It maybe old news to most,but I was recently informed that the speedo allowance,that once was 10% plus one. So now,if you are caught doing 34 in a 30 zone,you’ll be penalised. Or have I been mis-informed?
It was only ever a recommended guidance anyway and you could be done for 31mph in a 30 zone.
Most forces follow the guidance, but they don’t have to.
To stay safe, stick to the limit 
It was always 8% plus one. However over time it was changed to 10% plus one by word of mouth. Personally don’t believe in any of it speed limit is speed limit. Don’t get me wrong I have broke it like anyone else, but being paid by the hour and also it is my licence and only me gets fined makes me more than ever stick to the limit. However knowing my luck I will get a speeding ticket through my door any day now.
Darrenb:
It was always 8% plus one. However over time it was changed to 10% plus one by word of mouth. Personally don’t believe in any of it speed limit is speed limit. Don’t get me wrong I have broke it like anyone else, but being paid by the hour and also it is my licence and only me gets fined makes me more than ever stick to the limit. However knowing my luck I will get a speeding ticket through my door any day now.
Not word of mouth, the ACPO guidelines are 10% +2mph…
As far as I know, they still are.
BUT, they are guidelines and no force has to honour them. As you said, the speed limit is the posted sign, not the posted sign + x.
Exceed the limit at your own risk, I know if / when I exceed it, it’s at my own risk, by however many mph.
Mate of mine recently got a speed awareness course for 31 in 30.
His agreement about not beening able to tell off the speedo was met with keep the needle under 30!
Yes ACPO guidelines are 10% +2 to allow for the fact speedos are not calibrated. Police and cameras can be set even higher and this but I wouldn’t risk it.
I remember one night when I was returning to base, I tried this amazing trick which actually worked to beat the speed camera. It’s ingenious and simple, yet most people seem to overlook it.
I remained under the maximum speed limit, and when I encroached upon it, I made sure I didn’t exceed it.
I was gobsmacked when I actually got home (albeit 3 minutes later than usual) because up until then I’d always imagines I wouldn’t. Heavens knows why.
pepsifarr:
for the fact speedos are not calibrated
that’s the reason I mentioned,so drivers don’t get caught out,not to encourage drivers to exceed the speed limit. Of course,as we know the valid reason why the speed limit exists
K27:
pepsifarr:
for the fact speedos are not calibratedthat’s the reason I mentioned,so drivers don’t get caught out,not to encourage drivers to exceed the speed limit. Of course,as we know the valid reason why the speed limit exists
In cars yes, but lorries should be pretty much on the nose as they are calibrated!
As an aside, My speedo in the car reads high 50kph on the speedo is only 41kph according to my GPS, so are people driving faster now? using the speed from the GPS ?
I often wonder if those that drive a Renault think I’m hitting 60 when I pass them at 55 (gps) when (if you look at their dash when passing), their digi speedo shows 56! I know digi speedos are normally out more than a normal dial display (cars especially) but should they not be more accurate on a truck?
The limiter on our vans use GPS (limited to 56 and shows as such on satnav - 60 on ‘dial’ speedo)
waynedl:
It was only ever a recommended guidance anyway and you could be done for 31mph in a 30 zone.Most forces follow the guidance, but they don’t have to.
To stay safe, stick to the limit
^^ ^^ ^^ This. It`s not rocket science.
guideline :
acpo.police.uk/documents/uni … -roads.pdf
The guideline is not an excuse to exceed speed limits.
Given that LGVs & coaches are running on calibrated tachos , should not be a lame excuse to allow for the tolerances .
Nor should you rely on a sat-nav (GPS) device to be accurate.
Most sat-nav (GPS) units read speed display as eg: 62 not 62.9 nor 62.1 nor 62.4
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The tolerance is to allow for worn tyres from new -fit and wear & tear in the drive-train and measuring accuracy.
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The police are interested in your speed not how you measure it.
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Indeed though the prescribed and supplied apparatus for such measurement is the vehicle speedometer and so it is to that which we should give greater credence and it suffers much less hysteresis than a sat nav (GPS) device.
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Your vehicle speedometer will, however, over read more as the tread wears away on your tyres up to 10% tolerance and not under read.
The inaccuracy is pretty much constant.
I often wonder if those that drive a Renault think I’m hitting 60 when I pass them at 55 (gps) when (if you look at their dash when passing
Yer I think that is true we run a big fleet of Renaults and there speedos do seem to be out when set against gps . Have noticed all Axors set to 56 seem to fly
ezydriver:
I remember one night when I was returning to base, I tried this amazing trick which actually worked to beat the speed camera. It’s ingenious and simple, yet most people seem to overlook it.I remained under the maximum speed limit, and when I encroached upon it, I made sure I didn’t exceed it.
I was gobsmacked when I actually got home (albeit 3 minutes later than usual) because up until then I’d always imagines I wouldn’t. Heavens knows why.
This^^^
… Is good advice mostly. However, not all speed guns/cameras are accurate.
MCN once found that a particular type of speed gun showed a Honda Fireblade (I think it was) was travelling at 18mph when the bike was stationary. It showed wildy inaccurate figures for a motorcycle, several times indicating the bike was exceeding the speed limit when it wasn’t…
So the kit they use can be wrong…
waynedl:
Darrenb:
It was always 8% plus one. However over time it was changed to 10% plus one by word of mouth. Personally don’t believe in any of it speed limit is speed limit. Don’t get me wrong I have broke it like anyone else, but being paid by the hour and also it is my licence and only me gets fined makes me more than ever stick to the limit. However knowing my luck I will get a speeding ticket through my door any day now.Not word of mouth, the ACPO guidelines are 10% +2mph…
As far as I know, they still are.
BUT, they are guidelines and no force has to honour them. As you said, the speed limit is the posted sign, not the posted sign + x.
Exceed the limit at your own risk, I know if / when I exceed it, it’s at my own risk, by however many mph.
many times I’ve put it on here! 
8% + 1mph for PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS! 
10% + 2 mph for motorists 
guidelines only! 
if copper wanted BUZZ/ a laugh to give you a ticket at 1mph over he/ she would/ COULD! ACAB!
^^^^^^^^^
I think that was a very old article I read about Carbon Fibre and Radar, the two don’t go together at all (Or is it fibreglass?)
Newer speed guns are laser and should be accurate
Some years ago (2008 I think) I got pulled at 41 in a 30 limit, driving a 7.5 puddle-jumper; speed gun coming towards the end of a 30 limit. Fair cop, not complaining; but the copper did advise me that had I been doing less than 38 he had powers of discretion as to whether or not to book me, over that he had no option. That was in Dyfed-Powys area, don’t know if it’s a nationwide thing and TBH I’ve no intention of deliberately testing it again!