75ZT Community

New, inescapable speed cameras

The Government has introduced a new generation of average speed camera that can track motorists across entire networks of roads.

The first versions went live on a stretch of the A13 carriageway that heads from southeast Essex into East London on January 31.

Existing average speed cameras only monitor a car's speed between fixed points on the road, but the new models are capable of consistently tracking a vehicle.

The latest system has 84 cameras and 37 average speed monitoring points - it can even keep an eye on drivers entering and exiting a stretch of road.

RoadPilot, a firm that specialises in speed camera detection devices, has warned that this could be the start of an average speed monitoring system that spans the UK.

Chief Executive of RoadPilot, James Flynn OBE, said: "If this system proves successful, it could be extended or rolled out to other locations, all of which can be linked together.

"Taken to the extreme, the entire UK road network could, in theory, be linked up under one average speed monitoring system - meaning Big Brother could always be watching you!"

RoadPilot's speed camera database has already been updated with the new, advanced camera sites, so users of the company's products will be alerted to their presence.

By: Jack Carfrae

Delightful

Looks like I'll have to find a way to add a warning for this latest money collection system to Sat Nav discs.

So deciding to remove all fixed point cameras to save money was just a con, I can just imagine the costs involved in such a system. May they all rot in hell.

Straight to the point and nothing barred. (But so very true)

I'm afraid I disagree with many people on this. Speeding drivers make my life Hell every day on my way to and from work. It's a fifty mile an hour road, and a slip road joins it. It's impossible to move over to let traffic join the road because of the wxxx sorry people doing 70 or 80 in the right hand lane. On the odd ocassion I can move over, the slip road from the left is full, and most people want to rush into the right hand lane and join the waxxx, sorry other motorists 'going with the flow'.

On the other hand, the fixed cameras reult in drivers doing 20 MPH over the limit, and braking hard to 10MPH below it on approach. This makes it impossible to drive smoothly at a sensible speed.

Now many people argue that it's safe to drive faster / they are capable / it's slow drivers / it's innapropriate speed /etc/etc that matters. I don't give a stuff for those arguments, the speed limit is what it is. Stick to it, or suffer the consequences, and stop effing whingeing!

You can probably tell I'm getting quite stressed about this, as it's getting much worse since the 'turning off cameras to save money' story which has basically given some people the green light to ignore limts with abandon! I might be tempted to say 'well let them do what they want, I'll stick to the limit' but the wxxrs sorry other drivers refuse to be considerate to those of us who choose to obey the law. Therefore I say they deseve what they get!

Deep gloom innit......
...

Duncan, perhaps a visit to the mellow thread might be appropriate at this point."

I would like to add my thoughts on this... Whilst I do not condone speeding and I agree speed limits are there to be recognised and upheld I do protest at speed cameras. Moreover, the draconian way in which the limit is enforced. It's a frightening thought that all drivers will be fixated on watching their speedometer rather than the road ahead. Even when driving with the limit I always find myself paranoid beyond reason and look at my speedo constantly whilst driving on a stretch of road with any type of speed camera. I hate it. It distracts me from paying attention to what's going on around me and I think it's downright dangerous that these cameras cause such a distraction. I'm not the only one that thinks this too - each and everyone of my friends share the same values/reasoning.


The idea that a system such as the one being discussed here frankly could increase road incidents as people pay more attention to their speed than their surroundings.

Won't stop the uninsured drivers who's cars aren't registerd in their names with no MOT or Tax.

Totally agree with you Duncan.

Unfortunately, the points for speeding are only 3 - no ban until the 4th offence. Now make it 6 and people will not get worried until after their 3rd offence they will after the first.

Sorry, but do not buy the 'watching speedo fixation' bit. I keep to the speed limits but am not solely looking at my speedo as others seem to suggest they would be if they keep to the speed limit.

My journey to work each morning is along a route that is mainly 40mph and dual carriageway. There are very few of us who keep to the speed limit. Cars, orries, buses and coaches zoom by some doing in excess of 60mph.

Those who do feel it right to speed obviously think that only certain laws apply to them - in my book, if their car is stolen then they should not moan as the thief obviously is also selective about which laws apply to them.

Paul

PS bring on the average speed cameras, especially if it stops the sudden braking as the speeders approach a camera and then put their foot down and zoom away from them.

For the record, one of my cousins and his brother in law died as a result of their speeding and losing control.

Yep! Totally agree with Duncan and PaulT.....

Its not rocket science to keep to the speed limits, there' s no need for anyone to have their eyes fixed on the speedo. We all speed from time to time and there are no excuses, road speed limits are inplace for everyones safety and always have been.

The 75 is a lovely car to cruise along and keep to those speed limits......