Beware drivers! Police watching you mile away
February 2nd, 2012 - 11:31 pm ICT by IANSLondon, Feb 2 (IANS) Police have unveiled a laser speed camera that can tell if drivers are using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt from nearly half a mile away, the Daily Mail reported Thursday.
Officers say it will help in their zero-tolerance approach to motoring offences.
But critics say Dorset police are using the equipment to “maximise the number of offences” simply to raise funds.
The 12,500-pound Concept II is fitted with laser speed-detection equipment and a powerful camera that can capture motorists in the “act” of using a mobile phone while driving or not wearing a seat belt.
The resolution is sharp enough to pick out an unbuckled belt at ranges of up to 600 metres and records image and video evidence to DVD, the newspaper said.
Project manager Brian Austin said: “Bizarrely, officers at one of the sites in Dorchester were stunned to see a driver pass them while playing a harmonica using both hands.
“He claimed that he thought he was driving while playing the harmonica quite successfully.”
Officers will be able to use the pictures as evidence to secure a conviction.
- Brit drivers 'risking life by using Twitter, Facebook while driving' - Mar 20, 2011
- Now a camera to check multiple traffic violations - Nov 04, 2010
- 22pc of drivers don't wear seatbelts: UK study - Jun 29, 2010
- This speed camera can snap you for other offences too - Nov 03, 2010
- Anxiety, depression accounts for risky driving - May 18, 2011
- Mobiles, music, lipstick putting motorists lives at risk - Jul 19, 2011
- 'Intelligent co-pilot' makes driving safer - Jul 15, 2012
- Kids who self-unbuckle at high risk for serious injuries - May 02, 2011
- 171,000 Britons caught using phones while driving - Dec 30, 2011
- Now, a car that can be controlled by driver's thoughts! - Feb 22, 2011
- Australia to call blanket ban on all mobile phone in vehicles - Feb 07, 2011
- New device, application tells drivers when they are too tired to drive - Aug 06, 2010
- A Briton fined every 3 minutes for using phone while driving - Dec 12, 2011
- Parents 'pass on road-rage habits' - Mar 14, 2011
- Queen caught driving without seat belt - Jun 14, 2010
Tags: conviction, daily mail, dorset police, feb 2, half a mile, london feb, mobile phone, motoring offences, motorists, playing the harmonica, seat belt, speed camera, speed detection, video evidence, wearing a seatbelt, zero tolerance