They're Baaack, NSW Mobile Speed cameras that is. (more!)

[seiko1]

nice one John !!

whatyoutalkinboutwillis

[Gosling1]

yes, nice one Steve !!!

[mike-s]

Further to all that, there is now talk that the RTA is considering screwing the general public over more by following Victoria's lead of rediculously low tolerances for speeding, But they are considering 4km/h not 3km/h. At least the fine brackets are a bit more fair, but still nowhere near as "reasonable" as Victoria has considering they at least give you more grace with less points for the rediculously low penalties. Looks like NSW want to seriously take the "road nanny" crown off Victoria, I wonder how many licenses and jobs will be lost thanks to this.

THE Roads and Traffic Authority is considering plans to reduce the amount of leeway given to speeding motorists to as low as 4 km/h, according to senior police.

The proposal, which would follow a similar take-no-prisoners approach by the Victorian government, has drawn criticism from senior highway patrol officers, who believe the margin for error is too small.
...
The cameras, which can fine six drivers every second, will be set up in white Ford Territory vans operated by RTA-contracted company Redflex. Signs will inform drivers they have been ''checked'' after they pass the vans, which also shoot video

...

One senior Sydney policeman told The Sun-Herald, on condition of anonymity, that a 4 km/h tolerance was so small that a new set of tyres or the width of a speedometer needle could land motorists on the wrong side of the law. He said some radars had an error margin of plus or minus 3 km/h, while most police allowed a margin of 8 or 9 km/h at 60 km/h.
.."Research has shown that even travelling a few kilometres above the limit increases the risk of a crash. Drivers are reminded they should always drive within the speed limit and could be fined for speeding by even 1 km/h over the limit."

But some police and safety experts believe the approach would breed drivers who watch speedos at the expense of other dangers on the road.

..

An RTA spokesman said the undercover mobile cameras had proven useful in Victoria. But the NSW opposition roads spokesman on roads Andrew Stoner questioned whether they were an ''effective speeding deterrent''. ''The Keneally government is using the state's tragically high road toll as an excuse to raise revenue from drivers instead of increasing the use of highway patrols,'' Mr Stoner said.

NSW Police Association president Scott Weber said his union was vehemently opposed to the RTA mobile cameras, saying ''nothing is more effective than high-visibility highway patrols to prevent and detect traffic offences, prevent accidents and reduce deaths''.

...
An RTA spokesman said the safety of operators was a priority and any offences against camera crews would be prosecuted. ''NSW Police is a key partner in the implementation of the mobile speed camera program. Anyone assaulting an operator or damaging a mobile speed camera vehicle faces significant penalties, including imprisonment.''

I only quoted snippets and tried to keep it in context, but basically the police union think the lowering of the threshold is b-s, as are the cameras. If you decide to be a bit of a vigilante armed with spray paint or a hammer they aren't going to hold back on trying to get you and yet again the RTA is showing that they have a habit of ignoring all logical suggestions by "experts" in favour of their own agenda.

Jesus Christ the NRMA are going to have a field day with this one, even if it only stays as a scare tactic.

On a positive note, you at least can be a little more sure about what cars will be used in this scam, fleecing, bullshit or whatever you want to call it, at least for the first 3 months of its implementation.

viva la revolution!!

[valkau]

Mobile Speed Cameras in NSW - Start 19th July

All beware. This work has been awarded to private contractors who will want to maximize their results:-

How do the cameras work?
Mobile speed cameras work like fixed speed cameras, however, they are moved from location to location in a vehicle.
The mobile speed cameras are operated by technicians who will only be responsible for driving the mobile speed camera vehicle to the scheduled enforcement location, setting up the camera in accordance with operating procedures and ensuring that the camera is secured and operating correctly while it is enforcing speeding. As with a fixed speed camera, the actual enforcement of speeding will be an automated process that is conducted by the camera. A vehicle’s speed will be detected using an approved speed measurement device such as a radar. If a vehicle is detected speeding, a digital image of the vehicle is recorded from which all details regarding the speeding vehicle can be extracted.
This image is then used to generate an infringement.

Will signage be installed warning motorists on the approach to the cameras?
There will be signage after the mobile speed camera vehicle to alert drivers that their speed has been checked so they have the opportunity to modify their behaviour. There will be no advance warning on the approach to cameras.

Why is the program being outsourced?
The mobile speed camera program will be managed by the RTA, with the operation and maintenance of speed cameras and vehicles outsourced to a third party who is a private contractor. Outsourcing the operation of mobile speed cameras means police resources will not have to be diverted from other hands-on road safety activities such as random breath testing and roadside drug testing.
Outsourcing will also reduce the cost to the NSW Government associated with purchasing and depreciation of infrastructure.
The RTA, in consultation with the NSW Police Force, will manage the deployment of mobile speed cameras to ensure the program delivers maximum road safety benefits. Locations for mobile speed enforcement will be based on road safety criteria determined by the RTA’s NSW Centre for Road Safety in consultation with the NSW Police Force and NRMA Motoring and Services.

The certification of speed measuring devices will continue to be managed by the RTA, as they are with fixed speed cameras, to ensure the accuracy and reliability of mobile speed cameras.The State Debt Recovery Office will continue to be responsible for processing and issuing infringements to ensure that a third party will not be able to obtain or use the personal details of motorists

[Mattjin]

Quick part quote from the news.

"The fleet of white Ford Territory vans will carry radar cameras that can catch as many as six speeding cars travelling in either direction, every second, day or night, regardless of weather conditions. The vans also record video and have roof-mounted CCTV cameras. An initial fleet of six camera vehicles will be rolled out in eight days, with plans for more next financial year."

So now we know what to look for.

[hoffy]

ok...at least we know any white territories on the side of the road we must stop and ask the operator for photographic hints and tips !

[smithy5]

I heard on the Radio today that the State opposition has slammed this as a revenue raising exercise and nothing to do with safety. They said that the 4 kph over the limit was just money grabbing....

Still, I bet they don't scrap them when they win the next election.......

[mike-s]

I heard on the Radio today that the State opposition has slammed this as a revenue raising exercise and nothing to do with safety. They said that the 4 kph over the limit was just money grabbing....

Still, I bet they don't scrap them when they win the next election.......

Exactly what was said in the discussion i had with the missus today. It's all evil, until they get a taste of the revenue.

[mike-s]

further to that, SMH editorial on the subject, Also article about trapster on smh.

I think im going to have to consider getting an iphone...

[mike-s]

more articles. link1, link 2, link3, link 4,

[Mattjin]

I wonder if someone could sneak up behind the van, remove the camera and point it at the vans own rego plate.

[mike-s]

They have cctv for security, so no i doubt it'd be feasable unless you managed to obtain a cloak of invisibility.
Given the details of the vehicles are likely to be pretty public, something that could be done (but not be recommended as you could really get in the shit) is this.

[Mattjin]

No problem being on CCTV, just stand in front of the camera so it cant take pictures, and turn it around. Not vandelising it or breaking any laws. Most likely there wont be an officer in the car, with it being owned by Macquarie Bank. It would be very interesting to just park behind it and go investigate. Nothing to lose.

[philbo]

who owns a tow truck

[seiko1]

Just drive by in one of these babies
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/797523/se ... president/