Satellites to issue speeding tickets from space

[Elmore Furth]

And you thought automated red light ticketing was obnoxious.

UK drivers had better stay under that speed limit, because the traffic authorities are watching… from outer space. According to The Telegraph, an American company called PIPS Technology has developed a system that uses two cameras on the ground and one mounted on a satellite in orbit to catch speeders.

The system - called “SpeedSpike” - figures your average speed between two points, captures an image of your license plate and reports you if you’re going faster than the law allows. Oh, and if you’re hoping Great Britain’s notoriously gray weather will save you, you’re out of luck; the system works even when it’s cloudy or dark.

SpeedSpike will be tested in two places: the London borough of Southwark, and along the A374 between Torpoint and Anthony in Cornwall. If the trial is successful, the tech may be used to enforce speed limits near schools, to reduce the need for speed bumps, and for “main road enforcement for traffic reduction.”




Satellites to issue speeding tickets from space

[atomic-fly]

1. geez

that's a bit over the top...nothing better to do with technology?

[Xipe Totec]

2. A case of do as I say, not as I do

Do you realize how fast satellites move?

[Greyskye]

4. Relative to what?

:evilgrin:

[Xipe Totec]

5. Anything other than itself, pretty much

:P

[Greyskye]

6. Well, if it's in a geostationary orbit, it's velocity is basically 0 relative to the earth below

That's not so fast. ;)

[Xipe Totec]

7. And the car's speed relative to the driver is zero

But good luck making that argument to a judge in traffic court.

[Greyskye]

8. I somehow don't think we're in the same conversation.

:hi:

[Xipe Totec]

9. Sure we are,

I just refuse to acknowledge the point you're making.

:hide:

[Greyskye]

10. That would explain it!

:rofl:

[Xipe Totec]

11. Jesuitic vs Talmudic reasoning. I think there's a recent post on the subject...

:evilgrin:

[Greyskye]

12. Saw the subject line, but haven't read it yet.

Of course, now I've just gotta go and do that. I'm intrigued. O8)

[Angry Dragon]

3. More stupidity

[Indenturedebtor]

13. It's only a matter of time before we all have micro sensor arrays

in our colons to ensure that we aren't eating too many cheeseburgers.