Visibility of gatsos
Discussion
I [technically] have a Gatso at the end of my back garden, which has been there for a number of years now (and to be honest, there's been more accidents since it's been put up than there were before, but I digress).
Can anyone tell me what the legalities are regarding the 'visibility' of a camera as you approach it?
Is it legal for the camera to be hidden (or partially) from view as you approach it? I've surfed all the usual sites but cannot find a definitive statement that says yes or no.
Many thanks in advance,
K
>>> Edited by kinky on Wednesday 12th November 21:46
Can anyone tell me what the legalities are regarding the 'visibility' of a camera as you approach it?
Is it legal for the camera to be hidden (or partially) from view as you approach it? I've surfed all the usual sites but cannot find a definitive statement that says yes or no.
Many thanks in advance,
K
>>> Edited by kinky on Wednesday 12th November 21:46
Yeah - they painted this one yellow too.
The reason I ask this question is because they are proposing putting up a mobile phone mast on the edge of the A30.
However, because it's a G3 mast, it has to have 2 'sheds' at the base, which would block your view of the gatso as you approach it, and this is my concern, along with restricting your view up the A30 as you turn onto it, distraction as people drive by, plus the possible heath-related risks associated with it. And of course the fact it does not visually fit into the area.
Ironically, I'm using our wonderful Governments own fiction ... err, I mean "proven stats" re: the 1/3rd of accidents are caused by speed as an argument against this !!!!
The reason I ask this question is because they are proposing putting up a mobile phone mast on the edge of the A30.
However, because it's a G3 mast, it has to have 2 'sheds' at the base, which would block your view of the gatso as you approach it, and this is my concern, along with restricting your view up the A30 as you turn onto it, distraction as people drive by, plus the possible heath-related risks associated with it. And of course the fact it does not visually fit into the area.
Ironically, I'm using our wonderful Governments own fiction ... err, I mean "proven stats" re: the 1/3rd of accidents are caused by speed as an argument against this !!!!
kinky said:
Can anyone tell me what the legalities are regarding the 'visibility' of a camera as you approach it?
Is it legal for the camera to be hidden (or partially) from view as you approach it?
Yes its totally legal. There is no legal requirement to make it visable or to sign its presence.
The use of the camera is under home office type approval which may make certain restrictions on how it is used. If these are not followed then it would be illegal but they cover technical issues and not visability.
In order to quell the raising disgust for the use of camera's the use is often covered by ACPO guidelines. Also areas in the netting off scheme (everyone bar Durham) have guidelines to follow.
It is these guidelines which say they should by yellow unless decided otherwise for "cosmetic" reasons. However, they have no legal basis.
kinky said:
...the possible heath-related risks associated with it...
... as spurious as we all agree the arguments for speed cameras to be.
Anyway, it's autumn and the trees are shedding their leaves, so you're gonna need to make a nice big bonfire at the bottom of your garden to burn them all, which could easily get out of control given the amount of petrol you'll need to light it...
Try this - very interesting. It might be worth someone bringing this up in court on a speeding charge where the camera is hidden, even if it isn't wholly 'illegal'... I might bring it up myself if I get my day in court!
www.lawontheweb.co.uk/crimertospeedcameras.htm
www.lawontheweb.co.uk/crimertospeedcameras.htm
318ti said:
I think they might have to be clearer now. Our county painted them all bright yellow but i think that's because they had to.
Well you say that, but if you drive into SW London there are at least three active Gatsos on the way into Sutton which are still painted that nice grey colour to blend into the trees around them - no yellow at all.
kinky said:
I [technically] have a Gatso at the end of my back garden, which has been there for a number of years now (and to be honest, there's been more accidents since it's been put up than there were before, but I digress).
Can anyone tell me what the legalities are regarding the 'visibility' of a camera as you approach it?
Is it legal for the camera to be hidden (or partially) from view as you approach it? I've surfed all the usual sites but cannot find a definitive statement that says yes or no.
Many thanks in advance,
K
>>> Edited by kinky on Wednesday 12th November 21:46
Wouldnt it be a shame if a large black binbag "accidentally" fell onto it every evening.
So much fun. 80p for a pack of 20 binbags writes off the potential of a few thousand quid
Hummmm .... interesting ..... "Cameras must be visible from 60 metres away". I'll have to go out and measure the distance.
As for that bonfire and 'stray' bin bags - I could not possibly support in any way such criminal activities
Can Kinky Junior (2 years old) be done for criminal damage? I thought I saw him playing with the bin bags in the back garden earlier*. And wheres my Zippo gone?*
K
* - For all those of an extreme PC, flame-happy or troll-like disposition, the above was said tongue-in-cheek.
As for that bonfire and 'stray' bin bags - I could not possibly support in any way such criminal activities
Can Kinky Junior (2 years old) be done for criminal damage? I thought I saw him playing with the bin bags in the back garden earlier*. And wheres my Zippo gone?*
K
* - For all those of an extreme PC, flame-happy or troll-like disposition, the above was said tongue-in-cheek.
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