If Truvelo cameras only catch oncoming traffic...

Conscript · 19 Oct 2007 at 10:55

...then why are there traditional Gatso-type speed markings in the lane heading away from the camera? This is true of nearly all Truvelo cameras in my area, and its making me curious. I always thought that perhaps Truvelo cameras could catch a driver heading away from the camera because of them being over the distance markers.

Anyone know why? Is it just an extra deterrent to make unfamiliar drivers think they will be caught out even if heading away from the camera?

Sp00n · 19 Oct 2007 at 11:01

Was there a gatso at the location previously? Probably lazy council not removing the aforementioned lines

Conscript · 19 Oct 2007 at 11:05

I thought that would be the most reasonable explanation, but the Truvelo nearest to me is only a couple of years old, and I'm pretty certain that it's always been a Truvelo.

--Mike-- · 19 Oct 2007 at 11:06

The Truvelo cameras near me are adjustable so that they can be pointed in either direction. They change them around every few weeks.

Greg · 19 Oct 2007 at 11:14

--Mike-- said:
The Truvelo cameras near me are adjustable so that they can be pointed in either direction. They change them around every few weeks.

thats what we have near us!! Pain in the but tocks!

Conscript · 19 Oct 2007 at 11:16

...but they will still only catch oncoming traffic. Im talking about there being markings in the lane heading away from the camera.

Fourstar · 19 Oct 2007 at 11:38

I thought it was to prevent speeding vehicles moving into the oncoming lane to avoid being caught.

The markings are required to provide photographic proof of vehicle speed.

stoofa · 19 Oct 2007 at 11:43

Conscript said:
...but they will still only catch oncoming traffic. Im talking about there being markings in the lane heading away from the camera.

Yes - but when the camera is turned around to face the other direction then those markings will be in a lane heading towards the camera.

therealnerd2 · 19 Oct 2007 at 11:44

stoofa said:
Yes - but when the camera is turned around to face the other direction then those markings will be in a lane heading towards the camera.

Lol, think more

Fourstar · 19 Oct 2007 at 11:56

stoofa said:
Yes - but when the camera is turned around to face the other direction then those markings will be in a lane heading towards the camera.

Think of the other arrangement.

Assume in this picture the left hand carriageway is the entire road. One lane for each direction. This is what Conscript is talking about.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Gatso.camera.arp.jpg

GeX · 19 Oct 2007 at 11:58

Fourstar said:
I thought it was to prevent speeding vehicles moving into the oncoming lane to avoid being caught.

The markings are required to provide photographic proof of vehicle speed.

thats what i've always thought. makes sense to me.

kaiowas · 19 Oct 2007 at 12:04

Front facing cameras such as Truvelos only really came in when it was common practice to get out of being done by a gatso by saying that you had no idea who was driving. Plod then switched to using front facing cameras so that the driver could be identified from the picture. The next step was when people simply refused to name the driver even if it was clear from the pic. The response to that being laws which now make it an offence not to provide this information. As a side effect of this situation pictures taken from the rear have value again as there is no way out of naming the driver.

There's no reason why a truvelo can't be used to take pictures from behind and given the current legal situation augmented by the number of bikers who think it's cool to go through front facing cameras at speed whilst giving the finger etc there will most likely be an increase in their use for taking rear facing pictures.