Hidden Cameras To Curb Road Accidents
By Yulz. Thursday, 11. October 2007, 04:17:39
Bandar Seri Begawan - Authorities expect to see fewer road accidents once the plan to install road safety cameras is put in place.
Once approved, hidden cameras may be placed at a number of places to apprehend and deter motorists from breaking road rules.
Speeding has been blamed as the factor most responsible for the rise in the number of road accidents in the sultanate.
Hj Mohammad Alimin bin Hj Mohd Tanjong, Director of the Land Transport Department, said: "There have been plans to install fixed cameras, such as CCTV (closed circuit television), to track down offenders. Installation of this system will take place soon subject to approval."
Studies have shown that the use of speed cameras, which also serve as vehicle-monitoring devices that detect and identify vehicles breaking the speed limit, has led to the reduction of the average speed of drivers, in turn, reducing the number of fatal accidents.
The Royal Brunei Police Force is currently using mobile cameras in different areas. When a speeding car is caught on camera, the operator of the camera then informs a second checkpoint to apprehend the culprits.
But authorities say using speed cameras would work better in apprehending speed offenders.
Hj Alimin said, "CCTV has many uses as it can record traffic offenders, but more importantly it provides us with information in order for us to conduct a complete investigation."
He added: "By installing CCTV, it is more of a preventive action, but this is not the only solution."
When asked on where CCTV cameras should be installed, he mentioned areas such as Gadong and Bandar Seri Begawan, both being densely populated.
Haji Alimin also suggested that a demerit point system be implemented to discourage road rule offenders.
"This system will record points based on an individual's traffic offences and once the limit is reached, the driver will lose his/her driving privileges for an agreed amount of time."
Although there have always been speed traps, with speed cameras the photographs are expected to provide enforcement authorities with more solid proof.
When interviewed, a public relations officer said that speed cameras make people more conscious when driving. "Speed traps in Brunei are sometimes predictable, so road users always know when to slow down."
Some have suggested placing speed cameras discreetly so road users won't know where there are, and, thus, always follow rules.
Sham, a customer relations officer, said that there should be more speed traps and installed more randomly. "Through this, enforcement could be more effective. However, travelling within the speed limit is everyone's responsibility and we cannot expect the police to ensure that we do that, 24 hours a day."
Salleh, who works in the private sector, said that hiding cameras is good in catching unsuspecting speed offenders, but it also helps if the cameras are obvious.
"Sometimes we drive over the speed limit without noticing it, but when we see a speed trap, we tend to slow down. This can help in preventing accidents, especially in areas where they occur regularly."
The Brunei Darussalam Road Safety Council recently published statistics which showed that, as of August this year, there were 32 road fatalities recorded; six involving pedestrians, nine car-car collisions, nine self-accidents while eight others included motorcycles and bicycles.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
Once approved, hidden cameras may be placed at a number of places to apprehend and deter motorists from breaking road rules.
Speeding has been blamed as the factor most responsible for the rise in the number of road accidents in the sultanate.
Hj Mohammad Alimin bin Hj Mohd Tanjong, Director of the Land Transport Department, said: "There have been plans to install fixed cameras, such as CCTV (closed circuit television), to track down offenders. Installation of this system will take place soon subject to approval."
Studies have shown that the use of speed cameras, which also serve as vehicle-monitoring devices that detect and identify vehicles breaking the speed limit, has led to the reduction of the average speed of drivers, in turn, reducing the number of fatal accidents.
The Royal Brunei Police Force is currently using mobile cameras in different areas. When a speeding car is caught on camera, the operator of the camera then informs a second checkpoint to apprehend the culprits.
But authorities say using speed cameras would work better in apprehending speed offenders.
Hj Alimin said, "CCTV has many uses as it can record traffic offenders, but more importantly it provides us with information in order for us to conduct a complete investigation."
He added: "By installing CCTV, it is more of a preventive action, but this is not the only solution."
When asked on where CCTV cameras should be installed, he mentioned areas such as Gadong and Bandar Seri Begawan, both being densely populated.
Haji Alimin also suggested that a demerit point system be implemented to discourage road rule offenders.
"This system will record points based on an individual's traffic offences and once the limit is reached, the driver will lose his/her driving privileges for an agreed amount of time."
Although there have always been speed traps, with speed cameras the photographs are expected to provide enforcement authorities with more solid proof.
When interviewed, a public relations officer said that speed cameras make people more conscious when driving. "Speed traps in Brunei are sometimes predictable, so road users always know when to slow down."
Some have suggested placing speed cameras discreetly so road users won't know where there are, and, thus, always follow rules.
Sham, a customer relations officer, said that there should be more speed traps and installed more randomly. "Through this, enforcement could be more effective. However, travelling within the speed limit is everyone's responsibility and we cannot expect the police to ensure that we do that, 24 hours a day."
Salleh, who works in the private sector, said that hiding cameras is good in catching unsuspecting speed offenders, but it also helps if the cameras are obvious.
"Sometimes we drive over the speed limit without noticing it, but when we see a speed trap, we tend to slow down. This can help in preventing accidents, especially in areas where they occur regularly."
The Brunei Darussalam Road Safety Council recently published statistics which showed that, as of August this year, there were 32 road fatalities recorded; six involving pedestrians, nine car-car collisions, nine self-accidents while eight others included motorcycles and bicycles.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
Hidden cameras may work unless you have the civil liberties mob saying its not fair but to my mind police patrol cars are sytill the best deterrent of all.
By CaptainPenguin, # 11. October 2007, 11:01:56