Safety vans at night - do they work?
Discussion
Would you be so kind as to edit the title please, as it is quite offensive to those of us with an IQ above our shoe size, who appear to have noticed that Safety does not equate to a rigid adherence to what is an arbitrary number... Some of us even think (shock horror, member of public tries to Think when driving) that hazard awareness and general road craft skills are slightly more useful.
Cumbria Scamera partnership invested a few quid a couple of years ago into technology which would let the vans work in the dark. Despite living in the county and using the roads an awful lot (including the M6) I've never personally seen them working that way yet, though.
I hope that isn't too bad news for you.
I hope that isn't too bad news for you.
jasandjules said:
Would you be so kind as to edit the title please, as it is quite offensive to those of us with an IQ above our shoe size, who appear to have noticed that Safety does not equate to a rigid adherence to what is an arbitrary number... Some of us even think (shock horror, member of public tries to Think when driving) that hazard awareness and general road craft skills are slightly more useful.
Ah yes, the art of Roadcraft. However you need to be aware of the scumera vans that hinder progress when conditions allow. Late at night being one such condition. However I do hope that they don't know how to use their equipment in the dark.
Mini, I hope so too, and I hope they never do. Though in some respects you would think that they would want to operate at night, when most boy racer types are out? Anyone have info. on the times of accidents? (I always thought more occured at dusk due to the lighting conditions).
I wonder if they don't bother to use them at night because they cannot ID the driver...... Therefore far more people would fight them in court.. No, it can't be that.
I wonder if they don't bother to use them at night because they cannot ID the driver...... Therefore far more people would fight them in court.. No, it can't be that.
J500ANT said:
I understood Avon & Somerset bought that kit too, but i've never seen it or heard of it being used.
Interesting. I'm watching the letterbox with interest, I think I was scammed by a vehicle on a bridge on the M5 a last week in the dark. I couldn't entirely work out if it was Highways or BiB/Scamera van.
I'll keep watching the letterbox....
Yes they do, for both ANPR and speed enforcement. In both cases the equipment provides it’s own (invisible) light required for operation.
For speed readings: I have seen photo evidence (UK) taken during darkness where the plate is clearly readable. The Redflex Lasercam is an example of capable equipment.
For speed readings: I have seen photo evidence (UK) taken during darkness where the plate is clearly readable. The Redflex Lasercam is an example of capable equipment.
Piglet said:
J500ANT said:
I understood Avon & Somerset bought that kit too, but i've never seen it or heard of it being used.
Interesting. I'm watching the letterbox with interest, I think I was scammed by a vehicle on a bridge on the M5 a last week in the dark. I couldn't entirely work out if it was Highways or BiB/Scamera van.
I'll keep watching the letterbox....
Piglet, near which junction of the M5? The Somerset bunch don't scam from bridges, and they don't use the night time equipment (at least it's never been reported) but local plod do.
deeps said:
Piglet said:
J500ANT said:
I understood Avon & Somerset bought that kit too, but i've never seen it or heard of it being used.
Interesting. I'm watching the letterbox with interest, I think I was scammed by a vehicle on a bridge on the M5 a last week in the dark. I couldn't entirely work out if it was Highways or BiB/Scamera van.
I'll keep watching the letterbox....
Piglet, near which junction of the M5? The Somerset bunch don't scam from bridges, and they don't use the night time equipment (at least it's never been reported) but local plod do.
Cheers Deeps, I think it was one of the set of bridges just before the new uphill crawler lane just before Bristol. Maybe there is hope after all.... I was bloody stupid not to have seen the warning signs, the bunch of cars some distance ahead of me braked hard - I just thought they were driving like
wits (ironic really!) jasandjules said:
Mini, I hope so too, and I hope they never do. Though in some respects you would think that they would want to operate at night, when most boy racer types are out? Anyone have info. on the times of accidents? (I always thought more occured at dusk due to the lighting conditions).
I wonder if they don't bother to use them at night because they cannot ID the driver...... Therefore far more people would fight them in court.. No, it can't be that.
I wonder if they don't bother to use them at night because they cannot ID the driver...... Therefore far more people would fight them in court.. No, it can't be that.
J, the thing is that when you are a capable driver (I won't get into the definition of this, but I think you know what I am implying) you drive in a way in which the conditions allow. That may well include making progress where it is safe to do so. I personally feel the M6/M74 at night is a prime example. However if you then add into the equation the possibility of a distraction high in your line of sight, then obviously this becomes a part of the condition that would cause you to change your driving style, i.e. slow down!
I now believe that they can view your number plate in the dark with their equipment. I don't believe they can identify the driver, unless night vision goggles are part of the uniform!
But in all seriousness, let's hope they aren't out when I am!
smeggy said:
Yes they do, for both ANPR and speed enforcement. In both cases the equipment provides it’s own (invisible) light required for operation.
For speed readings: I have seen photo evidence (UK) taken during darkness where the plate is clearly readable. The Redflex Lasercam is an example of capable equipment.
For speed readings: I have seen photo evidence (UK) taken during darkness where the plate is clearly readable. The Redflex Lasercam is an example of capable equipment.
Whilst they may technically work for speed enforcement (i.e. using IR etc) I though they could only be used to corroborate the prior opinion of the officer/operator that you were speeding. So if the officer/operator cannot see you as it is dark how do they form the prior opinion?
madleee said:
Would it not be possible to fit infra red spotlamps to over expose the image of a mobile cash generator working at night?
Conceivably yes - conceivably. A bright IR emitter could result with the CCD imager ‘blooming’. Bearing in mind that headlamps already emit a huge amount of IR at the needed wavelengths.
Edited by smeggy on Wednesday 3rd January 14:10
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