Automated Community Speedwatch

[Paul Dishman]

https://store.autospeedwatch.org/about_us

Although how long one of these cameras would last before being disappeared is a moot point

[Countdown]

AutoSpeedWatch distinguishes between vehicles that are persistently or particularly fast, and those vehicles where the driver has made an occasional mistake. This allows the police to prioritise their resources against the worst drivers.

The data is collated and prioritised by severity into specific intelligence for police. This allows them to identify and take further action as they deem appropriate; often by writing to the registered keeper in the first instance, but it also allows them to deploy the Speed Enforcement Units at specific places and times in order to catch and fine the worst speeders.

I don't see a problem with it to be honest. It's not issuing fines so should avoid the "it's about money not safety" accusations and it targets persistent offenders rather than people who make the occasional mistake.

[Gareth79]

Seems like a clever bit of kit at a reasonable price (£549 + £148/yr from 2nd year) to be honest! Given the size I assume it's running something like a Raspberry Pi inside, although I'm surprised a solar panel can power it continuously.

[Durzel]

Solar powered, apparently doesn’t operate at night or in low light (presumably no battery?). Sounds pretty limited to be honest.

[Paul Dishman]

Countdown said:

I don't see a problem with it to be honest. It's not issuing fines so should avoid the "it's about money not safety" accusations and it targets persistent offenders rather than people who make the occasional mistake.

Do you not? I think its another step down the road towards a Stasi-style dystopian state

[Gareth79]

Durzel said:

Solar powered, apparently doesn’t operate at night or in low light (presumably no battery?). Sounds pretty limited to be honest.

Apparently has a battery yes, but was never intended to work in the dark. It would require a decent IR lamp for that, and I'm sure the extra engineering/certification for mains power would jack the costs up for both the manufacturing and installation.

[Countdown]

Paul Dishman said:

Countdown said:

I don't see a problem with it to be honest. It's not issuing fines so should avoid the "it's about money not safety" accusations and it targets persistent offenders rather than people who make the occasional mistake.

Do you not? I think its another step down the road towards a Stasi-style dystopian state

Which part do you think is "stasi-style" or "dystopian"? Having laws which determine speed limits or ensuring compliance via enforcement?

I completely understand that people who enjoy driving fast won't like anything that stops them from doing so. But that doesn't mean the laws are wrong or that ensuring compliance with those laws mean that people are going to get arrested, tortured and sent to labour camps.

[Paul Dishman]

Countdown said:

Which part do you think is "stasi-style" or "dystopian"? Having laws which determine speed limits or ensuring compliance via enforcement?

I completely understand that people who enjoy driving fast won't like anything that stops them from doing so. But that doesn't mean the laws are wrong or that ensuring compliance with those laws mean that people are going to get arrested, tortured and sent to labour camps.

The part where anyone can buy a surveillance system to spy on other citizens. That's a slippery slope to a society where everyone spies on everyone else.

[Countdown]

Paul Dishman said:

The part where anyone can buy a surveillance system to spy on other citizens. That's a slippery slope to a society where everyone spies on everyone else.

We're monitored by CCTV cameras daily. A huge number of people also have dashcams. Then there are numerous people filming stuff on their mobile phones. Absolutely none of it bothers me. Perhaps it should but I can't think of a reason why.

[Paul Dishman]

Countdown said:

We're monitored by CCTV cameras daily. A huge number of people also have dashcams. Then there are numerous people filming stuff on their mobile phones. Absolutely none of it bothers me. Perhaps it should but I can't think of a reason why.

I recommend 'Stasiland' by Anna Funder

[Countdown]

Paul Dishman said:

Countdown said:

We're monitored by CCTV cameras daily. A huge number of people also have dashcams. Then there are numerous people filming stuff on their mobile phones. Absolutely none of it bothers me. Perhaps it should but I can't think of a reason why.

I recommend 'Stasiland' by Anna Funder

Why? How is a totalitarian dictatorship (which was created as a result of military occupation and collapsed of its own accord) comparable to a democratic country like the UK?

[Paul Dishman]

Countdown said:

Why? How is a totalitarian dictatorship (which was created as a result of military occupation and collapsed of its own accord) comparable to a democratic country like the UK?

You'll just have to read it yourself and make your own mind up

Edited by Paul Dishman on Sunday 15th August 18:26

[Bobtherallyfan]

SpeedBot is already providing real time data using Google….a car has just been ‘tracked’ at an average of 53.47mph through the New Forest’s 40mph limit. It’s not much of a leap of the imagination to think the Police could start using the same data is it?

[stuartmmcfc]

Paul Dishman said:

Countdown said:

Why? How is a totalitarian dictatorship (which was created as a result of military occupation and collapsed of its own accord) comparable to a democratic country like the UK?

You'll just have to read it yourself and make your own mind up

Edited by Paul Dishman on Sunday 15th August 18:26

That sounds a bit “do your own research” that you hear all the time from the anti Vaxers
Did they have these type of speed cameras in east Germany?

Edited by stuartmmcfc on Sunday 15th August 18:48

[sixor8]

If it stops the typical tosspot I saw this afternoon, 50 mph + in a 30 limit in his Range Rover past a hospital, right hand holding a massive phone to his ear, oblivious to all around him, I'm all for it.

[Paul Dishman]

stuartmmcfc said:

Paul Dishman said:

Countdown said:

Why? How is a totalitarian dictatorship (which was created as a result of military occupation and collapsed of its own accord) comparable to a democratic country like the UK?

You'll just have to read it yourself and make your own mind up

Edited by Paul Dishman on Sunday 15th August 18:26

That sounds a bit “do your own research” that you hear all the time from the anti Vaxers
Did they have these type of speed cameras in east Germany?

Edited by stuartmmcfc on Sunday 15th August 18:48

Is that supposed to be a serious question?

Read the book or don't read the book. It's no skin off my arse either way.

[Electro1980]

Paul Dishman said:

Countdown said:

Which part do you think is "stasi-style" or "dystopian"? Having laws which determine speed limits or ensuring compliance via enforcement?

I completely understand that people who enjoy driving fast won't like anything that stops them from doing so. But that doesn't mean the laws are wrong or that ensuring compliance with those laws mean that people are going to get arrested, tortured and sent to labour camps.

The part where anyone can buy a surveillance system to spy on other citizens. That's a slippery slope to a society where everyone spies on everyone else.

No one is “spying”. Also, you are forgetting the foundation of civil society and policing by consent. The police are the people and the people are the police. Encouraging others do the right thing is part of living in a decent society. People who think the law is only relevant when someone in authority is watching are a cancer on society.

[randlemarcus]

Electro1980 said:

No one is “spying”. Also, you are forgetting the foundation of civil society and policing by consent. The police are the people and the people are the police. Encouraging others do the right thing is part of living in a decent society. People who think the law is only relevant when someone in authority is watching are a cancer on society.

Oooh, do we get to pick which bits we consent to? 30 through a village, yup, all consent to this. 20 in every city? Nope. 50 on rural wide, well sighted A-roads? Nope.

As far as the original topic goes, this seems like a brilliant way of the vendor separating Parish Councils from a bunch of money. It just says "vehicle went though the 30 camera at 50 at 0827", and puts that data into a big visually pleasing format. Presumably where you see a consistent spike in one place at one time, plod gets asked to setup a trap in that spot at that time.

Edited by randlemarcus on Monday 16th August 11:34

[Countdown]

randlemarcus said:

Oooh, do we get to pick which bits we consent to? 30 through a village, yup, all consent to this. 20 in every city? Nope. 50 on rural wide, well sighted A-roads? Nope.

Devil's advocate - why consent to a 30 limit through a village? As PH Driving God I'm confident that i can drive at 60mph through a village during the middle of the day without killing anybody - so, surely that's OK?

The above is somewhat tongue-in-cheek but it's meant to show how we can all decide what speed limits should be and argue that they're justifiable. My own view is that one of the requirements . of living in a (generally) law abiding society is that we abide by the laws whether we personally agree with them or not. Not doing so is selfish behaviour.

[Jarcy]

I thought the whole point of SpeedWatch is to give busy-bodies something to do in their early retirement.