M25 - How does it work?

[crustyclown777]

I have been using the M25 quite a lot recently, and its left me confused as to what speeds are enforced and when?

Some road users seem to smash through the overhead speed limits knowing that they are inactive cameras, and some like me treat each over head as a separate camera.

Can anybody shed some light on the topic? before i get caught for speeding!

 

[pvr]

Mind the hadecs ones, more dangerous than the overhead ones.

 

[Stark]

I agree with PVR. I would only slow down for the gantry ones when speed limits are shown in red.

There are 2-3 yellow side based cameras which catch you - one in Essex mainly near the M11 anti clockwise.

I got snapped at 96 a month ago

 

[BRC]

My Tom Tom suggests some overhead are inactive whilst others are live. Seems to tally when I see cars pass me clearly doing way over but with no flash from the camera.

 

[RickRob]

I religiously keep my TomTom up to date and trust that for the overhead gantries. I am not that it knows where the other ones are!

 

[markeg]

I just keep *roughly* to the posted limit, and double-check when the tomtom traffic goes "beep-beep". However, it has missed a couple of A-road cameras previously so even though I'm using the live database, it's not always completely covered!

 

[ben g]

Not every gantry has overhead cameras on the back of the signage. A lot of commuters know which ones have the lines on the road also, so can tell if they're safe to blast through.

I don't risk it though, as some have those side mounted cameras as mentioned above.

 

[nero1701]

How does the M25 work ?..

simples..
It doesn't !!!

 

[Chris_D]

Why not simply head for your destination and give yourself plenty of time on departure, factoring in extra time for traffic jams and the ability to remain under any given speed limit.
I find this method of using the motorways anywhere in europe both relaxing and stress-free. The lower speeds also facilitate a quieter cabin where you can engage in relaxed conversation with your travelling partner or listening to music if on your own.
260k happy miles around europe and the uk since 2001.

 

[Nanu]

Why not simply head for your destination and give yourself plenty of time on departure, factoring in extra time for traffic jams and the ability to remain under any given speed limit.
I find this method of using the motorways anywhere in europe both relaxing and stress-free. The lower speeds also facilitate a quieter cabin where you can engage in relaxed conversation with your travelling partner or listening to music if on your own.
260k happy miles around europe and the uk since 2001.

Sorry but the need for speed is strong

 

[Chris_D]

Why not simply head for your destination and give yourself plenty of time on departure, factoring in extra time for traffic jams and the ability to remain under any given speed limit.
I find this method of using the motorways anywhere in europe both relaxing and stress-free. The lower speeds also facilitate a quieter cabin where you can engage in relaxed conversation with your travelling partner or listening to music if on your own.
260k happy miles around europe and the uk since 2001.

Sorry but the need for speed is strong

Pointless on uk motorways imo.
Now the autobahns......

 

[pHilli0]

[Sorry but the need for speed is strong

Ha agree

 

[Bing]

I use a cheetah camera 'detector' - so I know where the cameras are, others use tomtom etc. Always slow down for the cameras to the posted or actual speed limit - don't trust they're not on - blast through the ones without :driving:

 

[pHilli0]

Why not simply head for your destination and give yourself plenty of time on departure, factoring in extra time for traffic jams and the ability to remain under any given speed limit.
I find this method of using the motorways anywhere in europe both relaxing and stress-free. The lower speeds also facilitate a quieter cabin where you can engage in relaxed conversation with your travelling partner or listening to music if on your own.
260k happy miles around europe and the uk since 2001.

The only way I can do my 35 mile commute to work each day is with audible and an engrossing book, to zone out. I am not a total idiot on the road, well I don't start out being one in the morning, but the Mrs Jones, 30 miles an hour in a 60 B road, because its a *bit wet* (SCARY) and a bit dark (OMG WHERE IS THE ROAD??) is just too excruciating to deal with when driving normally. General observed behaviors from fellow commuter drivers, this is how I imagine their minds work:
Its a corner - brake far too much, else the car will spin and I will die
Its an oncoming car - brake as the car approaches (why?)
It was foggy in the previous county when I left home - fog light on the whole trip as you never know when you might need it
Its wet - reduce speed by half, hold steering wheel tighter and pray I don't spin off the road and die, in a modern car
There's a tractor in front and I am in an a 330i or Audi RS6 - sit behind the tractor as the other side of the road is death
Its a roundabout - must wait for the approaching cars to be totally off the roundabout as I could never ever make a 4 car gap, who cares if I hold up half the county? I have my rights you know!
Its a 3 lane motorway - sit in the outside lane doing 72 mph, next to a van in the middle lane doing 71.9 mph. If I go past any faster its jail and I will loose my house, and job, and possibly kids. After 20 minutes, when someone eventually under takes me in lane 1, forget the fact I have forced them to wait behind, flash aggressively as they pass swearing a lot, then speed up to 90mph and chase the crazy nutter cos chasing someone is fine right?

These are just some of the first hand experiences over the last fortnight.

 

[Stark]

Those who know me on here know I'm not a slow driver and have sometimes driven at 120 (kph of course!)

But after no points in years and this first offer of 6 points and a fine shook me up....and then I sent my admission of name etc, they came back with 3 points and a £100 fine!!!!

Truly blessed and now cruise control on and no more speeding and I'm happy

 

[Zikim]

Some road users seem to smash through the overhead speed limits knowing that they are inactive cameras, and some like me treat each over head as a separate camera!

Only 2 weeks ago I was behind 2 cars on the M25 that went through the overhead cameras that then flashed 4 times - obviously they do work then

 

[firebobby]

I have seen the gantry cameras double flash quite a few time recently, I wouldn't risk it personally.

 

[BRC]

I have seen the gantry cameras double flash quite a few time recently, I wouldn't risk it personally.

That's the point, some definitely do while some definitely don't. If you or your speed detector of choice is in the know and you should accidentally exceed the limit you'll not get a ticket. Same with the white line markings, if they are not there then there's no reference markers.
One thing I've never been so sure about is just how capable these camera's are in the dark and also when it is chucking it down. Are they still able to accurately clock you?

 

[firebobby]

I have seen the gantry cameras double flash quite a few time recently, I wouldn't risk it personally.

That's the point, some definitely do while some definitely don't. If you or your speed detector of choice is in the know and you should accidentally exceed the limit you'll not get a ticket. Same with the white line markings, if they are not there then there's no reference markers.
One thing I've never been so sure about is just how capable these camera's are in the dark and also when it is chucking it down. Are they still able to accurately clock you?

I don't fancy finding out