New speed camera

poppasmurf_bewdley

neilmcl wrote: »

That was just an example of what I meant. This is the actual camera in question:

That camera looks well hidden!

Exodi

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

That camera looks well hidden!

I've never decided which side of the fence I sit on with regards to hiding speed cameras.

In the UK, you have signs plastered all over the place warning you of speed cameras, and they're usually in these huge, ultra-visible yellow boxes. If you're using Google Maps, it'll even kindly tell you where the speed cameras are and any temporary speed traps. The ensuing effect being that people slow down just before a speed camera and speed up after.

I drive in France quite regularly and it's completely the opposite there. You may have the odd 'pour votre securite' sign knocking about (there are less and less of these knocking about) but the camera's are often completely hidden - think the opposite face of a bridge that you're going under (meaning you literally can't see it until you've passed it), in or behind trees, etc. Furthermore, it's illegal to use any equipment capable of telling you were speed cameras are. The ensuing effect is primarily anger at monetising travel but also less speeding.

I think I'm slightly more in favour of the UK system as the French roads can be quite difficult to know what the speed limit is (and it's usually a nonsensical limit).

Bigphil1474

Any idea which way it detects speed. I have seen forward face ones that catch you as you go past from behind them, and front on ones that catch you as you drive towards them. If this is the former, it's hidden, if it's the latter, then not. Maybe it's a new design that catches both directions?

Jackmydad

Bigphil1474 wrote: »

Any idea which way it detects speed. I have seen forward face ones that catch you as you go past from behind them, and front on ones that catch you as you drive towards them. If this is the former, it's hidden, if it's the latter, then not. Maybe it's a new design that catches both directions?

There's a tall and very thin policeman inside with a stopwatch.

Looks to me as if the people who put it in need telling what "vertical" is as well. Might be the camera of course and it might not be finished, I mean digging a hole and sticking a camera in has to take three men at least two weeks!

Ergates

Bigphil1474 wrote: »

If this is the former, it's hidden

It's not hidden, that's an illusion based on the angle of the shot. The greenery behind it, which looks like it's almost wrapping around the pole, is actually parallel with the traffic light. Plus the road is straight, meaning you'd be able to see it from way back. Certainly enough distance to check your speed and "adjust" accordingly in a safe and controlled manner. (unless you're going *way* over, in which case you deserve to get caught).

DoaM

It's hidden from traffic coming towards the photographer ... evident from the road in the background curving to the right.

Plus the camera is inset from the pavement (so behind the tree) whereas the traffic light is on the pavement (and also the far side of the tree so not obscured at all).

neilmcl

Bigphil1474 wrote: »

Any idea which way it detects speed. I have seen forward face ones that catch you as you go past from behind them, and front on ones that catch you as you drive towards them. If this is the former, it's hidden, if it's the latter, then not. Maybe it's a new design that catches both directions?

It's forward facing.

neilmcl

Ergates wrote: »

It's not hidden, that's an illusion based on the angle of the shot. The greenery behind it, which looks like it's almost wrapping around the pole, is actually parallel with the traffic light. Plus the road is straight, meaning you'd be able to see it from way back. Certainly enough distance to check your speed and "adjust" accordingly in a safe and controlled manner. (unless you're going *way* over, in which case you deserve to get caught).

This is exactly it. The picture gives the impression that the trees behind are close enough to hide the camera from that direction, they don't, besides as I mentioned above the camera is, and has always been for oncoming traffic

Mercdriver

Hidden or not is irrelevant. It doesn't have to be in plain sight to secure a conviction. If you are in the habit of driving the speed you want to and slow down only for cameras, then you will get caught. The fact that the growing use of cameras is a type of tautology that encourages people to drive so as not to get caught has nowt to do with the price of a loaf of bread.

[Deleted User]

Problem is that the cameras are not all that reliable. They are much better than the mobile ones, and especially the hand-held ones, but not infallible.

As such your choice is to drive at/just under the sped limit and risk a false accusation, or drive well below the speed limit to protect yourself.