Caught on Camera

[leszekg]

Received a NIP through the post today. Got caught on the A1 near Sandy (Beds) apparently doing 64 in a 50 zone. Annoying thing is it was within a couple of hundred yards of the limit changing to 60 (which until very recently was 70).

Got caught by a portable camera from the back of a marked van. I've since found out that my sister-in-law's other half also got caught in the same spot not long ago so be careful if you're in that area.

Thinking about getting a radar or laser detector now but initial investigation on the Speedtrap website implies that they're not all necessarily very effective. Any advice welcome ......

[Lucozade]

Laser "detectors" are no good. If you have detected a laser then your speed has already been measured - So the theory goes. This is due to the narrow spread of beam generated by the laser. The only true ways of defeating one is: 1. Don't speed, or 2. Get a laser jammer. These at least chuck out confusing signals to the laser device which stop it from getting a reading. You get a beeping warning giving you enough time to slow down to the appropriate speed before plod resets the gun.
Not sure on radar detectors, since radar has a wider spread it is possible they could save you once in a while.

[plotloss]

Yards from the limit change that recently been lowered.

I see Dick Turpin is alive and well in living in Beds. This sort of thing really makes my blood boil (which previously was at a simmer given the Tube drivers and the early demise of 'er outdoors engine).

Matt.

[Ballistic Banana]

FCUKERS

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=18462&f=10&h=0

BB

[leszekg]

And to quote the Frequently Asked Questions sheet that I received along with the NIP (and have just got around to reading):

"The offence you are alleged to have committed may have been captured by one of the Bedfordshire Police Casualty Reduction Teams's officers conducting regular speed checks in unmarked vehicles at any time throughout the day. Local Parish Councils will have raised a concern regarding the number of drivers speeding in their area, and then requested the Police Authority to take some action. These locations are not required to comply with the high visibility enforcement regulations, and do not have to have a history of people being either killed or seriously injured to be eligible."

It makes my blood boil. In other words, forget the legislation, we'll just indiscriminently target everyone on this particular stretch of road that's just had it's speed limit changed from 50 to 60 and we'll sit here in this unmarked car just before the sign for 60 and try and catch you all out!

Colleagues have subsequently told me that this stretch of road has an almost permanent unmarked mobile speed camera presence. You have been warned!

[incorrigible]

So in one paragraph you can say

"Casualty Reduction Teams's officers"

and

"These do not have to have a history of people being either killed or seriously injured to be eligible."

Wonder why they get so much bad press

[SGirl]

leszekg said: Colleagues have subsequently told me that this stretch of road has an almost permanent unmarked mobile speed camera presence. You have been warned!

Yup, I'd agree with that. There were two vans on there today, and I saw one there last week too. I wonder whether the vans will go once the two new cameras are switched on?

[rs1952]

Casualty Reduction Teams eh????

There could easily be an increase in casualties in the area if this sort of nonsense is allowed to go on.

Anybody know half a dozen 18-year-old lads with pickaxe handles ...???

[leszekg]

Yup, I'd agree with that. There were two vans on there today, and I saw one there last week too. I wonder whether the vans will go once the two new cameras are switched on?

---

TWO new cameras?? So four cameras within the space of a few hundred yards? This is getting ridiculous. Anyone would think they were trying to fund some more mobile units!