping the needle bang on the limit (you couldn't possibly factor in your own margin of error I mean if it's 70 you have to drive at that speed don't you, you couldn't possibly drive at 66-68 in a 70) whilst speaking on mobile phones, eating breakfast, applying make up, shaving and fiddling with the sat nav, stereo etc all at the same time.
Still it keeps the money go round going at the expense of the proles and that can only be a good thing....?
If everyone pleaded not guilty and totally clogged up the courts system the politicians would go back into their feather bedded cages and leave the rest of us alone.
Time the Senior coppers took more notice of the fact that they police by consent.
Holier than thou maybe but speed limits are just that -- limits. Exceeding them is a crime, even by a little!
Is it any less of a crime only to shoplift a little or throw a brick through a little window? Perhaps we could just steal a little bit of cash in an armed robbery.
Daves1
For myself I follow the advice I was given on a few assessed motorcycle rides by local Police and ex Police riders.
For the 20,30, 40 and 50mph limits never exceed them, they are there for a reason.
On the NSL (No Speed Limit) ... sorry meant National Speed Limit, always stay within the safe speed for your abilities, your vehicles abilities, the road and weather conditions and the other vehicles around you.
The most I have done on a 60mph road was around 80mph on my bike but that was when followed by a fully marked up Police Bike connected by radio telling you ... nice position, nice overtake.
could it be it is easier for the police to get the cash coming in at 31 41 61 71 than investigating a burglary even on even numbered doors.Someone mentioned commonsense afraid that went a long time ago
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Topic: Crackdown on those just over speed limit (
Topic Closed)
