how do speed cameras catch motorists?

Question

do speed cameras only work where gridded lines appear on the road
does a speed camera only work when it flashes a car from behind

Answer 1

The camera is always on, but when that light turns red, it sends a signal and the camera goes into movement mode. If a car runs the light only then is when the camera takes the shot.

Answer 2

Little legs, they run after the car and if they catch up with you then your 'it'

Or, there is a (radar) sensor in the yellow box that measures the speed of every thing made of metal that passses its beam, and if it is going faster than the set speed, it will set the camera to take 2 pictures.

Someone in an office looks at the pictures and sends you a letter inviting you to pay a fine, or go to court based on the registration plate number to locate the address of the registered keeper of the car.

The lines on the road are to calibrate the camera. The lines are a fixed, known distance apart. The 2 photos are taken at a known interval. Using this it can be calculated the speed of the cars passing it from the photos and also used as a check that the camera is working OK.

Some camera face towards you and some away, The ones towards you can get enough details of your face to work out who was driving - so smile at them.

Answer 3

The lines on the road are the distance that the camera measures ur speed between. I think all fixed speed camera have these lines on the floor.

Fixed speed camera's will only work behind you, they then take a picture of ur car and registration so they can contact you with the fine, points etc

Its not the same for portable ones though, Police have "speed Guns" which literally get you as you drive past and tell the officer your speed. They will then go chase you to give you a ticket

Answer 4

When you drive over the white lines where there is a sped camera, it can be worked out at what speed you travelled over these lines. That way , they can tell if you were speeding. Some speed cameras don't flash now or need film because they are digital cameras.

Answer 5

The Government are all for this tax on wheels because the police raise so much money through it and therefore the govt don't have to pay the police so much. I'm affraid that we will never stop this onslaught on the UK motorist no matter who we vote for. The only thing to do is take counter measures and buy something like 'Road Angel' or just try not to speed - or both.

Answer 6

Different types of camera are used in different areas, and also in different countries. Some (like in New Zealand) use induction loops in the carriageway to monitor the speed, that are difficult to see whilst driving. Others (like in the UK where it is required by law) use the painted markings you and others have referred to. Still others use a fixed version of a speed radar gun.

So in general:

No, cameras are not always indicated by painted markings,

No, cameras can also work from in front

Answer 7

There are sensors on the road, that activate the camera to take your picture if you drive on them after the light has turn to red or several sensors (wether on the road or not) at different intervals that calculate your speed when you go from one to the next.

Answer 8

they catch unsuspecting motorists going about their daily bussiness and then track them down to give them fines points and a criminal record mean while all the cops are back at the station eating pies and all the real crooks muggers rapists and burglars have a free run of the country .

Did i mention how much money they make for the government

Answer 9

Lot of trouble for the Government to go to, raising taxes, ain't it?

Answer 10

Chris L has it right i have to check these quite often