Radar measuring speed system in France

For many years, the number of deaths due to traffic accidents (traffic accidents) in France has always been 8,000 people / year (high rate compared to other countries in the region). But in 2005, the number of deaths due to traffic accidents in France decreased, to about 5,000 people. There are many reasons for this result, including the installation of speed measuring radar system to prevent drivers from violating traffic safety laws.

With 28 million 700 thousand individual vehicles, 5.6 million freight and passenger cars, France has become one of the most cars in Europe. In 2005, the French Government installed 1,000 automatic speed measuring radars, including 5 types:

Firstly , automatic cabins are fixedly installed along national highways bordering small towns or the intersection of cities and suburbs, which looks like an electric pole. There are currently 692 units distributed to 98 provinces of France. An estimated 500 radars have been collected for the state budget of about 170 million euros, so with 1,000 radars, in 2005, the French budget had about 340 million euros, a driving fine.

Secondly , it is often arranged in discreet, unimaginable places such as under the bridge, behind the bushes or at the car avoidance sections (for pedestrians crossing the road), which are attached to the binoculars of the main tall body. These radars became nightmares for violating drivers. There are currently 213 aircraft operating in 92 provinces.

Third , laser cameras, known as 'agonizing suffering' for driving cars and motorcycles. However, not all user actions are executed, in case the user intentionally corrects the data, the machine will automatically 'sleep'.

Radar measuring speed is installed in many places. (Photo: CAND)

Fourth , radar is automatically placed at the intersection, specifically above the traffic light, acts as a camera. When detecting a vehicle exceeding the specified speed, or passing a red light, it immediately records the license plate number of the offending vehicle, the time and place of violation and then automatically transmits it to the Center for micro-monitoring and handling. committed. The center's computer will search the vehicle owner's personal data through license plates and automatically print a fine bill. In the minutes of the fine, specify the name of the owner, address and violation in any case . And the job of the Traffic Police (Traffic Police) is simply to send this record to the owner of the offending vehicle, together with according to a record.

Within a week, the fine will be cut in half if the owner of the vehicle comes to pay, and vice versa, the fine will increase exponentially. In the event that someone lends a car, it is necessary to specify the personal identity of the borrower. But first, the car owner still has to pay a fine, only when the above information is deemed correct, can the fine be refunded. This is a tool to effectively support the handling of violations by French Police. Currently this type of radar is installed in 5 French cities: Le Vésinet (78 points), Toulouse (31 points), Metz (57 points), Paris (75 points) and Nancy (54 points).

Fifth , radar specialized for police motorcycles and motorbikes. These radars are often used during police patrols. It is quite discreetly placed under the flashing lights of a motorcycle and is attached to a recording device. This machine proved to be effective in France's E40 and E411 highways.

However, in order to bring this radar system into operation in late 2003, it was not in the first place that the French people agreed, but on the contrary, many opinions voiced their opposition because they thought it was Government deliberately pressured the driver, especially the road driver. Therefore, it takes a long time, extensive propaganda about the benefits of radar systems for people, especially taking measures to set up the location of each radar station on the national map, along with the sheets. Warning signs on national highways. At the same time, the French Government allows publicity of the purpose of using the fine collected. Accordingly, 60% of the total fines are used to reinvest and maintain this type of equipment; The remaining 40% was transferred to the Ministry of Investment for the construction of transport infrastructure and improved road safety network.

As a result, after the radar network measures the speed of automatic operation, there are 150 thousand to 200,000 fine bills per month. Thus, every radar can make 20 bills / month. 70% of vehicle owners violate the penalty and pay the fine on time and only 2% of the protest. According to the French Agency for Speed ​​Measurement, the average speed has decreased by 5km / hour. Finally, only the automatic speed measuring radar changes the French high-speed driving habits - something that tens of thousands of former police officers had to give up.

In 2005, the French government lost 400 million euros to buy 1,000 speed-measuring radars, but the economic efficiency was enormous : Annual economic losses from 30 billion euros to 24 billion euros; Besides, 200 million euros of traffic violation fines were collected. In 2006, the French Government continued to install more than 500 radios of this type and last tested the global positioning system, which automatically limited speed to proceed to widely use.

Hoang Hanh