Three types of speed cameras you need to know about
According to various law enforcement authorities and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), South Africans owe R3-billion in outstanding traffic fines.
Did you know that there are three common types of speed traps in South Africa?
There are average-speed-over-distance (ASOD) systems, portable radar scanners, and fixed cameras.
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While all drivers should practice safe driving, speed traps are set up to help those who tend to put the pedal to the metal remain inside the legal speed limit.
1. Fixed Cameras
The speed trap most people know is the fixed cameras installed in specific locations.
These are installed in various locations such as urban areas and on national roads. They use radar technology or piezoelectric strips to detect speed infringements.
The piezoelectric system strips are installed across road surfaces, and they convert the mechanical or thermal inputs into electrical signals, which determine the car's speed. When excessive speed is recorded, it activates the camera to take a picture.
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The radar-based system bounces radio waves off a passing vehicle and calculates the car's velocity by measuring the change in frequency as it travels over a certain distance.
Motorists do not need to be warned about speed traps in the area of a fixed camera, but the following details need to be provided for a fine issued based on this detection:
- Date of offence
- Time of offence
- Location Code
- Speed measured
- No obstructions present
- A view of the whole width of the traffic lanes covered where the sensor lines are installed
- At least two photographs indicating the position of offender's vehicle and clear image of the number plate
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2. Portable Scanner
According to My Broadband, the X1-A scanner is the most widely used portable model used in the Johannesburg and Tshwane metros.
Something important to note is that the speed fines issued based on portable cameras need to adhere to strict rules. The traffic official operating the camera has to have passed a course on speed measurement.
If one of these is used to monitor traffic light violations, the official must also have been trained in traffic light monitoring.
It uses radar technology that scans up to five lanes of traffic and 32 vehicles simultaneously with offenders being captured in less than 0.5 seconds.
According to the National Road Traffic Act, motorists can request a copy of the certificate for the official's training to ensure they are qualified.
If there is a failure to provide the certificate, the fine could be unenforceable.
The cameras also have to be calibrated by an accredited laboratory every 12 months and a calibration certificate will be issued.
The reading on the camera can't be taken further than 500m from signage showing a speed limit change, and it only starts recording from 300m away.
A fine could also be rendered invalid if an offending car is overtaken by another car, interrupting the view of the vehicle.
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3. Average-speed-over-distance (ASOD)
These systems use two cameras. They are installed apart at a predetermined distance on any length of road.
The car's number plate is scanned upon entering the zone and when exiting as the system calculates how fast the car was travelling in this zone.
This is based on when the car passes under each camera.
If a motorist exceeds the speed limit in this zone they would have to slow down below the speed limit for some time to adjust the average speed.
Several ASOD systems are used on the N1 in the Western Cape and Limpopo and the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban.
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Main image courtesy of iStock/NikolaBarbutov