For motorists one of the hot debates in recent times has
been the use of speedtraps by the police and other authorities to try
to reduce the amount of accidents on our roads. Figures and statistics
abound relating to the subject and opinions are divided as to whether
these cameras are used to reduce accidents in accident blackspots or whether
they are really there to collect revenue as a sort of stealth tax designed
to persecute the average motorist. One thing that has been shown is that
these speedtraps are not just located in accident blackspots but are also
located in areas which are more likely to catch out an unwary motorist
going about his business, possibly on a relatively safe dual carriageway
or other open road.
On average, businessmen doing a high mileage commit the majority of speeding
offences. Some of them feel that having driven for 10 or more years without
accidents or convictions and then maybe getting 2 or more speeding convictions
in a short space of time is a little harsh. The law would say that if
you are speeding then you have broken the law and you deserve a ticket
regardless of your experience or the conditions at the time.
The powers that be have shown figures that do imply that these speedtraps have reduced accidents and deaths on our roads and so the use and proliferation of the speedtraps is justified. The Conservative party have recently issued a statement to suggest that they would review the amount of speedtraps on our roads with a view to reducing them. Would the nationwide accident rate go up or would the British economy thrive because businessmen aren't impeded by constantly watching their speedometer in obviously safe driving conditions. The debate will continue, but in amongst the statistics are some amazing facts. In the past couple of years tests have shown that on average, users of speedtrap detection equipment are 24% less likely to have an accident and that their average mileage between accidents is vastly increased over non users of detectors.
The speedtraps can include various devices but the majority
can be divided into 2 main categories, static and mobile.
The static speedtraps mainly consist of Gatso cameras operated by radar,
SPECS cameras, operated by measuring your average speed between 2 cameras
and Truvelo, operated by pressure sensors in the road.
The mobile speedtraps mainly consist of a laser gun either tripod mounted
or in the back of a van or even just hand held. There is also mobile radar
but with the advent of laser guns, radar guns are not used that often.
The mobile units can be linked to a camera system to ensure a good conviction.
To combat these speedtraps a number of devices are
available for use in the car, one of the most popular is the Road
Angel Laser Alert. This consists of a GPS device which is in constant
communication with satellites to ascertain its position on the
Earth, it carries a database of the static speedtraps in its electronic
brain which will issue a warning if you come within range of a static
speedtrap by flashing the screen bright red and giving an audible beep.
The Road Angel can also warn you not only of speedtrap sites but also
true accident blackspots, this feature is particularly useful when travelling
in an unfamiliar area. (It begs the question why a Blackspot warning device
of their own hasn't been brought out by the police or the government.)
As the vast majority of mobile speedtraps are now laser guns the manufacturers
have opted to include a laser detector in the package which is a neat
little device about the size of a golf ball which simply pops onto the
windscreen with a rubber sucker.
In general circumstances the Road Angel will sit on the dashboard held
in place by a non slip mat or mounting bracket but it could be mounted
almost anywhere with the help of an addition attachment so that it can
still pick up the GPS signal.
You can get further advice and information about the Road Angel from The Radar Detector Shop