QLD Speed Cameras

[AndrewW]

Driving home on the Cunningham Hwy yesterday, I was suprised to see a Speed Camera 4WD parked in grass between the two sides of the highway, facing the oncoming traffic.

There didn't appear to be anyone in the vehice, and the 'Speed Camera in use' sign was sitting in front of the vehicle.

I thought that these cameras could only get you from behind ?

Can anyone confirm if this was set up legally, or if it would even have been able to catch anyone ?

Cheers,

Andrew.

[Wingnut]

Not sure how the Qld coppers do it, but in SA, the cameras can catch you heading towards them, and often do both sides of a smaller arterial road at the same time. This is only done during daylight hours, as there is a fear that the flash unit that they are currently using may cause disorientation, and possibly a crash. This means that they will only catch you once you pass at night time. The camera operator has a switch which allows them to choose between the different modes.

They are also now starting to look at infra red technology, which can be used either way, as you are not able to see the flash units.

To get a better idea, check out the relevant state legislation to see what they can and cant do, or speak with your local motoring body, as they may take up the torch and petition the local pollies.

[davidred]

During the day they can get you from both directions (I have a nice view of my old Monaro from the front) and at night they can only get you from behind (I have a nice view of my old VR SS from the back). I had this confirmed by a copper too, only from the back at night as the flash can cause problems.

Last I heard though they were introducing the infra-red models so it doesn't need a flash and therefore, doesn't matter what time of the day it is.

On a side note, driving into work this morning down the Gateway and there's a copper standing beside his motorbike on the Nundah onramp just looking at the traffic - I assume he's just standing around being a deterrant as he didn't look particularly excited about doing any law enforcing.

[greySStoke]

Driving home on the Cunningham Hwy yesterday, I was suprised to see a Speed Camera 4WD parked in grass between the two sides of the highway, facing the oncoming traffic.

There didn't appear to be anyone in the vehice, and the 'Speed Camera in use' sign was sitting in front of the vehicle.

I thought that these cameras could only get you from behind ?

Can anyone confirm if this was set up legally, or if it would even have been able to catch anyone ?

Cheers,

Andrew.

As already said, can get you both ways.
They have been setting up on the C'ham like that for years, all legal and yes they get their fair share.
Also there would have been someone in it, always is, just hard to see them sometimes, while operating they often sit in the back seat.

[AndrewW]

oh well, I guess I'll keep my eye out for a nasty letter in the post.

the bugger was set up just after the big hill coming from Yamanto.

After being stuck doing 55 behing a big freaking truck all the way up the hill, I might have been doing a bit over the limit in my joy at finally getting past him.

Andrew.

[Wingnut]

You could always "borrow" the F111 in your avatar and fix the speed camera up, a nice 500lb surprise would be more than sufficient.:evil:

[breakthelaw]

I'd be surprised if anyone who regularly uses the Cunningham Hwy between Ipswich Road and Yamanto would get caught by a speed camera. I mean it is just such a sure fire bet that there will be a speed camera along there somewhere how could you possibly not realise this? I'm assuming your avatar means you work at Amberley?

[AndrewW]

I'd be surprised if anyone who regularly uses the Cunningham Hwy between Ipswich Road and Yamanto would get caught by a speed camera. I mean it is just such a sure fire bet that there will be a speed camera along there somewhere how could you possibly not realise this? I'm assuming your avatar means you work at Amberley?

yeah but that's the problem. I do travel that road every day, and I know all the places where they try and hide the speed cameras.

The problem is that this one took me totally by suprise, what with being on the wrong side of the road, and facing the wrong way (ie facing the oncoming traffic).

Hopefully I'll be OK, I was only about 5 ks over the limit, but you never know.

Andrew.

[breakthelaw]

Well good luck with it Andrew - hope you got away with it this time.

[Rotty]

5ks should be okay...but if you take tyre wear and speedo degree of error into account....here's hoping you got lucky this time!

[Haroc]

During the day they can get you from both directions (I have a nice view of my old Monaro from the front) and at night they can only get you from behind (I have a nice view of my old VR SS from the back). I had this confirmed by a copper too, only from the back at night as the flash can cause problems.

Last I heard though they were introducing the infra-red models so it doesn't need a flash and therefore, doesn't matter what time of the day it is.

On a side note, driving into work this morning down the Gateway and there's a copper standing beside his motorbike on the Nundah onramp just looking at the traffic - I assume he's just standing around being a deterrant as he didn't look particularly excited about doing any law enforcing.

Sort of right, but also wrong, your cop informed you incorrectly.
They can get you both directions DAY and NIGHT I have 2 pics at night to prove this... this was the unit that uses a flash also.
If you dont get any mail in the next 2 weeks you should be ok..

[Alister]

I was pretty sure they can only get you the in the direction they are facing. If they are facing you head on and you are speeding, then they'll get you. If they are parked side on to the direction you are going (rear facing you as you approach), then they'll get you as you go past.
And i'm pretty sure they flash day or night, at least the ones i've seen go off have.

[Dug]

You should try living in Victoria - the Camera State (it's written on our number plates, i swear!)

Front or Back, Night or Day. Infra-Red camera's on just about everything. I rarely even see the old blue telltale flashbox anymore. We don't even get warning signs - we just have to keep our eye's open for stupid colour clean rodeo's parked on the side of roads, or station wagon's with cages in the back parked on the side of roads, or Mr. Plod in front, behind, beside, above, or parked on the side of roads. I'm sure you get the picture. We also have camera's on all but one of the major freeway's, 3 of them in our sub-city 2km tunnel in one direction, and another one the other direction, and in our red light camera's. (Question for Victorians: Does anyone know if a Sergent Ron Ritchie really actually exists in real life?)

Trust me, you guy's up north have it easy!

That being said, hope you didn't get pinged!

[GHZ28]

OK, lots of rumours etc. so here are the facts......

The Gatso 24 can get you coming or going, the flash "should" be used at all times in Queensland, sometimes it is not, but rarely.

In oncoming mode, at night, the target vehicles must not be in the first lane, so, across a lane is OK for approaching at night. This means that the near lane will be in receding mode.

The current landcruiser etc. based cameras are permanently mounted in the place of the front passenger seat, and only shoot out the windscreen, aimed across the vehicle towards the driver side.....you can work that out.

The operator sits in the rear seat during deployment, sometimes with curtains and shades drawn.

But, beware, new Mercedes vans are being rolled out, with the camera mounted in the rear, and possibly in future, in the front as well.

Other types of van may be used, but I believe at the moment only Mercedes is being used.

Currently in Queensland you have to be more than 10 km/h over the posted limit to activate the camera, that may change in the future though, you've been warned.

Cheers,

gh

[Tonner]

OK, lots of rumours etc. so here are the facts......

The Gatso 24 can get you coming or going, the flash "should" be used at all times in Queensland, sometimes it is not, but rarely.

In oncoming mode, at night, the target vehicles must not be in the first lane, so, across a lane is OK for approaching at night. This means that the near lane will be in receding mode.

The current landcruiser etc. based cameras are permanently mounted in the place of the front passenger seat, and only shoot out the windscreen, aimed across the vehicle towards the driver side.....you can work that out.

The operator sits in the rear seat during deployment, sometimes with curtains and shades drawn.

But, beware, new Mercedes vans are being rolled out, with the camera mounted in the rear, and possibly in future, in the front as well.

Other types of van may be used, but I believe at the moment only Mercedes is being used.

Currently in Queensland you have to be more than 10 km/h over the posted limit to activate the camera, that may change in the future though, you've been warned.

Cheers,


gh
So defienitly 10 k ? I was led to believe 6 in 100, wow what am I worried about then,, my factory speedo reads 106 or a tad under when Im really only doing exactly 100. So keep her under 116 and Im cool then,,, Nah wont risk it lol.

[`redoctober]

You should try living in Victoria - the Camera State (it's written on our number plates, i swear!)

Front or Back, Night or Day. Infra-Red camera's on just about everything. I rarely even see the old blue telltale flashbox anymore. We don't even get warning signs - we just have to keep our eye's open for stupid colour clean rodeo's parked on the side of roads, or station wagon's with cages in the back parked on the side of roads, or Mr. Plod in front, behind, beside, above, or parked on the side of roads. I'm sure you get the picture. We also have camera's on all but one of the major freeway's, 3 of them in our sub-city 2km tunnel in one direction, and another one the other direction, and in our red light camera's. (Question for Victorians: Does anyone know if a Sergent Ron Ritchie really actually exists in real life?)

Trust me, you guy's up north have it easy!

That being said, hope you didn't get pinged!
It's sickening the amount of camera's there are here, I've seen them on EVERYTHING, every single car brand, age, model and colour you can think of. Bloody sneaky bastards.

[AndrewW]

OK, lots of rumours etc. so here are the facts......

The Gatso 24 can get you coming or going, the flash "should" be used at all times in Queensland, sometimes it is not, but rarely.

In oncoming mode, at night, the target vehicles must not be in the first lane, so, across a lane is OK for approaching at night. This means that the near lane will be in receding mode.

The current landcruiser etc. based cameras are permanently mounted in the place of the front passenger seat, and only shoot out the windscreen, aimed across the vehicle towards the driver side.....you can work that out.

The operator sits in the rear seat during deployment, sometimes with curtains and shades drawn.

But, beware, new Mercedes vans are being rolled out, with the camera mounted in the rear, and possibly in future, in the front as well.

Other types of van may be used, but I believe at the moment only Mercedes is being used.

Currently in Queensland you have to be more than 10 km/h over the posted limit to activate the camera, that may change in the future though, you've been warned.

Cheers,

gh

Thanks for the info.

What suprised me was that he was parked on the right hand side of the road, and facing the oncoming traffic.

I was in the right hand lane (closest to him) which is bad, but then I didn't see a flash so maybe thats good.

Interesting news on the 10K over to trigger the flash, I wonder how accurate the digital speedo on the VE is, I'm pretty sure when I glanced down it was reading 107.

Andrew.

[GHZ28]

Thanks for the info.

What suprised me was that he was parked on the right hand side of the road, and facing the oncoming traffic.

I take it then this was before dark, and means he was targeting approaching vehicles, front on.

I was in the right hand lane (closest to him) which is bad, but then I didn't see a flash so maybe thats good.

In the close lane, you will definitely see the flash, and it will be all up close and personal......lol It would trigger about 15m before the camera vehicle so you won't miss it.

Interesting news on the 10K over to trigger the flash, I wonder how accurate the digital speedo on the VE is, I'm pretty sure when I glanced down it was reading 107.

Yes presently the trigger point is 11 km/h over the posted limit, but may change in time in line with the 10% plus 1 thinking in most other states. 11 km/h is 18% in a 60 zone, so a big margin in anyone's language. Remember this could change at any time without warning, so without becoming a speedo watcher as one needs to be in Victoria, keep the cruise control set at the limit, and those little excursions above it over crests etc will not be a problem. It also allows you a "reasonable" margin for safe overtaking on highways. Just my opinion of course..... ;)

gh