If you live in the UK, you’re probably one of the people caught up in the issue of speed cameras. I hate to generalise on this, but its probably the truth. These cameras are alleged to protect people, although they are most commonly known as a revenue generator for local authorities and government. The measurable results of their benefits are less than desirable, and in fact, aren’t known. The police allege that as they are producing more tickets for offenders, then they have increased safety. However, this is not necessarily the case as the correlation between speeding and accidents is not fully known. Its understandable that individuals take hidden speeding cameras as invasion of their privacy.

UK Speed Camera Promises

The original objective of deploying speed cameras in the UK was to reduce accidents and improve the safety of individuals. The requirement was to slow the speed of vehicles down overall, and thus provide a safer environment. In theory this would be beneficial to everyone, although the implementation is far different. Although many speed cameras are in view, a lot are hidden – or mobile cameras are used in dubious places, where the legitimacy of their use is questionable

The UK speed camera works by capturing an image of the speeding motorist. Some are set up alongside the roadside. Others are mobile units or even units within Police vehicles. They work to capture images of any vehicle that passes them, noting the speed at which the vehicle is traveling. Many of them make it very difficult to slow down in time to avoid being detected and most often, they are difficult to spot, although law clearly states that the vehicles and UK speed camera must be clearly located to give motorists a warning.

The problem with the use of these cameras is that they have done very little to reduce the actual number of accidents on the motorway. Rather, some individuals monitoring the situation claim that the cameras actually have led to an increase in the number of accidents for one reason or another. Some believe the cameras are doing nothing more than monitoring the residents and they should be stopped. An even larger claim is that the cameras are used more for their revenue producing abilities rather than the ability of the camera to actually improve road safety. There is no doubt that these cameras have helped governments to raise huge amounts of fines, since they send thousands of tickets each day.

Motorists – Stand Up And Fight

A number of groups and individuals have set out to change the rules of the land and are legally fighting the use of the UK speed camera. While they do so, there are others who are working to stop the use of the cameras by simply taking them apart, blowing them up or otherwise stopping them from working. While illegal to do, these individuals are determined to find a way to stop people from falling victim to the cameras and they plan to continue to damage the cameras until they are finally removed in total from the streets of the UK.

Why are so many people upset and angered by the use of the UK speed camera? There are many reasons for this but in particular, they do not like the fact that such harsh actions are taken on them for just driving a few miles over the posted speed limit. As many would say, just driving a few miles over the limit will cost them a huge fine and three points on their license. They are treated no better than a criminal in these cases.

There is a case for stringent use of speed cameras, and the general view seems to be that they are acceptable, and appropriate, in very pubic places – specifically schools, where there are children and other pedestrians. On the same note, the argument is that are they really needed in places where there are no public. This would cover places such as motorways, and major junctions where the public shouldn’t be anyway.

The bottom line of why many do not believe the use of UK speed cameras is effective is their inability to reduce accidents and to improve the safety of roadways in the country. There is no evidence, in most areas, that the number of casualties and deaths on the roads in the UK have dropped since the use of the UK speed camera was first needed. They do believe that the cameras are used mainly to increase revenue rather than to improve safety. Some are setting out to make a statement in a way that could be legally worrisome for themselves in the hopes of making that statement loud enough to be heard by those who can improve the situation.

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.