Monday 3rd October 2005

Get scamera warnings txted

Mobile van alerts go directly to your phone

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Be warned...

For 50p per message, you can get texts to let you know about new mobile speed cameras in your area.

For service provider Radar24, Stephen Juul Jensen said: "The police claim speed cameras are used at accident black spots and we feel drivers should know where these are for safety reasons. Many police forces release information about the location of speed cameras, via CD-ROMs or through the local press announcements. Radar24 gives users access to the latest information via their mobile phones in real time."

You text your town or city to 81232, or you can log onto the Web site (see link below), create a profile and choose the areas about which you want to get information. The company is already operating in Scandinavia, where it claims to be successful.

The company didn't say whether reading texts while driving would be more dangerous than exceeding the speed limit...

• www.radar24.co.uk

Image courtesy www.speedcam.co.uk

[sublimatica]

So (let me get this right) the system sends you a general list of (fixed) speed traps on a regular basis, but not targetted alerts about one-time-only mobile traps based on live feedback from other users of the system?

If this information is already publically available, either from the police, through the media or via various websites, then I wonder why would I pay 50p for the priviledge of receiving the information crushed down onto my mobile phone screen for me to examine with difficulty while driving?

Wouldn't it be simpler to visit the relevant web page on a Friday afternoon to print out the list ready for the weekend's hooning? For free? In a large-format readable page?

I'd pay 50p to get up-to-the-minute info about mobile speed cameras in my specific location (based on my phone's cellular-located instant position) but not for standard info on fixed speed traps around my local area that I can download for free from the Interweb.

Or have I got the wrong end of the stick? :scratchchin:

[shadowninja]

Didn't a guy get a driving ban for... warning motorists about a mobile scamera location?

[smeggy]

shadowninja said:

Didn't a guy get a driving ban for... warning motorists about a mobile scamera location?

That was my first thought when reading that article.

The person you are referring to is Stuart Harding

How anyone can be penalised for preventing an offence is beyond me.....

[james_j]

smeggy said:

shadowninja said: Didn't a guy get a driving ban for... warning motorists about a mobile scamera location? That was my first thought when reading that article. The person you are referring to is Stuart Harding How anyone can be penalised for preventing an offence is beyond me.....

Quite, and what's the difference between that and a sign telling of a fixed camera ahead? (OK, for some reason there are some signs which also say there's a fixed camera ahead when there isn't one.)

[supermono]

smeggy said:

That was my first thought when reading that article. The person you are referring to is Stuart Harding How anyone can be penalised for preventing an offence is beyond me.....

Apparently the officer he was "obstructing" was Sergeant Sarah Cashman....

[jesprit]

sublimatica said:

So (let me get this right) the system sends you a general list of (fixed) speed traps on a regular basis, but not targetted alerts about one-time-only mobile traps based on live feedback from other users of the system? If this information is already publically available, either from the police, through the media or via various websites, then I wonder why would I pay 50p for the priviledge of receiving the information crushed down onto my mobile phone screen for me to examine with difficulty while driving? Wouldn't it be simpler to visit the relevant web page on a Friday afternoon to print out the list ready for the weekend's hooning? For free? In a large-format readable page? I'd pay 50p to get up-to-the-minute info about mobile speed cameras in my specific location (based on my phone's cellular-located instant position) but not for standard info on fixed speed traps around my local area that I can download for free from the Interweb. Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

I think you misunderstood. The opening lines mentions the word 'mobile' rather than 'fixed' at least.

[GKP]

Would this text message only be readable with a hands free phone?

[sublimatica]

jesprit said:

sublimatica said: So (let me get this right) the system sends you a general list of (fixed) speed traps on a regular basis, but not targetted alerts about one-time-only mobile traps based on live feedback from other users of the system? I think you misunderstood. The opening lines mentions the word 'mobile' rather than 'fixed' at least.

Aaah yes. *turns stick around and grasps correct end*
Thanks for pointing that out...

[mybrainhurts]

Rember that published information is not always complete.

North Wales hiighwaymen have been seen lurking in vans at sites not published that day.....

[dingus21]

Seems that they don't have Wales listed amongst the areas that they cover! Did'nt find this out untill had registered at the site. When I asked why, was told that the operator "Had nothing to do with the site". Asked to speak to someone who did "Have something to do with the site" and was told there was no one there. Not a good start.

[Balmoral Green]

james_j said:

there are some signs which also say there's a fixed camera ahead when there isn't one.

Yes, this is generally know as 'lying', it would appear that it is perfectly OK for the authorities to 'lie' to the public, in writing, on a bloody great sign, and get away with it.

[pisstonhead]

Some partnerships already publish to WAP and it's free, apart from the WAP charge of course.