Laser vans covering both carriageways?

[zadumbreion]

Saw a van parked up the other day, hatchback open, laser / video humming along happily.

The van could have been targetting either side of the dual carriageway (virtually no central barrier) - so how does this work in practice? Do the scamera operators have to choose in advance which carriageway to target - or can they freely choose which car to target as and when they see them? Could they be set up watching one carriageway by default, but see someone who looks like they may be speeding on the other side, and nab them instead?

[puggit]

I believe that the guidelines state they can't do this...

[fluffnik]

"LASER VANS COVERING BOTH CARRIAGEWAYS?"

Only if you hit them just so.

[outnumbered]

There have certainly been people caught by a van on the "wrong" side of a dual carriageway who have reported here.

[shuvitupya]

puggit said:

I believe that the guidelines state they can't do this...

I believe they can...as long as there is no barrier between the carriageways.

[zadumbreion]

I realise that they can get you from the "wrong" side of the road - but do they have to commit to one side or the other in advance? In other words can they set up shop to monitor the eastbound carriageway, notice someone westbound that looks iffy and zap them?

I don't know if calibration / setting up procedures restrict them to one or other carriageway for the duration of their session...

[puggit]

shuvitupya said:

puggit said:

I believe that the guidelines state they can't do this...

I believe they can...as long as there is no barrier between the carriageways.

Then it is not a dual-carriageway

[justinp1]

zadumbreion said:

I realise that they can get you from the "wrong" side of the road - but do they have to commit to one side or the other in advance? In other words can they set up shop to monitor the eastbound carriageway, notice someone westbound that looks iffy and zap them?

I don't know if calibration / setting up procedures restrict them to one or other carriageway for the duration of their session...

They can zap anywhere they want within a set distance of the 'accident blackspot'. It need even be on the same road on which the accidents occur if I remember rightly...

It is perfectly possible to zap on one side fo the road then seconds later move over to the 'other side'.

The device will need to be tested before and after use and there are rules regarding calibration however of course you are not party to any of this until after you are zapped, and plead not guilty, and ask for it all, and most probably not see it until the day of the court case.

Thus its a bit like the wild west. Anything goes Im afraid. When the sheriff's in town he makes his own rules.

[bigdods]

zadumbreion said:

I realise that they can get you from the "wrong" side of the road - but do they have to commit to one side or the other in advance?

This would assume said operator was paying attention. When I got caught recently it was clear from where he was parked that he was just shooting every car that came along on his side of the road then ticketing anyoen going over the limit. I picked up the 3 and £60 for 81 in a 70 on an empty dual carriageway *sigh*

[justin1230smith]

There may be local policies for that force but from my training I cannot remember any technical reason why we would not ? I am sure in Essex they do approaching or retreating vehicles. - Ring up you local partnership and they will give you the final answer for your area.