Faulty Gatso in Cambridge

Tom59 · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:10 pm Post subject: Faulty Gatso in Cambridge

I was driving towards a Gatso (1275@30) earlier (16:25) today when I saw it do a double flash.
It was on the opposite side of the road, pointing towards me. There was no vehicle in its "Line of Sight", apart from me approaching it. I know that I was not speeding at the time.
If anyone gets "Done" by this camera, I am willing to testify that I have seen it working incorrectly.
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mikealder · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:35 pm Post subject:

Not necessarily as GATSO cameras can be set to trigger a flash for either direction or both directions (there is a switch setting for this option in the back of the camera) so there may well be nothing wrong with it - Mike

Tom59 · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:57 pm Post subject:

This particular camera is mounted on a post in such a way that it could be swiveled through 180°, also, the road is marked on each side with graduated lines.
Is it normal practice for them to be recording while facing oncoming traffic?
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mikealder · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:17 pm Post subject:

Andy_P · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:18 pm Post subject:

Another example is the camera just to the south of Kew Bridge in London, which always flashes when motorbikes shoot past it in the opposite direction.

The equipment does have a switch to allow it work front-facing, rear-facing or both - it's the red switch on the left of the control panel here:

AFAIK, in the UK they are only type-approved to be used rear-facing for enforcement, but there's nothing to stop them being set 'both ways' just to scare people!.

253 · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:45 pm Post subject:

Further to this, camera 2111, a 30mph single direction in Talbot green.

This sometimes flashes approaching cars as well.
My old man would always slow down as he said he knew blokes from the golf club that had been caught. can never remember if there are road markings on both lanes, but will check tomorrow and report back.
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Andy_P · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:22 pm Post subject:

Normally, you don't see a Gatso with lines painted on both sides of the road on the same side of the camera.
If it's a reversible camera, the lines will be staggered, on either side of the post.

I.E. this layout....

_________________________________________________

.................................................| | | | | | | | | |

------------------------CAM-----------------------------------------

| | | | | | | | |
_________________________________________________

not this....
__________________________________________________

.................................................| | | | | | | | | |
------------------------CAM-----------------------------------------

.................................................| | | | | | | | | |
__________________________________________________

But there ARE a few examples of the second layout, which people here think is to catch cars overtaking or just driving on the wrong side of the road, rather than to catch oncoming cars.

But then we know that the powers-that-be like to play games with us by painting lines where there isn't a camera at all (e.g. the M25), so I wouldn't put it past them to paint lines simply to put doubt in people's minds as to whether the cameras can catch approaching cars too.

Of course if it DOES flash as you approach it, one simple solution would be to be going so fast that you are past the camera when the flash goes off. Twisted Evil

Skippy · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:11 am Post subject:

Andy_P · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:40 am Post subject:

253 · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:34 pm Post subject:

Hi Andy,

Can confirm your example 2 for the camera I mentioned, also drove past another 2 like it today as well.
No idea how/if they work for the oncoming cars.
The back of one of the cameras was well and truly burned, with a 2" gap showing at the bottom of the housing, been like that for a couple of months now.
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roadrash-uk · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 1:02 pm Post subject:

I am always being flashed when aproching a gatso on my motorbike. Its a shame because if there is a car passing the camera at this time then it may be falsly charged for speeding.

M8TJT · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 4:50 pm Post subject:

PaulB2005 · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:10 pm Post subject:

DennisN · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 12:00 am Post subject:

Andy_P · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 12:14 am Post subject:

Noted.

In my defence, I did follow my beautiful ASCII art drawing with:
"But there ARE a few examples of the second layout..... "

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