"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
02/12/2014 at 16:50 • Filed to: None
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"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
02/12/2014 at 16:50 • Filed to: None | 1
| 9 |
A speed trap hidden in a snow plow? Germany has a long history of cleverlyhiding speed traps, on both sides of the wall. In the former GDR, cops used bridges, hedges and whatnot to hide their equipment (always in the hope to catch someone from Western Germany on their way to West Berlin, and milk them for good). But the cops in Western Germany haven't been saints either.
These days, they usually have their equipment in the back of a plainclothes, domestic compact wagon (Ford Focus, Opel Astra and the likes) with heavily tinted rear windows. They are almost invisible, except for the office paper sized cut-out in the tint on the rear window for the camera. If you really are aware of your surroundings you can spot them and hit the brakes in time. Now, a snow plow sitting inconspiciously on the side of the road? In the middle of winter no less? That's just mean! And nobody can tell me that this isn't about revenue!
I really love how the Brits handle this business. Their stationary speed traps are painted bright yellow. If you get cought by one of these (at least at daytime), you have to be either stupid or way toooooo fast to pay even pay at least a modicum of attention on your surroundings.
And let's not start with their mobile speed traps! I've seen two officers stand on the side of the road in their full uniform plus high-visibility jackets and the usualy speed handgun thingy. There might even have been one or two safety cones.
I was told that this is because they are not about revenue but actual road safety. Well, this snow plow shows that in Germany, they might have a somewhat different goal. The heck, they don't even need actual police officers anymore. Most municipalities have sold the claims to private companies and share the profits with them.
HammerheadFistpunch
> Klaus Schmoll
02/12/2014 at 16:53 |
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The good news is that this HPX170 doesn't have a very wide lens (24mm), it would be pretty easy to sneak up behind it and throw a blanket over the cab
Goshen, formerly Darkcode
> Klaus Schmoll
02/12/2014 at 16:55 |
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To be honest speeding in winterly weather is dramatic stupidity. If you're really concerned about being caught by radars or cameras, Valentine and Escort Electronics are your friends.
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Goshen, formerly Darkcode
> HammerheadFistpunch
02/12/2014 at 16:57 |
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And spending a year or two in the Jailhouse Hotel for sabotaging law enforcement techniques.
El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First!
> Klaus Schmoll
02/12/2014 at 16:58 |
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I'm not surprised, this is the same country who built the clever REIMAHG complex.
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Klaus Schmoll
> Goshen, formerly Darkcode
02/12/2014 at 17:02 |
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Well, I have an app on my phone to warn me of traps, but I'm usually to lazy to turn it on. That's wha I got caught in their speed trap marathon a few months back THAT WAS ALL OVER THE NEWS BEFORHAND! Silly me! Well, it was only €25, or something. I don't even remember.
hollanddjw 1
> Goshen, formerly Darkcode
02/12/2014 at 17:10 |
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Detectors are illegal in Germany, so double trouble when you get caught...
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Goshen, formerly Darkcode
> Klaus Schmoll
02/13/2014 at 04:32 |
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How fast were you going?
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Klaus Schmoll
> Goshen, formerly Darkcode
02/13/2014 at 07:33 |
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About 95 kph indicated on the speedo in an 80 zone.
You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
> Klaus Schmoll
02/13/2014 at 11:31 |
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France is good for marking their cameras too. Permanent cameras have a big sign posted before you get to them. I can't remember how far before the camera the signs are posted, but it is at least 100m, probably more. If you have a TomTom you can get the speed camera warnings on that. I never saw any mobile cameras, but then I've only spent a few weeks in the country.
