Laws on Speed Cameras

[Mr Miagi]

I am trying to find any websites that features the rules and regulations of when they can and cannot put up a gatso.

It is in relation to that front page article in the Daily Mail saying that around 4 out of 5 gatso are wrongfully placed as they do not comply to the regulations.

What I want to know is, if the Gatso shouldn't have been there in the first place then surely the penalty isn't viable either?

Any suggestions?

[ship]

I don't know any links about this but was just wondering about the talivans as well. Do they need to have carefully selected positions or can they setup anywhere they want?

[Mr Miagi]

Going back to a tread I saw the other day - Avon & Somerset Camera Partnership said:

"So before any camera is even considered to be installed at a sighht, 3 main factors are considered:

1, How many accidents were there and of what nature and severity over the past three years? (the criteria is 4 people killed or seriously injured (KSI) and eight personal injury collisions (PIC) over a three year history for a FIXED SITE and 2 KSI and 4 PIC for a MOBILE SITE"

So I suppose - yeah there are regulations for them as well, well certainly in Avon & Somerset anyway.

[Dwight VanDriver]

If this doesn't work then do a Web Search for
Department of Transport Circular Roads 1/92

www.tinyurl.com/wyvz

DVD

[bluepolarbear]

The daily maila are refering to the guidelines which basically say 85% of have to be at an accident black spot. Can't rememeber off hand the number but its something like 4ksi for fixed and 3 for mobile in last 3 yrs within one kilometer of the location (as the crow flows). A sore thumb would count as a ksi. You;ll notice that 85% leaves 15% which can be anywhere they choose and that they are only guidelines, therefore worthless spin. Bottom line they can be anywhere, hidden or visable. The only "technical" argument is if the equipment is not used in accordance with the type approval granted by the home office.

[hedgerley]

So does this 15% allowance explain the Gatsos on new roads? A case in point (as my father-in-law was a victim last year) is the new(ish) link between the M8 and M9 just outside Edinburgh, at the Newbridge Roundabout. This underpass was dug under the existing roundabout through virgin earth several years ago. It is a full dual carriageway, barriers, the lot. In fact as you come down the M9 at 70mph there is no physical change in the road whatsover, you just go under the Newbridge roundabout. To all intents and purposes you are still on the motorway.

The Gatsos were installed with a 50mph limit both ways, at the bottom of the dip and I saw them being tested weeks before the road opened. They've been active from day one. Obviously there was no accident data to support them as there wasn't even a road there before.

How do the authorities get away with this under the rules in force today?

p.s. amusing anecdote from the Scottish Executive. They objected to the painting of Gatsos in Scotland in the shade of yellow recommended at the time. The reason - motorists might mistake cameras for Scottish National Party posters! Thats why we have fetching red/yellow stripes North of the border.

>> Edited by hedgerley on Thursday 8th January 23:23

[Nickccc]

After one of my all to frequent conversations with the Bedfordshire central ticket office. I was informed that the mobile unit which clocked me at 37 excelerating towards a NSL was infact not protecting a hedge as I suggested but a "good old fashioned speed trap".
"Hmm there is nothing good or old fashioned about some want to be copper in the back of a van with (corect me if I am wrong) 40 grands worth of camera kit goodday"
click, burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[bluepolarbear]

hedgerley said:

So does this 15% allowance explain the Gatsos on new roads?

Essentially yes. 15% can be anywhere they what providing it fits in with the partnership's "wider strategy". Collecting money on a downhill strech of new motorway would I suggest fit in with their wider strategy

hedgerley said:

How do the authorities get away with this under the rules in force today?

Remember they are not rules, worthless spin, don't fall for it.

hedgerley said:

p.s. amusing anecdote from the Scottish Executive. They objected to the painting of Gatsos in Scotland in the shade of yellow recommended at the time. The reason - motorists might mistake cameras for Scottish National Party posters! Thats why we have fetching red/yellow stripes North of the border.

Didn't mention they don't have to be yellow either if it doesn't fit in with the landscape or something along those lines.

SPIN SPIN SPIN
>> Edited by hedgerley on Thursday 8th January 23:23[/quote]

[Mr Miagi]

Am I write in thinking that there is no actual law on where a camera can be placed - I have done a bit of searching and ringing around and it seems that each county (area ie Devon & Corwall or Avon & Somerset) have a bit of leeway 'cos A&S say that they require 4 KSI and D&C say 2 - Plymouth alone has around 35 cameras.

When I spoke to someone they said that the area police officer (ie for that road) files a report to the camera safety unit then once they agree that it a high risk area the file the report to the home office who allows the speed camera to be placed.

Surely there must be some kind of legislation otherwise they were always up for abuse.

[anonymous-user]

You're right.

There are guidelines to which 85% of a partnership's cameras should adheer in order for the partnership to partake of the ill gotten gains.

Other than that there's nothing at all that I know of.

[_Al_]

Mr Miagi said:

Surely there must be some kind of legislation otherwise they were always up for abuse.

The abuse in question draws in vast amounts of money.

The cynic in me says this is exactly how the situation was intended to be, otherwise the 15% would be in towns.