Around 1.25 million people die worldwide every year because of road accidents alone. One reason behind these road accidents is the excessive speed of vehicles. Thus speed detection cameras are added on roads and even in police cars to control excessive speed. In line with this, now police bikes in many states also have speed cameras as they play an effective role in reducing road accidents, as proven by various studies. Moreover, speed detection cameras are very much effective in keeping the road smooth.
Today, I will discuss different types of speed cameras, why modern cops are using them in their vehicles, their working efficiency, and the comparison with speed detection radar.
So, What Is A Speed Detection Camera Exactly?
People call speed detection cameras many other names, including “photo radar, road safety camera, and speed camera”. The traffic department uses them to detect vehicles violating the speed limit. But why? Well, a worldwide study found that speed cameras can reduce the chance of serious injury in a crash by 11% to 44%.
- Speed cameras are usually mounted on gantries above the road, overpasses, or culverts on the side of the road.
- In some cases, the police use mobile speed cameras which are handheld.
- Also, police vans are often equipped with speed cameras. So that they can monitor the movement of suspicious vehicles.
Types Of Speed Detection Cameras That Police Use
We see several types of speed cameras on the road. And, they are different in structure, location, and mode of operation. Now, I would like to specify all types of speed cameras here that modern cops and traffic police use.
1. Average Speed Cameras
Average speed cameras were first introduced in the UK in 1999. Later, its effectiveness gained appreciation and its use also increased.
- The feature of these cameras is that they can do automatic number plate readings using digital technology.
- The cameras can detect and record the speed of the vehicle as it passes between the two cameras.
2. Fixed Speed Cameras
These types of cameras were first used in the UK in 1992 and we see fixed speed cameras on many roads nowadays. One reason they are so popular is that the cameras can also capture images of the person behind the wheel.
3. Mobile Speed Cameras
Cops around the world, especially local cops, use mobile speed cameras. This type of speed camera looks a bit like a video camera and is manual to use.
- Mobile speed cameras can accurately determine the speed of vehicles traveling on both sides of the road.
- And, they are capable of operating from a distance of about a mile.
4. Traffic Light Cameras
These types of cameras are commonly used in traffic signals. These cameras are activated when the red light on the traffic signal is on. And they can capture images of your car when it passes over a grind loop or sensor on the road while running a red signal.
Moreover, if your car crosses any part of the white stop on a red signal, it will be illegal and the cameras will document your illegal activity! So, be the careful dude.
5. Variable Speed Cameras
Although variable speed cameras work much like average speed cameras, they are not always on.
- Authorities use them to reduce congestion on smart motorways or for special needs in bad weather.
6. Police Cars Speed Camera
These are ‘in-car camera systems’ used in police cars. When Police follow suspicious speeding vehicles, this camera system can determine the speed of the targeted vehicle. In this way, the police can easily bring any driver violating the law’s speed limit.
Do All Police Bikes Have Speed Cameras?
Although not all police bikes have speed cameras, there are some areas where police bikes use them. For example, Bristol and Somerset police in the UK use speed cameras on their bikes.
Well, the use of cameras in police vehicles began in the 1960s. At that time, the cameras enabled traffic lane violators to be more effectively identified by capturing photos with the day and date. In continuation this, modern police cars started using high-quality dash cams which help them with their daily work. Thus traffic control has become easier and more effective because of the attachment of these types of cameras to motorbikes and cars.
Nonetheless, the use of dash cams on police bikes is more popular than direct speed cameras. That’s why the use of Dash Cams on police bikes has increased significantly.
➢ Dash Cams To GPS And Speed Camera:
The police department connects some dash cams to GPS systems and speed camera databases.
Dash cameras are usually installed on both the front and rear sides of the bike, which, among other benefits, also play a role in identifying vehicles violating the speed limit. But the bike needs to be close to the target vehicle to get a clear speed reading.
Why Do Police Bikes Have Speed Detection Cameras?
The main reason for having speed detection cameras on police bikes is to identify speed breakers easily and bring them to justice. Because an over-speeding car can be dangerous for itself and other cars or pedestrians on the road. But if a police bike can detect such speeding vehicles in time and take necessary action, it is possible to prevent untoward accidents.
Besides, while fleeing after committing a crime, most of the time criminals drive at excessive speed. And speed detection cameras can detect those criminals easily by detecting suspicious Overspeed. As a result, it becomes easier for the police to take the initiative to arrest them.
And, How Does This Speed Detection Camera Work?
Speed cameras on police bikes determine the instantaneous speed of a vehicle by analyzing time. This system works by calculating the distance between two fixed points and the time taken to cover that distance.
Also, Speed detection cameras used by Scotland police are carried on bike saddles. They place the cameras on a tripod on the side of the road and spot cars, bikes, or any motor vehicle that exceeds the speed limit.
Anyway, many of today’s police bikes use radar sensors to detect the speed of vehicles on the road.
- The radar emits radio waves at a specific frequency, some of which are reflected at the target.
- If the target is moving, it calculates the change in position and the time interval to determine the speed.
Well Then, Are Bike’s Speed Detection Camera And Speed Detection Radar The Same?
Although speed cameras and speed radars do the same thing, they work differently.
- Speed cameras work by capturing photos and videos and analyzing them. An added benefit of the cameras is that they can also capture the vehicle’s number plate or the driver’s image.
- Speed radars, on the other hand, transmit radio waves to target vehicles. Later, it determines the vehicle’s speed by analyzing the reflected waves. But the big advantage of speed radars is that they work even in rainy or foggy weather, where visibility is low.
Working Efficiency Of Cop Bike Speed Detection Camera
❖ When Falling Rain:
Any camera needs to have good visibility to capture images or video footage. If heavy rain or fog reduces visibility greatly, speed detection cameras may not work well. But as I said earlier, many police bikes use radar sensors for speed detection that works even in rain or fog. Moreover, in this type of situation, you may need to be closer to the target vehicle to get an accurate reading.
❖ Detecting All Types Of Vehicles Speed:
Yes, bike speed detection cameras can usually detect the speed of all kinds of vehicles. These cameras detect the speed of small or large cars to even bikes almost accurately.
Nevertheless, these cameras cannot work from very far away. And, bikes need to be close to the target vehicle to determine the accurate speed.
❖ The Road Speed Limit – When This Camera Doesn’t Work
Speed cameras will only detect you when you exceed the posted speed limit on the road. But in most states, the police offer a buffer, though that is entirely at their discretion.
- Typically, they offer a 10% plus 2 mph buffer. That is, if the road speed limit is 80 mph, then they will buffer you up to 90 (80+8+2) mph.
Final Verdict Regarding Speed Detection Camera
With passaging time, the number of vehicles on the road is increasing. Along with that, our tendency to move at a faster speed is also increasing. While this tendency saves us valuable time, it also sometimes kills us. For that reason, cops- more specifically, traffic authorities have installed speed cameras on police cars as well as roads to prevent speeding.
Moreover, many countries, states, or provinces have speed cameras on their police bikes. And these cams are especially useful in detecting speeding vehicles on roads where there are no speed cameras to work consistently preventing accidents and serving passengers.
