Autoblog

Cordon multi-target speed camera is terrifying

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Technology, Videos

We're not big fans of speed cameras. The tickets are expensive, there is no facing the accuser, there are questions of accuracy, and in some cases, these cameras don't even appear to be helping out the governments that install them financially. And don't even get us started about many cases in which red light signals are manipulated to increase ticket counts. While we'd like for these cameras to go the way of the dodo, the fact is that these devices are only getting better.

The latest device to strike fear in motorists is Simicon's Cordon seen in action here. This device will be able to follow up to 32 vehicles across four lanes at the same time. It can deliver both wide-angle and close-up shots of every car, and it can simultaneously gauge speed and map vehicle position. It even has an available advanced license plate recognition system. Sound scary? It gets worse. The Cordon is also more difficult to spot, as it can be mounted on a tripod or road sign. The devices will be easy to update as well, as it can use WiFi, 3G or WiMAX to quickly sync with databases.

Cordon isn't on U.S. streets yet, but our sister site, Engadget, says that the devices will begin landing in North America by the first quarter of 2012. Hit the jump to watch video of the Cordon in action during a field trial, and feel free to join us in fear.

Continue reading Cordon multi-target speed camera is terrifying

Cordon multi-target speed camera is terrifying originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Europeans find humor in loathable roadside flashers

Dan Roth — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Videos, Humor

Roadside flashers - Click above to watch the video after the break

Ever wonder what would happen if Robbie the Robot had an addled tryst with a photo-radar box? Neither have we. Some possibly addled Europeans, though, have inadvertently created that union's possible love child with their own nocturnal hijinks.

Mocking the roadside photo radar 'Gatso' units, one giggle-prone youth donned a box and fired a strobe at passing automobiles in a taunting fashion. At least they didn't do their impression of a high-pressure car wash, right? Make the jump to see the video.

Continue reading Video: Europeans find humor in loathable roadside flashers

Video: Europeans find humor in loathable roadside flashers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: D.C. police chief says drivers who use iPhone to find speed traps are "cowardly"

Michael Harley — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:39:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Government/Legal, Technology

D.C. police chief Cathy Lanier, frustrated that iPhone technology is one step ahead of the red-light and speed cameras in her jurisdiction, has announced that those who use their hand-held electronic devices are "cowardly" and "...are going to get caught" in one way or another.

The subscription-based software that has Lanier shaking her fists and blurting out names is called PhantomAlert. In a nutshell, its GPS-enhanced database of law enforcement "points of interest" mimics alarms similar to those common to radar detectors (remember, radar detectors are already illegal in Virginia and D.C.). Drivers are alerted to approaching speed traps and photo enforcing locations on in their iPhone, or portable GPS units, enabling them time to slow down.

Not surprising when you consider that the greater D.C. area is home to nearly 10 percent of all traffic cameras in the U.S., according to experts. Chief Lanier is frustrated that the innovative technology is "designed to circumvent law enforcement -- law enforcement that is designed specifically to save lives." What Lanier seems to be forgetting is that attentive drivers using PhantomAlert will be slowing down at all 290 enforcement zones... saving countless lives in the process.

[Source: Washington Examiner, Photo by Michael Harley]

REPORT: D.C. police chief says drivers who use iPhone to find speed traps are "cowardly" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Winnipeg police outed for manipulating red-light camera accident data. Again.

Dan Roth — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Canada

Winnipeg authorities are all "Lookie! Crashes are down at the intersections equipped with our spiffy new red-light cameras," but Manitoba Public Insurance and the Winnipeg Sun newspaper are all: "Stop lying!" Winnipeg says its 12 intersections equipped with the electronic sentinels have seen a 37% reduction in crashes since 2002. MPI and the WInnipeg Sun beg to differ, however, saying that insurance claims tell a markedly different, more complete story.

Part of the disparity can be attributed to the fact that collisions causing damage under $1,000 don't have to be reported to the police, but claims for those incidents are usually still submitted to insurance. According to the newspaper, the city's use of incomplete statistics to spin data the way it chooses has been going on for a while - it was flagged for the practice in a 2006 finding, and the figures that Manitoba Public Insurance reports figures some 66% higher than the city's figures. To hear the Sun tell it, the government's interest in photo radar appears to continue unabated as long as the money keeps rolling in, and skewed statistics only help make the case for the enforcement technology.

[Source: Winnipeg Sun | Image: Corrections Ontario]

REPORT: Winnipeg police outed for manipulating red-light camera accident data. Again. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK insurer offering policy geared toward speed camera reality

Chris Paukert — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 20:03:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Government/Legal

UK car enthusiasts' struggle with the kudzu-like spread of speed cameras has been well documented, but to those outside of England, the scale and scope of the issue is hard to get one's head around without experiencing it firsthand. That said, perhaps news that an auto insurer has just authored a plan specifically designed with speed cameras might give readers some sense of the scale of the issue.

Isle of Man Assurance has just begun offering LicenseGuard to its clients for a premium. The basic gist of the package is that it covers transportation costs for one year if you have your license revoked due to speeding offenses.

According to the UK's financial times, there are 8,000 cameras in use for plate recognition, and a further 6,000 dedicated speed cameras. With nearly one million motorists a single conviction away from losing their license, it's no wonder that certain offenders are seeking out accomplices that will admit to committing speeding offenses that they didn't actually commit, paying them in cash or by favor.

[Sources: The Financial Times; Art by Andy Davey]

UK insurer offering policy geared toward speed camera reality originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jun 2006 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK residents set up fake camera signs to slow drivers

Joel Arellano — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Government/Legal, Safety

In a modern twist on the old 'motorcycle cop silhouette behind billboard/tree/bush' gag, residents of Haughton, Staffordshire, U.K., have put up fake signs indicating speed cameras. 20 such signs have been placed on the A518, which runs through the center of Haugton.

The Staffordshire County Council has declared the signs illegal. Supporters believe the signs are working and are refusing to take them down, which could lead to a legal showdown.

(Thanks to tipster Greg)

[Source: BBC News]

UK residents set up fake camera signs to slow drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Apr 2006 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Minneapolis judge orders 'lights out' for traffic signal cameras

Chris Paukert — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Trends

A Minneapolis, Minnesota area judge has given red-light cameras a taste of their own medicine. Hennepin County District Judge Mark Wernick has put the red light on the county's automated traffic signal cameras installed this past July.

The judge found legal fault with the county's 'Stop On Red' program, which (like virtually all red-light camera programs) tickets the owners of the offending vehicles, not the drivers themselves. As Minnesota state laws put the responsibility for light violations on the driver, Wernick threw out the challenging ticket, saying that Minneapolis lacks the authority to make law an ordinance that would hold vehicle owners responsible.

The motorist who brought the case to court was represented by an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) volunteer attorney, Howard Bass, who argued that the ordinance was unconstitutional, though Judge Wernick didn't comment on that facet of their case.

The city is mulling whether to appeal the decision, but the case could set an important legal precident nationwide, as it is estimated that as many as 160 other cities employ red light cameras.

[Source: Associated Press via KMSP Fox 9 News]

(Top tip, Jenni!)

Minneapolis judge orders 'lights out' for traffic signal cameras originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Mar 2006 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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