Average Speed Cameras Target A13

By · January 18, 2010 at 16:10 pm · 16 Comments · Latest News · Report an error ·

A13.jpg
Photo by O.F.E.

TfL announced today that they plan to introduce average speed cameras on a 7.5 mile section of the A13 by next summer. Interestingly, the area targeted is between Canning Town and the Goresbook Interchange, which as anyone who uses the road regularly knows, is one of the most congested sections though TfL claim the high collision rate as justification for the decision.

We can’t help but wonder how many of those collisions were the result of filtering motorbikes being winged by cars performing low speed lane changes and minor rear end shunts as motorists queue in heavy traffic as opposed to being ‘speed-related’ as claimed by TfL. In fact, we would have thought that the numerous gatso cameras already on that stretch of road would have sorted the speed merchants from the Sunday drivers.

It’s the first time that average speed cameras are being proposed for a major London arterial route, but keen followers of motoring news may remember back in 2005 when 5600 motorists fined by an incorrectly signposted average speed camera in Upper Thames Street had their fines refunded.

On the positive side, they’re unlikely to catch many people breaking the proposed 50mph speed limit for that section, especially not TfL employees.

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  • M@

    Why use average speed cameras? Can’t we afford ‘good’ ones? ;-)

  • http://undefined JSDorG

    Totally agree with your comments – another income stream slipped in under the guise of “our own benefit”. If the existing GATSO’s are so useless as to not catch all the baby-murdering-tree-burning speeders…why would average speed cams do any better?

  • http://undefined cobo04

    I agree about the speed on this road, more snails pace than anything, maybe they’ll set the limit to 15 MPH to catch even the average peak time speed !!

  • http://www.oxocubeeditorial.com/ Beth Torr

    I would have thought that if they were that concerned about safety they’d improve the Lodge Lane flyover which is where a lot of accidents happen. Two narrow lanes and no central barrier is downright dangerous especially with the volume of HGVs which use it. In my experience, the majority of accidents on that section of the A13 are down to people changing lanes without looking properly and nothing to do with speed.

  • JSDorG

    The majority of accidents altogether have nothing to do with speed. It’s simply a good income gathering strategy that remains extremely marketable to the hard-of-thinking as a justifiable cause. Another smokescreen for a rattling canister of coins and further erosion of what small civil liberties are left.

  • http://undefined fluff_mike

    @JSDorG You say “the majority of accidents altogether have nothing to do with speed”

    Have you any evidence for this, because the boring facts show the opposite is true

    A recent report in the British Medical Journal shows that in London’s 20mph zones death and injury have been cut by 42%, with the effect greatest on the lives of young children.

    http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/339/dec10_3/b4469

    Simple, you reduce speed and you reduce death and injury.

    I suspect the only ‘right’ you’re really protecting is your right to drive however fast you think is safe

    What about obeying the law?

  • MarkTheW

    JSDorG is correct that there are lots of GATSO’s on the A13 but they are part of the problem. Speed merchants bombing along at 70 then hitting the brakes when they see a GATSO – that’s the main problem I see when driving home on the A13. Average speed camera’s will stop this dangerous nonsense – plus the speed limit will be upped to a more sensible 50mph.

  • JSDorG

    Fluff Mike – you have typically demanded facts from me whilst simply stating your case that some facts located in a place only known to you exist that prove you right.

    You are talking about 20mph restrictions – we are talking about GATSO and average speed cameras. Totally different things, I’m sure you don’t need me to further point out that obvious fact?

    Your suspicions are interesting too, as they seem to require only one new paragraph to evolve fully into an accusation that I break the law.

    Typical hysterical nonsense.

    Enjoy your magic cameras.

  • cj

    USELESS i think the government is wasting thier money spending millions on unnecessary cameras, they need to concentrate on constructing smoother roads, the amount of pot holes and cracks everywhere i dont know where the hell my £220.00 road tax money is going, on yeah on stupid speed camera. Its not lowering accidents its just there for you get a £60 fine and 3/6 points (CROOK)

  • JohN

    has the average speed cameras come into force yet.
    Please some let me know.

    Thank you

  • C Creasey

    Hi John, Cameras are not in force yet, although new average speed camera signs have gone up (covered up) and looks like the speed limit is staying at 40mph………stupid speed for the road :(

  • Darrenjohnbird

    i have been driving on the A13 for many many years….And as a shift worker at all times of the day.

    Personally i would ban people for a month if they are caught using a mobile phone at the wheel

  • Geoffrey Nevett

    The 40 signs are stickers. if you look at the 4 on the signs they are stickers. There are 2 new 50 signs before beckton as you go into the city.

  • Chris

    As Dave say s you will be lucky to reach 30mph on the a13. i think they have again wasted the tax man money when there are cuts going on, think about it just for a minute they target vans lorrys cars which is good but they over come one called the motorbike.
    A motor bike could do 150mph down the a13 and nothing will be done as the number plates are at the back and the new gatto reads only number plates from the front. well done to the brains on this one. so people if you want to get to a to b quicker get a motor bike and can break the speed limit knowing that it reads from the front and get away from it plus you can laugh at other motors driving cars vans and lorrys who will get the tickets.and you will beat them all.
    well done tfl again well though of.

  • Alsie

    can a motor bike be caught speeding on averageing cameras

  • Bulldog_John

    I use the A13 a lot over a number of years as i go to the speed required 50 , 40 I see car ,motor bikes and HGVs going pass me like I am going to slow I would like to see the number of the speeder that have been done as know one knows if the average speed cameras are working or again just a waste of tax payer money if the number are shown not who been done just a number like 100 , or more that have been fined for speeding if the driver that speeding along the A13 not been caught that go round that they are not working I was tpld that the cameras can see caught you on he mobile also is this true

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