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Safety Camera worry

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:59 am
by Dejan
Hi all,

For those of you who are based in NSW, or in other states, if you have any knowledge of this, love to hear for any feedbacks.

Has anyone heard of the new SAFETY CAMERA used in NSW?? Its bascally a new camera technology that replaces the old red light cameras at the same spot. Except, it captures both speeding offence as well as red lights. So in the case of a car travelling thru at 65Km when the area's speeds only 60K and even thru a green light, you will still get booked for speeding offence. While a car that sees the light turning orange and tries to run thru the lights before turning red, you better make sure your acceleration speed is under the limit the instance your car's front leaves the stopping line, otherwise the camera will flash at you for speeding even tho you DIDNT RUN THRU the red light.

Here's the website for camera location and more info and FAQ:

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/do ... s_dl1.html

My question to you all is has anyone actually got done from one of these?? If so, was it for speeeding or running the lights or both??

I was sitting in my frien'ds car yesterday travelling thru Canterbury / King Georges intersection and he was doing 65K thru green light in area with speed limit 60K and the camera flashed twice at our car. He is very anxious and worried about it, as none of us has any experience with this thing and how it works. It was until this morning i accidentally found it out from RTA website.

So yeah, will be interesting to see what happens in 3-4 weeks time lol


Dejan

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:35 pm
by scraverX
We have a couple of these "double banger" cameras in the ACT. I can't really enlighten you on their operation, though I'm afraid. I just know my GPS marks them differently. Red camera icon = Red light. Blue camera icon = Speed. Half-and-half (red/blue) = Both.

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:55 pm
by Aspired
Victoria has had them for a long time.
I have been booked doing 64 in a 60 zone on a green light.

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:16 pm
by blade888
Yeah it's been floating around the forums about this..

http://clubcj.net/viewtopic.php?t=3494& ... torder=asc

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:42 pm
by Dejan
Nice GPS you got there. I'm also in the market for a new one as well, what brand and model is yours, is it quite new?? I need one with both CURRENT red light and speeding camera warnings, as mine is more than 4 yrs old and about time to upgrade :D

Anyways, back to the safety camera issue. I haven't really heard much about it on TV or ads or campaigns aroudn or anything, i mean that's a pretty major change on the road rules how the new "RED LIGHT CAMERA" does more than just capturing runing the lights but also SPEED too and can act as a speed camera when lights are green.

ITs actually quite dangerous imagine you are towing a boat or driving a semi-trailer or something, instead of speeding thru when lights turn orange to avoid running the lights, now you will have no other choices but to SLAM ON THE BRAKES and hope for the best, i dont really think its such a good idea. Also, if this is true, its just another massive scam from the government to rip off more innocent motorists. I mean those cameras will be so busy flashing every 3 seconds they prolly won't even have enough time to process all the offences. For some reason, i just don't think those things will quite work out.

I wonder if they will send you a warning ticket for your first offence considering its sooo new and no ones knows or even heard anything about it.

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:59 pm
by scraverX
Mine's a Navigon (they make the GPS units in Merc's), but all the current Gamin and Navman units have this (haven't checked other brands much) especially in the higher spec/price models.


Garmin, Navman and Navigon all have update via web last I checked which can depend on how up to date whereis and or google maps are in your area.

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:21 pm
by SIR-VRX
I had a 3YO cheap POS from JB-HiFi and it had the alerts.

I now have a Navman MY-50T with all these alerts also. And I can put my own in too, if I find more. I actually had a CSV List with all the current ones in it which I uploaded to the Unit also.

However, they can not be relied upon to warn you every time there is a Red-Light camera or speed camera.

Just don't run red lights and don't speed and you won't get booked ;)

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:21 pm
by aspir3
Dejan Dejan! How many warning do you need to not speed and go through red lights. :roll:

Do you know how dangerous it is for semi-trailer to run a red light, and hit an innocent motorised going the other way. :x Drivers need to drive accordingly to their vehicle, and also to be aware of other drivers who make mistakes.

Driving above the speed limit, often does not get you to your destination any faster. Leaving a few minutes early, means you can take your time and drive cautiously, increasing the chance of a safe driving experience for all. :o

In S.A. we have had these SAFETY CAMERAS for years. They are that common drivers don't bother to look for them as every major intersections have them. On an average 30 minute drive you will pass through up to half a dozen. They also will photo
of vehicles which are unregistered or owned by a driver with a suspended license.

Drive safely for every bodies safety not just to avoid a fine. Receiving a fine to help you remember this is better then someone getting hurt or killed. If you need anymore reminders watch the nightly news, hardly a days go by without a fatality. :(

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:27 pm
by The X
Dejan wrote:I need one with both CURRENT red light and speeding camera warnings, as mine is more than 4 yrs old and about time to upgrade :D
Load the POI yourself. Online community GPS forums have them (for a small fee). I do it myself and load up custom POIs on my GPS with everything.
Dejan wrote:I mean that's a pretty major change on the road rules how the new "RED LIGHT CAMERA" does more than just capturing runing the lights but also SPEED too and can act as a speed camera when lights are green.
Never was a road rule or government gazzetted law. It was RTA "policy" to place up to 3 different warning signs about an speed cam on your approach. Policy that was borne out of political pressure years ago after heated public venting and media hysteria about govt revenue raising. RTA can change the policy as it sees fit with only placing stuff on it's website out of courtesy and that's called "sufficient public notification". You won't be seeing a govt minister holding a press conference on that one! Don't want to upset the NSW voting public anymore, now do they? :D
I actually have a copy of the RTA camera fact sheet in my hand (I renewed my licence last week :D) that's why I picked one up.
Here are the fact sheets:
Signage for speed cameras (not the safety cameras)
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/speedandspeedcameras/fixeddigitalspeedcameras/signageatspeedcamerasites.html
How speed cams work
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/speedandspeedcameras/fixeddigitalspeedcameras/howdofixeddigitalspeedcameraswork.html
Safety camera fact sheet
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/speedandspeedcameras/safetycameras/index.html

However what is unclear is how the things will be signposted. I have a gut feeling that RTA policy has not changed and at the 5 selected "dual use camera" locations that will have "Safety Camera Ahead" prior to the intersection (much like the single "Red light camera Ahead" signs we see now) plus the 3 standard speed camera ahead signs prior to the "Safety Camera Ahead".
single use sites will just have "Safety Camera Ahead" single signpost.

Remeber, there are only 5 out of the 200 that will be fixed dual use. With another handful on rotation.
Dejan wrote:ITs actually quite dangerous imagine you are towing a boat or driving a semi-trailer or something, instead of speeding thru when lights turn orange to avoid running the lights, now you will have no other choices but to SLAM ON THE BRAKES and hope for the best, i dont really think its such a good idea. Also, if this is true, its just another massive scam from the government to rip off more innocent motorists.
I disagree with you about the dangers, it's more dangerous that NSW run a budget deficiet and all those fat labour bastards can't pork barrell buying votes with cash projects. Bring on NSW state election 2011..... :D
part-jokes aside tho, It's only dangerous if people are not obeying the road rules and not keeping a safe distance from behind. You should be looking ahead rather than looking at the rear end of the vehicle in front of you. The driver ahead should be coming to a safe stop because of the amber light, not the red.
Innoccent?! C'mon! Amber means STOP unless you are going to cause a collission by stopping abruptly. It DOES NOT mean (as Sydney believes) pedal to the metal, beat the red. I'm guilty of it too, but just because everyone does it, doesn't make it legal. That sydney mentality must change, I'm afraid.
Dejan wrote:I mean those cameras will be so busy flashing every 3 seconds they prolly won't even have enough time to process all the offences. For some reason, i just don't think those things will quite work out.

It's all electronic now, it will work. If they are going to operate in the worst case scenario of 1 single sign notification, it's only a matter of time when enough people get pinged, public voter anger will come to the fore and I'm sure RTA policy will change to having 3 sign notifications for those too. However like I said, I don't think worse case scenario will eventuate.
I wonder if they will send you a warning ticket for your first offence considering its sooo new and no ones knows or even heard anything about it.
Unlikely.

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:49 pm
by Graham
WA have recently started to introduce these, I've been done by it once on a cruise, still waiting for the fine.

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:17 pm
by tryg
I say do the crime pay the fine.... bad luck if you choose to do the wrong thing!

And boo hoo if it eats into your wallet... you CAN have fun and not break the law, hence me not owning an RA or EVO... I would be locked up for sure!

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:35 pm
by Graham
tryg wrote:I say do the crime pay the fine.... bad luck if you choose to do the wrong thing!



Exactly :P +1

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:06 pm
by tryg
Graham, I know this from experience with 2 x 200+hp motorcycles... I lost 8 points for being a tool, wheelstanding from the lights, over 2 weeks when I first bought an FJR1300... so, 5 years on I have grown up a little!

I am sure you're a sensible fella too!

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:19 pm
by Graham
ouch! the bikes would've been fun to ride though :)

I guess I am sort of sensible, I know that if I do anything against the rules I know the consequences if I get caught.

Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:52 pm
by tryg
hey the bikes are still fun to ride... I just leave the maniac-riding to the track now!