Drivers are dodging controversial speed cameras by using a revolutionary device
that alerts them in advance.
In response to motoring campaigners, who have accused police forces of deliberately hiding the speed cameras in a bid to making money from unsuspecting drivers, a Kent-based company has come up with Geodesy -a unique system that gives the driver plenty of warning before they approach a camera.
Surprisingly, Geodesy is totally legal and uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to accurately pinpoint each of the estimated 10,000 speed cameras across the country.
GPS is normally used by sailors and pilots to locate their position through the use of satellites. The inventors of Geodesy have used the same technology to locate and mark the exact positions of speed cameras across the country. The information is then stored on a computer chip.
Once plugged into the lighter socket of a car dashboard, a series of lights come on within half a mile of the camera. As the driver gets closer to the speed trap, more lights are triggered until- within a few feet of the camera's position - an alarm is sounded. The makers say the device gives the driver ample time to slow down gradually rather than slamming on the brakes at the last minute and risking an accident.
More than 6000 have already been sold, and the manufacturers say they are
selling the devices quicker than they can make them Morpheous, the company that
sells Geodesy at £380 each, claims that police forces have made £190
million from fines as a result of drivers being caught by speed cameras. And
they say that, on average, 10000 drivers a week are being fined.
Martin Burch, a director of Morpheous said: "The system is completely legal
because it is based on a GPS. There are anything between 8000 and 10000 speed
cameras across the country.
"What we are doing is promoting the safety aspect of Geodesy, which is getting drivers to slow down - which is what the police forces want."
A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers said: "Although it is not illegal, and we are not looking to make it illegal, we are not encouraging (Geodesy's) use because if people are driving within the speed limit they shouldn't need to have a device like that.
"The more likely users are irresponsible drivers likely to speed outside the camera zones."
Courtesy :- Evening Standard, Tuesday, 4 September 2001