(VIC) Suspicious New Camera Being Trialed and Observed Today

burningrage on 06/12/2019 - 18:24

After NSW and with its money making potentials, it is only a matter of time this piece of contraption will come to Victoria.

5.40pm 06/12/2019, Blackburn Road bridge over Monash Freeway.

A lone man with a tripod. On it, a portrait like camera with the signature feature we professional drivers already know, the infra red sensor (Black rectangle attachment). Undoubtedly, this would be the new Mobile Phone Camera detector and the camera is surprisingly not that large (probably the height of an A4 paper).

Interestingly, I noticed there is already a call to add this mobile camera alert feature in Waze and since I trust all of us Ozbs are professional drivers (for those who drive) and do the right thing, we just need to be more careful so that innocent and innocuous call for job interview from an agent does not become a reason for the police/Govt to rub their hands in glee for pay increase.

Maximum alert and drivers help each others would save us all and ensure hard earn income to feed our families or fund our passion do not go to waste.

Just a PSA.

Regards

Zz

Automotive

Comments

      • whooah1979 on 08/12/2019 - 01:17
        -1

        She has called on Queensland Police to revoke the tickets handed out by the officer and for an apology

        She should be telling her husband to not drive like a goose and stop speeding.

  • terrys on 07/12/2019 - 08:54
    +2

    "Professional drivers" who answer their phone whilst driving without bothering with a hands-free kit really need a theme tune - the one from High Noon or any John Wayne movie will do…

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/12/2019 - 10:39

      Should read "Foolish drivers"

  • DingoBilly on 07/12/2019 - 09:54
    +15

    Speed cameras sure - maybe they're a bit sketchy and put in places that aren't particularly dangerous and are more for revenue-raising.

    Mobile phone cameras? Mate, why the hell are you using your mobile while driving? You're an idiot - I have no issue with this camera, there's no spots where you're driving and it should be ok to use. Why the hell do you think it's ok to pick up the phone and use it because you're a "professional" - you clearly don't read the research on mobile phone use while driving, and it's really cheap to just put in a hands-free setup. I have no sympathy for people like you.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/12/2019 - 10:01
      -2

      If your issue is with people being allowed to reoffend at the risk of another road user, wouldn't the better solution be destruction/confiscation of the phone?

      It serves both to remove the offending article and as a financial penalty.

      Of course… No revenue.

      • HeWhoKnows on 07/12/2019 - 10:42
        +3

        tshow

        What planet are you on?

        Since when would confiscation stop this abuse ?
        We as mortals are not limited to owning just one phone in our life!
        The offender would just use thier spare phone or buy a new one.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/12/2019 - 13:22
          -1

          If taking away the phone doesn't stop the issue, why would a monetary fine stop the issue?

          The offender would have spare money, hence able to buy the new phone.

          • RockyRaccoon on 07/12/2019 - 14:09
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: So all you do is buy a 6 pack of $30 phones. Hand it over when you get caught.,. And who benefits, the chinese phone maker. At least with a fine it means the money subsidises some public servants.

            Less pollution with burnt mobile phones.

            It still costs the offender money so why not a fine?

            • [Deactivated] on 07/12/2019 - 20:09
              -1

              @RockyRaccoon: I agree, if it is identified that people are using burners to circumvent the financial loss, adaptation of the law should follow.

          • sobes on 08/12/2019 - 01:51
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: It's one of those idea that just doesn't make sense in practice. How could they confiscate the phone of every offender caught? Hundreds of cops at the ready to pull over each offender individually? Pay the phone owner a visit somehow at a later date?

            But even putting that aside, if someone loses a phone they buy a new one. It's essentially a monetary fine anyway, just a lot more impractical.

            • [Deactivated] on 08/12/2019 - 08:01
              -2

              @sobes:

              Pay the phone owner a visit somehow at a later date?

              I'm assuming you're referring to camera.

              They should have a cop stationed nearby to pull offenders over. After all, the whole idea they are selling is prevention. It would make more sense if the phone is removed hastily.

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/12/2019 - 10:40

      Hooray! Stick it up em DingoBilly !

  • [Deactivated] on 07/12/2019 - 10:07
    +8

    We 100% need mobile phone detection systems. Everyday I drive about 70km on the freeways, and everyday I would see multiple people with their eyes off the road, using their phones at 80 or 100kmh. It's crazy dangerous. You often see them swerving out of their lanes too. The cops should concentrate on this instead of nailing some guy doing 110kmh in a 100kmh zone.

    • whooah1979 on 07/12/2019 - 10:09

      The HWP are more than capable to police both (all offences).

  • HeWhoKnows on 07/12/2019 - 10:32
    +2

    Using phones whilst driving is a major cause of accidents and serious ones at that.

    People have been told and they have been warned and they know large fines are at stake but still continue to use thier phones whilst driving.

    There is ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE with the number of cars fitted with bluetooth radios and for the few that dont its around $10 on eBay for a bluetooth adapter that plugs into your cigarette lighter and converts your conventional radio into a bluetooth radio.

    The only thing suspicious here is the people that continue to use thier phone whilst driving and OPs wording.

    OP needs to change the subject heading and the context of thier post to reflect the real issue here. This is the "essential" next step in the process to stop people using phones whilst driving. OP obviously has got it ALL WRONG and so have many others here!

    • SlartiBartFozz on 07/12/2019 - 18:37

      As per the Victorian road rules:
      https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/driver…

      There are 3 legitimate uses of a mobile phone while driving, making /receiving phone calls, playing music/audiobooks, and using navigation apps.
      Bluetooth allows all the phone call and audio functions to pass through the car stereo and steering controls, however the navigation function still requires the screen be active to work effectively — to mirror the screen for navigation requires the car have a much more expensive system installed to work, so most people don't have that option.
      The laws in other states appear to penalise drivers for using phone navigation apps, even if they are in a cradle and not being touched while driving… but I'm not sure how they can differentiate between a navigation device and a phone nav app?

  • OzHunterNSW on 07/12/2019 - 11:09
    +2

    As soon as you spotted it you should have reached for your phone and lodged a complaint

  • anthony t on 07/12/2019 - 12:21

    No mention here I can see of road condition and its contribution to accidents. If the revenue raised were allocated entirely to road improvements, I'd be less cynical. I know many of you travel overseas. I think I've been to about 40 '3rd world countries' with far better roads than ours. Not just our highways, but potholes and other poor maintenance. These things cause many accidents, according to NRMA and RACV&Q. I know, and am glad, we have a small population density but we also have the 5th or 6th highest GDP per capita in the world - higher than USA, Canada, UK… if you exclude island states like Singapore, and virtual 'principalities' (even then, still top 10). Look it up, as it sure surprised me.

    • Speckled Jim on 07/12/2019 - 14:07

      Sure, but how else are they to pay the $100+ million per flying turd?
      Bombs away!

    • afoveht on 07/12/2019 - 16:07
      +1

      we have a small population density

      Our population density is high enough if you don't count the vast areas out west noone lives (and that don't require more than simple single lane roads). Over 2/3 of us live in a thin strip along the east coast - an area comparable to a mid-sized European country or larger US state. Sydney is busting at the seams and we're still building 3 lane motorways.

      This small population argument is generally ill considered.

  • Alexaxis on 07/12/2019 - 14:42

    An anti-AI detect mobile case for all phone will soon be released in the market, and Gov will introduce a new law to ban those case…
    This is profitable biz though…

  • King Taddy on 07/12/2019 - 14:44
    +2

    What exactly is innocent and innocuous about using your phone while driving? Just don't do it, regardless of the subject of the call.

  • Vote for Pedro on 07/12/2019 - 17:46

    In NSW you can make or receive voice calls or use music or navigation functions if the phone is in a cradle. (Unrestricted licences only).

    My car is stricter. Can only use the car display dial pad if car is stationary.

    • dufflover on 08/12/2019 - 12:31

      Can only use the car display dial pad if car is stationary.

      I don't like when it goes that far cos I've been the passenger a couple of times trying to adjust the navigation for my friend who was driving.

      I get the jist of the rule but if they were that strict about it why not go all the way with stuff like "the car will decelerate unless both hands are on the wheel"

      • Euphemistic on 08/12/2019 - 13:16

        "the car will decelerate unless both hands are on the wheel"

        That’d make it interesting driving a manual.

      • whooah1979 on 08/12/2019 - 13:26

        "the car will decelerate unless both hands are on the wheel"

        That is silly and dangerous.

        • dufflover on 08/12/2019 - 13:41

          Less dangerous than taking your hands off the wheel.

          It's an extreme example but my point is with enough populist support don't be surprised if things like this happen. I mean leaving kids in cars you'd think goes against common sense too…

      • Vote for Pedro on 08/12/2019 - 13:56

        That was more a throwaway comment about the car dialpad. It’s something that I never use as my phone is in a cradle. The position of the cradle means it’s less distracting than using the car display anyway.

  • Mus-Tang on 07/12/2019 - 17:59
    +1

    well i hope it is a new way of catching (profanity) idiots who use the mobile while driving.. and give uses a BIG fine..

  • SlartiBartFozz on 07/12/2019 - 18:26

    So you didn't take a photo while you were driving past??

    • pikapika on 09/12/2019 - 09:57

      Exactly. Pics or it didn't happen 😂

  • burningrage on 07/12/2019 - 20:38

    Good discussion folks and thanks to the negs and positives.

    We can agree to disagree civilly. To others that considers my original post useful, there are definitely active discussions about dealing with this without trying to say too much.

    I have said what I need to say.

    • techlead on 09/12/2019 - 10:40
      +1

      Don't take a call without hands free and you'd be fine. I have no issues with speeding camera either. Don't break the law and you'd be fine. I love getting the law breakers to pay up, they provide much needed funding to the government. No sympathies.

  • Sr11 on 08/12/2019 - 00:45

    Guardians take on this:
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/01/world-first-mo…

  • CalmLemons on 08/12/2019 - 01:09

    There is Google assistant, Siri, Alexa. All can be used with voice commands while driving. Why would you touch your phone while driving, just asking to get killed or kill someone else.

    But wait, I thought you're not allowed to touch the phone at all in Victoria while driving, only to press the button to receive or cancel the call, but not to dial? We're actually allowed to type in an address while driving?

  • Herbse on 08/12/2019 - 12:17
    +1

    Get a windscreen phone mount. You can legally use the phone for maps and music in Vic if you have one of those.

    If you must use it for other things, at least your line of sight is on the road and not down at the floor because you're trying to avoid a fine.

  • dufflover on 08/12/2019 - 12:24

    all of us Ozbs are professional drivers (for those who drive) and do the right thing

    ROFL too funny. I take a "professional driver" twice a week for the last few years for work travel. Worst offenders when it comes to mobile phone use. These guys are on them all the time, planning their next jobs, their chauffeur group chats, and most of the time you can clearly tell they are off the ball (the ol drift over then veer back, or sudden brake)

  • idonotknowwhy on 09/12/2019 - 07:33
    +1

    I was think about this in the shower lol. These are the facts for me, without my personal opinion (I'd be happy with licence suspensions for people who wechat while driving, I don't want to die so you can look at Instagram, etc):

    1. I don't use my phone while driving.
    2. Revenue needs to be raised.
    3. If revenue isn't raised through these penalties, it'll be raised my taxes or increases registration fees anyway.

    Therefore these changes mean that people other then myself will be paying more to raise the required revenue. I'm not opposed to that :)

  • Pittyh on 09/12/2019 - 09:27

    A lone man with a tripod…

    A surveyor?

    • pikapika on 09/12/2019 - 09:57

      Sniper? 🤔

      • pegaxs on 09/12/2019 - 10:10
        +2

        Instagram influencer?

  • techlead on 09/12/2019 - 10:37
    +1

    innocent and innocuous call for job interview from an agent

    There is nothing innocent about that. Using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous, hence its illegal. A call for a job interview is no excuse. I got a call with a job offer while driving, I saw the caller ID, but did not pick up. It went to my voicemail and I called back when I parked my car.

    I hope they roll out more of these camera and in secret locations too.

    • Euphemistic on 09/12/2019 - 11:20
      -1

      Totally agree.

      There is no call that cannot wait a few seconds while you find somewhere to park safely. It will either go to voicemail or the person will ring back in a few seconds if super urgent.

      If you suspect a call is urgent your first response should be to get off the road, not illegally answer a call.

      If you are getting regular ‘important’ calls you need a hands free setup. No excuses.

      Personally I hate driving while on handsfree calls. I find it quite distracting, almost as much as using hand held - which some studies have backed up. It’s something to do with how much extra brain power you need to use to decipher a conversation without body language etc.

      I’d rather avoid a call, but will typically answer and then find a way to get off the main road and find somewhere out of the traffic.

  • pformag on 09/12/2019 - 12:38

    Do the Crime, Pay the Fine.

  • 00000000 on 09/12/2019 - 15:43

    Will a windscreen visor stop the camera?
    Like one of these?

    http://www.picknpayless.com.au/eziparts/Display_Vehicle.asp?…

    Are they also taking pictures of peoples crotches?

    • Croshema on 09/12/2019 - 19:55

      Are they also taking pictures of peoples crotches?

      R u srs?

      • Euphemistic on 12/12/2019 - 21:11

        Now we know why they want these cameras. They’ve finally found a legal way to leer into someone’s crotch

    • Speckled Jim on 13/12/2019 - 09:52

      Perhaps a special clear film that yields a blurred view from above?

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