SPECS
21st Mar 2006, 21:25:35
What's worse than roadworks? When they're roadworks to install SPECS, that's what.
So I'm on my way to work and there's some roadworks on the M6, J12-13 with a 40MPH limit. Bad enough, but I can see that they are installing SPECS.
SPECS is a type of traffic enforcement that uses multiple cameras to calculate the average speed of a vehicle over a predetermined distance. This is done automatically, using Optical Character Recognition to read the vehicle's number plate. If the motorist in question has covered the distance at an average speed in excess of the speed limit, they receive a fine of at least £60.00 and at least 3 penalty points.
The real kicker is that SPECS will record your little visit irrespective of whether you were speeding or not and it is stored in the Police National Computer. Can you remember where you were at this time last year? If you were driving where SPECS is installed, you bet the Police can.
So it seems that not only are the British are expected to drive at a mind numbing 70 MPH everywhere, but one must do so while staring at the speedometer. Remember, SPECS measures your average speed. Don't let your speed creep up for a second! Not even to overtake that lorry in safety.
Some autobahns in Germany are completely derestricted. Italy just increased its motorway speed limit to 93 MPH. Time to emigrate.
In conclusion, Bollocks to SPECS. Fat, hairy Bollocks to it.
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