myglaren wrote:
The Gatso's are still horrendously overpriced. They'd get them for twenty five quid apiece from China.
Don't tell them that Steve, otherwise they'll be popping up all over the place
Truth is, a Gatso is a bit of engineering as it has to be built to a very demanding specification (e.g. capable of being run into and not making matters worse as per any other substantial street furniture) and not least, be pretty much tamper proof and stand wide climatic rigours.
The electronics are pretty demanding s well, needing to achieve rather a high accuracy of speed measurement and recording.
All in all, and considering the relatively small quantities in which they are produced, they are not really that expensive.
Now, if China mass-produced them, they'd cost about a tenner but would clock cyclists at 250MPH, fall over and kill pedestrians if the wind exceeds a gentle breeze and need replacing every 3 months because they are irrepairable.
Don't get the idea I'm a Gatso fan; I'm not but I do admire their engineering and technical features.
Personally, I'd like to see every Gatso (and TruVelo and SPECS) recycled into cheap Chinese spanners and replaced with speed display boards, preferably ones that smile under the limit and frown if you're speeding.
On my way to work I pass through two small villages on a busy B road. Both have 40 limits. Both have big light-up 40 signs that flash on if you're speeding. They work. If a driver flashes one on you immediately see brake lights as the perpetrator of the flash slows down. It's like it's a terrible embarrassment to make the sign flash so comparatively few do.
It works a perfect treat. Speed is controlled without the issuing of fines and points.
I should add that both villages in question need their speed control to guard a couple of potentially dangerous junctions. I'd love to know the accident statistics before and after the light-up 40 signs were installed.
