Speed Cameras: Things You Need to Know

A traffic safety camera is a system that includes a camera and a device that automatically detects violations of traffic rules, for example, the vehicle exceeding the speed limit for a given section. There are various implementation options, depending on the types of violations recorded.

Types of speed cameras

• Speed cameras are used to record the fact of overspeeding. They can be portable (mobile). Radar is usually used to determine the speed of a moving vehicle. Sometimes pairs of cameras can be used at a distance from each other, measuring the average speed;
• Red light cameras capture vehicles that have driven over the line after the red traffic light comes on;
• Bus lane cameras detect vehicles moving in a lane reserved for bus traffic. In some states, car pooling is also allowed on these lanes;
• Cameras of control posts detect vehicles that have passed through the control post without paying a fee;
• Cameras of crossings define cars that have crossed a railway crossing with a barrier in violation;
• Congestion charge cameras are used to record the fact of free travel to congested areas (fees are charged to restrict traffic in large cities, such as London);
• Double white line cameras capture vehicles crossing the double solid line.

There are combined systems: for example, there are cameras that detect red light passing and speeding.

How do variable speed cameras work?

After the camera has recorded the speeding, this information goes into the automatic system of electronic violation records. The patrol police officer checks the owner of the vehicle. After that, he or she forms a decision on the violation and adds an electronic signature.

The decree is automatically sent to the department at the place of vehicle registration, where it is printed and sent to the addressee within 3 days.

The fine comes to the owner of the car (or its user, if data about it is entered in the register).

What violations are recorded by speed cameras?

A complete list of the capabilities looks like this:

• speed limit violation;
• crossing the intersection at a red signal;
• leaving the stop line;
• crossing a railway at a red light;
• driving under a prohibition sign;
• travel on bike paths and sidewalks;
• driving on the roadside;
• driving on the opposite lane;
• failure to provide an advantage to a pedestrian at a pedestrian crossing;
• travel on the lane for public transport;
• unfastened front passenger seat belt;
• using the phone while driving without a hands-free device;
• switched off low beam or daytime running lights;
• passage of cargo vehicles in places prohibited for this;
• rebuilding through a solid marking line;
• paid parking control;
• violation of the rules of stopping and parking;
• identification of abandoned cars;
• identification of stolen cars.

If such violations are on the list of camera capabilities, then most likely they will sooner or later be implemented from a legal point of view. The cameras are also capable of recognizing up to 300 types of registration plates, including obsolete ones.

A soulless camera is an excellent anti-corruption solution. True, most of the drivers are still unhappy and consider themselves offended when the camera photographs their violation. Also, many car owners believe that since they did not receive the protocol in their hands “lukewarm” after drawing up by the inspector at the scene of the violation, then it is not necessary to pay fines according to the receipt sent by mail.

There is another side of the widespread distribution of cameras – they lead to a reduction in traffic police patrols on the roads. This often means that drunk drivers can consider themselves unpunished, and offenders in cars with illegible or sealed license plates can freely speed up and drive on the bus lane.