Hello all i joined here today.
So i passed my test on Friday last week, and have stated diving my lovely Rover 25 around.
Fine you think.
But im paranoid being on probation for 2 years and only able to incur 6 points - i want 0. I dont intend on speeding, im a sensible fellow, limits are limits but sometimes you cant help it, or you look down (especially as a new driver!) and you are a few over, so you adjust speed and so on.
Okay, so yeah if i dont speed i wont get stung. But when im driving im seeing this and that and the other car bomb it past me....and IM the one worried?!
If i was snapped driving at night by a speed camera, how bright is the flash? Im assuming it'd be pretty difficult not to notice right?
Like i say, i hate these people that bomb it about, they ruin it for everyone, but the seem SO strict on it it just leaves me concerned.
Cheers peoples
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Welcome, Goat.
First thing to know is that not all speed cameras flash (not with a white light, anyway). I don't know if SPECS cameras work at night (perhaps someone will tell us) but they don't flash, and Truvelo's use some sort of IR or similar.
hth
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Yes - SPECS do use infra-red.
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Just treat the whole speed camera issue as a game. I try to give them no chance of doing me for for speeding out of bloodymindedness! I'm not sure how long it will be before I'm another one caught out but I'm giving it my best shot.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 03/10/2008 at 14:40
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As you drive you will get to know your car and how it feels at sounds and feels at different speeds. One tip to ensure better control in 30 limits is to stay in 3rd gear. Much more control, the car won't run away from you and if you start increasing speed the increase in engine noise will be noticeable.
The fact you are worried about speeding means you are probably careful anyway. As to others don't worry about them. If they want to speed let them, if they want to get past let them do so at the earliest opportunity. A tailgater is better off in front anyway - easier to keep an eye on!
Happy motoring.
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on probation for 2 years and only able to incur 6 points - i want 0. I dont intend on speeding im a sensible fellow limits are limits but sometimes you cant help it or you look down (especially as a new driver!) and you are a few over so you adjust speed and so on.
So just drive carefully. If you're "a few over" you probably won't be "done" - if you're more than this you may be. Find a smily-faced "speed indicator device" and experiment. You may find your speedo. is spot-on, or it may over-read. Stick to the speed limit - if someone wants to come past, let 'em. Remember you can eat up your points allocation quite easily in many other ways, too ("bald" tyres, being on the 'phone....).
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I guess you are right!
Thanks, and thanks everyone.
So am i correct in thinking that when driving along at night, if i were flashed it'd be very bright and i would most likely notice?
Also have my sat nav which i keep updated for cameras so as far as they go i should be covered.
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Welcome aboard, Goat - and full marks for wanting to make a safe and sensible start to your driving career.
I'd advise you to make some opportunities to really get to know your car. Resolve to do without the radio for the first few weeks and listen to the noises the car makes at certain speeds and in different situations. You'll then be surprised how accurately you can estimate your speed without looking down. Get to know your rev counter too - it's not just there to keep the speedo company!
Another useful trick to learn is the vanishing point technique. On a bendy country road, look ahead to the point where the two edges of the road appear to converge and aim to maintain a speed that keeps this point from getting any closer to you; if it does come closer, ease off. You'll find it helps you maintain a safe speed much more effectively than constantly looking at the speedo.
While you're out there, you could try the old 'no brakes' exercise - try to drive as far as you can without touching the brake pedal and be amazed at how this enhances your ability to anticipate. It'll save you a lot of fuel in the long term too.
I know these aren't directly concerned with adhering to speed limits, but my point is that if you're a sensitive driver who's in sympathy with your machine and doing your best to read the road conditions, not provoking the cameras will become second nature - and you can save a lot of breath on the tedious subject of 'scameras'!
};---)
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I know it's early days yet, but consider some advanced driving lessons if you can afford them
you'll be amazed at what extra you notice, you'll be much, much safer...and most of the time will notice enough to pick out the cameras, camera vans etc
as a bonus, you can often be quicker as a driver and some insurance companies will give you a discount
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Thanks, and thanks WillDeBeest too!
I will certainly consider those advanced lessons!
As far as the cameras go there just seem to be so many and they freak me out when i approach them, so like im uber careful lol.
I just hope i havent missed anyway, was why i wondered about the brightness of the flash! Would be pretty conclusive!
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learn what the differences are re cameras
some fixed ones get you travelling towards them, most get you travelling away (which gives you a chance to see the camera box and the white lines on the road), SPECS are an average (usually on m/ways or dual carrigeways, in road works)
knowing your environment can help, it's amazing how many people aren't aware enough of their environment to know what limit they're in at any given time, so when they see a camera they panic and brake...really irritating when you're following them and they were o.k. at that speed anyway... and makes you wonder what else they're not noticing (hence the advanced lessons advice).
then there's the difference in your car speedo and the actual speed you're travelling at, can be 10%. Mine and my wife's car are both exactly 3 mph out.
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Aye, i hear ya!
So your car is 3mph out?
Whats the deal with my tomtom telling me im doing 55 when my speedo says 60 too?
Annoying!!
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Whats the deal with my tomtom telling me im doing 55 when my speedo says 60 too? Annoying!!
Car speedos seem to overestimate by about 5 mph in my experience. They can by law overestimate, but not visa versa.
I know what you mean about cameras. Like you I don't like those who go at excessive speed, but it is getting absurd.
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>>Whats the deal with my tomtom telling me im doing 55 when my speedoCar speedos seem to overestimate by about 5 mph in my experience. They can by law overestimate but not visa versa.
Even maestro versa, perhaps. LOL
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Even maestro versa perhaps. LOL
Some kind of intellectual joke among those who learned Latin at school?
Edited by Leif on 03/10/2008 at 16:32
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>>Some kind of intellectual joke among those who learned Latin at school?
Not unless you need the Latin for spending money I suppose..
Also, Leif, what's this about the vanishing point thingy - if you're driving, at any speed, that point is in the same place surely?
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Also Leif what's this about the vanishing point thingy - if you're driving at any speed that point is in the same place surely?
it's to do with safely approaching a corner and knowing in advance how tight or shallow that corner is going to be.
if you look ahead and look at the point where the nearside hedge meets the offside hedge i.e. where they seem to join, if when you approach that point it starts moving away from you, then the corner is opening up, which means it isn't that bad and you can drive a little faster...if it stays still and doesn't move, it is going to be a tight corner, so you can plan accordingly
Roadcraft explains it far better than I can
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A sort of "modernist" version of this technique is possible using a satnav. Particularly at night if on an unfamiliar route you can use the nav if in "birdseye" mode to help you plan a corner.
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Oh yes, I see the point(!) now - ta Westpig.
I was reading it in the context of the OP not wanting to 'speed', rather than roadcraft.
Edited by woodbines on 04/10/2008 at 08:59
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On the assumption that you are fairly young, Goat (sorry if this isn't so), I would add that you should beware of thinking you are any good when you've had some practice and become used to the whole enterprise. By then you will have started to find others' road behaviour annoying, and you will find yourself tempted to take risks to get past them, or even to express your annoyance with light signals or gesticulations. Try not to do either of these things because they can lead to trouble.
However willing and intelligent you are, and however well-trained as a driver, it takes a lot longer than you might think to become generally safe and competent in most situations without having to think about it all the time in a concentrated manner. The road is a more complex environment than people imagine. Getting traffic rhythms right takes years of practice. Don't be put off by the fact that some driver's don't even try: get them right yourself. It's more peaceful and efficient like that.
Try to drive in an elegant flow, in a spirit of relaxed vigilance. Make sure other traffic is aware of your immediate intentions by signalling. Don't do anything suddenly or at the last minute. If you miss your turn-off, go round the block, even if it's two miles square, rather than causing an accident.
In my youth we learned by taking risks. Today motoring is tightly corralled, but it is still possible to enjoy it. I hope you do.
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Hello all i joined here today. So i passed my test on Friday last week
The way to avoid being involved in accidents is to acquire the ability to see hazardous situations developing and to take the necessary action to not become involved. Unfortunately this ability only comes with experience, no matter how skilled you are at actually driving.
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I used to appreciate the warning "bell" which you could preset ( maybe still can ) on BMWs if you drifted over a personally predetermined speed. Helped to remind you of what you were doing without interfering with your decisions.
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Can't be a difficult thing to include in the software. I would be in favour of its widespread use.
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Trouble is when I drive it i always has "set speed limit exceeded" - no doubt that will turn me into a figure of hate now amongst certain people.
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'pends where you set it really .......
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Well, I must admit, I had to drive from Dingwall ( way way way up there ) to a certain Cheshire market town last night and needed to do it ....efficiently. The lights on the Siggy were not really up to the......ambient conditions...
Edit - Wrong thread again, sorry chaps/esses
Edited by Humph Backbridge on 03/10/2008 at 21:33
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Don't be tempted to drive too quickly until you're 25. Then you'll avoid having an accident. Been there, done that.
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Of course the speed limit is just that - a limit. It's not a target speed that you *have* to drive at.
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... let alone a challenge daring you to stay above it at all times, although there are more and more limits on roads I know that are exactly like that...
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I am on 2 year probation like Goatina and has done more than 10,000 miles since acquiring my license in May this year without any points. I would say I am paranoid like him. I keep to top ends of speed limits and other drivers still make me feel as if I am a mimser: tailgating me, overtaking me at every opportunity and looking my way while doing so and shaking their heads or cursing. My biggest worry is when the traffic light turns yellow before turning red when usually I stop but knowing fully well that majority behind me would have loved to speed through the yellow light and therefore the probability of being hit at the back. In Coventry, there are so many traffic light camera so my paranoia at the same time. Really I can't wait for the curse of two years to pass over.
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Akin - Sounds as though you are doing it right, dont be pressurised by other road users. If you change your style of driving after two years 12 points may be the least of your problems.
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Forgive me Goat if I'm wrong.
You've been out enjoying your new found freedom and want to know:
- which cameras flash and would be obvious had you gone past one too quickly?
- which cameras don't flash?
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