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I'm curious about the context of the $13,000 price tag. Is this a slight upcharge? Or an order of magnitude? I'm what the Brits might call a "keen motorist", b
by rconti 6y ago
I'm curious about the context of the $13,000 price tag. Is this a slight upcharge? Or an order of magnitude?
I'm what the Brits might call a "keen motorist", but as someone who considers speed enforcement a necessary evil, there's a world of difference between paying a bit more for much better tech, versus way more. If this costs 4x what a normal radar gun costs, one must ask "what is the problem we're solving", and is it worth the money? Are there renegades out there going double the speed limit, then magically slowing to below the limit 1/2mi from a radar gun, somehow?
I'm certainly happier with the idea of an officer-operated speed camera than one parked by the side of the road with no discretion whatsoever.
Of course, there are plenty of people who rightfully point out that discretion can mean discrimination.
- xnyan 6y agoIf it were just the features (time of flight and image recognition), probably not 13k. I’m not an expert in police gear, but there are likely performance standards that the manufacturer has to prove so that the readings can stand up in court. That plus the durability required and range of operating conditions it has to perform in, and the fact that it’s a fault niche device will increase the cost. 13k still might be too high, but I wonder if an autoblog knows what a police department actually pays for it.
- spoonjim 6y agoThe point of distributing this technology is to make every motorist feel that nowhere is "safe" for them to speed. It doesn't matter if there are no cops around, their beams can get you and fine you, and hopefully that keeps people at safe driving speeds.
- dazc 6y agoYet it's well known many UK motoways have speed cameras at regular distances as well as average speed cameras in many places, and there are still huge numbers of people caught by them?
- rconti 6y agoMy first time driving in the UK, I had just come from Iceland where there is a sign before every speed camera. I slowed down for all the signs in the UK, before realizing nobody else did. It seems it's typical these things only catch "foreigners" who don't know the area or its customs.
- forest_dweller 6y agoDriving in the UK is stressful enough. If I've driven down the motorway for long periods I am normally wondering if I've got a ticket because of the variable speed limits. I have no intention of breaking the speed limit, but I honestly don't know if I had because the speed limit in some places can be changing all the time. Great so I have more things to worry about when I drive to work. Brilliant. Most of the drivers that drive at extreme speeds are usually very rich (they are always driving Mercs, Range Rovers, Audis and BMWs) and don't typically give a toss about the fine or the points. Also there are many people (usually immigrants) who drive without a valid license and insurance.
- rconti 6y agoSeems to be working as well as the war on drugs.
- timc3 6y agoThey will make it back in fines. Unfortunately some Police in some areas seem addicted to the revenue. Its a drop in the ocean.
- alkonaut 6y agoIf police departments have any kickback from fines, that’s a massive organizational mistake. It creates crazy incentives to maximize fines instead of reducing crime. I thought only the US had made that mistake.
- Ekaros 6y agoIs the 13k purchase cost or life time cost? For life-time cost it doesn't sound too bad, considering maintenance and yearly or more certifications.
- Tade0 6y agoThose things often pay for themselves. There's a so-called "superradar" at one of the most busy intersections in Warsaw. It cost ~$65k and brought ~$200k in revenue in three weeks. It's much safer now there, but the radar is still raking in considerable revenue.
- Traster 6y agoIt's practically certain the major cost of a handheld speed camera is employing a hand. It doesn't have to be a lot more reliable/efficient to easily make up for the cost.