Hidden mobile speed camera

[Ian_W]

Coming home last night from a Wedding reception at about 11.30pm, I noticed a black van, with a black mobile speed camera on the A127 in the Brentwood area. He was parked a a farm track, so virtually invisible, and I only spotted it because the metal legs of the camera unit caught the light of my headlights - as I only ever do 65 on a such a road - then I was not in danger - but I do wonder how many people he caught.

 

I always thought all speed cameras had to be clearly marked - but obviously not!!!

[BFR]

I'm still anxiously waiting another few days to make sure I wasn't caught by a camera in a police van that looked like an ordinary transit until I got up close to it and hit the breaks. Given that it was a camera inside the van, and I could see it behind the glass in my mirror, I'm not sure how they work i.e. are they like the normal speed cameras and flash at you a couple of times or do they not flash? I saw no flash but that doesn't make me feel any more confifent about it. The fact that there is a permanent speed camera another 300 yards down the road is what annoyed me the most! For information, this was on the A412 going into Denham from Maple Cross.

[Simon BTFC]

Quote:

Ian_W said:
Coming home last night from a Wedding reception at about 11.30pm, I noticed a black van, with a black mobile speed camera on the A127 in the Brentwood area. He was parked a a farm track, so virtually invisible,

They're quite often there on a Friday night.... He was there last week but it was so wet nobody could do much above 55-60mph without aquaplaning so I can't imagine he caught anybody! In fairness I think that is a good spot for a speed trap as (when it's dry) that stretch of the A127 becomes something of a race track for the boy racers heading to Sarfen....

[Big J R]

Apparently, there is a new breed of speed camera being used, which doesn't give any flash at all. I believe it works more or less, on an infra-red basis.

 

It also supposed to be so good that it can actually identify the driver from the print, so as to stop the confusion over, 'Who was actually driving', a la The Hamiltons case, when they 'couldn't remember'

 

I still thought it was illegal for the police to use speed camera's covertly, and that they had to be fully visible to the humble motorist.

 

I saw on Tuesday that an infamous speedcamera on the A.23 on the approach to Brighton has actually been moved 25 yards to a more conspicuous location from where it was previously hidden behind a tree.

[Colin, Germany]

Quote:

Big J R said:
I still thought it was illegal for the police to use speed camera's covertly, and that they had to be fully visible to the humble motorist.

How are they supposed to catch the lawbreakers, who drive too fast and endanger their own and other people's lives?

[Ian_W]

Pitty they don't target the idiots who drive in the middle lane of motorways at 55mph, when the inside lane is empty - or the drunken driver, who is clearly over the limit but still driving on the road - both are probably more dangerous then someone going at 80mph along a dual carrigeway, that has the national speed limit.

 

 

[Ian_W]

Quote:

Big J R said:
Apparently, there is a new breed of speed camera being used, which doesn't give any flash at all. I believe it works more or less, on an infra-red basis.

It also supposed to be so good that it can actually identify the driver from the print, so as to stop the confusion over, 'Who was actually driving', a la The Hamiltons case, when they 'couldn't remember'

I still thought it was illegal for the police to use speed camera's covertly, and that they had to be fully visible to the humble motorist.

I saw on Tuesday that an infamous speedcamera on the A.23 on the approach to Brighton has actually been moved 25 yards to a more conspicuous location from where it was previously hidden behind a tree.

Infareds have been around for a few years - the A1 is one area that springs to mind - the double cameras are standard cameras, but with a second camera in front of the vehicle that takes a photo simmultaniously with the rear camera - noticed one in Chigwell last night.

I am surprised they didn't chop down the tree like they did on the A127 in Southend - and then moved the camera to the otherside of the road!!!

[mala_D]

The police can "do" a driver for speeding, even when the motorist has been tracked by an unmarked police car...therefore, not all cameras have to be "visible" [????]

[Big J R]

I agree with all the comments above. (Please remember my ex-profession). I have no time for reckless speeders and I am all in favour of a 20 MPH zone on the approaches to schools.

 

With regard to being clocked by an unmarked police car - Yes, Mala - You are quite correct. An unmarked police car can track you for the measured tenth, and stop and report you, BUT the officers must be in uniform, although they can have their caps removed whilst folowing you !

 

The M4 used to be a classic after the West Sussex Police had great success in the late 60's and early 70's using unmarked sports cars. Thames Valley Police quickly latched onto the idea of using cars that wouldn't normally attract attention.

 

HOWEVER - The law is the law, and no-one can moan for alleged unsporting behaviour of Police Officers using cars that don't have 'PLOD' stamped all over them !

[MbrunoB]

I noticed on the TV report a small van was parked in a lay-by with the camera set up if front so it was hidden from drivers view as the approached it.

[CANV EFM]

surely with current technology they can up the speed limits on a lot of roads after say 11pm to 80 or even 90 on some motorways..

and from 40 to 50 on others.. getting nicked for doing a ton on a dual carrigeway is a fair cop tho i dont agree with a custodial sentence or an instant ban unless it is dangerous driving.. doing 45 in a 40 an say the 127 should get you a fine.. no need for points ...

racing with your mates down the A 5 n undertaking and generally fking around should get you points and a much biggerfine.. its the blanket revenue raising that piss's off the general public, a lot of whom dont consider themselves criminals for parking outside the marked bay or driving safely but 5 mph over the limit ..

i think thats where a lot of the 'why cant you catch some burglars or muggers' comes into it ..

of course if you have cut dead people out of a car crash then your attitude will be different but i still think there needs to be more flexibility on the current camera policy..

drink driving and dangerous driving seem to be getting more common place as the traffic police numbers are reduced..

one massive plus on the camera techno thing is the one that reads the plate n checks tax and wether it is stolen.. this should be expanded to include insurance as well

[mikef]

Unfortunately I think speed cameras have more to do with monetary income/revenue than safety.

Driving under the influence of drink/drugs & dangerous driving ie weaving across lanes/jumping lights/racing etc are of more concern than most speeding drivers on an almost empty road late at night or early morning are likely to be.

 

Mike F

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[Big J R]

Quote:

CANV EFM said:

one massive plus on the camera techno thing is the one that reads the plate n checks tax and wether it is stolen.. this should be expanded to include insurance as well

[color:"blue"] Very interesting point, Canv.

I am reliably informed by me mates from the old job, that this is already in the pipe-line, and that eventually every vehicles Insurance details will be linked to PNC !

Hmmmm. That'll get a few nicked !

[color:"black"]

[Colin, Germany]

Surely cameras should be able to detect weaving across lanes/jumping lights/racing etc!

[American FLEET FAN No1]

I think cameras for Red Light jumpers is far more afety orientated than Speed Cameras!

[Colin, Germany]

I agree. They have them in Germany. So I assume they would also have them in UK and USA.

[American FLEET FAN No1]

They do in the UK...never seen them here................but they surely need them..I drive a Big White Ambulance with loud siren and pretty flashing lights.....and still stop at recent green lights because of the one idiot that doesn't stop at the red light!

[Big J R]

Quote:

FLEETFANNo1USA said:

.....and still stop at recent green lights because of the one idiot that doesn't stop at the red light!

[color:"blue"] I take it you don't stop at 'red-lights' then ??

Hmmm. Mrs FLEETUSA must be pleased !! [color:"black"] [/color]