Dummy passenger? Ve vill know ze truth.

[Tafia]

Saw an item on BBC news reporting on infra-red cameras which will be targeted to detect if a "passenger" is not human but is in fact a blow-up dummy which may be used (by a very small number) to allow lone drivers to use the loony "high occupancy vehicles only" lanes.

The camera can detect the difference between the plastic dummy and human skin as it shows up in the infra-red spectrum as a different colour. (Due to body heat I presume.)

The pleased-with-himself boffin boasted, "We have been working on this for two years and are about to assemble the package for use very soon".

Is it not astonishing that they would go to these lengths to ensure compliance with the ridiculous idea to resrict some lanes to cars with more than one occupant. (I supose this wonderful technology can be trumped by using a heated dummy............)

Presumably for example, if a doctor gets an emergency call, he will have to borrow a passing pedestrian in order to make progress to his destination.

I am told that George Orwell's real name was Eric Blair. It seems his book "1984" is becoming the handbook of the Commies now wrecking this once great country.

[Streetcop]

I agree with the idea of high occupancy lanes, but feel the money policing it could be better spent elsewhere...

Street

[Tafia]

Streetcop said:

I agree with the idea of high occupancy lanes, but feel the money policing it could be better spent elsewhere... Street

So if a rep needs to travel from Chester to Scunthorpe, can you say where he can find another person who also wishes to travel from Chester to Scunthorpe at the same time on the same day?

[Einion Yrth]

Streetcop said:

I agree with the idea of high occupancy lanes, but feel the money policing it could be better spent elsewhere... Street

I think basically tho' the big problem is that TPTB could not give a flying fk what you, or anyone else, thinks.

[Mrr T]

Streetcop said:

I agree with the idea of high occupancy lanes, but feel the money policing it could be better spent elsewhere... Street

Street have you ever used a high occupancy lane?? I was on holiday in LA, which has them, and as there where 2 of us we could use them. Doing 60, the speed limit on the freeway, past stationary cars is scary, but joining the lane and leaving it when other lanes are queuing is an accident waiting to happen, or judging by the number of accidents I saw is happening.

[Streetcop]

Einion Yrth said:

I think basically tho' the big problem is that TPTB could not give a flying fk what you, or anyone else, thinks.

Yep...that's why they're the powers that be....

If you or I wanted to change it, we should have been politicians..

That why, as I wanted to drive fasts cars legally above the speed limit and stop chavs and deal with them appropriately etc etc...I became a copper...

Street

[V8 Archie]

Streetcop said:

Yep...that's why they're the powers that be.... If you or I wanted to change it, we should have been politicians..

Wouldn't it be nice if it were that simple.

Meanwhile, on planet earth, you would never get selected by any party having a cat-in-hell's chance of forming a government if you showed signs of such abominable weakness as listening to the people that elected you or giving a monkey's chuff about what anyone thinks.

Keep your head down, do what you're told, say what we tell you say, vote how will tell you to vote and keep your tongue firmly between the dear leader's cheeks.

[Streetcop]

V8 Archie said:

Streetcop said: Yep...that's why they're the powers that be.... If you or I wanted to change it, we should have been politicians.. Wouldn't it be nice if it were that simple. Meanwhile, on planet earth, you would never get selected by any party having a cat-in-hell's chance of forming a government if you showed signs of such abominable weakness as listening to the people that elected you or giving a monkey's chuff about what anyone thinks. Keep your head down, do what you're told, say what we tell you say, vote how will tell you to vote and keep your tongue firmly between the dear leader's cheeks.

What's the alternative Wofie Smith? France?

Street

[V8 Archie]

Streetcop said:

What's the alternative Wofie Smith? France?

I believe they have politicians and political parties there too . Perhaps there's some tribes in the more remote parts of the Amazon that don't work that way.

I don't pretend to have an answer past praying to every deity you can think of for some miraculous change in approach .

[forever_driving]

So, I'm captured by the KGB, they take me to their hideout, I won't talk so they hang me up on a hook in a meat locker and then take turns to punch me in the chest.

My cold body is still shivering and recovering from the pain when suddenly Arnie bursts in the door, machineguns the KGB agents, lifts my almost frozen body off the meat hook and rushes me to the nearby hospital via a dual occupancy lane.

14 days later, Arnie receives a £60 fine because my body wasn't warm enough.

Doesn't seem fair to me.

[Streetcop]

It could be a lot worse V8 archie...it could be a lot worse...

In some countries people douse themselves in petrol and set themselves alight to 'highlight' their cause...
It's even been done in the country a few times..

Street

[V8 Archie]

@forever_driving
I guess you'll just have hope that doesn't happen then.

Edited as Street slipped in between us

>> Edited by V8 Archie on Wednesday 28th July 13:57

[Streetcop]

V8 Archie said:

I guess you'll just have hope that doesn't happen then.

Especially anywhere where I might be standing...

Street

[WildCat]

Tafia said:

Saw an item on BBC news reporting on infra-red cameras which will be targeted to detect if a "passenger" is not human but is in fact a blow-up dummy which may be used (by a very small number) to allow lone drivers to use the loony "high occupancy vehicles only" lanes.

Now how sadder can they get?

I would use public transport if I could guarantee I would arrive at work on time, unhassled, and without it taking me hours. Plus fact that it would actually cost me more than the car - and even if there ist a jam - I have nice warm comfy car and radio to listen to! Plus the freedom!

Tafia said:

The camera can detect the difference between the plastic dummy and human skin as it shows up in the infra-red spectrum as a different colour. (Due to body heat I presume.) The pleased-with-himself boffin boasted, "We have been working on this for two years and are about to assemble the package for use very soon". Is it not astonishing that they would go to these lengths to ensure compliance with the ridiculous idea to resrict some lanes to cars with more than one occupant.

Indeed!

Tafia said:

(I supose this wonderful technology can be trumped by using a heated dummy............)

Nice one filled with aromatherapy stuff plugged into ciggy lighter

Except - could make you relax too much!

Tafia said:

Presumably for example, if a doctor gets an emergency call, he will have to borrow a passing pedestrian in order to make progress to his destination.

You will find less doctors than current willing to do this!

Lives will be lost!

Or taxes will go up to cover the extra expense for the doctor. Only he will not see this cash - but authorities will claim he get it - same as the make same claims for education and NHS!


Same with reps - if it costs more to supply - costs will be foisted to consumer - so even those who do not drive will get clobbered in the wallets.

Why can they not see that clobbering motorists like this will impact on the car haters just the same.

Tafia said:

I am told that George Orwell's real name was Eric Blair. It seems his book "1984" is becoming the handbook of the Commies now wrecking this once great country.

Now why does that surprise me!

[D-Angle]

Cameras that can tell if it's a real human or not? Time for a trip to the morgue methinks...

[TDTH1975]

This may be a bit of a hard line to take but do you not feel this could be a rather attractive offer to car jackers, murderers, rapists etc etc. They stand by the junction hitching lifts knowing there is a captive audience to pick them up so they can get from A to B quicker. Seems like fuel to a fire to me.

[SafetyStop]

I can't see this working.
What if your passenger is sitting in the back seat? I bet the cameras won't be angled to check the back seats. Also my windscreen is made of some type of heat reflective glass, can infra-red pass through that?

[deeen]

Surely the solution is to put the dummy in the drivers seat and steer from the passenger side?

[TimC]

SafetyStop said:

I can't see this working. What if your passenger is sitting in the back seat? I bet the cameras won't be angled to check the back seats. Also my windscreen is made of some type of heat reflective glass, can infra-red pass through that?

I was about to ask the same questions!! Taxis, minibuses and chauffeur driven vehicles all frequently have unoccupied front seats.

You could also add, what about a baby in a rear facing child-seat? I suspect that wouldn't give the right heat signature - whereas a large dog sat in the front seat might! (Wearing a suitable restraint of course).

[gone]

I can see an increase in the instance of Kidnapping at bus stops!

"Get in the car"

Reply "Why?"

"I need to drive on a Motorway!"