QLD: Covert cameras for easter

[GS608]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/f...-1225847175642

ANYTIME, anywhere. And you won't even know you've been caught until it's too late.

Covert speed cameras will be deployed on Queensland roads for the first time from Thursday, coinciding with the traditional Easter holiday break.

Descriptions of the three unmarked vehicles containing the hidden cameras are such closely guarded secrets that not even the Police Minister knows what they look like.

The only clue authorities are releasing today is that they could be any make or model, rather than from the well-known fleet of 40 speed-camera vans and 4WDs.

Two unmarked police motorcycles will also join the war on speed, with officers dressed as normal riders to catch unsuspecting motorists.

Police Minister Neil Roberts last night told The Courier-Mail that chances of being unwittingly caught would be a "powerful motivator" for motorists to slow down.

"There is clear evidence which shows that increasing the chance and uncertainty of detection is a powerful motivator in changing people's driving habits," he said. "With covert speed cameras now on the roads, motorists will need to consider whether a vehicle parked on the side of the road is fitted with a speed camera."

Mr Roberts said even he hadn't been briefed on what the vehicles looked liked.

"I haven't even seen them and I don't want to, to be honest with you," he said.

The roll-out of covert speed cameras is a significant shift in policy direction for the State Government as it desperately tries to reduce the road toll.

While police have long deployed hand-held speed guns, motorists are warned about fixed speed cameras while the vans and 4WD fleet are clearly identifiable.

There have been 36 fewer deaths on Queensland roads compared with this time last year, however, the two-week Easter period usually heralds an increase in fatalities.

The three covert cameras will be placed around the southeast, with more units to come for the rest of the state.

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said the covert units account for up to 30 per cent of mobile speed cameras.

"The use of covert cameras is about saving lives and we make no apology for using whatever tool is available to prevent trauma on our roads."

we're pretty much screwed now, seems to be going the way of VIC

I have just found this..the cars revealed

http://www.roadsmart.com.au/articles/latest.html

3X white BA utes
3X white VZ utes
1X VW Golf

[1970XW351]

Yeah, saw this on the news a while ago... fantastic news : ... Especially sneaky with the unmarked bikes too. They won't actually pull you over so as to keep the identity of the bikes a secret, but will follow speeders and radio to nearby marked police cars to intercept.

[LightingBA]

Pfft. More like the covert cameras are about filling up the States depleted coffers. I Can't fathom how they think that the use of covert cameras is going to "prevent trauma on our roads".

[XR8GRL]

Originally Posted by LightingBA

Pfft. More like the covert cameras are about filling up the States depleted coffers. I Can't fathom how they think that the use of covert cameras is going to "prevent trauma on our roads".

They're not interested in preventing trauma on our roads, it's all about the $$$.

[rancidpunx]

Originally Posted by LightingBA

Pfft. More like the covert cameras are about filling up the States depleted coffers. I Can't fathom how they think that the use of covert cameras is going to "prevent trauma on our roads".

It wont!!!

The idiot doing 100 in a 60 zone that passes a covert camera is unaware that he/she has been flashed and continues doing 100 right up until they run out of talent and hit a tree, or worse somebody else. Lose lose situation for the muppets running the state. No fine as the speedster is quite dead and they also have another fatality to chalk up.

[csv8]

If speed cameras reduce the road toll? as cops keep saying, Why does it keep going up !!!!!!!!!!!

[Interceptor]

the cops dont support speed cameras, the politicans and moron media support them

[MO]

I really do wish ppl would read before opening mouth.....these covert units WILL NOT pull you over nor will you get a ticket in the mail. They will radio ahead to the marked units who will pull you over and give you the ticket.

Seems the dumbing down is taking affect!

[mik]

once they start that`s it they will multiply like rabbits.

[Flaming Mo]

“Two unmarked police motorcycles will also join the war on speed, with officers dressed as normal riders to catch unsuspecting motorists.”

Surely the Police Commissioner is not suggesting that in this day and age, the motoring public pull over for a normal looking dude riding a normal looking motorbike riding beside you flashing what may or may not be a badge. Who here would be wanting their wife or girlfriend pulling over for some random dude on a motorbike?

[Jim Goose]

Total waste of time these things are...

Its impersonal and its just another "bill" in the mail.
Nothing more embarressing then actually being pulled over (specially with family in the car).

It would be great if it was possible to find out if anyone was photographed by a speed camera and then has a crash withing a few mintues.

I can understand red light cameras as they provide valuable evidence during a crash, but the use of red light cameras is a waste of time. What is needed is more of a Police presenece on the road. Something which i rarely see here.

[Jim Goose]

Covert speed cameras will be deployed on Queensland roads for the first time from Thursday, coinciding with the traditional Easter holiday break.

Descriptions of the three unmarked vehicles containing the hidden cameras are such closely guarded secrets that not even the Police Minister knows what they look like.

The only clue authorities are releasing today is that they could be any make or model, rather than from the well-known fleet of 40 speed-camera vans and 4WDs.

I think this is what people are not agreeing too....

[Zed7fiddy]

The unmarked bikes are well know in the bikers circles, They seem to be using Triumph Speed Triples and Gixxers, but basically steer clear of anything with a fender eliminator haha

[GS608]

Originally Posted by 67-FKD

They seem to be using Triumph Speed Triples and Gixxers

just above mate, i've also heard of a few R1's

[Peuty]

If you don't speed you won't get caught

[fangq]

Originally Posted by Peuty

If you don't speed you won't get caught

For exceeding the speed limit. There is more to safe driving than that imo
Steve

[UNR8D]

If you don't speed you won't get caught

ahh that old chestnut....

yes everything in life is black and white

[plumby]

yeah i would like to find out wat bikes they will be using though

[Peuty]

I've only seen the gixxers

[Cam]

I drive on the speed limit, 99% of the time, if i get done speeding by an unmarked car, then so be it! I did the crime...I drive to Hervey bay from brissy a bit, and there is a section of 90 where the speed is too low for the roads, and because of that I am more inclined to do say 95, whilst there are signs that say "decreased speed, increased police presence"...
I recall the old pacific motorway was 100km, with 1 lane each way, now its 3 lanes each way, with a traffic island in between, with better surfaces, and straighter roads, and its still 100k, yet they put speed cameras on these sections to make the roads safer????

What I do have a problem with is cameras placed in areas where for instance you come over a hill and the speed goes from 100 to 60, that does not do anything to reduce the road toll, that's just revenue raising! If I hit one of those 60km/h limits with a truck up my clacker, and hit the brakes and slowed to 60 I'd have more chance of being killed then if i was doing 100 through the small town with a 60km/h limit..
If it was a "black spot" that was a safety issue then the speed would be lowered before the black spot to ensure that when the "black spot" is reached people would already doing a safe speed..

Covert Cameras wont lower the road toll, out of all the people killed on the roads the people speeding are a low %, the government knows this... But the real cause is an entirely different thread..

[.bazz.]

somebody sent me this photo taken this morning near daisy hill service rd logan city, the guy inside was in plain clothes, camera lens is behind canopy rear window and flash light is down next to the number plate

[GS608]

Volkswagen Golf TDi Speed Camera
April 2, 2010, 7:14pm by pX
Volkswagen Golf TDi Speed Camera Spotted

As the Easter long weekend begins, so does the new fleet of unmarked speed camera vehicles across Queensland Roads. One of those vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf TDi was seen late this afternoon on Narangba Road, Nargaba on Brisbane's northside, flashing furiously as unsuspecting speeding motorists passed the new unmarked speed camera vehicle.

It is the toughest measure yet taken by the Queensland Police to crack down on speeding drivers and they hope that these covert vehicles will reinforce the message that if you speed, you will be caught.

http://www.roadsmart.com.au/articles/latest.html

[DJM83]

I dont pay enough tax anyway. What a crock

[GS608]

and another up on Bonogin road in Mudgeeraba

[Wally]

Current model Blue/Grey Corolla on Centenary Freeway @ Figtree Pocket.

[samftr]

that commo ute was used on stafford road on saturday I think maybe friday.

[Burnout]

The VW was down by the river at Ipswich yesterday.

[EDManual]

How far out from the camera do they get you I wonder? 10 metres perhaps?