Ban For Speed Camera Spotters?

Speed camera detectors could be made illegal in the UK. Auto Express has learned that the Government is looking at ways of banning laser detectors as they can give away the position of mobile speed traps.

Auto Express Car Reviews

30th June 2004

A spokesman for the Department for Transport explained: "The police have the right to carry out covert surveillance. Devices that detect the signal given off by a mobile speed camera can give this away, and this could be seen to affect the police's ability to do their job properly." But he added: "We have no problem with those systems which only use GPS satellite technology."

Such gadgets, known as locators, are deemed acceptable as they can only tell drivers where fixed cameras are - and this information already exists in the public domain. In addition, Gatsos are designed to slow motorists at accident hotspots, and GPS systems help warn drivers that they're nearing a high-risk location.

Many European countries - including France - have already banned all detectors, but a similar move by the UK authorities could give weight to the argument that Gatsos are no more than a way of raising revenue.