Last Auto news - Mobile cams to see in dark

Last Auto news - Mobile cams to see in dark Latest speed traps equipped with night-vision technology, while speed limit shake-up will bring locator chaos

Camera cops will soon be able to see in the dark - as the latest speed trap technology arms them with night-vision goggles! Until now, police have been restricted to daylight hours if they want to snare drivers with mobile traps.

But the latest kit will leave speeding motorists with nowhere to hide, as it comes equipped with infra-red laser technology, allowing officers to work in pitch black conditions, too. One such device is the new Kustom LASERwitness from Middlesex-based camera maker Truvelo. This mobile trap - which is currently awaiting Home Office approval - can not only identify a car’s number plate from up to 100 metres at night, it can also measure its speed from a distance of up to 1,800m.

There’s even a digital video recorder to capture and track the driver’s movements. A spokesman for Truvelo told us: “Until now, safety camera partnerships have been unable to carry out laser enforcement at night, but this infra-red technology means they now can.”

Auto Express has learned there will be even more traffic police available to carry out roadside speed detection, too. Traffic technology experts at Siemens have revealed the latest digital traps - such as the new MultaRadar S780 - can be controlled and updated off-site. “That frees police to do more mobile camera work,” explained a spokesman.

Meanwhile, there was further bad news for motorists who rely on their satnav set-ups to warn them of accident blackspots. The biggest overhaul of Britain’s speed limits to date could leave millions of motorists at risk of losing their licence.

Not only is the Government planning to leave ambiguous national speed limit signage up on new 50mph roads (as we revealed in Issue 1,055), but drivers could be relying on out-of-date trap alerts on their sat-navs, claims one road map specialist.

RoadPilot chief James Flynn warned: “Users of devices with a speed camera alert function are at risk if they don’t update their units regularly. With an increasing number and variety of roadside cameras, plus harsher penalties, the pressure on drivers to constantly monitor their speed is intensifying.”

The Department for Transport plans to cut road deaths by reducing maximum speeds to 20mph around residential areas and schools, and 50mph on all but the safest single-carriageway A-roads. If that happens, two-thirds of the UK’s safety camera network - around 3,500 units - would need to be recalibrated.

Local councils, which have the final decision on changes to limits, will complete their reviews of 60mph restrictions by 2011.