Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > General Motorcycles only > Speed limit tolerances

[Paul James]

Used to be that for speed cameras a tolerance of 10% posted limit plus 2mph was applied. (Actual speed in a 70 zone being 79 before a nick). It was supposedly to allow for speedometer errors.

Can anyone shed any light on whether this has changed ???

[doogalman]

Still much the same i think.

[chris.p]

Why?, have you been nicked Paul???



Chris

[MJS]

I believe the 10% plus 2mph is the ACPO guidelines, and as such are guidelines only, so it is possible to get done below that, but unlikely...

http://www.speedlimit.org.uk/faq.html

Also has a link to the ACPO website and speed enforcement guidelines

Martin

[Rossman_999]

Its cerainly no more Ive got got done for 82 on a 70 in the car! (camera van)

[YMFB]

When I did my advanced test with the IAM the examiner said that he would allow 5 mph, which is what a police officer would do.

One other thing he said was that when overtaking he would be watching what was happening not the speedo so make the overtakes quickly and safely and after the manouvere was complete check speed, not during.

Of course he wasnt actually plod or a speed camera !

[Athelstan]

Originally Posted by Paul James

Used to be that for speed cameras a tolerance of 10% posted limit plus 2mph was applied. (Actual speed in a 70 zone being 79 before a nick). It was supposedly to allow for speedometer errors.

Here in CH we have the following:
a) general rule is 5kph tolerance margin allowed and the equipement error is set at 5%. Anyone found speeding more than 30kph (inc the 5kph) over the set limit has licence immediately withdrawn at the roadside and is not allowed to continue their journey in their vehicle which is impounded.

b) in some regions the authorities have introduced some new kit where they say the lazer measuring is so accurate that they have lowered the error margin to 3kph!! In other words virtually nothing (it is 1.875 miles per hour) - BUT - you the motorist have no idea where the new kit is installed.

c) the smallest roadside fine you'll face is approx UK£20 and the largest UK£90 plus an administration fee which will vary according to the Kanton where you were speeding, but expect a Tenner. If you are really thrashing it and above the max speed limit plus 30kph the you'll face a very heavy administration fee +UK£150, plus a court fine upwards of UK£120 to UK£2,000, plus a court fee - minimum UK£60. And if you were really naughty or caused an accident you may face gail as well which may be anything from the weekend to years.

Compared to us the uk is bliss - you lucky people.

[Paul James]

Just seems that as the driver/rider has his/her licence endorsed with penalty points which can lead to a driving ban there should be some national tolerance law ? There must be something to cover the potential inaccuracy of the speedometer and of course the speed measuring equipment ?

Question came up as a guy who does regular van deliveries to us recently got a ticket for doing 76 in a 70 zone, if the 10% plus 2mph was applied he shouldn't have been nicked.

[jgriff]

Here in Oz in NSW, a decition has just been handed down in the supreme court, stateing that all the radar trap aquired fines were null and void for the last ten years. This was because the radar guns were required to be calibrated daily by the manufacturer, but the NSW cops did it yearly. This sounds like a bonus, but no. Due to the revenue raised being in the billions of dollars, the case has now moved up to the federal court.
Our cops give no quarter, for speedo error, which frankly sucks. They use to. And the worst part is that they say they are doing it to reduce road toll, but there has been no change since introducing all of the speeding detection equipment.

Griff

[andyb]

Most speedos, particularly the japanese ones error on the side of bravado.......so when your whinging about being caught at only 6 mile an hour over the limit, that will be the correct speed as apposed to you speedo reading which was probably over 80............

So if you used the speedo reading at for example 70 in a 70 i doubt if you would get a ticket.....Still you think they would put a big needle on it and get it to point at the speed your going...