h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Some latest on the legendary Big Brother (Orwellian):

Big Bruv comes to UK Road System........

Beware of the new speed cameras being erected along the complete network of A and M roads. They are recognised by the tall blue coloured pole with a small areal pole next to it. There may be a possible stay of execution, due to the privacy Law being debated in Parliament. Read on........

SPEEDCHECK SVVD or SPECS. Went on-line in May on the M1, netting 4300 offenders in a single day. The system does not use instantaneous speed like we are all familiar with, instead it measures the average speed of every vehicle over a measured distance (ie 1 mile). It reads each licence plate and matches it at a camera further along the route. Kent and Leicestershire Police are so impressed with it that systems are being erected in their enforcement areas too. Successful trials on the M1 and M20 have shown a 97% accuracy rate.

SPEED CHECK SSVD. (Sureway Video Detection Device). Is a system similar in concept to the conventional GATSO, but with a new twist. SSVD deploys cameras at either end of a measured baseline (up to 500 metres) to monitor vehicle 24hrs a day in all weather conditions. Using machine vision, reg plates are read with the precise time of observation recorded as a vehicle passes. At a second camera the details are again taken and the average speed is calculated against the matched reg number. If the speed is above a trigger threshold the reg and speed are illuminated on a roadside display to embarrass the vehicle driver into slowing down.

The technology of these systems enables vehicle and driver identification electronically, without the use of radar or flash camera's. The eqipment needs no film and is virtually self sufficient once operational. The accuracy of the technology exceeds 99%.

This is a real move towards the Big Brother scenario because the camera's, and related computer equipment, to track perfectly law abiding people on any car journey. No problem; in fact it could have positive benefits to crime solving - but do we feel comfortable about this as a first step towards computer records of our every move??

Furthermore, some equipment links directly to the DVLA who will process the data, sending out the speeding penalty and endorsing licence records automatically! Therefore drivers will be guilty until proved innocent.

If not made aware of this technology it would be possible to start a journey with no penalty points and end up 300 miles later - banned, without even knowing it!!

There are 60 new camera's on the M25 operating as we speak. These are between the M3 and M40. They are digital and linked directly to a computer; they use no film. They are able to cope with up to 60,000 (sixty thousand) tickets each HOUR. They average the vehicle speed between set points and cannot be cheated by slowing down.

BE WARNED, MORE WILL COME.

Discussion Points:

Road Safety
Accident Reduction
Revenue
Implications to Civil Rights
Effects On Traffic Flow

Have your say.... contact me at [email protected] Happy motoring.

Arnold, a good discussion point but, alas, you have posted it in the wrong area of h2g2. The correct place is "Ask h2g2"

This thread will eventually be moved to the sin bin because it was posted in the wrong forum. it's a housekeeping thing.

Hope that helps
Loony

"Ask the h2g2 community" can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A148907

What a silly billy I am!!!!

Thank Goodness it's in the sin bin - i've just read it again .

Thank you for the advice though.

Zara
xxxx

Sin bin indeed.

Good discussion topic though

Editorial Note: This conversation has been moved from 'Peer Review Sin Bin' to 'Speed What Speed'.

Back to Entry - this is an opinion piece.