Speed Camera detectors

[kazzaasks]

Has anybody bought a camera/radar detector? How effective are they? I have been warned that even traffic lights set them off. Cameras are easier to spot but radar guns hiden away are a nightmare! Can anybody recommend a good detector? Thanks

[Toffee]

slimfandango, I think you know that I mentioned the M25 merely to make the point that there is the technology. I am well aware of the different reason and the research behind it. Fat Boy, the limit was and still is 30 on the 3 pointer. I could give you more information but it would risk identification. Your belief that cameras don't ever process speeds as low of 10% over - well - where does it come from? I accept it is unusual, but never say never.

[slimfandango]

Fair enough toffee, thanks for your clarification.

It is my understanding that in Scottish Law at least you can be prosecuted for going any speed over the specified limit. I do know for a fact that speedlimit+10%+2mph is widely applied by the police as the threshold above which they will act. Seems fairly reasonable to me: if you're at the top end of the limit a non-deliberate increase in right foot pressure will take you over. Speed limits ARE the maximum one should drive at on that road, you can still get done for doing 60 in a 70 limit if in doing so you were 'driving dangerously'. If there is poor visibility and raining you should not be doing 70 on a motorway. You still see plenty of nutters tailgating at 80+ in these conditions. I'm sure one of the gatso-getter brigade will now tell me i'm being a sanctimonious idiot. :-)))

I'm sure I'm not the only one, whoever, who still feels stunned when driving on british roads after a stint driving in France or even Italy. Our roads and driving are soooo much safer. Most motorway driving in Italy is on poorly illuminated roads with COMPLETE AND UTTER NUTTERS.

[cupra]

The best speed camera detector is the MkI Eyeball - you should have been supplied with 2 of them at birth ;)

[Fat Boy]

I have 3 friends that are employed as traffic policemen. One works the A1 near Luton, one works the M25 & works in Teesside. All of them tell me that the cameras in their area are set to at least 10% over the limit. (I also have friends in the Fire service who spend a lot of their time scraping bits of people off the A1 who say the same thing). Sorry toffee but you forgot to tell us how the cabbie got the other points on his licence thus pushing him over the 6-point limit.

[Fat Boy]

sorry, that should have read "One works the A1 near Luton, one works the M25 & one works in Teesside"

[kazzaasks]

The origional question was about was a question about the effectiveness of a piece of technology. I respect that speeding is 'big or clever' and I'm certaily not a boy racer by any stretch of the imagination. I can't see Mansell winning anjy races doing 35mph. I can appreciate that all those who have replies with 'USE YOUR EYES BEFORE YOU KILL SOMEBODY' have never EVER exceeded the speed limit even if by mistake. And if you have then SHUT UP! It's getting boring!?

[Impret-Sir]

Oh dear, the same old tired mantra that "speed is the greatest cause of accidents" yawn, in fact, a report published by the DfT in July of this year states clearly that excessive speed is in fact only SEVENTH on the list of contributory factors in UK accidents.

The list went like this:

1. inattention, 2.failure to judge other persons speed/path, 3. looked but did not see, 4. careless/thoughtless/reckless driving, 5. failed to look, 6. lack of judgement of own path, 7. excessive speed, 8. slippery road, 9. impairment-alcohol, 10. behaviour-in a hurry.

Another fact is that last year the treasury made a profit of �7m from speed cameras, this year the figure is forcast to be nearer �20m, where is the evidence that this is "all powed back into road safety"? There are fewer traffic cops on the road now than at any other time, dropped from 15% of police  resources in the 1980s to just 5% today.Now, a change in that policy really would increase safety. A gatso can not spot a drunk driver, or a careless one.

Its too easy to believe propaganda, and then call people names, (fatboy) but if you would like to actually get some facts on this matter instead, may I direct you to the excellent association of british drivers website.

 

[Fat Boy]

If you're referring to my "moron" comment I should stress that honestly was not aimed as a personal attack on you Kevin. It was 1 of 3 possible categories that someone who can't see a big yellow speed camera might fit into.

[WR]

Don't agree that SPEED kills. DANGEROUS DRIVING kills.

[Transalp]

If you want a camera/radar detector you wont go far wrong with a ROAD ANGEL.