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Updated :
11 December 2007
First note this article does
not refer to red light cameras.
This is the first draft he has sent me more so stay tuned for more updates.
View updates at the end of the page !
Since this site is about the fastest production bike on the planet. Speed is
an issue which effects most of us. Exceeding the speed limit for almost any
road is just a gear change or 2 (and in a couple of seconds) on a Hayabusa
so you as riders should acknowledge it more seriously, not that you don’t
already.
However the governments, local councils see ‘Speed’ or now called ‘Safety
cameras’ as a means to largely disassociate themselves from their
responsibility of dealing with the repercussions ‘speeding’. Examples ? See
how poorly maintained the road system is, how poorly maintained public
transportation is.
In NSW the government hasn’t finished constructing a proper highway between
NSW and VIC. (The VIC side has a proper highway so why not NSW ?) On some
LONG stretches the road in NSW side there are only single lanes. Since
almost ALL road traffic between the 2 states passes on this road and there
are genuinely hazardous. So in these spots they simply stick a faulty speed
camera. Don’t they get it ? Accidents will happen regardless of the camera
because the road allows very little room for error REGARDLESS of speed.
Added to the problem are vast majority of speed cameras and where patrol
local cars located are NOT is places where a safe higher speed is going to
be a problem. So don’t be conned.
For example in Australia - Victoria - Melbourne 2003 – The famed Western
Ring road with its supposed 40 or so cameras where turned off because they
taking pictures of cars supposedly speeding. In reality the cameras had been
FAULTY for some time and that no one bothered to have them repaired. The
government didn’t do anything because they essentially can’t be trusted (As
demonstrated by this event). It’s got nothing to do with the Police as the
cameras are outsourced in VIC ! Its even more dreadful to know that they
don’t even know when the cameras started to be faulty.
It took the brave and resourceful owner of a Datsun 120Y – Vennessa Bridges
to solve the problem and basically show the government for what they where
more interested in revenue rather than actual safety. The Datsun 120Y was
recorded travelling at 158kph in reality the driver was probably only doing
90kph and lets face it, it is a 30 year old car. The owner proved that it is
impossible for the 120Y to go 158kph. Its top speed in new condition was
reported to be 137kph – that’s right NEW condition. So all road users should
be thankful to her.
(It also brings up the issue of innocent before proven guilty. It is clear
that the legal system really needs to be fixed as well.)
To make matters even more ironic the Victorian government has said that they
will be only a 3kph buffer before you get a ticket. So if you go 64kph in a
60 zone you get a ticket. I’m sure you can see the irony of the situation.
Everyone knows that vehicle speedos are not accurate to this sort of degree.
Besides in VIC you could be going 50kph and the cameras say your doing 80kph
what are you going to do?
Anyway the cameras will be turned on again soon but really would you believe
them again ? So if you get one on the road ask for proof before you pay up.
Note that although the cameras have been off all year there have been less
accidents on the road than before. Makes you wonder doesn’t it. Doesn’t stop
reckless low speed driving seen ALL the time in Melbourne since the roads
are getting full capacity. Which brings up the issue of how statistics are
reported ! For example you have an accident
The balance of this article is biased to the road users as it has been too
long that governments have been trying to lay the blame on the ‘speed’
factor. Lets take a proper approach everyone and deal with what the real
issue is. (Eg intoxication is a far more dangerous situation than speed !)
That factor being driver training ALL road users should be re-trained
appropriately and immediately AND tell the government at al levels they’re a
bunch of lying and irresponsible out of touch especially so when it comes to
dealing with transportation issues…. Stop the silly blame it on ‘speed’
before we all go blind.
This article was written by Gavin Smith edit by me.
I saw a report on the Today
Tonight program about more problems with speed cameras in Victoria...
surprise, surprise. Apparently stationary cars (ie parked car) where
given a tickets and even trucks which have no hope of even reaching the
speed limit given tickets. Check it out at :
http://seven.com.au/todaytonight
Update 11/8/2005
The latest news on the speed
camera front is quite dramatic: Finally some in Sydney has challenged the
validity of the pictures that where taken by the cameras themselves.
You see even if a have a picture taken there is no way of checking if the
picture is actually genuine. Ie. The picture has not been tampered
with. These days anyone can Photoshop it!
The thing is that the Road
authorities knew about this problem for years but did nothing. The up
shot is that not only did they realise the flaws and inaccuracy of the speed
detection equipment but chose to deliberately ignore the security of the
system its self. One day some hacker will tap into the system and give
every politicians tremendous speed ticket..
Update 3/2/2006
More Government Spy stories -
this article is actually quite balanced !
Eyes
on the road - Technology
Update 14/8/2006
As more people read this
article I'm being sent more information on how really inaccurate these
devices are. Naturally all those who actually put their faith in the
accuracy of modern technology may be disappointed. Most of use agree
that if these pieces of equipment are accurate its fair enough but if this
report actually proves how conditional and indeed unreliable they are then
it's not lawful or fair is it.
They clocked a fence doing
12kph.
www.seven.com.au/todaytonight/story/?id=29587
Update 17/7/2006
More people are getting fed
up with the latest speed cameras not measuring speed correctly. Even
the latest cameras here in Melbourne are still not working correctly and
there are several court actions currently taking place to determine whether
this is true or not.
Feedback can be provided on
the Email page.
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