Most family purses are strained at the moment, if they weren’t already. However, additional stress is growing in the form of fines and charges for speeding offences. In many cases, these fines are not expected, and people quite often don’t even remember when they committed the alleged offences.
I guess that you are like most other people right now, blissfully unaware of all the speed cameras and traps out there and probably take them for granted that you’ll be caught at some point and that you are limited by your options. Note also that the amount of speeding traps and cameras are still continuing to grow, and the government earn considerable revenue from this. The only loser in this seems to be the general motorist who may, unintentionally, break the speed limit or otherwise.
Knowing a bit more how speed cameras work is useful, as this will better aid and improve your driving style. The most infamous speed camera is the gatso and their variants, which use laser or radar (the same principle as a submarine) to determine the velocity of the vehicle. Probably the most annoying camera is the photographic one, and the recognisable ‘flash’ the device emits when you’ve been photographed. Less well known types use cables secure don the road, connected to a speed camera which will also take your picture and identify your card.
Don’t worry…. Although there are a lot of devices and speeding traps out there, you can counter them by using a speed camera detector. Its an investment that will save you money, and help you.
There are a few combinations of speed camera detectors out there, although they are starting to converge and have the same capabilities. Some of them focus and use the laser and radar signals to detect what’s up ahread, and others using geographic databases to know where cameras and traps are located. The most practical devices employ both technologies for maximum benefit. The decision on which one you buy is largely attributed to how much available cash you have.
Fear not! Speed camera detectors ARE legal to use! Despite what people may tell you, using a speed camera detector device is legal at the time this article is being written. The reality is that when you use these devices, you are made more conscious of your surroundings and speed. Therefore, you can consider these a safety device.
Presently there are no restrictions to the use of speed camera detections, other than the ongoing lobbying that radar jamming technology should not be available to the public. There is therefore no reason why you shouldn’t use such a device to be made more aware of the road and the roadside, and issues you may encounter. The investment, in reality, is a small one, other than noting that some devices have a 12monthly subscription service which is mandatory.
You’ll probably find that todays speed camera detectors are combined into other devices too, such as navigational systems. Gone are the days when you had 3 or 4 devices on your dashboard, and now you can have a single device that informs you of speed camera locations whilst navigating you to your destination. It wont be long before the technologies are all combined into the dashboard of your vehicle too!
There is nothing worst than being lost, running low on fuel – and then being caught by a speed camera! if you have a fully integrated device, you can use the navigational element to take you to your desired location, and also be warned of any speeding cameras or speed traps. Whilst its not safe to rely solely on these devices, they are a great driving aid.
So the answer to the title of this article is simple. You should never feel guilty about using a speed camera detector. In fact, you should feel anxious to get one because it may very well be a life saver for you both for your pocket book and to reduce the risk of you having an accident. With the roads of the UK slowly being stocked with those watchdog speed cameras, it is only fitting that you arm yourself to the teeth with your own high-tech defense.
