Drivers are alerting motorists using Trapster software on their iPhone to the location of the new RTA mobile speed cameras.
Earlier today I got four messages on my iPhone alerting me to mobile speed cameras on the North Shore, Paddington, Parramatta Road and on the Hume Highway. Trapster is free GPS-based software that is being used by motorists to identify police, speed cameras, mobile camera’s and booze buses. Users notify each other of police activity by reporting the mobile speed cameras as they pass a location.
Last week the RTA commissioned six mobile speed cameras, which use Canon lenses capable of identifying six speeding motorists at any one time. The cameras, which will be used in any of 151 locations, came into effect from today.
The NSW Government claim that the implementation of the speed cameras is not a revenue raising exercise but part of a $170 million road safety campaign. What they have not explained is why they feel it is necessary not to warn motorists of a mobile speed camera, when they warn motorists of a fixed speed camera.
The cameras, which are mounted in white vans devoid of identification, are capable of catching up to six cars a second using bi-directional technology which scan six lanes of traffic at once. The vehicles are operated by private contractors.
Motorists are not made aware of being caught until they receive a notice. Motorists caught are set to be given a 30 day grace period.
