Time based speed traps in Cape Town.

[Shake&Bake]

Got an e-mail and it may be viral, but I've actually seen the installation of whatever it is;

New cameras have recently been installed under the Kromboom and Wetton Rd
bridges crossing the M5. These are based on a time calculation needed to
move from the one bridge to the other, based on the max. permissable
speed. Should you beat this time, you would be perceived as having
exceeded the speed limit and a fine will be posted to you. This is to
combat drivers slowing down at the places where cameras are mounted and
then accelerating to over the speed limit thereafter. So be warned!!!

What I'm interested in knowing is; Where can I find the by-law or whatever it is, that instituted this form of trapping and if it was gazetted or needed to be.

Anyone care to help me out on this one?
Google not helping me out.

 

[Gadget Man]

It's called average speed trapping. There was a trial here in KZN on the N3 a while ago and now it is in force.

They basically have a couple of points along the road, say points A, B, C and D. They can measure your average speed between any two points, e.g. A-B, B-C, A-C, C-D, A-D, B-D etc. If on the average speed you exceed the speed limit, it stands to reason that any any one point along that path, you were over the speed limit.

It's all automated with number plate recognition and a computer works it all out.

Here in KZN there is zero tolerance on this system, so the 10% instantaneous speed allowance does not apply.

Together with the demerits, it may just change the driving culture.

 

[francoislr]

They will be able to do the same in Gauteng next year technically with the new tolling system.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

@Shake&Bake Contact your local DA councillor if you have any questions. Personally I'm glad they have done it and they should take a more zero-tolerance approach in Slapstad.

 

[mcryan]

Here in KZN there is zero tolerance on this system, so the 10% instantaneous speed allowance does not apply.

By that you mean if I get caught doing 121kms per hour in a 120km zone I will get a fine, rather than the traditional 132kms per hour?

 

[Riot2]

there has to be some leeway - around 10% is appropriate for the following reasons
1) sometimes its necessary to exceed the speed limit, to avoid dying
2) car spedometers are not 100% accurate

 

[Dean]

there has to be some leeway - around 10% is appropriate for the following reasons
1) sometimes its necessary to exceed the speed limit, to avoid dying
2) car spedometers are not 100% accurate

I agree - people have been sending these emails around stating that the leeway is falling away, yet when one reads the actual table detailing the relevent percentage speed over the limit and fine value, it only shows > 10%

Has anyone here ever received a fine for a speed < 10% over the speed limit?

 

[Shake&Bake]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Yeah, I know about the technology and it's purpose.
I was just interested in knowing if the City of Cape Town had made any announcement on the system.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

there has to be some leeway - around 10% is appropriate for the following reasons
1) sometimes its necessary to exceed the speed limit, to avoid dying

True but that is why they only fine at > 132km/h and not 125km/h

2) car spedometers are not 100% accurate

Thats no excuse to speed. So my brakes are not 100% effective and this allows me to plough into other vehicles. The tread on my tyres is not 100% legit so it allows me to jump red robots as the sudden breaking would cause the car to skid uncontrollably.

 

[Paul_S]

2) car spedometers are not 100% accurate

Car speedometers over read so that's not a valid point.
Most manufacturers make the speedometers over read by at least 5% (typically 7%) so if you're driving at an indicated speed of 120km/h you're actually only doing 114km/h with a 5% margin.
At 7% you're doing 111km/h when your speedometer indicates 120km/h.
Plenty of leeway ...

 

[Hogrod]

I don't believe these are average speed trap cams. They are probably traffic congestion monitoring cameras. The reason I say that is because speed cameras have to be higly visible, and in Cape Town you'll notice fixed cameras are painted yellow. These little cameras don't look sophisticated enough to do the job, and look more like camera's used for monitoring rather than recording infringements.

They could just be traffic monitoring cams for the new TomTom/Garmin traffic alert GPS system.

 

[ToxicBunny]

As far as I know, even in KZN the averaging speed traps still have the 10% allowance....

 

[Fazda]

As far as I know, even in KZN the averaging speed traps still have the 10% allowance....

I think you are correct, but I still keep my speed cruise at exactly 100 (On my GPS) just in case they don't.

Beating the 132 limit will mean that the average car is indicating over 140....I don't think you can try and blame an incorrect speedo....ever...

 

[Jonny Two Shoes]

On the same token I wish they would impose a minimum speed limit in the fast lane and fine for that too but I agree with speed limits and don't really care if I know where the camera is or not.

 

[Nanfeishen]

What I'm interested in knowing is; Where can I find the by-law or whatever it is, that instituted this form of trapping and if it was gazetted or needed to be.

Anyone care to help me out on this one?
Google not helping me out.

Found this article from over a year ago that states these zones will be sign posted.

AFAIK, any place where speed monitoring is done by camera, it must be sign posted

“When you enter that zone you will see signs that will say your average speed will be tracked throughout this period. There’s no secret about it. We’re not trying to catch people, we’re trying to get them to drive below the speed limit. We think that that will have an enormous impact in bringing down death as a result of speeding.”

http://www.ewn.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=25310

 

[Voicy]

i'm all for the average speed trapping system, but it doesn't really cater for the taxi that drives past you at 160km, then pulls off the road 50m later to pick up another 20 passengers and then speeds past you again.

 

[Shake&Bake]

I don't believe these are average speed trap cams. They are probably traffic congestion monitoring cameras. The reason I say that is because speed cameras have to be higly visible, and in Cape Town you'll notice fixed cameras are painted yellow. These little cameras don't look sophisticated enough to do the job, and look more like camera's used for monitoring rather than recording infringements.

They could just be traffic monitoring cams for the new TomTom/Garmin traffic alert GPS system.

That's what I initially thought when I saw them installing the stuff.

Found this article from over a year ago that states these zones will be sign posted.

AFAIK, any place where speed monitoring is done by camera, it must be sign posted


http://www.ewn.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=25310

+1 and thanks for the article.
That is my understanding of the method as well - in the UK for example, it's quite clearly marked.

 

[Pitbull]

That's what I initially thought when I saw them installing the stuff.




+1 and thanks for the article.
That is my understanding of the method as well - in the UK for example, it's quite clearly marked.

In the UK they try and save lifes by detering speeding with visible speed camers. In SA they do the oposite as lifes mean nothing to them, they want to hit coin out of it.

Did you guys know in Japan, you actually get boards indicating that there is a speed camera in 500m then 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m as you approach the camera.

 

[UnUnOctium]

In the UK they try and save lifes by detering speeding with visible speed camers. In SA they do the oposite as lifes mean nothing to them, they want to hit coin out of it.

Truth.

Anyone got photos of these cameras on the M5?

 

[AfricanTech]

Traffic person on Cape Talk confirmed that these were in Pilot Phase - will be switched live sometime next year.