Imaginative Speed Camera Alert System
Discussion
While commuting 120 miles a day, I go through areas which are known to have speed camera vans on them quite regularly which got me to thinking ..... (in a joking way!)
How could we alert fellow road drives that there is a speed van around the corner (not including flashing as you may be well past it before you see another car).
Could it be sold in the shops (disguised as something else)
My thoughts are:
1. Has to be cheap to buy
2. Can not be permanent
3. Must be relatively safe to use
4. Must be easy to use/deploy.
So far I have though of:
- a self inflating balloon system. Throw it out of the window, it inflates and sits on the verge. (bit like those key rings which inflate when they get wet but bigger ( http://www.marine-super-store.com/posit/shop/index... )
- a paint pod (water based) which you throw out of the window into the oncoming lane (when there is no traffic !)
- Smoke system (bit too dangerous I think !)
Anyone else have these thoughts and have you got any other suggestions !!
How could we alert fellow road drives that there is a speed van around the corner (not including flashing as you may be well past it before you see another car).
Could it be sold in the shops (disguised as something else)
My thoughts are:
1. Has to be cheap to buy
2. Can not be permanent
3. Must be relatively safe to use
4. Must be easy to use/deploy.
So far I have though of:
- a self inflating balloon system. Throw it out of the window, it inflates and sits on the verge. (bit like those key rings which inflate when they get wet but bigger ( http://www.marine-super-store.com/posit/shop/index... )
- a paint pod (water based) which you throw out of the window into the oncoming lane (when there is no traffic !)
- Smoke system (bit too dangerous I think !)
Anyone else have these thoughts and have you got any other suggestions !!
Perfectly put 
That'll be the Trapster then.
An app on my iPhone. Not sure if it can be used on any other platforms but it basically allows users to upload, realtime, the threat via the mobile network. Anyone else using the app will get the "push" updates of the PoPo round the corner - job done
Spread the word - only as good as the number of people using it!
An app on my iPhone. Not sure if it can be used on any other platforms but it basically allows users to upload, realtime, the threat via the mobile network. Anyone else using the app will get the "push" updates of the PoPo round the corner - job done
Spread the word - only as good as the number of people using it!
Most, if not almost all truckers warn each other of a potential hazard around a bend, further on. It takes a lot more to stop a fully loaded truck, than it does a car, so by warning each other that another driver may be about to slam on the anchors, probably prevents hundreds of accidents a year 
We aren't warning each other about any specific hazard, merely a "general" warning that it would be a good time to slow down, and prepare to brake if necessary
We generally flash our lights, and give a thumbs down.
It's amazing how many car drivers look at you as if you are totally stupid when you warn them. Some car drivers of course, like to warn us, as well as each other. They tend to be the more alert type of driver, not the usual "sheeple" found behind the wheel.
If you see this sign, it isn't being shown to you for the fun of it:
I should point out, that warning another driver of a speed trap, or other police activity could be construed as an attempt to pervert the course of justice. That's why we never warn about these types of things, only a "potential" hazard. I've used it to warn other drivers of sheep in the road, stationary traffic around a bend, floodwater etc etc, but never a speed trap.....
We aren't warning each other about any specific hazard, merely a "general" warning that it would be a good time to slow down, and prepare to brake if necessary
We generally flash our lights, and give a thumbs down.
It's amazing how many car drivers look at you as if you are totally stupid when you warn them. Some car drivers of course, like to warn us, as well as each other. They tend to be the more alert type of driver, not the usual "sheeple" found behind the wheel.
If you see this sign, it isn't being shown to you for the fun of it:
I should point out, that warning another driver of a speed trap, or other police activity could be construed as an attempt to pervert the course of justice. That's why we never warn about these types of things, only a "potential" hazard. I've used it to warn other drivers of sheep in the road, stationary traffic around a bend, floodwater etc etc, but never a speed trap.....
philthy said:
Most, if not almost all truckers warn each other of a potential hazard around a bend, further on. We generally flash our lights, and give a thumbs down.
- I don't think that's widely known, though: my Mother-in-Laws ex was a trucker, mainly inter continental to be fair, & I mentioned it to him a while back: he'd not come across it at the time, but then maybe cameras weren't so prolific.
MarkwG said:
philthy said:
Most, if not almost all truckers warn each other of a potential hazard around a bend, further on. We generally flash our lights, and give a thumbs down.
- I don't think that's widely known, though: my Mother-in-Laws ex was a trucker, mainly inter continental to be fair, & I mentioned it to him a while back: he'd not come across it at the time, but then maybe cameras weren't so prolific.It's that easy.
skilly1 said:
I like the I-Phone idea - don't have one but still good.
I was thinking of a system that would stay there for the day, or at least a few hours to alert all drivers, but would not need you to go back to pick-up whatever it was.
The thing with the app is that you can pick the type of threat that is there. If its "live police", that will stay there for a few hours, but a fixed speed camera will stay on the database indefinately. The mobile speedtrap stays for a day or so I think.I was thinking of a system that would stay there for the day, or at least a few hours to alert all drivers, but would not need you to go back to pick-up whatever it was.
Anyways, its there long after you are gone, and you don't need to return to pick it up! Its saved me from a few close calls...
In the past, I have wondered about a more localised version that warns people about traffic wardens in the area...
You could paint a homing pigeon bright orange and drop it near the speed camera along with a few handfuls of bird food. An orange pigeon is very eye-catching, especially if it's flapping its wings, as they tend to do.
Once it's run out of food it will fly home ready for use again the next day.
For ease of use, the pigeons and a bag of birdseed can be 'loaded' into rolled-up newspapers and you could have a few of these strapped to the outside of your car (a bit like smoke grenade launchers on tanks).
In the bottom of each 'pigeon mortar' you need to put the little detonator from several party-poppers (which are very easy to obtain this time of year). These will act as the propellant to fire the bird and seeds clear of your car and onto the pavement, grass-verge, hard-shoulder etc.
You can then easily deploy a bird whenever you come across a camera by simply pulling the party-popper string. Much easier than trying to find an errant pigeon hiding behind your seat or in the footwells.
The only thing to be careful about is if you're driving on a motorway and see a speed camera ahead. You MUST make sure you are in lane 1 BEFORE deploying the pigeon. Otherwise, it is quite likely someone behind you will end up with an orange pigeon splattered all over their windscreen.
A high speed bird strike can be quite dangerous and this could land you in trouble with the law.
My "Multiple Orange Bird Speed Trap Alert System" (or 'MOBSTAS') is sustainable and as long as you use the correct paint, it is not harmful to the pigeons.
I think you'll find it hard to come up with a better solution quite honestly.
Once it's run out of food it will fly home ready for use again the next day.
For ease of use, the pigeons and a bag of birdseed can be 'loaded' into rolled-up newspapers and you could have a few of these strapped to the outside of your car (a bit like smoke grenade launchers on tanks).
In the bottom of each 'pigeon mortar' you need to put the little detonator from several party-poppers (which are very easy to obtain this time of year). These will act as the propellant to fire the bird and seeds clear of your car and onto the pavement, grass-verge, hard-shoulder etc.
You can then easily deploy a bird whenever you come across a camera by simply pulling the party-popper string. Much easier than trying to find an errant pigeon hiding behind your seat or in the footwells.
The only thing to be careful about is if you're driving on a motorway and see a speed camera ahead. You MUST make sure you are in lane 1 BEFORE deploying the pigeon. Otherwise, it is quite likely someone behind you will end up with an orange pigeon splattered all over their windscreen.
A high speed bird strike can be quite dangerous and this could land you in trouble with the law.
My "Multiple Orange Bird Speed Trap Alert System" (or 'MOBSTAS') is sustainable and as long as you use the correct paint, it is not harmful to the pigeons.
I think you'll find it hard to come up with a better solution quite honestly.
fastfreddy said:
I think you'll find it hard to come up with a better solution quite honestly.
If you'll allow this concept a "blue sky thought bubble session" and allow it some "room to breathe" and take in the "vista of opportunity" then the only improvement I could possibly seek to suggest would be the use of orange midgets instead of pigeons.philthy said:
Most, if not almost all truckers warn each other of a potential hazard around a bend, further on. It takes a lot more to stop a fully loaded truck, than it does a car, so by warning each other that another driver may be about to slam on the anchors, probably prevents hundreds of accidents a year
We aren't warning each other about any specific hazard, merely a "general" warning that it would be a good time to slow down, and prepare to brake if necessary
We generally flash our lights, and give a thumbs down.
It's amazing how many car drivers look at you as if you are totally stupid when you warn them. Some car drivers of course, like to warn us, as well as each other. They tend to be the more alert type of driver, not the usual "sheeple" found behind the wheel.
If you see this sign, it isn't being shown to you for the fun of it:
I should point out, that warning another driver of a speed trap, or other police activity could be construed as an attempt to pervert the course of justice. That's why we never warn about these types of things, only a "potential" hazard. I've used it to warn other drivers of sheep in the road, stationary traffic around a bend, floodwater etc etc, but never a speed trap.....
I do this and understand it when people show me (not a trucker, just not stupid) you get some vacant looks from people when doing this alot of the time though, especially wimmin.We aren't warning each other about any specific hazard, merely a "general" warning that it would be a good time to slow down, and prepare to brake if necessary
We generally flash our lights, and give a thumbs down.
It's amazing how many car drivers look at you as if you are totally stupid when you warn them. Some car drivers of course, like to warn us, as well as each other. They tend to be the more alert type of driver, not the usual "sheeple" found behind the wheel.
If you see this sign, it isn't being shown to you for the fun of it:
I should point out, that warning another driver of a speed trap, or other police activity could be construed as an attempt to pervert the course of justice. That's why we never warn about these types of things, only a "potential" hazard. I've used it to warn other drivers of sheep in the road, stationary traffic around a bend, floodwater etc etc, but never a speed trap.....
Anyway back on topic. how about having a cut out of one of these.
and put onto one of these
And shine it into the sky/building like one of these?
skilly1 said:
I like the I-Phone idea - don't have one but still good.
I was thinking of a system that would stay there for the day, or at least a few hours to alert all drivers, but would not need you to go back to pick-up whatever it was.
Its compatible with most Nokias too, well it works on mine. Have a mooch on the websiteI was thinking of a system that would stay there for the day, or at least a few hours to alert all drivers, but would not need you to go back to pick-up whatever it was.
philthy said:
MarkwG said:
philthy said:
Most, if not almost all truckers warn each other of a potential hazard around a bend, further on. We generally flash our lights, and give a thumbs down.
- I don't think that's widely known, though: my Mother-in-Laws ex was a trucker, mainly inter continental to be fair, & I mentioned it to him a while back: he'd not come across it at the time, but then maybe cameras weren't so prolific.It's that easy.
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