Motorists who brake to avoid getting caught in stationary speed traps won't have the same leeway with a new handheld device, which gives traffic officers the power to trap up to several hundred metres from where they are standing.
And, while stationary speed traps mean fines will arrive in the mail, the new system will allow traffic officials to immediately stop and issue summons, and in some cases even arrest offenders.
Launched on Thursday, the Prolaser 3 speed cameras were hailed by Community Safety MEC Lennit Max as an attempt to "go back to basics".
An older version of these cameras have been used to police Cape Town's roads in the past.
At a cost of R95 000 each, the 12 cameras, bought recently by provincial authorities, are able to monitor speeds from a distance of 1km.
The cameras are mounted on tripods, but must be operated by an officer.
But provincial traffic chief Kenny Africa said traffic officers trained to use the cameras were legally allowed to capture speeds from only 400m for the purposes of fines.
The mobile cameras will be used on provincial and national roads, and the National Prosecuting Authority has also authorised the use of the cameras to capture speeding motorcycles from the rear. All other vehicles must be caught on camera as they approach.
The new system will ensure that one officer will man the camera while another will assist the camera operator in flagging down vehicles caught speeding.
Should the offending motorist refuse to stop, the second officer is entitled to pursue the vehicle or contact radio control, who will rope in officers or police officers to halt the driver.
During a display of the system yesterday, two truck drivers were stopped within 10 minutes of one another.
Both were issued with a summons and a spot fine of R500 and R600 respectively.
Max was quick to assure motorists that the new system was not a money-making exercise.
The Justice Project South Africa, an NGO formed to root out power abuse in law enforcement, welcomed the initiative
Spokesman Dennis Jackson, said: "We condone it if traffic cops are stopping people and issuing fines as this will help reduce road deaths, and will allow the motorist to check the cameras when they are stopped to ensure they are functional and have been serviced."
The cameras, which can capture images at night, are calibrated every six months at a cost of about R3 000.
In addition to reducing the road fatality rate, authorities hope the hi-tech gadget, which also has a recording facility, will curb motor vehicle theft and help officers clamp down on motorists using cloned registration plates.
Africa said the gadget could record the offence and any interaction between officials and drivers who were stopped after being trapped. This footage could be used in court.
"We've never had any problems with the Prolaser camera in the past, and have never lost a case due to the use of camera," he said.
The NPA insists that officers who operate speed cameras must be visible to drivers - this means that the cameras and the officers must be in plain sight rather than concealed behind trees or bushes.
