Speed camera detectors

np · Post by np » 23 Mar 2005, 01:40

Watching C5`s 5th Gear last night,it seems the powers that be want to ban speed camera/radar dectectors.Unless it is GPS based.
I `ve had a GPS road angel for 3 mths now,brillient bit of kit.Warns of accident blackspots as well,so you can reduce you speed in advance.I dont speed everywhere,but i dont want to get any points.Also knowing about blackspots is good.But by banning them,it seems to me that the camera`s ARE just money making cash machines![:(!]
Sunday i was on the A38 dual carrigeway by my house in Bristol.40mph zone.Theres a speed camera in the central reservation,thats turned around every now & then.Sunday it was facing my direction of travel.100 yards BEFORE it,there was a mobile camera van![:(!]Talk about coining it in.Why there,before the camera???
It can only get worse.Rant over now[:)]

IAN.D · Post by **IAN.D** » 23 Mar 2005, 02:55

Yes they are just money making machines and they will do what they can to earn more!!!
They don't want you to know were they are do they, no money to rob you of then!!!
I read somewere that them signs that show the speed you are driving at are some thing like 70 percent more efective at slowing people down than cameras. You see your speed in big numbers which makes you know how quick you are going or shames you in to slowing down.
They will not be putting these in place of cameras though as they do not generate money.

turbolag · Post by **turbolag** » 23 Mar 2005, 20:02

If you don't speed, you don't pay, they make no money and the self funding cameras and vans disappear. It's the speeding motorists that perpertuate the whole scheme by being caught speeding and generating a fine. No speeding = no fines = bankrupt speed enforcement units.

turbolag · Post by **turbolag** » 23 Mar 2005, 20:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by IAN.DI You see your speed in big numbers which makes you know how quick you are going or shames you in to slowing down.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That type is being discouraged. It seems the chavs think it's a bit of fun to blat past and register as fast as possible. The smiley type are finding more favour. Why not fit speed cameras in these? Not only do you get the effect you mention when folk slow down, but those that don't take heed get fined.
TBH, anyone who's eyesight is so poor that the can't see a reflective 30" diameter sign at the entrance to a village that says "30" or "40" (or whatever) and is unable to then take heed of the simple instruction held therein, probably shouldn't be on the roads anyway.

yangreen · Post by **yangreen** » 23 Mar 2005, 22:58

I'm pleased I'm not the only one who thinks not speeding is a good way of avoiding fines. I cannot stand people who complain that cameras are a stealth tax. No they aren't! Taxes are not optional!!
Maybe it's just because I live in the countryside now. Must admit that breaking the 30mph limit around Birmingham was something I did without a thought but then, there aren't lots of little signs reminding you! It now annoys me when people speed through my village! How you change!

weety · Post by **weety** » 24 Mar 2005, 01:12

the powers that be are going to ban radar detectors and laser diffusers on pain of a fine and points if either is found in your car..... GPS systems will be allowed. This is of course bad news if you have bought a combined unit where you cant detach the radar detector
Its all in the new road traffic bill thats wandering through parliament (the same one that is going to make it a points offense to be using your phone whilst in the car) and its definately going to happen

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 24 Mar 2005, 12:20

Well, looks like road safety is going to take a turn for the worse round these parts if I have to switch off my Mk1 speed camera detectors.
They certainly aren't GPS based, more bio-optical. [;)]

uhn113x · Post by **uhn113x** » 24 Mar 2005, 13:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by turbolag
TBH, anyone who's eyesight is so poor that the can't see a reflective 30" diameter sign at the entrance to a village that says "30" or "40" (or whatever) and is unable to then take heed of the simple instruction held therein, probably shouldn't be on the roads anyway.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
And even it your eyesight is, you may still spot the brightly-coloured box on the pole and grid painted in the road.
Like TL says - no speeding, no fines, no profit, no cameras.
It is also likely that more of the sort that calculate the average speed between two cameras on motorways will appear, as well

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 24 Mar 2005, 18:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by uhn113x

It is also likely that more of the sort that calculate the average speed between two cameras on motorways will appear, as well

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Under current rules they cannot put fixed cameras on national speed limit sections of motorway. They can put them where there is a permanent or temporary reduced limit.
If you are talking about the rumours that keep going around about speed cameras hidden in the motorway matrix signs it's complete boar locks.

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 24 Mar 2005, 18:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by turbolag

If you don't speed, you don't pay, they make no money and the self funding cameras and vans disappear. It's the speeding motorists that perpertuate the whole scheme by being caught speeding and generating a fine. No speeding = no fines = bankrupt speed enforcement units.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes, very simple thinking that. A bit too simple unfortunately.
Numbers of speed cameras up, numbers of speeding fines up, income for camera operators up, ROAD DEATHS UP.
And it is no coincidence that the counties with the most cameras showed the biggest increase in deaths. This years figures are already shaping up to be even worse than last years abysmal figures.
It wouldn't be so bad if there was some gain to be made by the taxpayer but there isn't. The camera companies swallow most of the fine money on "expenses" and the taxpayer is funding the ever increasing number of failed cases which are going through the courts.
The medicine is not working, the solution is to change the medicine not keep upping the dose!

ACTIVE8 · Post by **ACTIVE8** » 24 Mar 2005, 19:15

Originally posted by uhn113x
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">It is also likely that more of the sort that calculate the average speed between two cameras on motorways will appear, as well

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The SPECS cameras are more likely to catch drivers out, as they are mounted high up. Also many drivers will not understand how they work, and will be caught out. They are not just being used on motorways, they can also be found on A roads
We currently have drivers who look out for the original Gatso cameras, and slow down usually at the last minute, when they are right on top of the camera. This means a driver following will suddenly encounter the vehicle in front slowing down at a dramatic rate. Which is not normally a problem, when a driver drives with the appropriate space between their car, and the car in front. The thing is people DO NOT leave enough space.
Now those of us with common sense, drive with an appropriate amount of space, and anticipate the type of driver detailed above. With the Gatso type of camera at low level they are more obvious, but still catch people out, who drive in a blinkered, trance like manner with too little attention on what thay are doing, (the driving) and thinking too much about what else they have to do, when they get to where they are going.
So with the SPECS camera being so high up, there will be more drivers noticing them at the last minute, and because of their position the driver will be looking up taking their eyes, and attention off the road, and so the danger for other traffic will increase as these amoebas panic brake, with no concern for others around them.

bxbodger · Post by **bxbodger** » 24 Mar 2005, 19:40

You only need to panic brake if you are going too fast and too close to the vehicle in front, which a lot of people do seem to do.
I would love to see coppers nicking people for tailgating, unfortunately something a camera can't do. I am not against the cameras however-I mean, how hard can it be to stick to the limit?
If people are caught 3 or 4 times by cameras they moan they are in danger of losing their licences, but so they should-these people should not be on the road. It tends to be the same sort of people who do the tailgating and roadraging who also do the speeding-if you get caught and lose your ticket, tough luck!!!
Road death figures can be misleading, like all statistics they should be questioned. Are they drivers, bikers, pedestrians, cyclists????
I live in Essex, they have had a tough anti speed programme and overall deaths are actually down on last year, but the proportion of biker deaths has gone up to 25% of the total, so although you could say essex road deaths are down, you could also say essex road biker deaths are up!!!
The cameras can at least remove one factor, that of excess speed, and if the cameras all went tomorrow there still wouldn't be any more coppers on the road!!!!

Kowalski · Post by **Kowalski** » 24 Mar 2005, 19:54

Speed cameras can only blindy enforce speed limits and only in a very limited manner. They only check whether people are following the speed limit at a particular point and government guidelines say only on straight pieces of road. They can't check whether somebody has slowed down for a road hazard, e.g. a sharp bend in a road or a junction. Checking whether a car's speed is or has been appropriate and safe is beyond speed camera technology, it requires judgement and a brain (traffic police have these).
The message that the safety camera partnerships are sending out is that it is OK to drive at the speed limit regardless of conditions and people do just that on ice and snow, in fog and rain, day or night, legally because the camera's don't flash at them.

ACTIVE8 · Post by **ACTIVE8** » 24 Mar 2005, 20:13

There are too many amoebas [:o)] out on the road. They have now grown into an epidemic.
There are so many, there should be more police to control the situation, and make it safer. The excess use of cameras which are limited in their application, unlike a police officer, has allowed things like road rage to come about.
If the protozoans are dealt with by a police officer, then the roads will be safer, cameras do not get through the thick skulls/cells of the bad driver. If they are pulled over, and dealt with by a traffic officer, including being shown the error of their bad driving the point tends to get through more.

bxbodger · Post by **bxbodger** » 24 Mar 2005, 20:19

But if people are thick enough to get caught speeding 3 or 4 times, what other poor driving are they doing? At least they will be banned and off the road!!