Camera van. Do the windows need to be open?
Discussion
Hmm came accross a camera van parked at the end of a dual carriageway. Back facing me with 2 rear windows smoked out and closed.
Grasping at straws last time I saw a van the small windows at teh back were open so does that mean this van was not in operation? went passed again 10 minutes later and it was gone.
Grasping at straws last time I saw a van the small windows at teh back were open so does that mean this van was not in operation? went passed again 10 minutes later and it was gone.
mattyboy101 said:
All the ones i've seen have had the windows open (or a door etc) - hopefully they were packing up and going back to wherever they came from!!
Jesus I hope so. Its a wide stretch of dual carriageway which when traffic allows I usualy give it a squirt pretty sure I was suirting before I saw it
mmm... from what i've read they operate with the windows open as then theres direct line of sight between the camera & target, nothing that can distort the beam. They can however operate through glass so they could still zap you.
I'd say its unlikely. Windows shut they arnt playing, tea break maybe. Yesterday I was zapped from a good 3/4 mile away, I could just see the white van & literally as I saw him I was shot. You gotta be quick to stay alive. Oh & the snooper sd715is didnt pick up a thing.
I'd say its unlikely. Windows shut they arnt playing, tea break maybe. Yesterday I was zapped from a good 3/4 mile away, I could just see the white van & literally as I saw him I was shot. You gotta be quick to stay alive. Oh & the snooper sd715is didnt pick up a thing.
splodge s4 said:
mmm... from what i've read they operate with the windows open as then theres direct line of sight between the camera & target, nothing that can distort the beam. They can however operate through glass so they could still zap you.
I'd say its unlikely. Windows shut they arnt playing, tea break maybe. Yesterday I was zapped from a good 3/4 mile away, I could just see the white van & literally as I saw him I was shot. You gotta be quick to stay alive. Oh & the snooper sd715is didnt pick up a thing.
I'd say its unlikely. Windows shut they arnt playing, tea break maybe. Yesterday I was zapped from a good 3/4 mile away, I could just see the white van & literally as I saw him I was shot. You gotta be quick to stay alive. Oh & the snooper sd715is didnt pick up a thing.
3/4 of a mile? isn't that outside the operating limits? (see Peter Wards excellent thread)
andmole said:
splodge s4 said:
mmm... from what i've read they operate with the windows open as then theres direct line of sight between the camera & target, nothing that can distort the beam. They can however operate through glass so they could still zap you.
I'd say its unlikely. Windows shut they arnt playing, tea break maybe. Yesterday I was zapped from a good 3/4 mile away, I could just see the white van & literally as I saw him I was shot. You gotta be quick to stay alive. Oh & the snooper sd715is didnt pick up a thing.
I'd say its unlikely. Windows shut they arnt playing, tea break maybe. Yesterday I was zapped from a good 3/4 mile away, I could just see the white van & literally as I saw him I was shot. You gotta be quick to stay alive. Oh & the snooper sd715is didnt pick up a thing.
3/4 of a mile? isn't that outside the operating limits? (see Peter Wards excellent thread)
Yup read all that! I suppose if they see you no matter how far away they will have a go at checking your speed.
Ive just looked again at the photos on that thread & I was definately zapped further away than the first pic. If that was 745m then it was atleast 900/1000m away. (bloody good shot thinking about it now!)
Edited by splodge s4 on Monday 6th November 18:05
Well the ACPO Code of Practice for Laser/Optical speedmeters
Section 14.2 on page 66 says
"The beam must not be projected through glass or mirrors."
Of course that does assume that they were equipped with laser/optical device.
Some vans use Sensor operated roadside speedmeters.
These do not require the window to be open.
hmm checks pesty profile, Shropshire. Were you by any chance in area covered by West Mercia scamps? They cover Shropshire amongst other areas.
They use a combination of Laser equipment which is relatively new but they have been using Speedmaster DS3 Autovision which uses piezo-electric cables buried across the carriageway, camera mounted behind the windscreen.
If so, you may therefore have an uncomfortable two weeks.
edited for typos
Section 14.2 on page 66 says
"The beam must not be projected through glass or mirrors."
Of course that does assume that they were equipped with laser/optical device.
Some vans use Sensor operated roadside speedmeters.
These do not require the window to be open.
hmm checks pesty profile, Shropshire. Were you by any chance in area covered by West Mercia scamps? They cover Shropshire amongst other areas.
They use a combination of Laser equipment which is relatively new but they have been using Speedmaster DS3 Autovision which uses piezo-electric cables buried across the carriageway, camera mounted behind the windscreen.
If so, you may therefore have an uncomfortable two weeks.
edited for typos
Edited by Flat in Fifth on Monday 6th November 20:36
fif
Thank you for the info.
I have seen plenty of DS3 sites around here. You can usualy see where the sensors are buried and a little post by the side of the road 20 meteres or so away that they plug into. The ones in Telofrd also have 2 very short white lines which I assume are to aid prossecuction
I know where the van was. I think I will take a closer look tomorrow. By the sounds of it though I think I and my licence are safe for now.
Even if it was a DS3 I saw the van in time to slow down enough probably
Thank you for the info.
I have seen plenty of DS3 sites around here. You can usualy see where the sensors are buried and a little post by the side of the road 20 meteres or so away that they plug into. The ones in Telofrd also have 2 very short white lines which I assume are to aid prossecuction
I know where the van was. I think I will take a closer look tomorrow. By the sounds of it though I think I and my licence are safe for now.
Even if it was a DS3 I saw the van in time to slow down enough probably
pesty said:
fif
Thank you for the info.
I have seen plenty of DS3 sites around here. You can usualy see where the sensors are buried and a little post by the side of the road 20 meteres or so away that they plug into. The ones in Telofrd also have 2 very short white lines which I assume are to aid prossecuction
I know where the van was. I think I will take a closer look tomorrow. By the sounds of it though I think I and my licence are safe for now.
Even if it was a DS3 I saw the van in time to slow down enough probably
Thank you for the info.
I have seen plenty of DS3 sites around here. You can usualy see where the sensors are buried and a little post by the side of the road 20 meteres or so away that they plug into. The ones in Telofrd also have 2 very short white lines which I assume are to aid prossecuction
I know where the van was. I think I will take a closer look tomorrow. By the sounds of it though I think I and my licence are safe for now.
Even if it was a DS3 I saw the van in time to slow down enough probably
Yep you've got the site characteristics clocked, and as you say, if you get clocked by a DS3 your observation is generally not up to much cop.
Humberside SCP has vans with a HIAB-lift arrangement.
On the end of the lift is a black football, but sized about 15" diameter.
That is where the camera is.
The doors and windows of the van stay closed, and the HIAB ensures the camera is high enough to get a clear shot.
I'm surprised if other SCPs don't have these.
On the end of the lift is a black football, but sized about 15" diameter.
That is where the camera is.
The doors and windows of the van stay closed, and the HIAB ensures the camera is high enough to get a clear shot.
I'm surprised if other SCPs don't have these.
sean5302 said:
Humberside SCP has vans with a HIAB-lift arrangement.
On the end of the lift is a black football, but sized about 15" diameter.
That is where the camera is.
The doors and windows of the van stay closed, and the HIAB ensures the camera is high enough to get a clear shot.
I'm surprised if other SCPs don't have these.
On the end of the lift is a black football, but sized about 15" diameter.
That is where the camera is.
The doors and windows of the van stay closed, and the HIAB ensures the camera is high enough to get a clear shot.
I'm surprised if other SCPs don't have these.
how do they aim it? through the video camera?
sean5302 said:
Humberside SCP has vans with a HIAB-lift arrangement.
On the end of the lift is a black football, but sized about 15" diameter.
That is where the camera is.
The doors and windows of the van stay closed, and the HIAB ensures the camera is high enough to get a clear shot.
I'm surprised if other SCPs don't have these.
On the end of the lift is a black football, but sized about 15" diameter.
That is where the camera is.
The doors and windows of the van stay closed, and the HIAB ensures the camera is high enough to get a clear shot.
I'm surprised if other SCPs don't have these.
Ive not heard of or seen those, anyone got any pics? Flat in Fifth said:
sean5302 said:
Humberside SCP has vans with a HIAB-lift arrangement.
On the end of the lift is a black football, but sized about 15" diameter.
That is where the camera is.
The doors and windows of the van stay closed, and the HIAB ensures the camera is high enough to get a clear shot.
I'm surprised if other SCPs don't have these.
On the end of the lift is a black football, but sized about 15" diameter.
That is where the camera is.
The doors and windows of the van stay closed, and the HIAB ensures the camera is high enough to get a clear shot.
I'm surprised if other SCPs don't have these.
how do they aim it? through the video camera?
I've no doubt whatsoever that this practice is commonplace.
Targetting of vehicles at long range is too haphazard for a standard LTi20/20, and use of video magnification definitely goes on: I've seen it.
FiF,
What you wrote has set me thinking. I'll ask them tomorrow.
What I'm thinking is.....
How can they take a considered view of a vehicle's speed before zapping it with the scanner?
I believe that a Policeman is supposed to form an opinion of excessive speed and then back up that opinion with the kit.
This must mean that they are viewing everything through the camera.
Brilliant. Thanks for stimulating my brain cell!
What you wrote has set me thinking. I'll ask them tomorrow.
What I'm thinking is.....
How can they take a considered view of a vehicle's speed before zapping it with the scanner?
I believe that a Policeman is supposed to form an opinion of excessive speed and then back up that opinion with the kit.
This must mean that they are viewing everything through the camera.
Brilliant. Thanks for stimulating my brain cell!
I have phoned Humberside SCP today.
They are based in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire.
I asked about the new scamera vans they have. Mrs C. Mather, Office Co-ordinator, 01482 398200, was absolutely delighted to tell me it's the latest in the country.
I said I'd observed it in Howden, East Yorks, on the dual carriageway.
She said that was one of 83 sites throughout the county and it was proving to be extremely valuable.
I asked her about the camera and she told me it was roof-mounted and could face 360 degrees.
I asked about the markings on the van. She said the back was fully marked with chevrons, but only on the rear doors.
I asked whether the van would park and scan vehicles coming towards it, on the opposite carriageway. She said "yes, of course".
I asked how such drivers would see the chevrons.
Long pause.
"Why are you asking, Sir"
I asked how the operator would form a prior opinion of speeding, if the camera needed to be on the roof to see so far ahead.
"Sorry, Sir. You'll need to write to:
Humberside Police
Central Ticket Office
PO Box 183
Beverley
Hull
HU17 8GW"
Did I ask something, impolitely?
They are based in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire.
I asked about the new scamera vans they have. Mrs C. Mather, Office Co-ordinator, 01482 398200, was absolutely delighted to tell me it's the latest in the country.
I said I'd observed it in Howden, East Yorks, on the dual carriageway.
She said that was one of 83 sites throughout the county and it was proving to be extremely valuable.
I asked her about the camera and she told me it was roof-mounted and could face 360 degrees.
I asked about the markings on the van. She said the back was fully marked with chevrons, but only on the rear doors.
I asked whether the van would park and scan vehicles coming towards it, on the opposite carriageway. She said "yes, of course".
I asked how such drivers would see the chevrons.
Long pause.
"Why are you asking, Sir"
I asked how the operator would form a prior opinion of speeding, if the camera needed to be on the roof to see so far ahead.
"Sorry, Sir. You'll need to write to:
Humberside Police
Central Ticket Office
PO Box 183
Beverley
Hull
HU17 8GW"
Did I ask something, impolitely?
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