3 ms·

Average Speed traps work great. I used to hate those in the UK. With all the toll roads in the USA I'm surprised it hasn't been done already. Eg on the intersta

by rr888 4y ago

Average Speed traps work great. I used to hate those in the UK. With all the toll roads in the USA I'm surprised it hasn't been done already. Eg on the interstate for an hour or two, sensors can tell when you entered and exited & average speed.

lostdog 4y ago
Is there any change in accident rates, or any other metric that would suggest that these are worthwhile?
- yread 4y ago
  from anecdotal experience these stretches become the most boring. And boring is good
  - karamanolev 4y ago
    Basically all of my accidents were caused by boredom and losing attention, not by speeding, losing control in corners, etc. It's a complicated topic with a lot of variables, but those are my 2c.
    - smileysteve 4y ago
      One could also draw the conclusion that none of your accidents resulted in fatalities.
    - DwnVoteHoneyPot 4y ago
      I always say if you can text and drive at the same time, it's because you're not driving fast enough!
- whynotmaybe 4y ago
  According to these studies, section speed cameras can reduce the number of accidents by 30% on average, compared to 20% for conventional speed cameras. Even better: section speed cameras reduce the number of serious accidents by 56%! Better, the study highlighted a "contagion" effect: the average speed also dropped in the areas located before and after the controlled section. Finally, the speed seems to have become more homogeneous, and the band changes less frequent in the studied area. https://www.touring.be/fr/articles/radars-troncons-et-securite-routiere-mythe-ou-realite https://www.touring.be/fr/articles/radars-troncons-et-securi... (in french)
bluGill 4y ago
Most roads in the US are not toll roads. Where there are toll roads there are generally places to exit without counting as leaving - McDonald's often has a drive thru right on the toll road so you can stop for coffee and get right back on without dealing with the tolls. I've also seen gas stations on a toll road. These things are enough that for a significant number of people their average speed is legal despite spending most of their time on the road speeding.
- woodruffw 4y ago
  I think the UK also has non-toll exits (I think every country with a developed highway network does?). The obvious solution is just to put the cameras on the non-toll exits as well. They tend to be spaced generously on US interstates, so it probably wouldn't be a significant expense relative to the overall cost.
InCityDreams 4y ago
The few times I've driven in italy... Average speed cams from toll to toll booth would be only half the fines collected for tailgating....at high speed. Many drivers would defeat the average by blasting along at their regular 180kmh, stopping for a thimble-full of coffee that somehow takes an hour to prepare and two hours to stir three grains of sugar into and then off again to the next toll booth flashing lights at anyone in their way doing less than 200kmh - to make up for lost time. Come on Meloni - legalise cannabis and average speed cams...all bills paid and no tax hikes.

by rr888 4y ago

lostdog 4y ago

Is there any change in accident rates, or any other metric that would suggest that these are worthwhile?

yread 4y ago
from anecdotal experience these stretches become the most boring. And boring is good
- karamanolev 4y ago
  Basically all of my accidents were caused by boredom and losing attention, not by speeding, losing control in corners, etc. It's a complicated topic with a lot of variables, but those are my 2c.
  - smileysteve 4y ago
    One could also draw the conclusion that none of your accidents resulted in fatalities.
  - DwnVoteHoneyPot 4y ago
    I always say if you can text and drive at the same time, it's because you're not driving fast enough!
whynotmaybe 4y ago
According to these studies, section speed cameras can reduce the number of accidents by 30% on average, compared to 20% for conventional speed cameras. Even better: section speed cameras reduce the number of serious accidents by 56%! Better, the study highlighted a "contagion" effect: the average speed also dropped in the areas located before and after the controlled section. Finally, the speed seems to have become more homogeneous, and the band changes less frequent in the studied area. https://www.touring.be/fr/articles/radars-troncons-et-securite-routiere-mythe-ou-realite https://www.touring.be/fr/articles/radars-troncons-et-securi... (in french)

bluGill 4y ago

Most roads in the US are not toll roads. Where there are toll roads there are generally places to exit without counting as leaving - McDonald's often has a drive thru right on the toll road so you can stop for coffee and get right back on without dealing with the tolls. I've also seen gas stations on a toll road. These things are enough that for a significant number of people their average speed is legal despite spending most of their time on the road speeding.

woodruffw 4y ago
I think the UK also has non-toll exits (I think every country with a developed highway network does?). The obvious solution is just to put the cameras on the non-toll exits as well. They tend to be spaced generously on US interstates, so it probably wouldn't be a significant expense relative to the overall cost.

InCityDreams 4y ago

The few times I've driven in italy... Average speed cams from toll to toll booth would be only half the fines collected for tailgating....at high speed. Many drivers would defeat the average by blasting along at their regular 180kmh, stopping for a thimble-full of coffee that somehow takes an hour to prepare and two hours to stir three grains of sugar into and then off again to the next toll booth flashing lights at anyone in their way doing less than 200kmh - to make up for lost time. Come on Meloni - legalise cannabis and average speed cams...all bills paid and no tax hikes.