Speed Cameras

[Kickstart]

Hi

On www.reducingroadcasualties.com there's a basic survey you can fill in if
you click on the CONTACT icon. Time to at least give the jokers in charge of speeding taxes in Northamptonshire some idea of how far of the mark they are

All the best

Keith

https://www.abd.org.uk/images/cams_cash.gif

[G]

Not a very comphensive survey... but methinks they want to keep their 'revenue stream' ...
My mum who is a pretty safe road user amd generally drives/rides slower than me has got six points from Gatsos while I haven't got any becasue I keep a good look out for them. The two times she was caught were on straight empty roads where she wasn't being a danger to anyone...

Like the sign btw .... Me and mate had had an idea for a business... large bright signs whick could be welded/attached in other ways to Gatsos, these would of course be sold for 'novelty value only'.... But I'm not sure how much the police could do against people that put big signs up on Gatso as they claim they're there to slow traffic down anyway.

[Scooby]

We should do what they did in America, and whenever you see it blow it to hell with a shotgun or similar weaponry
____________________
A big enough hammer fixes anything!

[minesweeper]

Heard about that pity we arent allowed to own heavy weaponry

matt

[Kickstart]

Hi

Speed cameras are now being removed in Hawii, after much protest. They are banned in many states, and they have been banned in some Canadian provinces. Indeed one senior Canadian politicians got elected, largly due to promising to ban these Orwellian cash machines.

There are a few of those signs on the ABD web site (www.abd.org.uk), look under "Last Laugh"

Oh, just found these as well, they are the rules for camera placement and signing. Looks like plenty of cameras will need to be torn out



From Circular Roads 1/92

Siting of Devices: Accident Analysis

11. Highways authorities will need to adopt a systematic approach to the
selection of suitable sites for the use of cameras. This should be based on
the use of the local authority statistics for the area, supplemented with
any additional advice and information which the police are able to provide.
In the case of traffic light cameras, accident analysis should involve a
search of accidents where non-compliance with a traffic light control is
indicated. A similar search can be made for accidents where excessive speed
is indicated as a contributory factor.

12. The accident records for a particular site should be examined more
closely to identify the worst approach road, where a junction is involved,
or the worst direction or lane for speed related accidents. Liaison with the
police is important as they may well be able to provide additional
information from their own records, or on the basis of local experience to
supplement highways authorities records. All this information, including
factors which cannot be tackled by camera technology, should be considered
in assessing the suitability of particular sites. Methods similar to those
used to identify sites for local safety schemes are appropriate, but it is
essential that the accident record should be significantly related to
speeding or failure to comply with a traffic light signal.

13. A site should be selected only if the police have indicated that they
would be willing to operate a camera there.

Safety Investigation.

14. The next step is to undertake a thorough investigation of each potential
site to check whether any other appropriate remedial measures should be
carried out first. These may include engineering measures such as improving
the junction/road layout, anti-skid surface treatment, checking whether
signals are obscured by vegetation, checking the signal phasing, sight
lines, etc. and where appropriate, taking measures to improve visibility.
Again, joint consideration with the police will assist in this process and
will help to eliminate any sites at which other factors are more important
in causing accidents than non-compliance with the law.

15. Where a site has been identified as one at which speed is a particular
problem, an examination of the speed limit signs should be made. It is
important that these are clear and legible, including all repeater signs. If
this is not the case, they should be improved before cameras are installed.
It will also be important to check that the speed limits have been imposed
under valid TROs which would allow the issue of fixed penalties.




Conspicuity, visibility and signing
Conspicuity of fixed site enforcement cameras (including digital cameras)
The camera housings in most circumstances should be yellow. This might be
achieved by using paint, or self-adhesive retro-reflective material applied
to the front and rear faces of the housings;
The national project board will not accept the use of alternative colours on
an area basis. However, if for any reason highway authorities consider that
there are special circumstances for some site locations, for example in
areas of outstanding natural beauty, then a case needs to be made to the
project board.
Visibility of fixed site enforcement cameras (including digital cameras)
All camera housings (existing and new) should be visible to road users and
not hidden behind bridges, signs, trees or bushes. The minimum visibility
distance should be 60 metres where the speed limit is 40 mph or less and 100
metres for all other limits.
Visibility of Mobile enforcement sites
Camera operatives at the mobile camera sites should wear fluorescent
clothing and abide by all Health and Safety requirements;
Vehicles should be clearly marked as camera enforcement vehicles with
reflective strips (uniquely identifying them as speed camera enforcement
vehicles).
Covert operations can in exceptional circumstances be allowed but must be
recorded by the partnership
Signing
Camera warning and speed limit reminder signs must be placed in advance of
fixed or mobile speed enforcement taking place. Ideally these should be
placed within 1 km of fixed camera housings and at the beginning of a
targeted route for mobile enforcement sites
Signs must only be placed in areas where camera housings are present or
along routes where mobile enforcement will be targeted;
Any signs on routes that are not enforced (less than one visit every two
months) should either be removed or retained and the frequency of visits
increased.
Communications
The location of both fixed and mobile cameras should be well publicised via
local web-sites, public sector announcements on radio stations and in local
newspapers.
Sign design
Signs must comply with those specified in Traffic Signs Regulations and
General Directions or specially authorised by DTLR.
Site review
Each site must be reviewed on a six-monthly basis to ensure that conditions
on conspicuity, visibility and signing have not changed or do not require
alteration
Timing
All new cameras should meet the new visibility criteria
All existing cameras must comply with the new visibility criteria within 6
months of the ministerial announcement


All the best

Keith