2cc 0 Posted October 29, 2003 Just got this on my e-mail. Be aware New electronic signs on the M4 were switched on on Tuesday 21st October 2003. The bad news is that they are rigged with SPECS speed cameras. SPECS is a computer-camera based system. As you go past the sign a digital camera reads your number plate. When you go past the next sign your number plate is read again. The computer knows how far apart the signs are so it can work out your average speed between the two, or three or four. The system is fully automatic and will issue a ticket without any form of human intervention. It does this for every single vehicle that passes. You will not know you’ve been caught as the cameras don’t flash. The work 24/7, 365 days a year, and theoretically, there’s absolutely no limit on the number of tickets that the system can issue. The whole section of the M4 between Theale (J12) and Membury Services (between J14 and J15) is wired both ways. The system is set to trigger a ticket at 78mph. Radar detectors will be of no use as SPECS is entirely passive, there is no radar or laser beam to detect. Please ensure that your colleagues/friends are made aware of the above. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dazzyvr6 0 Posted October 29, 2003 thats where my new gps camera locator comes in handy,tells me im entering the specs camera area,came in very handy when i went down to gravesend on monday :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J a m e s 0 Posted October 29, 2003 how much are these GPS radar detectors? I think i need one!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Linus Van Pelt 0 Posted October 29, 2003 Just got this on my e-mail. Be aware New electronic signs on the M4 were switched on on Tuesday 21st October 2003. The bad news is that they are rigged with SPECS speed cameras. SPECS is a computer-camera based system. As you go past the sign a digital camera reads your number plate. When you go past the next sign your number plate is read again. The computer knows how far apart the signs are so it can work out your average speed between the two, or three or four. The system is fully automatic and will issue a ticket without any form of human intervention. It does this for every single vehicle that passes. You will not know you’ve been caught as the cameras don’t flash. The work 24/7, 365 days a year, and theoretically, there’s absolutely no limit on the number of tickets that the system can issue. The whole section of the M4 between Theale (J12) and Membury Services (between J14 and J15) is wired both ways. The system is set to trigger a ticket at 78mph. Radar detectors will be of no use as SPECS is entirely passive, there is no radar or laser beam to detect. Please ensure that your colleagues/friends are made aware of the above. Sorry Chris, this is a total load of cobblers with bells on... :lol: Here's the offical response from TVP... The Highways Agency has installed new signs between J 12 and J 14 of the M4 as part of a year long pilot project to reduce congestion and collisions. The signs have two CCTV cameras. One which monitors the camera itself to make sure its working and displaying the right message; and another to monitor the congestion to evaluate the effect the sign is having on the traffic. There are NO speed cameras and NO SPECS cameras in the signs! The only involvement Thames Valley Police has is to change the messages on the signs according to the conditions to give up-to-date information. This is done via our control room. The signs are owned by the Highways Agency. There is detailed information about the project on the Highways Agency website. Please follow the link below or call them on 0845 955 6575. http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/ms4/09.htm Please feel free to pass this e-mail on, as there has been a lot of speculation about this. Kind regards Kate Smith Communications Manager Specialist Operations Thames Valley Police Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dazzyvr6 0 Posted October 29, 2003 paid £250 for mine(see highly recommended post)it doesnt detect the cameras it just knows the location of all the types of fixed speed camera devices,and it was exact aswell,well impressed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dazzyvr6 0 Posted October 29, 2003 btw specs is a system of about 3-4 seperate cameras i think,not just one unit Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Linus Van Pelt 0 Posted October 29, 2003 btw specs is a system of about 3-4 seperate cameras i think,not just one unit minimum of just two bud... DtM. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henny 0 Posted October 29, 2003 If I were to come up with a LEGAL way around these new camera systems, what sort of cash would people be willing to pay for the device? (You'd need a kit of 2, one front and one back) They need 2 wires feeding to them, (earth and ignition live) and are easy to fit and shouldn't be obvious when installed... I've had a few lawyers look into it, and they're not illegal to use on the road, sell, buy or install at the moment. They work on all digital and video based systems but NOT Gatso cameras (you'd still need a radar detector for them!) I'm in the process of making a couple of prototype ones at the moment for my G60 and I'm just wondering how much I could sell them for and if it's worth my while to do... Sensible answers please... :roll: :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dr_mat 0 Posted October 29, 2003 Your best bet is to use one of the GPS-based "detectors", cos the database includes "all known speed traps", so is continually updated. It is in NO WAY illegal (and never could be) to use a GPS location finder in your car - it just so happens that one function of it is to tell you when you're near a camera. Many of these are being extended to include known accident blackspots, so they have become an actual safety feature - you might not barrel through a seemingly innocent looking corner if you knew 500 people died there last year doing the same thing, sorta thing... IMHO this is better than relying on detectors, although both have their place. There are some things out there that obscure your license plates. They will always be illegal - that'll never change... http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/ This is an excellent site with loads of info, reviews of detectors, law information. No I didn't write it! I'm completely unbiased!! :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2cc 0 Posted October 29, 2003 Well cheers for that DtM. The message was from a very trusted source so I am now a bit concerned about that. Whatever, glad it's cobblers. One of my office mates was well worried today as he had been up and down there a mite snappily last w/e. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Linus Van Pelt 0 Posted October 30, 2003 Well cheers for that DtM. The message was from a very trusted source so I am now a bit concerned about that. Whatever, glad it's cobblers. One of my office mates was well worried today as he had been up and down there a mite snappily last w/e. :) No problems matey :thumbleft: I seem to remember a similar spate of hoaxes arrived with the arrival of the blue traffic master poles... :roll: I'm sure if we had any conspiracy theorists on board they could have a field day with it Several days later I saw another one of these but with the M4 replaced with the M25 :mad: Like it's not bad enough already! Re: numberplates, did you know you don't get points for failing to display/obstructing display of registration marks... :mrgreen: DtM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beetlebug_2001 0 Posted October 30, 2003 I think its probs a load of crap 2, think the law states that speed cameras must be visable and not hidden, so if they are using GPS by means of catching you and you dont see a camera then they are breaking the law, just what i heard dunno if anyone else heard of this, just remeber a case where a camera was hidden in bushs where u couldnt see it and it had to be moved. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Linus Van Pelt 0 Posted October 30, 2003 think the law states that speed cameras must be visable and not hidden It's not law I'm afraid, just (suggested) best practice (code of conduct) policy type of thing (the same way the highway code says "should" when referring to something not actually specified under traffic law). You could use the best practice measures to argue your case, but they're relying on most people to bend over and take the fine/points... Rude words. DtM. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
