RoADAR Northeast

PanPilot · Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:23 pm Mr. Brunstrom's approach to road safety.

North Wales police have a new tool, a speed camera in a horse box.
You can see it in action here: >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OYseCC4dwY

Perhaps North Wales' mounted section have been absorbed into Traffic Division? After all, they don't have Pan Europeans anymore.... are the horses striped up, like a zebra? Where do they put the blue light (and doesn't the tail get in the way?).

Seriously, though;
A. How is this supposed to improve road safety?
B. Why is it on a nice straight, wide section of road with a broken white line, which invites a (safe) overtake?

Any comments?

Davey B · Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:19 am Re: Mr. Brunstrom's approach to road safety.

PanPilot wrote: North Wales police have a new tool, a speed camera in a horse box.
You can see it in action here: >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OYseCC4dwY

Perhaps North Wales' mounted section have been absorbed into Traffic Division? After all, they don't have Pan Europeans anymore.... are the horses striped up, like a zebra? Where do they put the blue light (and doesn't the tail get in the way?).

Seriously, though;
A. How is this supposed to improve road safety?
B. Why is it on a nice straight, wide section of road with a broken white line, which invites a (safe) overtake?

Any comments?
I'm sorry like but i have viewed the you tube video a number of times and have'nt seen anything untowards is it so obvious that i just have my "Blinkers" on or perhaps i need new glasses.

Keith · Sun Aug 03, 2008 6:53 pm

Tis a strange approach to policing but if the object of the work is to deter visitors from North Wales then I would say its working.

allym316 · Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:55 pm

Hmm we were hoping to visit Wales later this month. will have to look out for this then

PanPilot · Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:16 am Safety camera or speed trap?

In response to Davey: I am not sure whether you mean that you doubt that this is actually a speed trap, based on the video, or that it's a legit method of speed enforcement. If you're in doubt, it was reported by the BBC, too - I would presume that they would have verified it first. Try a Google search for "horse box"+"speed camera".
Assuming it does exist, it raises that old chestnut... what is its purpose, a device to improve road safety, or just to nick people, including those who briefly exceed the limit to execute a safer overtake on a clear, straight bit of road? It seems North Wales aren't the only force to be adopting the hidden camera strategy. Another had a fully dayglo-striped camera van. They have now painted it blue, scratched and battered it a bit to make it look like a builder's van. Why? (I have the photos of it, send me a p.m. with an e-mail address).

Davey B · Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:10 am

Does it really matter what device is used to support Road Safety, it is all too easy to focus on the one subject and dismiss other factors. If you view the evidence presented (by taking away the 'Horse Box' ) you may see a Different Picture. Lets have your thoughts? 8)