Scamerad????

[thewelsho]

Think I may have got done by a scamera van. Was coming down from Oban stuck behind a 206 and a truck for miles and miles. On the first straight, the 206 pulled out to pass the truck, I followed suit. When the 206 cleared the truck, I stayed out and passed the 206. I then spotted the van in the layby on the opposite side of the road facing me (maybe 100 yards or more). The officer was standing at the near-side-front of the van pointing his camera up the road. I am in no doubt that I was over the limit momintarily while executing the overtaking manouver, however, getting caught I suppose depends on the following:

What direction do the camera's work in: on-coming or passing traffic on the same side or bi-directional?

What range do the cameras operate at?

I had my Road Angel on and there was no "Laser Alert", I'm hoping I wasn't in focus at the time or is it that these guns are different from traffic-cops ones?

Any info mucho appreciated!

[scoobymark]

usually the scamera points out the back doors and cashes in on the on coming traffic, or sometimes through the side doors when they park on motorway flyovers, but same deal they point towards the on coming traffic.

good luck anyway

mark

[andy]

Was it a cop or a Scamera Pratnership van? It's unusual for the Scameratti to operate outside their vans. Normally they just use the little hatches. As for being out of range, forget that one. By the time you've spotted them you're already done. However, if it was a cop then discretion and common sense comes into it and you might have got away with it. That's why we need more traffic cops and less of these fscking cash machines.

Nothing you can do except wait 14 days and see if anything drops through the letterbox []

[thewelsho]

Was it a cop or a Scamera Pratnership van? It's unusual for the Scameratti to operate outside their vans. Normally they just use the little hatches. As for being out of range, forget that one. By the time you've spotted them you're already done. However, if it was a cop then discretion and common sense comes into it and you might have got away with it. That's why we need more traffic cops and less of these fscking cash machines.

Nothing you can do except wait 14 days and see if anything drops through the letterbox []

I think it was a cop van for sure as it had the blue and yellow checked markings. The cop, however was dressed in black and wasn't wearing a white cap (or any cap) nor was he wearing a high-viz jacket.

[colzo]

I would agree with Mark that it would have been focused on the on coming traffic. When I go down to Wales for Rally GB they are everywhere but only had my Radar/Laser Detector alert me once as I think they have to focus on you for a few seconds giving you just enough time to react. Hope all ends well John.

[nanaki]

that means he hit you with radar mate, with laser by the time the warning goes off its already to late especially as they are accurate at 600 meters range.

[Bailey73]

Ihave been told that if you are overtaking you can go over the speed limit but must be seen to slow to the correct limit of the road once you have passed the vehicle.

Who told me that im unsure - Best of luck with it mate.

[mrbadger]

I hope you are ok Welsho... The worst thing is not knowing...

I'm gonna have to get me one of those alert devices when I can afford it. I only have a GPS camera database

[andy]

I'm gonna have to get me one of those alert devices when I can afford it. I only have a GPS camera database

Waste of time and money. A laser detector is useless, as by the time the device warns you, they've already caught you.  Bear in mind the Scamerati use their devices - which are proven to be flawed - well outwith the ACPO "guidelines" for their use. People have been caught at over 3000 feet which is well outwith ACPO Guidelines and well before you'll spot them with the naked eye, but because they word their document as "Guidelines" and not "Rules" and count on Joe Public being too scared by their intimidating letters they get away with it. Another £60 in their coffers for little effort and three shiny points on your licence.

It's nothing, but yet another tax in the speed camera capital of the world. [8o|]

[thewelsho]

I'm gonna have to get me one of those alert devices when I can afford it. I only have a GPS camera database

Waste of time and money. A laser detector is useless, as by the time the device warns you, they've already caught you...

This is true, the laser detector simply says, "you're caught". However, if a driver is warned by the device while doing the limit (or in the grey area), at least he knows not to go over it.

[colzo]

Ok so now we are saying these Radar/Laser detectors are a waste of money? Maybe in this situation, with the mobile vans, they are not good enough as the information is too late (?). I still reckon you have a few seconds warning to adjust your speed as they have to focus on your particular car. Without tempting fate I have owned the same detector for at least 7 years and it has saved me a few times. Ok it might not be as up to date as the newer ones but it does as a `third` eye. Now I do not condone speeding or for that matter the money making cameras but where any Speed Camera signs are these days you have to be careful, even if you know the road well as there just could be one of these mobile units round the corner. As I said before John, hope all ends well.

[wrxmania]

Also, take into account the other thread about the legislation process - radar and laser detectors have been on the cards to banned for quite a while and next years seems the date.  I binned my laser & radar attachments for my Origin B2 years ago as they really won't save you IMHO.  The fixed camera database is the most useful to me - stops me being fined & issued with points needlessly - keeps me on the ball.  The government support these devices and your local police authority publish ever day on their website the locations of mobile speed camera's so they are no secret - most people know the danger areas in their own authority anyway.

Aware and alert is what is needed.  See them for what they are - cash generators and a deterrant.

Brian []

 

[nanaki]

They may publish mobile camera locations but they don't tell you where traffic is thinking on sitting that day... oh well if you going to get caught get caught by a car that you know you couldn't beat.

[oletam]

Ihave been told that if you are overtaking you can go over the speed limit but must be seen to slow to the correct limit of the road once you have passed the vehicle.

Who told me that im unsure - Best of luck with it mate.

No chance! If you're over you've had it.

The only time that might apply is with the average speed cameras.

[the squiggle]

Spotted a recent trend of a Traffic unit sitting at the next slip road after the scamera, esp on the M74 North and Southbound around Abington.

Since my van is now governed to a indicated 75mph i join the 74 at Moffat and sit with my foot flat on floor all the way home, nearly.  I love it when just before i get to Abington and some tosser in a Beemer, Audi, Toureg comes screaming past then slams on the anchors, nearly losing and sometimes actually fishtailing it cause the van sits on a bridge just after the bend in the road...............Priceless

I do average of 70000 - 80000 miles a year through work (in another 17 months i will have covered 1000000 miles in a business capcity) and agree with WRXMANIA, never had the need for a detector, i just use my eyes and drive accordingly.