Range on camera vans

[Silverage]

Anyone know what range there is on camera vans?

I was coming home along an NSL road that has what must be a good 4 mile straight section, when I noticed the van about half a mile in front of me. I reduced my speed pretty quickly as you tend to do when you spot one of these wretched things whether you are exceeding the limit or not, but I've been wondering since if I had have been over the limit if the van would have got me at that kind of distance.

Interestingly I noticed when I got about 300 yards from the van there were some "dragons teeth" speed markings painted on the road, but I don't think the vans actually use these anymore.

[surveyor_101]

depends slightly on the device in use. the LTI 20/20 is a common one and they work at 600m easy, I believe some work at half a mile.

Depends on the vehicle type van/car and speed over.

[Silverage]

I did wonder if they would bother setting up in a position where they could be seen from so far away if they would not be able to catch any offenders. 600m is a fair old range.

[WJNB]

Had a conversation with a camera operator once who claimed that there is discretion as to who gets 'snapped', the driver who was speeding but reacts quickly to the camera is often ignored but those lacking good observation who don't react or more likely are taking the mick by exceeding the limit by a good margin (but he omitted to state what that margin is) DO get 'snapped'.

[av185]

Normally by the time you spot them they will have got you. Otherwise it would be rather a pointless exercise.

No guarantees though. I was doing indicated 65 in a 50 before Christmas camera van on bridge but heard nothing.

Good luck.

[HantsRat]

Vans can work up to 800m as they have zoom lenses and are fitted to a tripod. Handheld usually up to 500 with a steady hand.

[agtlaw]

surveyor_101 said:

depends slightly on the device in use. the LTI 20/20 is a common one and they work at 600m easy, I believe some work at half a mile.

Depends on the vehicle type van/car and speed over.

Slightly?

LTI 20/20 TS/M Speedscope - 999.9 metres.
LTI 20/20 Ultralyte 100 - 610 metres
LTI 20/20 Ultralyte 1000 - 1000 metres
LTI 20/20 TruSpeed DC Laser - 750 metres
LTI 20/20 TruCAM - 1200 meters

[agtlaw]

HantsRat said:

Vans can work up to 800m as they have zoom lenses and are fitted to a tripod. Handheld usually up to 500 with a steady hand.

I have a case from West Sussex where a police officer obtained a reading of 101 mph from 701.6 metres - seated in his police car using a hand-held LTI 20/20.

[Boosted LS1]

I'd like to see them within missile range, the civvy ones.

[Marvtec]

I'd like to know where there's a 4 mile straight...

[HantsRat]

agtlaw said:

I have a case from West Sussex where a police officer obtained a reading of 101 mph from 701.6 metres - seated in his police car using a hand-held LTI 20/20.

Yes can be done with a steady hand. My record from a hand held reading is 850m. It's easier to get a reading sat in the car than stood by the road as you can rest the laser against your body keeping it steady.

Edited by HantsRat on Monday 6th February 21:26

[surveyor_101]

The establishment have warn me down, no more of my hard earn earned cash is going on speeding tickets and speed awareness courses. I used to have flexibility to national and non red ring limits and even those I can't be bothered. I drove over 500 miles at the weekend in a new 3tn van to visit friends with their furniture from storage. I did 60 on dual track and 50 in nsl. I had teltrac built in sat nav and cyclops app on my phone so I had every limit matched and every camera detected.

It takes a lot to concentrate that much but I keep a clean licence and don't waste on fuel or tickets.

[surveyor_101]

HantsRat said:

Yes can be done with a steady hand. My record from a hand held reading is 850m. It's easier to get a reading sat in the car than stood by the road as you can rest the laser against your body keeping it steady.

Edited by HantsRat on Monday 6th February 21:26

Is it in the type approval to shoot through windscreen or window?

[agtlaw]

surveyor_101 said:

Is it in the type approval to shoot through windscreen or window?

Police cars are fitted with a special button.

[xjay1337]

The way I view it, if you can see the camera, it's gotten you already.

[HantsRat]

surveyor_101 said:

Is it in the type approval to shoot through windscreen or window?

We simply put the window down. They won't work through glass, well they can get readings still but only at a very short range and they're not approved to be used through glass.

[CoolHands]

Did they make an assessment that you were speeding from that distance before they zapped you?

[covboy]

HantsRat said:

We simply put the window down. They won't work through glass, well they can get readings still but only at a very short range and they're not approved to be used through glass.

Are you supposed to "form an opinion" first or just take pot luck ? (even at 800+ metres)

[HantsRat]

covboy said:

Are you supposed to "form an opinion" first or just take pot luck ? (even at 800+ metres)

Guidelines state you should form a prior opinion. It is pretty easy to do even at that distance, just sitting for 5 mins observing the area with cars at a normal speed you can spot the ones making ground quickly and take a reading from those.

It is however just guidelines and nothing in law that states we must form a prior opinion. I however do.

[agtlaw]

HantsRat said:

Guidelines state you should form a prior opinion. It is pretty easy to do even at that distance, just sitting for 5 mins observing the area with cars at a normal speed you can spot the ones making ground quickly and take a reading from those.

It is however just guidelines and nothing in law that states we must form a prior opinion.

Shoot first, ask questions later. Are you also a firearms officer?