Road Angel or Otherwise?

[GeriFix]

Thanks Garry ... that is one long thread! On the technical side it looks like we need an Australian Sergei. ... but I will keep reading.

[GarryF]

Wouldn't it be nice if bmw nav could have a beep when in proximity of POI's, I am correct in assuming that there's not that functionality currently in the M3 nav?......

[GeriFix]

Don't know, haven't really explored the sat nav much yet apart from a couple of direction tests and turning off the voice.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by 13eastie

They're currently legal in the U.K., but there is a Bill in Parliament in progress to outlaw them. The problem here is that most of the cameras are not detectable anyway since they do not use radar or laser (although since many of the cameras use film and require flash, they are kind enough to let you know they got you as you cruise by). GATSO cameras (as they're called) can only take 400 pictures before they run out of film, so most of the time, a particular camera will be out of action, making everything a horrible gamble. It seems that GPS and SatNav are the only reliable methods of evasion, but this requires you to drive within the speed-limit, so there is still only one winner, really.

Aparently there are more cameras trained on Brits than any other nation on Earth. The policy has changed to make them more visible. We also have video cameras that automatically read your number plate to fine you for parking, entering central London, and driving in Bus Lanes (which we even have on the Motorway). I managed to clock up £645 in fines for these between May and December last year.

"Welcome to London (KA-CHING!)".

Thanks for the good info.

Originally Posted by GarryF

Wouldn't it be nice if bmw nav could have a beep when in proximity of POI's, I am correct in assuming that there's not that functionality currently in the M3 nav?......

Even that'd be illegal in Germany...
But I think it's possible to show such POIs.

Best regards, south

[13eastie]

Originally Posted by GarryF

Long thread here with some links somewhere on how to do it, it's slightly technical but someone does it for the UK then uploads a torrent, handy if your nav is out of date too

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94031

Cheers, Garry

The specific post is here for anyone else looking for the torrent instructions. 28 seeds currently.

[Davo2003]

Here are a few tidbits for some of you.

If you get a ticket, you have more to contend with than just the radar. Most officers are certified in the operation of radar and traffic enforcement, often times referred to as specialists. They will know how to give a technical explanation of the equipment and the scientific theory under which it operates in court, such as the Doppler theory. The Doppler theory is basically this, "when a signal of a known frequency is transmitted towards an object the frequency will be returned at a rate directly proportional to the speed of the approaching object", thus allowing the radar unit to make the necessary mathematical calculations for speed. At least 90% of traffic officers can recite this in court, and when they do you are usually toast. Part of their training also includes practicing observing traffic flow, estimating vehicle speed without equipment, making detailed notes of the stop, or making notations on their copy for recollection in court using personal codes etc. And remember, the more of a dick you are the more notes he will take to be sure and convict your ass if you try to contest. In many jurisdictions the officer's technical knowledge and prior record of competency in court proceedings are known to the judge. You will have an uphill battle if you are busted. If you use your head, you won't even need a radar detector. I drove my 330i like Jeff Gordon for a year with no detector and never got pulled over. But, I know where they hide and what they look for. You do too if you think about it. Make yourself some simple rules and stick to them. If you violate the rules and get busted, don't blame the cop for doing his job. One of mine for example is NEVER speed in unfamiliar terrain, cities or towns. No brainer there. Another is NEVER go over the crest of a hill ALONE and SPEEDING, you're dead meet in that case. I can't tell you how many times I've approached a crest hauling ass and gone from whatever down to 65mph and saved my ass, or maneuvered near a big rig truck to avoid doppler. Doppler will NEVER pick you up if you are near a big truck. The truck bounces back too much signal. You could even fly by the truck and not register. Many departments still use Doppler radar. Best rule of all is drive safe and open her up only when all the conditions are right.

Here is a scientific fact some may not know. Doppler radar will always err in favor of the violator. The only way an offcier can get your true speed using Doppler is if you were coming straight at him. Doppler spreads out in a cone shape...the further out in the cone you are, the lower your indicated speed on the readout. Also concur with the above notes about Laser...far more effective than Doppler.

One tip especially for you younger guys, if you catch yourself playing around and racing in heavy traffic with some loser in a lesser car, it's not worth it to "win" or to "show em". Slap yourself and pull off the expressway and find your favorite song on your radio, then get back on the expressway after all the people you passed and pissed off are well down the road.

[Greg P]

Originally Posted by 13eastie

Cheers, Garry

The specific post is here for anyone else looking for the torrent instructions. 28 seeds currently.

I've got the camera overlay DVD made up and running in my car and visually it works well. It is a shame that a beep or voice instruction can't be output when in close proximity though.

[Rimola]

Originally Posted by Davo2003

The only way an offcier can get your true speed using Doppler is if you were coming straight at him. Doppler spreads out in a cone shape...the further out in the cone you are, the lower your indicated speed on the readout.

very true...some of you folks may have even seen what these "standard" Doppler radars look like. next time you get a chance to see a squad car upclose and personal, pay attention to the dash and rear windshield. they are placed firmly within the car and only function in a straight line, whether its front or rear of the vehicle. when the radar hits its target, it send back waves to the unit. the more compressed the waves are, the higher the speed you are traveling at...






these are used more of a "just in case" while driving to check someones speed, since it is very limited in regards to "high tech". if an officer decides to actually park his unit and whip out his laser gun, you're dead meat. so just obey the law because the fines aren't worth it

[13eastie]

Originally Posted by Rimola

very true...some of you folks may have even seen what these "standard" Doppler radars look like. next time you get a chance to see a squad car upclose and personal, pay attention to the dash and rear windshield. they are placed firmly within the car and only function in a straight line, whether its front or rear of the vehicle. when the radar hits its target, it send back waves to the unit. the more compressed the waves are, the higher the speed you are traveling at...






these are used more of a "just in case" while driving to check someones speed, since it is very limited in regards to "high tech". if an officer decides to actually park his unit and whip out his laser gun, you're dead meat. so just obey the law because the fines aren't worth it

Countach? The body-styling suggests it would have some kind of Stealth capability?

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by Rimola

... so just obey the law because the fines aren't worth it

If we did, you wouldn't have a job.

[GarryF]

Most of the systems are country specific though, there are virtually no speed cop cars left in the UK, enforcement is carried out by static gatso cameras and mobile speed vans with a few guys that aren't even cops sitting in a van with a laser gun behind darkened glass shooting people all day long.

Where I stay there's a 10-20 mile section of main trunk road mostly bendy and hard to overtake and on the few straights where you can overtake these guys are sitting at the end, it's really really stupid tbh but as they are a sub-contracted company they no doubt have to meet quotas etc etc and sitting on really dangerous bits of road and catching one guy a day compared to sitting on the long safe straight taking 10 an hour doesn't make them money.

I got caught a year ago on a section of dual carriage way, I came off a roundabout, had an artic lorry half way in from of me to the next roundabout (which then takes me onto the above mentioned hard to overtake road) so I gunned it and at about 80mph spotted the speed van about half a mile way, slammed the brakes but was too late, got the letter stating I was doing 82mph

[Rimola]

Originally Posted by 13eastie

Countach? The body-styling suggests it would have some kind of Stealth capability?

i am having a hard time trying to figure out if that was sarcasm. nontheless, its a moving object and with the doppler it doesnt really matter. Laser on the other hand you would have to pin point any particular region of the vehicle to get a positive feedback on its speed...cheers

[Rimola]

Originally Posted by Epacy

If we did, you wouldn't have a job.

i just said fines arent worth it. nobody says that you may NOT do the speed limit. technically speaking, if the Limit is 25mph and you are doing 28mph, you are in violation of the law and subjected to a citation. however, considering the minor speed increase it probably would be minimized to court fees and the 3 over limit fee (whatever it may be) and thats about it.

[Davo2003]

Originally Posted by Epacy

If we did, you wouldn't have a job.

Good point. And as far as "obey the law" goes...don't get me started. If you want a laugh, drive through or poke around a police station parking lot. You will find many times a disproportionate number of expired registrations and inspections. A news crew here did that once in the past and it was pretty embarrassing for the city PD. Fact is 1 mph over the limit is illegal, the reality is it all has to do with exercising good judgement based on a variety of factors.
It's been awhile since I've had a legal update, not my thing anymore, but used to be Texas did not have what is known as "absolute speed law". In other words, if you could prove that your speed was prudent for the roadway on which you were traveling at that given time, the ticket could get tossed. Few officers even know about this loophole. My guess is it still exists but is seldom used. This sound familiar to any lawyers in the house?

[Rimola]

Originally Posted by Davo2003

Fact is 1 mph over the limit is illegal, the reality is it all has to do with exercising good judgement based on a variety of factors.

that my friend is the beauty of police work, aka DISCRETION. the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment. you folks aren't going to sit here and tell me catching "speeders" is all the police do. in REALITY this is probably less than 10% of any LEO's career. (i am talking about sitting with a gun waiting for speeding vehicles, not giving citations).

as far as TX is concerned, i am not fully aware of their state laws so i can not comment on that.

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by Rimola

i just said fines arent worth it. nobody says that you may NOT do the speed limit. technically speaking, if the Limit is 25mph and you are doing 28mph, you are in violation of the law and subjected to a citation. however, considering the minor speed increase it probably would be minimized to court fees and the 3 over limit fee (whatever it may be) and thats about it.

I was tagged at 5 over the speed limit last night with LASER. Cop never left his parking spot. It would be ludicrous to take the time to pull somone over for that amount. Not to mention not worth the courts time.
Yes, it is breaking the law. However, can you imagine how much time one would spend pulling over all these "criminals"?

Originally Posted by Rimola

you folks aren't going to sit here and tell me catching "speeders" is all the police do. in REALITY this is probably less than 10% of any LEO's career. (i am talking about sitting with a gun waiting for speeding vehicles, not giving citations).

10%? That seems hard to believe.
Giving citations is part of catching speeders. How can you pull that part out of the equation???

[Rimola]

i did not say giving citations, i said ACTUALLY sitting in the car with a gun is less than 10%. catching a speeding vehicle is probably the last thing on anyones mind. if i am on street patrol, gently cruising through the city and some idiot flies by, then ofcourse thats going to be a ticket. also please do not confuse STATE Police aka "highway patrol" and municipal police. highway patrol for most states is nothing BUT traffic enforcement aka speeding.

i wish i could show you my activity sheet on a daily basis, that consists of domestics disputes, car accidents, B & E's, burglary, complaint calls, DWI, misdemeanor arrests, violation arrests, town calls, assistance calls etc. get my point ?

then again, this a public forum and you may believe whatever you want. i only chipped in on this thread due to the nature of my work and thought my opinion may count for something. you come up with your own theory, its a free country

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by Davo2003

It's been awhile since I've had a legal update, not my thing anymore, but used to be Texas did not have what is known as "absolute speed law". In other words, if you could prove that your speed was prudent for the roadway on which you were traveling at that given time, the ticket could get tossed. Few officers even know about this loophole. My guess is it still exists but is seldom used. This sound familiar to any lawyers in the house?

I think this is still true. I know someone who has a Gallardo and a Vantage and he's beaten over 10 tkts arguing - well, his lawyers did the arguing - that his speeding was not imprudent GIVEN the conditions (dry, no to little traffic etc).

He also said that it's important not to be cited in the 90 days following the ticket.

[Davo2003]

Originally Posted by Voltigeur

I think this is still true. I know someone who has a Gallardo and a Vantage and he's beaten over 10 tkts arguing - well, his lawyers did the arguing - that his speeding was not imprudent GIVEN the conditions (dry, no to little traffic etc).

He also said that it's important not to be cited in the 90 days following the ticket.

Hadn't heard the 90 day thing...but sounds about right. Thanks for confirming the other item I think it is a good thing. If I am out in the middle of nowhere going 150mph it really shouldn't be a problem for anyone. If I was a cop I might stop him to be sure he was sober and cut him loose

[SS32]

Radar - www.valentineone.com
Jammer - Laser Interceptor, or Blinder M45

This is helpful too
http://www.laserveil.com/

[Romo]

[13eastie]

Originally Posted by GarryF

Long thread here with some links somewhere on how to do it, it's slightly technical but someone does it for the UK then uploads a torrent, handy if your nav is out of date too

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94031

Originally Posted by 13eastie

Cheers, Garry

The specific post is here for anyone else looking for the torrent instructions. 28 seeds currently.

For anyone still interested, I got this working very straightforwardly this evening and it's pretty cool.