speed cameras are they all genuine?

[glenis]

are all speed cameras genuine or are some of them dummies to deter motorists from speeding ? also how does the photo of the speeding car get from the big yellow thing on a grey pole to head office/central control ,is it transmitted electronically like an email or through a phone line via a computer ? or does a man come along and change the digital film removing the old one to take back to central control?

[Buenchico]

There are different systems in use.

The older style cameras still use film (rather than digital technology). Many of these cameras don't have film in them for most of the time (although they're usually left switched on so that motorists see other drivers being flashed and are, hopefully deterred from speeding themselves). Obviously, because film is used, police officers (or civilian staff) have to visit the cameras at these sites to insert or remove films.

Many digital cameras are directly linked to a remote base so there is no need for anyone to collect media from these cameras. It's possible, however, that some cameras in very remote locations might only store images locally (and thus require someone to visit them periodically). Because these types of cameras don't run out of film, it's far more likely that they'll operate continously.

Some roads (e.g. along the A14 between Cambridge & Huntingdon) now have speed-averaging cameras. Rather than measure a vehicle's speed at a specific point, these cameras record the registration number of each vehicle as it passes. This is then forwarded to cameras further along the road, thus enabling the average speed of the vehicle, over an extended distance, to be calculated. Because the nature of these cameras means that they have to be able to send signals to remote locations, it's almost certain that they send details of speeding vehicles directly to a central control rather than retaining it locally within a camera.

Chris

[glenis]

thanks for such an informative answer

[sddsddean]

As an addition to Chris' answer, I live in Northants where we have about 130 camera sites, but apparently the police only have about 15 cameras, so you have a fair chance of not getting caught, although they are now investing in more and better technology. Oh joy!!

[Grunty]

As a matter of interest sddsdean, on 3 January 2004, the local Northants paper reported that there were now 35 fixed cameras across the county, 11 of which were in Northampton itself. There would also have been mobile cameras operated by the police as you say. The report said that the cameras had failed to cut road deaths, which had remained constant since 2002 after a 28.5% increase the previous year. The police used the now familiar statement that a third of accidents are caused by road deaths, a misrepresentation of the genuine research which put the figure at 7.5%.

[Grunty]

I've just reread it. Should say 'third of road deaths are caused by excess speed'. My keyboard is disobedient today.

[saintjohnny]

Of course, you could just stick to the speed limit and not worry at all about cameras. A novel suggestion, I know!

[glenis]

saint johnny ,i wasn't worrying i was merely curious, after all i drive at 29.50 miles per hour just like every one else,although buenchios answer about cameras that average out your speed is quite worrying as i confess to speeding up to 31.50 mph inbetween cameras!! :)