I understand they compare your plate over time/distance.

But does it 'know' what type of vehicle it belongs to? Im doing
50 on average on a single national limit road in a petrol tanker.

My feelings are it doesn't


Russ.

 

The computer that the cameras are connected to probably knows.

It would be a simple task to compare the number plate against a list of HGV (or similar) plates.

 

Does anyone know anyone that has been caught by one of these - I for the life of me do not so I always wonder if they actually work (not just as a deterrent).

 

A mate of mine is a site manager on some of the motorway maintenance stuff.
It’s quite interesting talking to him about why there are so many cones out with nobody working or why the limits are so low.

But, he gets informed about people caught on the average speed cameras (not sure if that's a formal or informal arrangement though) , and it happens regularly.

Most of what I hear about though is for people doing 90+ in a 50limit.
So either the limits are set high or I'm just to far removed to hear about the other speeders.
I'd guess the truth lies somewhere in between.

 

I have had one guy done three times in one week on the M74 couple of years ago when they had average speed cameras on for roadworks.

His excuse was he didn't understand what they were and just followed everyone else. Believe it or not the Sheriff didn't give him 9 points as it would have resulted in a ban.

My understanding is on the Gatso's that there is a sensor in the road that detects weight but whether that is a myth or not. I had a lorry caught speeding doing 55 in a 60. Also had a Connect van caught doing 60 in a 60 - because it's not a car derived van and just over the weight threshold it has the same speed limits as a lorry. Although if you ring different Ford dealers they tell you different things about the speed for a Connect!

 

Yes - my friend was done by one - think he averaged over 60mph through road works covered by these cameras.

Does the myth that if you change lanes between cameras you can't get caught actually work?

 

I don't think so.
Although I'd guess that it's possible to hide yourself behind a lorry if you get the angles right.

 

I had this conversation going along the A14 SPECS bit whilst towing.

It doesn't

 

To answer the OP. When they were first installed (and this goes for GATSOs and Truvelos as well), because they're only triggered over a single set limit so say 60mph on a single carriageway for example, it would not catch Vans doing over 50 but less than 60.

They are starting to roll out new models of all types that will catch vans and lorries. But I don't know where they are with it.

A quote I found, don't know if they're implemented. But they're definitely on their way.

"Some Gatso's can also tell the difference between a car and HGV, so if for instance the limit was 60 mph for cars and for HGV's it was 40 mph, if HGV's pass the threshold of approx 45-50mph the camera would be triggered. "

 

They obviously have these cameras as I'm positive our lorry got caught by a fixed camera on the A15 and not a camera van. Will ask him though when I see him tomorrow.

The Connect van was on the A46 but I'm sure that's a camera van as there aren't any fixed cameras IIRR.