Wednesday 21st January 2004

Laser Camera to Blast Scots?

Is a new anti speeding device on the horizon?

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A report in a Scottish Sunday newspaper recently suggested that police were to introduce a new generation of speed cameras.

The Scotland on Sunday paper claims that cameras fitted with laser beams will be able to detect speeding motorists at up to 300 metres away.

It's also claimed that the cameras are digital and feed data directly down comms lines, dispensing with the need for film and the high maintenance overhead of film based cameras.

Terry Write from Truvelo is quoted as saying:

"Our fixed cameras normally operate at 18 to 20 metres, which gives a clear picture of the vehicle so you can read the number plate."

"But you can zoom in better with a digital image and these new cameras could probably operate at a much greater range, 200 to 300 metres. That wouldn’t be unreasonable given the quality of the image on digital film ."

"You can basically aim at a specific vehicle in a line of cars and pick out each individual one," he said. "With a radar beam if you get more than one vehicle in the beam, the equipment cuts out and doesn’t give you a reading. "

Links : Scotland on Sunday , Truvelo

[t1grm]

WTF is "digital film"

AFAIK the idea of digital camereas is you don't have film

[deltaf]

Hows his laser scamera going to deal with a jammer???
Bring em on, easier to defeat than a gatso.

[skittle]

I thought digital photographs were not admissable as evidence as they could be doctored?

[_Al_]

Where does he get the idea that a digital image is better to zoom into than an analogue one?

The digital zoom on my digital camera is next to useless, compared to my Dad's optical lens!

[streaky]

skittle said:

I thought digital photographs were not admissable as evidence as they could be doctored?

Exception made for speed cameras, etc. I believe. I assume this applies in Scottish courts - Streaky

[GreigM]

Sigh, I was trying to avoid having to buy a laser jammer, just to keep my vehicle totally legal...looks like I'll have to give in now.

As far as I see it, they are forcing me to criminalise myself in order to protect myself.

[Apache]

You're already a criminal, you drive a car mate

[mcflurry]

apache said:

You're already a criminal, you drive a car mate

Good one

[homer]

How much longer are we going to put up with these barstewards' stealth taxes ?
Its high time someone came up with a really powerful laser device to knock out these hateful tax collecting robots. ( a digital flame-thrower perhaps ?)

[dinkel]

t1grm said:

WTF is "digital film" AFAIK the idea of digital camereas is you don't have film

Like a digital video camera you can put digital info on tape. Tape or film what is the diff?

Still - camera's are sneaky. Overtake a smokin' diesel and 'snap' PAY. A copper badge would have said: "good for your health!"

[pistol pete]

How come we are going to get "on-line" speed cameras before we get descent web access??!! Are they going to use a 56k line?

Pete

[PetrolTed]

Delta old mate. This type of post doesn't do our credibility any good. PHers aren't the type of people to indulge in such activity. I know it's only for reference/interest but it doesn't do the PH image any good to casual onlookers IMHO.

[deltaf]

Duly removed.

[andysherratt]

PetrolTed - I entirely agree with you regarding the reputation of PH - particularly with present publicity regarding criminalising the ordinary motorist, the enthusiast has to even more careful.

Interesting theory though!

[Deadly Dog]

streaky said:

skittle said: I thought digital photographs were not admissable as evidence as they could be doctored? Exception made for speed cameras, etc. I believe. I assume this applies in Scottish courts - Streaky

No. Unless the law is different in Scotland, Section 23 of the 1991 Road Traffic Act clearly states that the only evidence admissible is that generated by the speed camera itself. If the prosecution attempt to use enhanced or manipulated images then they must prove continuity of evidence.

If this new system does not have Type Approval from the Home Office then it cannot be used for law enforcement. Any attempt to secure a conviction through the use of an unapproved device would be highly illegal.

>> Edited by Deadly Dog on Wednesday 21st January 22:17

[DennisTheMenace]

Shirley they cant use digital photography as evidence as its easy to manipulate and fiddle with ??

[CB-Dave]

afaik they can, it's down to using digital signatures to ensure originality of evidence etc...

[FunkyNige]

Are these front or rear facing?
How will they take a pic of a plate 300m away if the car is behind / in front of a Transit or lorry?

[RichardR]

FunkyNige said:

Are these front or rear facing? How will they take a pic of a plate 300m away if the car is behind / in front of a Transit or lorry?

What a great invention - a "safety" camera that encourages tailgating!

[hornet]

300m range eh? You know what will happen....twisty road with one straight bit in god knows how many miles. You sit behind a caravan/tractor/Micra at 20mph for mile after mile, then when faced with the ONE piece of road where a safe overtake would be possible, BOOM!, that'll be £60 please.