Speed camera detectors to be banned

[Gh0st Face Killah]

Friday July 16, 06:46 AM

Speed camera detectors to be banned

Devices which detect speed cameras are to be banned, the Government has
revealed.  The Department for Transport said it would seek to ban the
dashboard devices as soon as possible because of fears motorists were using
them to break speed limits without being caught.  Thousands of drivers have
installed the detectors after a huge rise in the number of speed camera
penalties.  They have already been banned in many European countries
including France and Ireland.

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the problem
and as soon as a legislative opportunity becomes available we will seek to
make these devices illegal."  Road safety groups welcomed the announcement.
Rob Gifford of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety told
The Times: "This is a long overdue closing of a legal loophole.  "Speed
camera detectors should not be needed by law-abiding drivers."  Transport
minister David Jamieson yesterday said he was happy for people to know
where the cameras were. But he did not want information to be passed on revealing whether or not they were switched on.  He told a Commons committee: "If there is a map showing where they are, then I think that's a good idea, because people will then be very careful in that area."  He also ruled out
random breath-testing and said there were no plans to lower the legal
drink-drive limit.

[Whitey]

So I should post mine for sale on E-Bay before everyone finds out about it  <_<

[BigFatCat]

Are F-111 ECM pods allowed then?

[Penfold]

How can they possible enforce that?

It's not just dahboard mounted ones,  e.g. my Palm has sat nav which lists speed cameras as you approach them. There's no way they're going to be able to stop people using them - they can stop people buying new ones maybe but it'll bew nigh on impossible for current users.

PEN

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by ThePENDRAGON@Jul 20 2004, 01:15 PM
How can they possible enforce that?

It's not just dahboard mounted ones, e.g. my Palm has sat nav which lists speed cameras as you approach them. There's no way they're going to be able to stop people using them - they can stop people buying new ones maybe but it'll bew nigh on impossible for current users.

PEN

I don't think they want to ban the Palm devices, etc.  I read it as they want to ban active detection systems.  I.e. radar detectors, and the ones that claim to tell when a speed camera is live or not.

The GPS devices are a passive system in that they just tell you where the cameras are, not whether they're able to take your picture.  The DoT don't mind you knowing where the cameras are, as if you've slowed for them then they've achieved their aim.

But I agree, it's going to be difficult for the plod to enforce if the device isn't blatantly sitting in full view on the dashboard.

[DuVeL]

They've allready banned them here. They seem to be able to find the devices even when their hidden. Last week 2 reports of hidden ones that have been found, 1 in a book and 1 in a Fred Flinstone puppet.

[DarkAngel]

You are missing the main point the only reason they are doing this is to get more money out of us. Just like the idea to have tolls everywere and get rid of road tax the goverment are just greedy little ********!

[Zok]

Originally posted by DarkAngel@Jul 20 2004, 05:33 PM
You are missing the main point the only reason they are doing this is to get more money out of us. Just like the idea to have tolls everywere and get rid of road tax the goverment are just greedy little ********!

Whilst I agree with you, I find it difficult to accept that a device, that’s only function is to let you knowingly break the law, should be allowed.

[TeaLeaf]

Active devices are already illegal.  Well, they'd like you to think so.  Radart detectors are currently legal as all they do is provide information.  The one that is somewhat on the grey side fo the law is the laser jammer - this comes close to 'obstruction' although I am not aware anyone has yet been prosecuted for it.  Personally, as soon as I have the spare cash I will be getting a stealth system installed in my car to warn me about lasers, radars and dayglo yellow pillocks pointing things at me.  When they play fair, I will too.

Be safe.

TL.

PS  Anyone interested in this type of thing will find a lot of info just here.  I have been on their mailing list since 1997 and it has provided a lot of quality 'road safety' info - telling me where all the accident blackspots are.

[Anonymous]

Thats a pretty sad site. I lost count of the number of assholes who happily own up to speeding up to 120 and how they got of with it. There'll be a time when they won't be so lucky and, as is always the case, some poor innocent sod will get killed.

I hope it is none of us!

[TeaLeaf]

Sad is an accusation you could sometimes hurl at the people who do it, but not the site.  It provides some useful information for people who want to learn more about the issue of speeding.  It (along with many other sites) tries to debunk the politcal spin put on some of the stats quoted.  Can you say you have *never* broken the speed limit?  Go on, fess up or forever refuse to criticise such sites.  Are you sad too?

When government prats around they deserve a backlash.  And this government has gotten several.  But then they have several prats.

4 years into their 2 jags master plan I have yet to see a coherent anything issue from the orrifice formerly known as John Prescott.

TL.

[Whitey]

Originally posted by BlueBall@Jul 20 2004, 06:45 PM
Thats a pretty sad site. I lost count of the number of assholes who happily own up to speeding up to 120 and how they got of with it. There'll be a time when they won't be so lucky and, as is always the case, some poor innocent sod will get killed.

I hope it is none of us!

120.... Wouldn't be out of 3rd gear  :whistle:

[Anonymous]

Yes TL. I have broken the speed limit. I would imagine we all have. Furthermore, I agree that GATSOs are a complete money making scam.

However, my comments on the site stand as they publish the articles in a way that glorifies people getting off with driving at ludicrous speeds. Anyone doing 120 deserves to be put away. it is an idiotic speed to do on a public road.

if the  site kept a more adult approach and didn't publish stuff like

Its about 10pm at night with the road fairly empty. I accelerate off from the top increasing speed to around 75. A car is sitting right on my back bumper, so I hammer it. Getting up to around 90 I cross into the hatched area to overtake a couple of cars, pulling back in and increasing speed to around 120.

then it might get my plaudit. However, it holds up this sort of article where a guy actually got off with doing this as a valid justification for the site. it is not.

the best way to avoid a speeding ticket is to avoid speeding. Most people aren't good enough drivers to cope when things go wrong.

[TeaLeaf]

A comment does not make a site crap.  Otherwise our site would be banned.  QED.

TL.

[Anonymous]

Different thing all together DCAM

 :winkiss: