Speed Camera on Westwood Hill

[coll]

I was stuck behind someone going 10 miles under the speed limit this evening when to my absolute surprise the Speed Camera on Westwood Hill flashed me. How is that possible?

How do I appeal this ticket when it arrives in a week? It’s my word against a comuter.

[simon]

Coll, you should get a print out that shows your speed, if it says you were over you could ask that the machine's service record be checked. I saw someone working on the cameras yesterday afternoon. I have never seen them flash even when people have been going considerably over the limit.

[stuart]

Don't panic! If you were under the speed limit it may have flashed because:

1) It was faulty. A couple of years ago the camera at the start of the M4 elevated section (eastwards 40mph) flashed me evertime I went passed. One night when there was nothing about I slowed down to 15mph and it still flashed! No penalties received as it would be obvious it was faulty

2) It receives a false reading. I've been flashed 2 or 3 times when approaching a camera and also when there was a sudden gust of wind (moving branches?) Again nowt received.

There was a famous case of a motorcyclist done for 42mph. He challenged and when the photo was produced it showed he was doing 20-25mph (by calculating how many painted markers he had passed between the twin flashes). The operator claimed a bus in the opposite direction gave a reflection.

So just wait. If nothing happens forget it. If you get a notice then check the photo. The road markings are there for your protection.

Stuart