Posted By Zaphod
Before anyone gets cross for posting this topic yet again, Sorry!!, I don't think this particular aspect has been discussed in detail before.

Having clocked up 6 points so far from safety cameras, I decided to splash out on devices to help me prevent getting anymore. I bought the 'Safety Camera' software for my TomTom (30 Euros) which is not bad - although it does not seem to pick up on mobile camera locations.

So, I did my research over the weekend and bought a Talex Lite (£60 from Aldi + £35 for annual subscription). It seems to pick up more mobile camera locations and some accident black spots. However, I am disappointed. Having read lots of glowing reviews on the net, I was under the mistaken impression that it tells you speed limits all the time - rather than just when a speed camera is on the horizon. I am disappointed because I actually want to stay within the speed limit and need reminders sometimes - due to lack of perfect concentration on long journeys. Does anyone know if there is such a device?

Please note, this is not an invitation to all the people who rant that "It's not speed that kills, it's unsafe driving that does", I just want to know if there is a device for people like me, who think that speed limits are a good thing.

Posted By Darren J Fraser
Not wishing to sound sarcastic, but there are plenty of devices that contain this information..............circular signs on street furniture, white background, red border and numbers inside (this indicates the maximum allowed speed on that particular carriageway, conditions permitting), the only exception is a white circular sign with a black slash from right to left indicating the national speed limit (60) or 70 on a motorway.

If unsure of the speed limit for the particular carriageway that you are driving along, drop speed to 30 (if in the UK, or 20 if passing a school) until such time that a sign with the speed limit is seen.

That way you are unlikely to gain anymore points.

If you suffer from a lack of concentration on long journeys, take more frequent breaks, ensure there is a good supply of fresh air and that you are well rested.

No, I am not a police officer, road safety specialist or any other suitably qualified individual, just someone who drives in excess of 25,000 miles per year, some driving experience and a little bit of common sense.

Posted By Jonathan Breeze
Firstly, it is good that you are asking the question now and not at 9 or 12 points!

However, even the best speed indicator system is only going to be reactive and based on the most current info available from the enforcement agency.

Thinking around your initial question, have you considered an advanced driving course or further lessons?

Now would be the time to do this and correct the problem area of "lack of perfect concentration" that you have identified.

Hope this is a helpful and non-patronising suggestion, that adds value to the discussion.

Posted By CRN Baker
I too do a fair amount of mileage in a year. The beneficial item I have on my car is a "cruise control" facility which allows me to "fix" the speed of my vehicle. Mainly I use this around town to ensure that I do not exceed the speed limit. Braking / changing gear will automatically disengage the function.
By setting the function at 27 or 37 mph it prevents me from speeding and also means there is a bit more time to react to any potential incidents. The only thing I do find is that other drivers sit on my bumper initially, they soon realise that my car won't be speeding up and they resignedly drop back!
I have found the ability to "fix" my speed invaluable.
HTH

Posted By Zaphod
Incidentally, some responses seem to be implying that high milaege makes you a safer driver. Yet according to ROSPA, if you drive more then 25k a year you have a far higher risk of being involved in a fatal collision. I knew this thread was going to turn into the polar debate. Shame really, 3500 deaths on the road a year, I beleive that we should be exporing all options available to cut down this toll - including training, attitude AND technology.

As H&S practitioners we should look at using available technology to assist rather than seeing it as irrelevant. Look at manual handling as an example, if we saw technology as irrelevant, we wouldn't use hoists etc - we would just rely on manual handling techniques training - and we all know how reliable that is on its own.

Posted By Zaphod
Bugsy

The speed camera devices use a national database combined with GPS, so I'm not to clear why they would not ID digital speed cameras.

Yes, I am a boy and I do love gadgets. However, I still don't buy the argument that consciencious drivers can humanly always stay within the limit - even with suitable breaks and advance driver training. Perhaps you are different, maybe you have never ever drifted over the limit. I know that I am unable to maintain perfect concentration 100% of the time - even though I know I should and the thought that i could kill a pedestrian at any moment remains firmly in my mind. This is why I am hoping that technology can lend a helping hand.

Posted By Gff
3000 miles per week

Even on a good day you'd average 40mph combine town and motorway driving over 7 days that's 10-12hrs a day driving, some how i don't think so.

Satnav uses CSV or similar type files to load speed cameras as points of intrest on your system. It is software based and nothing to do with detecting cameras, hence the reason why if will flag a mobile unit even if it not there at that point in time. They give locations of all PERMITTED sites in the UK and updates are availiable ever few weeks so it is as good as when it was last updated. The GPS bit just tells you where you are.

Great aid for letting you know when you get to a dangerous part of the road

Posted By Gff
so 9hrs a day driving 650miles at 70 mph, no stops motorway from start to finish no towns to drive through hmm good for you well done

I would rather the cameras caught tired poorly rested drivers than speeders have you insalled that kind of state of the art equipment anywhere yet

Posted By Gff
who me no .....

Posted By J Knight
'Great aid for letting you know when you get to a dangerous part of the road'

I think its that kind of statement, and its role in the rationale for placing cameras that has me worried. There are no dangerous bits of road, or at least, to turn the statement on its head; there are no safe bits of road. Yes, some bits are more dangerous than others, but nowhere is 'safe' at any time, there is always the risk of a collision, even if there appears to be nobody and nothing in sight,

John

Posted By Jonathan Breeze
Z,

I've got to admit it's a case of the blind leading the blind here as I've never done an advanced course.

I understand through discussions with advanced drivers, former police drivers and driving instructors in our organisation that it is often about developing techniques for road awareness which will help with assessing the situation.

However, the thought of relying on a 3rd party to provide electronic information on a situation they cannot see (and who in themselves rely on information supplied by the enforcers, who are looking to prosecute anyone who breaches the speed limit they have set), quite frankly gives me the screaming heebie-jeebies!

By way of topical analogy, that is like a fighter pilot relying on someone else to tell them to pull the trigger who is based several thousands of miles away and may not be appraised of the full picture.

We can go on to discuss whether hierarchies of control and systems should be allowed to absolve the individual of their own personal responsibility for their actions if you wish, but that is probably worthy of a separate thread.

Posted By Zaphod
Hi Jonathon

Please note I was typing my last reply while you must have been posting yours - hence my last response is out of sync.

Anyways, just wanted to emphasise that I am not advocating speed limit alerts as an alternive to looking at signs etc, just an extra precaution. For example, with my new Talex light, if you are within 500yds of a camera and you are speeding - it says, "you are over the speed limit - please slow down". Which is quite useful if you happen not to have noticed visually for due to a momentary lapse of concentration. I suppose people could become reliant on the device and reduce their level of concentration. That's certainly not my intent though.

Posted By Lilian McCartney
Hi Guys,

I think the speeding is my fault!

I sing while I'm driving and it's sooooo bad everyone speeds away from it!

Posted By alex mccreadie
Zaphod thanks for your last post you certainly nailed a lot of the posters there.
Now for your question purely awareness will help gizmos are handy but not 100% perfect.
I find in my countless miles driving that you must stay aware I can now feel the cameras by being aware of others around me.I have frequently clocked up the 2500-3000 weekly miles claimed you start early and get the first 200 in before much traffic is about.
Before the rant starts I have done all these advance courses been a driving instructor and driving examiner. Being aware of everything around you is the only way ahead forget the Gizmos Stay aware and alert and you will become a safer better driver.

Posted By J Knight
Zaphod,

I quite like the idea of a device which will alert drivers if they exceed the speed limit whether or not there are cameras; though as has often been said here speed isn't the be-all and end-all. I think there have been trials of such a device, but I have no idea what the outcomes was,

John

Posted By Gff
OK Thanks for your feedback I'll watch my step I apologies for any upset caused by my comments

http://www.nurs.co.uk/ne...580637212694732545_1.htm

Posted By John Murgatroyd
Well. What can I say ?
The GPS based "camera detectors" are only as good as the info entered into your receiver, whatever sort it is. Frequent updates may work, but I doubt it. The info is also input mainly by people reporting the things, and the mobile camera info is from the police/safety camera partnerships and councils saying where they are going to be...maybe.
The "detectors" that receive signals emitted FROM the cameras are now ILLEGAL to fit and/or use.
Basically, the fixed cameras are two types. The "GATSO" type, which uses a doppler "radar" to fix the speed of the vehicle, and the "TRUVELO" type, which use buried sensors in the road surface.
As for 30mph limits. The speed limit in this country defaults to 30mph, which means that if there are not "repeater" signs giving either the speed restriction or that the NSL applies, then you assume 30mph in the presence of lamposts (closer than 200 yards apart)
All of the info on speed limts is to be found in the highway code and

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pg...ment/speedknowyourlimits
It is worth mentioning, since many don't know, that the speed limits for NON-car derived VANS is LOWER than for cars. A Transit can go to 50mph on a 60mph NSL road, 60mph on a dual carriageway and 70mph on a m/way. LOADS of van drivers get caught by this ! as in L O A D S.