3. 54mph in a 40 Variable Speed Limit Motorway
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54mph in a 40 Variable Speed Limit Motorway
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Hi everyone,

So I was driving the M62 at 12am at night and suddenly there where the overhead signs to state the limit was from 70 to 40mph. Rather than slam on, I eased down the cruse control but I wasnt aware the cameras where on the other side of the sign. They flashed and the notice came today.
Just to give some background, I had one speed awareness course 10 years ago (for doing 34 in a 30) and I've never had points or anything else in my 20+ years of driving.
The thing is, I don't dispute I was driving the speed but surly it was safer to reduce my speed then slam on, on a dark motorway.
There were no cars in front of me (I didn't see another until I came out of the speed reduction), but there were cars behind (they got flashed too). Also, later on, I was still doing 40 while others joined at 70, and it was only after their junction did a sign show it was removed.
It really does feel like a speed trap and I expect they will offer me a fixed penalty and points but it kind of seems unfair.
What should I do.
I'm 1mph over being offered the speed awareness course.

Thank you for all your advice.
« Last Edit: June 21, 2024, 04:40:39 pm by Whataremyoptions »
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Re: 54mph in a 40 Variable Speed Limit Motorway
« Reply #1 on: »
The only thing you can (and must) do at the moment is to respond, naming the driver.

You will then be offered a fixed penalty. Unless you have a defence - which you haven't suggested so far - the better option will be to accept it.
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Re: 54mph in a 40 Variable Speed Limit Motorway
« Reply #2 on: »
Presumably the change in speed limit (i.e. the 40 mph signs) were visible from some distance away?
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I am not qualified to give legal advice in the UK. While I will do my best to help you, you should not rely on my advice as if it was given by a lawyer qualified in the UK.
Re: 54mph in a 40 Variable Speed Limit Motorway
« Reply #3 on: »
666 - I presumed that this would be the case, and that's the path I'm going to go down. It's come in my husbands name, so we have to go through the process of notifying them it was me driving. I just hate how obvious it is they are just trying to make money.
Southpaw82 - it wasn't that visible and as soon as I saw it, I started to use the button to adjust my speed. I was doing 70 and I couldn't get it down fast enough. I should have just used my break manually but we live and learn. I honestly didn't expect them to flash me as soon as I went under the sign and personally, I think it's safer on a dark motorway with cars behind to reduce it gradually rather than just breaking.

Ultimately I'm angry because they are changing the M6 near me into a smart motorway, amd even when there is standstill traffic, they still have the speed limit at 50.

This was a massive decrease and for no reason. 4 lanes and there was nothing happening in that stretch.
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Re: 54mph in a 40 Variable Speed Limit Motorway
« Reply #4 on: »
Quote from: Whataremyoptions on June 22, 2024, 04:11:43 am
This was a massive decrease and for no reason. 4 lanes and there was nothing happening in that stretch.

Whilst I too get annoyed with lane closures and speed restrictions that seem "wrong", you simply cannot know what is happening 5, 10, or 50 miles down the road. The limits are brought in to slow traffic down to give the road workers time to remove debris, or broken down vehicles, or simply ensure road worker safety.

If it makes you feel any better, if you find a spurious limit on the smart motorways, you can phone National Highways and tell them.
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