Wide Area SPECS type camera trials start in London

[Darren]

According to this article in the Evening Standard, trials of a new type of speed camera that operates both as a standard speed camera AND as a wide area SPECS type average speed camera have started on the A13 in London.

Unlike standard SPECS which operate along clearly defined stretches, the new cameras, equipped with wireless networking (though this sounds a little suspect, GSM technology is more likely), communicate with each other and are able to track a vehicle across any area in which they are deployed. This technology could be used to enforce a blanket speed limit across a wide area with any driver whose average speed between two cameras exceeded the limit receiving a fine.

Ken Livingstone wants London councils to make 20mph the default speed because research shows reduced accident levels when lower speed limits are enforced. Of course if we all reverted to walking then road accidents could be completely eliminated but this is yet another example of motorists being singled out as a source of revenue.

The London Safety Camera Partnership has confirmed that the cameras will not be used to actively enforce limits during the trial and no fines will be issued from them during the test period.
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Darren Griffin

[Andy_P]

Lovely....

[alistairm1]

Poor MaFt.
Yet another category to be maintained, not to mention a new icon to be designed.

And another way to hoover money out of the pockets of the capitals motorists.
Having said that, there are some areas of London where 20mph would be an achievement worthy of celebration.

[GJF]

[washman]

Hi

Why not just ban all vehicles from inside the M25 , then they would not have to worry about pollution or safety as every one would be walking every where. Life would be very slow in London then.
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TOMTOM XL IQ routes. UK & ROF I App 9.510.1234792.2 Map UK &RI V945.6174

[tsdinos]

I think this is just CRAZY!!!! If such system ever start operating, then......where is the freedom????????
I believe the system is already TOO STRICT and causes too much of headache: speed cameras, SPECS, ANPR, mobile spots, congestion charge, CCTV, more cameras....

I think the whole approach is wrong! Instead of making the motorists life even more difficult they should try to consider to improve/widen roads and to improve access in general.
Motorists are not just some people that drive for fun.. It is proven how difficult a family's life could be without a car (for example, can you imagine go to the supermarket to do the family's week shopping using a bus???)
Or what about the people who work and dont live in the centre of London, where the option of the tube is not always available/or practical?
We actually had a lecture in Architecture about how large pedestrian areas with no vehicle access can be a real problem and if there is not a private transport how difficult life can be.

Anyway... as I am not British myself and I'm just a student, I see all this from the point of the "observer" Without trying to be offensive or anything else...I just wonder....How can you people accept all that and do not protest????
I remember they tried to bring some similar systems in Athens a few years ago, with automatic road barriers, parking meters, CCTV etc... and the people infuriated so much that they took hammers and broke everything apart and the police would not do anything to prevent them.
Now there is no politician that has the courage to try something similar, although speed cameras are creeping back in place.
I'm not saying that traffic regulations should be "loose" in an already congested city, but there are many different approaches to make things work, without making the life a real hell for someone

[Darren]

We accept it because we are far too trusting. I hope that Ken Livinsgtone will get replaced in the forthcoming elections for London mayor which may for once send out a signal that drivers have had enough.
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Darren Griffin

[GJF]

[SpacedMan]

I've got an idea,

If Ken wants us all to use puplic transport then why don't we, just for one day.

If everyone in London decided on a date and on that date all of us used public transport (Or tried to) I think London would grind to a halt, perhapes that would show that plonker that untill the transport system is up to scratch he should make our lives easier.

Once it is up to scratch, then and only then introduce all these fines ect.
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Beam Me Up Scotty This Planet Sucks!!!!

[Brickie64]

Guess someone's gonna have to come up with a clever piece of software for our GPS navigation systems. Perhaps it will recommend a "Pit Stop" if it detected that our average speed over the distance had exceeded the stated limit.

Sounds like a nice idea and I guess it was only a matter of time before Big Brother came up with some evil master plan like this. More innocent motorists will be punished while the real villains of the road continue to create havoc by lane switching and driving aggressively

No doubt technology will defeat these systems in the end. I'm sure somone will find a way to break the communication between the cameras.
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Garmin Nuvi 3598 + GO 720 (+USA Map Card) + NavFree for iPhone in case all else fails ;-)

[kevinx]

[tomthompson]

It does seem strange that in a city where the average speed most of the time is according to my GPS when in a car about 23mph. That they are so paranoid about speeding .
All they need do is add another million cars and the average will drop to about 18mph

Easy peasy lemon squeazy


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Asus Zenfone 2 twin sim, Garmin Zumo 550, 660 and pocketgps speed camera database

I keep on learning but they invent new things faster ,How do I keep up ?

[DennisN]

Stop driving UP TO the limit! If it's possible to "briefly" go "a couple" of mph over the limit, you're breaking the law. Remember, if you've got your sat nav reading less than your vehicle speedo, "a couple" of mph over the limit will show up as "a lot" over the limit on your speedo.

Get over your obsessions with driving at the top of the limit. Don't any of you ever ponder how many seconds earlier you get "there" by pushing the limit instead of staying within it?

I now know roughly where my true speed is compared with my speedo, so I know that if I stay just below my analogue speed display, I can relax my concentration without fear that a "momentary" inattention will take me over the limit. I'm not driving along with my eyes glued to the speed display, crashing into the rest of you. I'm such a good driver (Hah!!) that I can "feel" the engine and tyres through my bum, the steering wheel through my fingers - are you telling me you are not that good? You know full well that you are pushing the limit. It's not "a slight error" if you exceed it. Stop doing it.
GRRRRRRR!!
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Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

[tomthompson]

Quite a little rant Dennis

Funnily enough now when you take a driving test you can fail if you dont "make proper progress" and with a motorbike you are expected to get to the limit of the road in a reasonable time that you are driving on and maintain as longs as conditions allow that speed

Go figure


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Asus Zenfone 2 twin sim, Garmin Zumo 550, 660 and pocketgps speed camera database

I keep on learning but they invent new things faster ,How do I keep up ?

[DennisN]

So I passed my test when I drove behind a man with a red flag, but now you will fail if you don't drive at 33mph in a 30mph limit area?
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Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

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