Police Speed trap Etiquette

[Paul the 6th]

think any kind of thumbs down or gesture from another road user is enough to make me take it steady. It could be a police speed trap or a traffic accident but either way you know there's something to take extra care for.

I am new to biking but surely camera vans don't matter as they take a photo from the front and only on the side of the road they are parked on. As such cant really do much to bikers or am I completely wrong and a complete twonk.

[Paul the 6th]

On the A64 near where I live in York, they sometimes park the camera van on the eastbound side but with cameras facing to catch westbound traffic, they also have patrol cars & bikes waiting to come after you... But i've rarely seen that setup anywhere else so hey go

[Lissa]

Pete and I will both give the thumbs down as a warning.

We were bimbling through a local village a couple of weeks ago and first an oncoming car flashed us, then in the next car an old chap stuck his hand out of the window with a clear thumbs down gesture. We were doing 30, but took heed of the warning and as we went round the next bend there was a camera van parked up, just by the NSL sign. Obviously meant to catch those who knew the 30mph limit ended just round the corner and may have speeded up a little!

[Paul the 6th]

Sounds like an accident blackspot to me lissa b'stards

Originally Posted by vannus

I am new to biking but surely camera vans don't matter as they take a photo from the front and only on the side of the road they are parked on. As such cant really do much to bikers or am I completely wrong and a complete twonk.

It wouldn't surprise me if they right down your number plate when you drive past. If they spot you on a red Suzuki, and your plate happens to be a red Gsxr600, they can prosecute you, AFAIK.

Originally Posted by Paul the 6th

On the A64 near where I live in York, they sometimes park the camera van on the eastbound side but with cameras facing to catch westbound traffic, they also have patrol cars & bikes waiting to come after you... But i've rarely seen that setup anywhere else so hey go

That sounds like an ANPR setup to me rather than speed trapping.

[keith_d]

I've seen a scamera van with two bikes and a traffic car a few times in the Bucks area.

From the van's location I suspect they are running a speed trap (loops in the road) and ANPR (bikes and car to pull over the uninsured) from the same vehicle.

Fortunately, I'm usually going the other way.

Keith.

Originally Posted by Jamiebridges123

It wouldn't surprise me if they right down your number plate when you drive past. If they spot you on a red Suzuki, and your plate happens to be a red Gsxr600, they can prosecute you, AFAIK.

That they cant do need to be able to prove it, cant do that without photo of plate on vehicle and speed at time of photo.

[Spiderman]

Originally Posted by vannus

I am new to biking but surely camera vans don't matter as they take a photo from the front and only on the side of the road they are parked on. As such cant really do much to bikers or am I completely wrong and a complete twonk.

Originally Posted by Jamiebridges123

It wouldn't surprise me if they right down your number plate when you drive past. If they spot you on a red Suzuki, and your plate happens to be a red Gsxr600, they can prosecute you, AFAIK.

Nearly right there James.

if the camera operator sees you do an excess speed he is more than entitled to watch you pass and write down you reg no in order to send you the ticket.
Nothing to do with red suzuki/green kwak plates.