SPECS (speed camera)

SPECS is a speed camera system manufactured by the British company Speed Check Services Limited, from which it takes its name (Speed Check Services).

About SPECS cameras

The cameras operate as two or more sets along a fixed route that can be from Convert|200|m|ft to Convert|10|km|mi in length.cite press release
author =
title = SPECS - At a glance
date = 2005-03-15
publisher= [http://www.speedcheck.co.uk Speed Check Services Limited]
url =http://www.speedcheck.co.uk/pdf/05_03_11press_sheet.pdf
format = PDF
accessdate = 2007-04-19] They work by recording a vehicle's number plate at each fixed camera site, using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology. As the distance is known between these sites, the average speed can be calculated by dividing this by the time taken to travel between two points. [cite web|publisher=Home Office|date=2006-04-20|accessdate=2008-07-23|url=http://scienceandresearch.homeoffice.gov.uk/hosdb/publications/road-policing-publications/AutoDistanceTimeSpeedmeters0206?view=Binary|title=A Guide to Type-Approval Procedures for Automatic Distance/Time Speedmeters used for Road Traffic Law Enforcement in Great Britain|] The cameras use infrared photography, allowing them to operate both day and night.

There is a popular misconception that the Home Office has approved the SPECS system for single-lane use only. According to this theory, a motorist can therefore switch lanes between cameras and claim non-approval to avoid prosecution for speeding. [cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-410539/Drivers-avoid-speeding-tickets--changing-lanes.html|title=Drivers can avoid speeding tickets...by changing lanes|date=December 15, 2006|accessdate=2008-06-11|author=Ray Massey|publisher=Mail Online] However the marketing director of the manufacturer, Speedcheck Services Ltd, has stated that this theory is "categorically untrue": [cite news|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/21/speed_camera_myth/|title=Jeremy Clarkson tilts at windmills: Speed camera avoidance is an urban myth|author=John Ozimek|date=2008-07-21|publisher=The Register|accessdate=2008-07-23] cquote|Until recently, the only HOTA available applied to cars maintaining their lanes. However a new test schedule was carried out last year, which means that average speed checking can be applied even where cars change lanes.

The cameras are often painted yellow and been given the nickname "yellow vultures".Fact|date=June 2008 In February 2007 a letter bomb exploded at the accountants of Speed Check Services Limited in what was believed to be an attack on organisations related to DNA testing and road transport. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/6334693.stm|title=Two hurt in 'mail bomb' explosion|publisher=BBC News|date=February 6, 2007|accessdate=2008-06-11]

Similar systems in other countries

Similar systems are being used in other countries:
* "Trajectcontrole" (The Netherlands, First country to use "fixed average speed check")
* "Abschnittskontrolle" (Austria)
* "Tutor" (Italy)
* Safe-T-Cam (Australia)

ee also

* Safety Camera Partnership
* Road safety camera

References

External links

* [http://www.speedcheck.co.uk Speed Check Services] official website