My Laser Experience

[BFXR6T]

I got pinned in NSW a couple of years ago where I was overtaking in a 100km/h zone when the limit went to 70km/h. I was done at 113km/h which means loss of 4 points and a loss of licence for 1 month. Not to mention a $512 fine.

I ended up taking it to court as I felt the police were too close to a speed change. The judge knew the road and said that they should not have been there. I offered to accept a ticket of 13km/h over the limit, but not the full 43km/h. I was let off and only had to pay the $60 court fee.

Also, the cops told me on the day that they were not booking anyone under 95kmh which is a 25km/h window.

[ZAP]

Something else you NSW guys might know about:  Couple of weeks ago I got a notice from RTA (fine) saying I had exceeded the speed limit on a section of the new M7, as measured by fixed photo radar.

They gave the approx. location - but I have been passed that location several times since and cannot find the sucker;  also there are none of the normal signs saying "Speed camera head, heavy fines apply, etc";  just a general sign at the start of the freeway saying "speed cameras used in NSW".

Anyone know if the signs near the camera are mandatory in NSW?

I've asked RTA for the actual coordinates of the camera (lat. / long.) so I can check out the location with my GPS>  Normally you can see them real easily (a white box on a pole) - but not this one..

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I was told they would be using average speed enforcement on the M7. They will measure the time take between toll plazas and then send you a ticket if you were speeding. I do not think it is in use yet. Also the RTA MUST have 3 signs stating a fixed camera is in use. I was told that the speed cameras used in NSW sign is for mobile speed cameras and they can be placed within 2km of the sign only.

[CountryPhoon]

Something else you NSW guys might know about:   Couple of weeks ago I got a notice from RTA (fine) saying I had exceeded the speed limit on a section of the new M7, as measured by fixed photo radar.

They gave the approx. location - but I have been passed that location several times since and cannot find the sucker;  also there are none of the normal signs saying "Speed camera head, heavy fines apply, etc";  just a general sign at the start of the freeway saying "speed cameras used in NSW".

Anyone know if the signs near the camera are mandatory in NSW?

I've asked RTA for the actual coordinates of the camera (lat. / long.) so I can check out the location with my GPS>   Normally you can see them real easily (a white box on a pole) - but not this one..

←

I was told they would be using average speed enforcement on the M7. They will measure the time take between toll plazas and then send you a ticket if you were speeding. I do not think it is in use yet. Also the RTA MUST have 3 signs stating a fixed camera is in use. I was told that the speed cameras used in NSW sign is for mobile speed cameras and they can be placed within 2km of the sign only.

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Thanks for the feedback.

Ref. "the RTA MUST have 3 signs stating a fixed camera is in use" - do you know if this requirement is written anywhere - or have you just been told??

Cheers

[ZAP]

If you check out every fixed camera, you will see 3 signs before the camera. I am sure if you search the RTA website you will find it there.

[Ford_Power]

This afternoon heading to work I saw a traffic car parked and a few cars pulled over near my job. Curiousity getting the better of me I parked up and went for a walk. Had a chat to the police officers and asked where the speed trap was, as it was apparent they were not shooting radar or laser from where they were. One of the police officers told me the speed trap was set up a little further down the road, just past the freeway off ramp. So off I go, and find the speed trap.

I jumped back in my van and drove to where the speed trap was set up. I thought, bugger it, I'll go and see if the operator will engage in a conversation and show me how it works. Sure enough, we greeted and he proceeded to show me exactly what he was doing and how it worked.

The LiDAR (it's not actually called a laser gun, it's called a Light Detection And Ranging unit) was a LTI Ultralite 20-20, setup on a tripod, clocking vehicles coming from the freeway off ramp, entering the 60km/h zone. The officer asked me if I had looked through a rifle sight, which I had, so he showed me how the lidar worked.

There is a red dot which is the target. The first buton closest to the operator on the rhs of the unit is pressed to determine the speed and distance of the target. He asked if I wanted to have a go 'targetting a few vehicles' to which I said yes. The first couple were doing between 62-70 km/h - no problems. I them saw a white Transit Van go driving by, doing more than 60 I thought, so I pointed the gun at the rear number plate, and fired. Vehicle speed, 84km/h, range 124m.

Busted  I turned the gun on the tripod so the police officer could see the speed and range readings. He called through the reading to the other officers waiting further up the road and they pulled him over. Poor barstard got done, and I caught him. I targetted a few more vehicles, shooting at the rear bumpers, number plates and rear window. Probably did this for around 5 minutes. I thanked the officer and left.

This experience had been very informative, and an opportunity which doesn't come around very often. Not everyday a cop shows you how their gear works, neither a civilian shooting a lidar unit busting people for speeding. I noticed the speed measurement is very fast, taking around 0.3 to 0.7 when setup on a tripod, making most detection methods such as laser detectors useless. The laser beam at 100m distance is only 30cm by 30cm, meaning most detectors won't detect laser anyway. Rear detection is virtually impossible with most detectors due to the targetting of the rear number plate of rear bumper. I was told the only effective defense against laser is a shifter/jammer, which are illegal to use. Hardly new news to me, as I'm converse with led and diode jammers and have seen them in use.

Next time your speeding in Perth watch out. You never know who's measured your speed.

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Just curious Jason... where was this trap set up exactly?

Cheers,

Ross

[Romulus]

Just curious Jason... where was this trap set up exactly?

Cheers,

Ross

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Near Burswood.....sorry but that's about as specific as I'll get.

[NT TURBO]

In the absence of a Sixfan comment, who cares? theres no limit on the open roads here anyway.

[Ford_Power]

Just curious Jason... where was this trap set up exactly?

Cheers,

Ross

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Near Burswood.....sorry but that's about as specific as I'll get.

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that's cool... I know the place exactly

I was just wondering if it was the same spot I have seen them...

Cheers,

Ross