New Hi-Tech Speed Cameras - Can Drivers Avoid Speeding Tickets By Changing Lanes?

ThisisLondon reported a serious flaw in the new generation of speed cameras being introduced in the UK which can result in drivers avoiding speeding fines and points in their license by simply changing lanes.

The appalling flaw has been admitted by the Home Office. The supposedly high specification cameras operate by calculating a cars average speed over a long distance. The loophole has been widely published and this means that millions of speeding drivers in the UK could avoid a £60 speeding fine and three points on their driving licence.

The flaw has been highly criticised and the point made that instead of improving road safety, it could significantly contribute to road traffic accidents if drivers continually switch lanes in an attempt to exploit the loophole. The cameras are designed to catch drivers who slow down when approaching a speed camera and increase their speed afterwards. But under the Home office rules regulating the use of the cameras, a prosecution is only valid if drivers are caught on a linked pair of cameras on the same lane from start to finish

 The camera is manufactured by Speed Check Services (SCS)

• Each set of speed camera cost between £180, 000 to £1.5 million per site
• The SPECS cameras work by measuring the time a speeding vehicle takes to pass between two number plate reading cameras that has been set up to 6.2 miles apart.
• A computer then works out the time it takes to cover the distance, and then calculates the average speed.
• If the speeding vehicle average speed is higher than the speed limit, a colour photograph taken by a third digital camera is stored for enforcement purposes.
• Multiple sets of the cameras are installed on stretches of road to make 'enforcement zones'.

The new cameras work by recording the time a vehicle takes to travel the distance between a pair of linked number plate reading cameras usually set about 6.2 miles apart. A computer then calculates the time it took the vehicle to cover the distance, and works out the average speed

If the vehicle average speed is higher than the speed limit, a digital colour photo is taken by a third camera and this is stored and used for prosecuting the speeding driver. However, the rule under which the new speed cameras were approved by the Home Office only allowed a linked pair of cameras to be used on the same lane. Cameras are not allowed to be linked across lane, exposing the serious flaw in the functionality of these SPECS speed cameras

Motoring groups across the UK have heavily criticised the police for devoting too much time and resources on cash generating speed cameras which can fine drivers even when they are only a few miles above the speed limit, whereas dangerous, uninsured, drunk, untaxed drivers and stolen, unroadworthy vehicle go undetected

2 million motorists were caught on speed cameras across UK last year, generating 120 million pounds a year in revenue for the government. The perception amongst motorist is that central and local government see speed cameras as easy cash raising avenue because the UK motorist is traditionally compliant to new tax measures

Speed cameras were only a few 10 years ago, but have increased to over 3,300 fixed camera sites and over 3,400 mobile units today. With the introduction of these expensive new speed cameras, will drivers try to avoid getting a speeding ticket or fine by changing lane? Only time will tell

Author: Jeff Adam

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