happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

I landed at Gatwick 11 days ago, picked up the rental, a Hyundai Tucson, and have been to Brighton, Eastbourne, Hever, Hampton Court Palace, Bath, Thornbury, Cardiff, Stratford upon Avon, Ambleside and now in Glasgow.

I get the speed cameras in the towns but On the motorways you see signs for traffic cameras but don’t see any camera boxes. Are there speed cameras on the motorways as well or not.

And I am asking out of interest not because I am speeding anywhere! Frankly, on many of the roads I don’t get close to the limit while trying to miss the other vehicles going the opposite way.

Backing up a couple of hundred yards to a layby so the farm tractor with his wagon could fit by in Wales was a bit of an eye opener.

Definitely dusting off the cobwebs from my driving skills

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

When you see the gantry's over the motorway they usually contain traffic cameras. These are to monitor road conditions as well as catch speeders....NB they can also log 'average speed' when in roadworks or when there is a temporary limit stated...Because of this - they no longer need to paint strips on the road like a ruler and average your travel time.

In towns there are still big yellow box cameras on poles....They flash twice and your speed over distance is measured. There are also very tall poles with small CCTV cameras that can catch you out.

The good news is, that as a visitor the chances of them issuing a fine is slim - which all of the European lorry drivers have discovered.

In the UK we have Motorways (generally three lanes throughout with slip roads for incoming and exiting traffic)up to 70mph. Dual carriage ways (two lanes each way and slip roads)up to 60mph .....not that you can tell, A roads which are two way traffic and generally no parking except in layby's....up to 60mph except when posted different. B roads which which link A roads together with towns and class C roads which are generally single file with passing places.The speed limit varies (often for no appreciable reason except maybe two or three accidents have occurred there in living memory)

Scotland has a different approach. You probably noticed that the A74 from Carlisle to Glasgow feels like a Dual Carriage Way but has traffic slowing and stopping in the outside lane turning right to exit as well as T junctions for incoming traffic without any acceleration zone. It is renown for pile ups....so keep an eye on braking distances. Many A roads in Scotland are like this. Also having got out of a town, many roads are quite tight for two way traffic. And a LONG way between petrol stations.
Many rural areas are single track roads with passing places and a BUS service and Heavy Goods vehicles etc using them.... expect to have to reverse!!! it is easier for the car to do so and locals expect it.
Finally, if the sat nav says turn into a gravel road -IGNORE it.....it is a farm track or house driveway.

You are obviously on a whistle stop tour of the UK.....Have fun and beware of the midges in Scotland....NOW is the season.

Hope you are having a great time

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

Thanks for the great response Mr Brown, very helpful. Yes we are trying to see too much in the 23 days we are here but are having a wonderful time. We have met many very nice people and had some great food. Managed to see the opening night of King John in Stratford.

Next time it will be pick a spot and stay for a week and take everything in there.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

SMART CAMERA'S. They're are on the reverse of the gantry and all electronically operated. They measure the variable speed limit shown on the front of the gantry and also average speeds through a section. Chances are that should you speed the notice and fine will be in the post before you get home.
They have an enviable record so others beware - if you are in a hire car, the hire company just bills your credit card.

We have the Institute of Advanced Motorists (Roadsmart) over here in which you get a no. lessons and a test by a current or retired Police driver. I took about 10 sessions and got tested by the recently retired Officer that used to train the other speedcops - sort of a Top Guns TOP GUN.

I learn't a lot on this course and enjoyed it. I'm sure Canada has something similar and I'm pretty sure the U.S. does too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAM_RoadSmart

P.S. I passed, just a point or two off a top score.

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

Thanks for the info John, I might have have lit one up in Wales, a round sign flashed 30 at me as I was coming into the 30 zone in a town, I was still around 33 and slowing down, other than that I think I have been very good.

We took the A82 from Glasgow to Inverness today. Very scenic, don’t think I ever hit the 60 limit.

I retired from the police 11 years ago, very comfortable with the rules of a the road and driving very fast in need be. Which it isn’t anymore!

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I think you're O.K. there, from your description these are signs placed by the local community that light up to draw your attention to the fact that you are still over the limit. They are not, so far as I'm aware, legally enforceable. We have one here in Stokenchurch. Although I passed my I.A.M. I'm not perfect and this sign has reminded me a few times.

josquin1 Loc: Massachusetts

Bravo for driving on the left and surviving.

David Taylor

Is the speed limit on dual carriageways not 70?

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Nope!!! Not Always......Got a dual carriage way coming into Brighton (A27) that is 40mph
The A275 is 60mph The list goes on......What you see is the 'open limit' sign...white circle with a diagonal black line which is still 60mph even on a single carriage road.

have fun

David Taylor

70 unless posted otherwise then.