average speed cameras
Mar20
Average speed cameras are being installed all over the UK to try to force drivers to comply with speed limits within given areas. They are meant to be a deterrent to drivers who have come to realise that police usually don’t prosecute those who drive less than 85 miles an hour on motorways. In addition, these “average speed” cameras can no longer be beat simply by drivers’ ability to slow down when they see the camera.
Unlike other types of cameras, these average speed cameras work in tandem with another camera (in pairs) and cover several miles. A car’s number plate is recorded at the first camera and then at the second; then, the time it takes to cover the distance between the two cameras is recorded and an average speed is calculated in this way.
The Department for Transport is undertaking the significant task of installing average speed cameras in many places where they were not previously, including the 500 miles of motorway where the hard shoulder is going to become a running lane. The speed limit here is going to be reduced to 50 to 60 miles an hour as well. Signs and cameras will be clearly posted.
Are they safe?
Although many road safety groups and motoring organisations broadly support the cameras, critics have said that the cameras themselves are detrimental to safety because drivers “panic brake” once they see the cameras and realise they’re going over the speed limit. This sudden braking can in fact cause rear end collisions. In addition, other drivers may become frustrated by those who are carefully staying within speed limits and may drive too close, also causing potential accidents if sudden stopping should become necessary. Drivers can receive fines for speeds as low as two miles over the speed limit. Finally, some drivers have complained that they’ll need to be paying much more attention to their speedometers than they can potential dangers such as children darting out in front of traffic, for example, which makes driving more dangerous.
Are there ways to beat the cameras?
There can be ways to beat the cameras, depending on how far apart the cameras are placed. First of all, because each pair of cameras is only trained on one lane, changing lanes may thwart them in this way. Additionally, cameras can be placed as much as 10 km apart. It’s conceivable that you could speed up and slow down within that 10 km so that you would be speeding at various times, yet still make an average speed that is within the speed limit.
Are they a good idea?
The cameras have their critics and many people think they pose a danger as discussed above. However, proponents say that as people get used to the cameras, they’ll simply stop speeding and stop trying to “beat” the cameras, which will lead to safer driving and smoother traffic flow overall.
September 6th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
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