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Big Brother row as police force starts using Google camera cars to fine wayward drivers

Police are taking a leaf out of Google's book with their latest weapon in the war on motorists.

They are using cars with spy cameras on a mast. Drivers talking on their mobile phones, eating, applying make-up or otherwise driving illegally will be pictured.

And as the telescopic cameras can zoom in from some distance, the first inkling that they have been snapped could be when a £60 fine lands on the doorstep.

Police say the new cars – similar to those used by Google to map town and city streets – will help reduce road deaths. But motorists say the Big Brother vehicles will merely be another cash cow for the Government and a further 'tax' on hard-pressed motorists.

The Treasury already rakes in more than £105million in fines each year from speed cameras and driving-offence fixed penalties.

Two Smart cars are pioneering the scheme in Greater Manchester, where distracted motorists are said to have caused more than 400 accidents in the past two years, killing or seriously injuring 25 victims.

Drivers who are caught using their mobiles will be sent a £60 fine and will have three penalty points on their licence.

Those caught on camera without a seatbelt or driving erratically while eating will be fined £30.

Anyone who refuses to accept a fine – which will go into Treasury coffers – could be hauled before the courts.

Karen Delaney from DriveSafe, the road safety group behind the latest scheme, said: 'Many vehicles are now better equipped than offices or homes, with the latest technology in satellite navigation, telecommunications and state-of-the-art music systems all to hand.

Nigel Humphries, from the Association of British Drivers, said: 'This is a total infringement. They might as well put something in cars to test what drivers are thinking – to see if they are concentrating on the road or thinking about something else.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1167634/Big-Brother-row-police-force-
starts-using-Google-camera-cars-fine-wayward-drivers.html

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Originally posted by SignyM:
I know you're just posting the pix from the daily mail, but the first pic looks suspicously like a Smart carparked coincidentally in front of a parking-lot security camera!

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Originally posted by SignyM:
I know you're just posting the pix from the daily mail, but the first pic looks suspicously like a Smart carparked coincidentally in front of a parking-lot security camera!

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It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine.

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Originally posted by citizen:

And the second looks coincidentally like the Google street view car. Now, isn't Google an American company? (It's not in Britain either, we don't have green number plates).

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"Why not improve the brain? Perhaps in the future, we can attach a little version of Google that you plug into your brain. We'll have to develop stylish versions, but then you'll have all the world's knowledge immediately available, which is pretty exciting."
-Brin, David Vise and Mark Malseed, The Google Story, page 292

"We are not scanning all those books to be read by people. We are scanning them to be read by an A.I."
-George Dyson, conversation with his hosts at Google

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Originally posted by piratenews:

Google Maps car is slightly less unsightly

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"It is extremely easy to beat this type of ticket in court. Your easiest defense is to simply throw the ticket away. If it does not come with a return receipt that requires a signature, there is no proof that you actually got the ticket and they cannot prosecute you on that. What the legal system wants you to do is just send in the fine and not ask any questions. This can be a big money maker for some communities. One other form of defense to utilize on your behalf is the fact that when you are accused in court you must be faced by your accuser. Obviously the computer cannot appear in court as a defense method for the prosecution. Also, you do not have to identify yourself as the driver of the vehicle because it would violate your sixth amendment rights against self incrimination."
-Norman G. Fernandez, attorney at law, How to Beat a Speeding Ticket - Photo RADAR, and Jes Beard, attorney at law in Chattanooga, Tennessee
www.jesbeard.com/s11.htm

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