We recently have a blog on Habré, but every time there are people who say: “Radar detectors are not needed”, “Just do not need to break” and so on. Meanwhile, drivers who face unexpected fines are actively discussing the benefits of different models of radar detectors and combo devices. And there are several reasons for this.
Here I want to clarify. On our blog, no one says that you need to violate the rules of the road, and even more so - create dangerous situations on the roads. It would seem that is why thousands of cameras for fixing offenses on roads have been installed throughout the country in recent years. However, in practice, it turned out that they do not always contribute to the reduction of road accidents. Very often cameras are located, as our president, Vladimir Putin , said “In the bushes” . Without affecting traffic safety in general, the next “tripod” may turn out to be just a way to raise more money for the operator (in the Moscow Region, the state receives a little more than 15 rubles for fines paid at a discount for excess, because the operator’s compensation is 233 ruble).
That is why the decision of the State Council of the Russian Federation was published map of cameras fixation. Without denying the usefulness of this method of monitoring driver actions, we welcome this event because:
- It legitimizes the already existing practice of using police radar informers, which are found not only in detectors, but also on Yandex and Google maps
- Allows you to discuss the feasibility of installing cameras at various points. If the card is now public, then commercial structures working with the traffic police under a concession agreement cannot place cameras at all anywhere
- It helps to plan the installation of additional cameras in those places where there is an increased accident rate.
According to official statistics, the presence of cameras contributes to a significant reduction in accident rate in hazardous places. According to the traffic police, their number becomes less than 30%. And this despite the fact that mobile services and "people's cards", where the cameras are marked by the users themselves, have existed for many years. Therefore, the installation of cameras, as part of the global practice of monitoring road safety, certainly pays off. And changes in legislation just made this process more transparent.
Why opponents of radar detectors are indignant
Among people who never got behind the wheel of a car, there were always proposals for the most cruel attitude to the "misconduct" of drivers. In addition to the fact that deputies from the stands more than once suggested depriving the vehicle of the right to drive the vehicle in general for any misconduct, urbanists are confident that the drivers interfere with their lives. But far from everyone lives near the metro, they can take a bus to the station in a reasonable time ... and indeed not everyone lives in Moscow or in areas with good transport infrastructure.
The main accusations against drivers using radar detectors are as follows:
Knowing where each camera is located, the driver will slow down only in front of it, and before that and after - drive without notice. Once the driver has installed a radar detector, then he does not want to drive by the rules, let him just drive.
But in reality, the driver is far from always able to navigate in the road environment, and often this is not his fault. Traffic signs and markings may conflict. Speed ​​signs may be installed behind trees or covered by a standing wagon. There are many different situations, and therefore a couple of years ago the State Duma deputies even made a proposal to remove claims from drivers who received a fine “ Because of the contradiction of signs ”.
How about in other countries?
Here, of course, you can begin to appeal to the desire of evil drivers to avoid punishment, but in many countries the camera map is also available to everyone, and the authorities consider this approach justified and increase road safety.
For example, in Sweden not only devices with a built-in database of fixation cameras are allowed, but also a driver is warned about the threat of violation. In most cases, cameras warn the driver with a light signal if a violation is detected. That is, no one hides the camera! ..
The Spanish Ministry of Transport has long released its own mobile application, where the coordinates of speed cameras are constantly updated. In order to mark the places where cameras are installed in this country, special signs, devices with coordinate bases, as well as applications informing about the location of cameras are used.
A map of cameras is also available in Italy. It can be downloaded from the police website or used through mobile applications or other devices. The main thing is that they do not have the functions of a radar detector, that is, do not "fit" into the frequency range of the police.
But we will be realistic, approaches to the publication of cards with cameras are different. For example, in France the use of any camera warning device is prohibited. The law requires Police Nationale inspectors to even check their mobile phone for banned apps!
In Germany, the orders are similar. Both radar detectors and devices informing about the presence of cameras on the roads are prohibited. You can use applications, but not in moving vehicles. Swiss police also fine drivers for using camera detection tools. But do not rush to say that the Germans and the Swiss know better how to deal with traffic accidents (although they are great, they reduce their number every year). The fact is that in Spain and in Germany, accident statistics do not vary much. And this means that the point is not whether the radar map is published or not, but how the fight against speeding in general is being conducted.
The French practice, by the way, on the contrary says that too tight regulation causes irritation of citizens. Strict road control has become one of the reasons for the emergence of the movement of "yellow vests".
Meanwhile, the Google database covers more than 40 countries where the coordinates of the cameras are not hidden by the state. And if you can believe that in Germany the installation of radars takes place with crystal clearness and honesty, then in Russia the situation leaves much to be desired. And the lack of cameras “in the bushes” with the fictitious “40” mark will be a big plus. At least, the camera can be put in a more useful place, where it will not only collect money, but also monitor road safety.
Ultimately, police radars should be installed in places where maximum vigilance is required from the driver. And the presence of either a DVR with a GPS-based camera, or a radar detector gives an additional warning and forces the user to focus on the traffic situation, markings and signs.