Roadblock and speed trap warnings using tech

xrapidx said:
You could argue a speed trap around a bend on a downhill in a 60 zone isn't justice :D
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LancelotSA said:
...improved... ;)
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I was talking about the hill going down into Hout Bay :) the copper actually traps there, with the cam on a tripod - except one leg of said tripod is missing - and he balances it on his leg.

I've gotten three fines from him - haven't paid one - he's constantly in the local newspaper in Houtbay... (trying to see if I can find the articles online).
 
if it's illegal or not is besides the point and people will keep on doing it. it's just strange that there is still so many minibus taxis going.....
 
If the pigs setup visible cameras then who's gonna speed? Hidden cameras are there to make money since the offenders don't slow down.
 
Keeper said:
Ok, so your car gets stolen.

2 days later they drive on a road with a roadblock - they were supposed to get caught as the car is reported stolen....but now they don't because they AVOIDED the roadblock - a get out of jail free card.

do you really want them to have access to this kind of information?

...and that's not even talking about keeping the drunk drivers on the road for longer, as they too know where NOT to drive.

what's next, sms'ing drug dealers when the cops plan on raiding them?


we might as well put up signs in the road displaying "Roadblock 3km ahead, hijackers turn around now" :wtf:
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Here's a solution to your problem: Insure your car :)

Easy, ain't it?
 
i don't have an issue of any kind of warning system which ultimately prevents people from driving over the speed limit. it's better than catching them when the horse has already bolted.

if it's illegal to drive over 120, why don't we have speed limiters on all vehicles manufactured? i never got that part.

i agree that roadblocks are a different story though.
 
Dean said:
I use Trapster on my phone - the app is amazing. With GPS enabled, one gets live voice alerts whenever one gets near a camera/usual hiding spot/roadblock
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I am blown away by trapster!!!

I downloaded it last night and have used it all day. I saw a roadblock on Katherine in Sandton uploaded and saw someone else had already marked it and I just confirmed.

The success of this only works if lots of people are involved, hence community. But it is a great idea for long trips where you have people marking where traps are for that day.

Fantastic stuff and better than the Garmin/Tom Tom POI as it is updated constantly!
 
Keeper said:
we might as well put up signs in the road displaying "Roadblock 3km ahead, hijackers turn around now" :wtf:
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We should then we would not be stuck in traffic.
The reality is roadblock success is low for crimes eg drugs, theft etc as the searches do not take place. They are effective for collecting funds as they do the id vs fines check.

The flashing lights story is bulldust as the judge through it out of court as they could not prove that the person was flashing due to traffic cops and they could not prove that the other was speeding. Judge said should I ban speed camera signs as they warn motorists of cameras?
 
J0n0 said:
If you obey the law why would you need warning against roadblocks and camera's?
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I'd rather not waste my time waiting to get through one. And those idiots love to set them up on busy roads at peak times.

gregmcc said:
Fixed camera's don't reduce speeding. Everyone knows where they are anyway.
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They do exactly what they should do, cause people to slow down at that point. Placed correctly at real high accident locations they serve a very useful purpose. Mobile cameras on the other hand don't provide real immediate increases in safety.
 
murraybiscuit said:
i don't have an issue of any kind of warning system which ultimately prevents people from driving over the speed limit. it's better than catching them when the horse has already bolted.

if it's illegal to drive over 120, why don't we have speed limiters on all vehicles manufactured? i never got that part.

i agree that roadblocks are a different story though.
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What happens if you need to accelerate to over take someone going 110?

Or if you need to accelerate to avoid an accident?
 
How much would this get used by dangerously drunk people or average criminals? The latter in particular seem to mostly be amazingly stupid.

Keeper said:
what's next, sms'ing drug dealers when the cops plan on raiding them?
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Sounds like a good idea. Even better if they can lay traps for the narcs.
 
Trapster and the SMS service worked like a charm tonight. There is a mini road block on Main road Bryanston. I got SMS notification while having dinner and forgot about it when it was time to leave. While driving with trapster on, my cell informed me there was a road block 1km ahead. So I changed roads to not waste my time with that drama. I went down the opposite direction.
Just to confirm there was one and wallah there they were.

So to all the motorists that do not know what is around the corner, get yourself trapster and the sms tool (forgot the name) and be informed.
 
I've read both sides of the argument, and both make valid points (some more valid than others, but this on the for and against sides).

I was just trapped about 3 hours ago. Same spot, almost the same speed as last time.

First time it was a copper who saw me speeding past his trap the day before. I'm on a bike so no plates on the front and he could not get me. The following day he sat trapping from the back so he got me doing 93 in a 60 zone. R500 fine.

Today I had a huge 4x4 on my a$$ so hauled it till he was lost in the dust and but as soon as I started slowing down I saw a cop step out of the bushes to stop me. the 4x4 douche however saw this and slowed down and got away. Another R500 for me.

Its a sucky gentle bend with a 60km/h limit. Most people get trapped increasing speed as they are swerving left to hit the freeway. the others because the road before this bend has 3 or 4 wide lanes and in my opinion should be zoned 80km/h.

I still would've gotten the fine then though.

Anyway I'm miffed that I got caught and I hate cameras when I get caught. I don't think the fact that speed cameras, permanently mounted or manually operated, are a bad idea. If you get trapped and learn your lesson, you'll slow down for a bit (that happened to me) If you see it before you get caught, you'll slow down for a bit too. That is kinda the aim (in theory) to slow drivers down.

The crappy part is the manner in which they are utilized (as stated before). Don't have like 10 cops trapping "around a gentle bend on a downhill on a dual carriageway 300m into a 60 zone, which is down from 100" (thanks LancelotSA). Rather trap on more dangerous roads where speeding occurs. I won't say don't trap on the bend I keep getting caught at all because I don't have stats or info on how dangerous that bend is (in my personal opinion, and I ride that road to work 6 days a week, its not dangerous at all and is seen as a cash cow).

I'll admit speeding is a no-no, although most people do it a little bit sometimes. Drunk driving I would not condone at all though.

The service offering notification of speed traps (the permanently mounted cameras) I'm ok with, not everybody will be but I can live with that.

I don't like the one about notifying of roadblocks though as many criminals get caught this way (I'm talking about the ones with outstanding warrants not relating to traffic offences), e.g. hijackers, murders, etc. Ones with warrants relating to traffics get caught by these too but I haven't formed an opinion on this yet.

Flame me thats ok, but just make valid points ;)
 
The service is there to use for people who WANT to use it, just like any other service in this world. Simple as that. No need for all the bashing.
 
J0n0 said:
If you obey the law why would you need warning against roadblocks and camera's? I hate drunk drivers and more so those morons who speed on the roads.
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I'm against drunk drivers and car jackers too but why should it be illegal to report what public servants (cops) are doing on public land (roads)?
 
and a city golf at 60 is safer then a focus ST at 70 ;)
 
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