The most common offense for licensed drivers to commit on the road is driving above the speed limit. Whether 5 or 25 miles per hour over the suggested speed, countless drivers have been pulled over and given fines for not obeying this simple traffic rule. In many metropolitan areas today, speed cameras have been installed as an additional deterrent to unsafe driving practices like traveling at high speeds in populated areas. So it was only natural that a Belgian driver received a letter in the mail about his Opel Astra being caught by camera going too fast in a 31mph (50km/h) zone. Except for the fact that the camera reported him driving at an insane 432 mph (696 km/h). Why Was An Opel Astra Driver Fined For Reaching 432 Mph?
Currently, the worldwide fastest recorded speed reached by a production car is 316 mph (508 km/h) by the SSC Tuatara. How then, was it possible that this Belgian Opel Astra driver surpassed that by over a hundred miles per hour? Upon receiving the notice from local authorities in a Belgian town near the border of France, Quiévran, that he had been recorded driving so fast, he had the same question. The driver immediately went to the police, working to ensure that he didn’t have to pay the shocking 6,579 euro ($7,800) fine he was given for his supposed crime.
After reviewing the reports of the incident, transport authorities determined that there must have been a coding error that caused his speed to be recorded as 432 mph (696 km/h). However, the driver didn’t get to walk away without any fine, as authorities also discovered his actual speed of 37 mph (60km/h) which was still over the road’s speed limit of 31mph (50km/h). Although there was a glitch that resulted in speed cameras failing this driver, it is still important to consider the reasons they are used and the impact that they have had in the time that has passed since they were implemented in many places around the world.
The Purpose of Speed Cameras
A speed camera is an electronic device that automatically enforces traffic laws by tracking vehicles’ speeds and taking pictures if a suspected violation occurs. While the primary reason speed cameras are installed is to lower the amount of people running red lights and speeding, there are also several other intentions for why they are used to increase safety on the roads. These include:
- Situational Awareness. Once a speed camera is installed in a neighborhood and drivers have seen it on more than one occurrence, they are more likely to focus on staying within traffic regulations in those areas.
- Assumption that cameras are present. After driving through several locations that have speed cameras, drivers may begin to navigate any urban or populated areas more safely on the belief there could be a camera present.
- Keeping traffic calmer. With speed cameras unable to have any bias into which cars receive a violation, drivers often find it easier to accept that they need to obey a transparent and equal form of traffic law.
Effectiveness of Speed Cameras
To measure the effectiveness of speed cameras, studies are done to compare the number of collisions and amount of speeding that takes place before and after cameras are put in. However, there is no set standard for how these studies are administered, and as a result no way to tell the overall efficiency of speed cameras. If you’d like to find out more about whether or not speed cameras are working well in your area, visit your Department of Motor Vehicles or Transport website to view studies that were done locally.
Conclusion
Although the Opel Astra in Belgium had not been traveling at 432 mph, speeding is still a largely dangerous driving practice that leads to a significant amount of driver and pedestrian deaths each year. So next time you are out on the road, make sure to wear your seatbelt and follow the laws laid out by traffic authorities. Even if there isn’t a speed camera or risk of a fine, you could be saving a life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What kind of car is an Opel Astra?
The Opel Astra is a compact family car that ranges between 110 and 145 horsepower. According to the manufacturer, the 2021 model of the Opel Astra can reach a top speed of just 136 mph. Despite what this wild incident may have made people think about the car, it actually wasn’t designed for speed at all. Instead, the Opel Astra was created with lowering fuel consumption and it was quite successful with a decrease of 19% from the previous model.
2) How can I tell if there are street cameras in my area?
One of the easiest ways to find out if there are speed cameras near you is to utilize a navigation app when going out for a drive. Many apps like Google Maps or Waze, for instance, will vocally tell you that a speed camera is approaching so you can become aware of where they are located and ensure that you are driving safely.
