Police Speed Detection Cars?

Montala · 7 Feb 2016 at 15:54

Hi,

I was driving in a 40 mph area this morning, probably a bit faster than I should have been , when I saw what appeared to be two quick 'flashes' in the lower windscreen of an approaching vehicle.

As it passed me, it gave two short sharp 'hoots', which I assumed were intended for me.

So far as I could see it was a fairly small white car, with no markings and no obvious blue lights or anything like that.

Could I possibly have been 'clocked', and if so could I be liable for prosecution?

Thanks.

Diddums · 7 Feb 2016 at 15:56

No such thing. Only thing I can think of is that it was an unmarked car giving you a polite warning to take it easy.

muon · 7 Feb 2016 at 16:07

I could be completely wrong, but don't police cars have to be driving in the same direction and use their speedometer to actually catch you speeding?

Montala · 7 Feb 2016 at 16:20

Diddums said:
No such thing. Only thing I can think of is that it was an unmarked car giving you a polite warning to take it easy.

Thanks, that was what I thought, so hopefully I shan't hear any more about it... I certainly hope that I don't anyway!

It is just that they are coming up with all sorts of clever things these days, you can never be too sure what is going on!

I reply to 'muon' I know that the stationary 'white vans' can record your speed... and prosecute you, even when you are going away from them, as it were.

I speak from personal experience here, unfortunately!

Soundood · 7 Feb 2016 at 17:16

the world is coming to an end I tell you, this is only the beginning

SexyGreyFox · 7 Feb 2016 at 17:22

muon said:
I could be completely wrong, but don't police cars have to be driving in the same direction and use their speedometer to actually catch you speeding?

Those hand held speed cameras they use can record your speed while you approach them so it would be easy peasy to put in a car.

koolpc · 7 Feb 2016 at 17:24

Can speed camera vans catch you while 'they' are driving towards you?

Diddums · 7 Feb 2016 at 17:32

SexyGreyFox said:
Those hand held speed cameras they use can record your speed while you approach them so it would be easy peasy to put in a car.

The problem is it'd bring too many variables in to the equation. As it is, you have a moving car and a stationary camera. Simple.

By putting a camera in a moving car you'll need to have equipment in said car which monitors its speed, and that would need calibrating. Then there are the angles. A simple change in angle between the two moving vehicles would result in possible variations. Things like weather, sight lines, other traffic and time of day would all potentially be able to affect the readings. Then there's the inevitable Daily Mail article accusing cops of prowling for profits and then the SJWs will call this abuse of powers, the hippies will blame the cops for killing all the polar bears, etc etc.

Yes it is possible but there are too many hoops and potential failures for it to be viable.

squired · 7 Feb 2016 at 17:36

Best answer is to drive slower. Then you have nothing to worry about.

Posted from Overclockers.co.uk App for Android

SexyGreyFox · 7 Feb 2016 at 17:41

koolpc said:
Can speed camera vans catch you while 'they' are driving towards you?

That's how it's done because it's pointless trying to get you once you've spotted it.

Kenai · 7 Feb 2016 at 17:44

SexyGreyFox said:
That's how it's done because it's pointless trying to get you once you've spotted it.

That's not how it's done, the vans are completely static :confused:

Montala · 7 Feb 2016 at 17:46

It all sounds as if it is one of those things which could be done, but I was really wondering if anyone has any knowledge as to whether or not they are actually in use yet?

Not that it probably makes any real difference, but my impression was that it was a fairly small vehicle.

stopper · 7 Feb 2016 at 17:46

SexyGreyFox said:
Those hand held speed cameras they use can record your speed while you approach them so it would be easy peasy to put in a car.

A slight wobble will catch a brick wall doing 50mph, so hosting one in a moving car is impossible.

Diddums · 7 Feb 2016 at 17:49

squired said:
Best answer is to drive slower. Then you have nothing to worry about.

Posted from Overclockers.co.uk App for Android

Herp derp.

koolpc · 7 Feb 2016 at 18:06

I have read that these 'static' vans can catch you while they are on the move!

Jono8 · 7 Feb 2016 at 18:11

koolpc said:
I have read that these 'static' vans can catch you while they are on the move!

No they can't.

koolpc · 7 Feb 2016 at 18:17

Jono8 said:
No they can't.

Thats not what i have read!

kitch9 · 7 Feb 2016 at 18:25

Diddums said:
The problem is it'd bring too many variables in to the equation. As it is, you have a moving car and a stationary camera. Simple.

By putting a camera in a moving car you'll need to have equipment in said car which monitors its speed, and that would need calibrating. Then there are the angles. A simple change in angle between the two moving vehicles would result in possible variations. Things like weather, sight lines, other traffic and time of day would all potentially be able to affect the readings. Then there's the inevitable Daily Mail article accusing cops of prowling for profits and then the SJWs will call this abuse of powers, the hippies will blame the cops for killing all the polar bears, etc etc.

Yes it is possible but there are too many hoops and potential failures for it to be viable.

I got done for speeding in New Zealand by a cop driving towards me. They have the tech over there.

Liquidfox · 7 Feb 2016 at 18:30

koolpc said:
Thats not what i have read!

Considering it requires someone in the rear to man the camera I'd imagine they'd have a hard job doing that and driving the van at the same time since they're all single crewed!

Kenai · 7 Feb 2016 at 18:30

koolpc said:
Thats not what i have read!

He's correct though, they can't. Whether you've read different is neither here not there.