Toll booth timings should not be used for catching speeders in the current scenario, since clocks between toll booths are never synchronized, and computer clocks running at different toll booths may (intentionally) not be set to synchronize with time from the internet - hence, anyone can contest the data (as all argumentative Indians are wont to do).
However, if properly implemented, this system is more fair to motorists than single point cameras, since one can be
"trapped" by a camera at an awkward location (such as at the bottom of a sharp slope or a very limited overtaking zone).
Back in 2014, while undergoing low risk driver training in Australia, we had a long discussion on this - on highways there, there is no differential speed limit for light and heavy vehicles. So, for example, a road train with 3 trailers drives at 110 kmph, as also a Ferrari, on the Hume highway. Th road train, say, 30 metres long, slows down to perhaps 100 kmph on upslopes, but the Ferrari obviously doesn't. When the Ferrari attempts to overtake the road train safely, it can easily cross 110 kmph for a few seconds, and can then be penalized by an automated speed camera on the highway (set about 5 km apart). You are penalised for exceeding the limit by just 2 kmph.
At that time, Point-to-Point speed cameras were being gradually introduced on the highways - this would solve the overtaking problem.
Read more details about it in this article.
However, in the USA, this system has not been introduced:
https://www.snopes.com/autos/law/cameras.asp.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Santoshbhat A few questions come to mind.
1) Will they send notices by post to all the violators or will there be random enforcement by cops sitting at random booths and collecting spot fines? |
Notice by post is along way away in this country, considering the jurisdictional issues regarding vehicles rgistered in different states, false addresses, non-transfer of registration of vehicles sold to another person, etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Santoshbhat 2) This could well create a situation where drivers stop before the toll booth or by the side of the road on highways to kill time and create another kind of dangerous situation. |
Oh well, stopping
anywhere on the highway hasn't been penalised since as long as I can remember!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Santoshbhat 3) What will be considered as too fast? Most highways have an 80 kmph limit. So if you average 80 kmph, surely you have crossed 80 kmph at some point. |
Crossing 80 kmph for short distances, say for the purpose of overtaking, doesn't jeopardise cars and drivers as much as sustained breaking of speed limit does. Which is why, the averaging method of penalising speeding drivers is more fair.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Santoshbhat ...enforcement without updating laws to match the current environment will taking everyone backwards.
... What's the point if we are all forced to drive on these highways at speeds that were fixed as limits about 25 years back? 50 mph is simply too slow on big 4/6 lane highways. |
Gradually some folks are waking up to the real world. Within Delhi, some roads (especially portions of highways extending into the city) which were 50/60 kmph earlier, have now been designated as 80 kmph zones. Unfortunately, we still have idiot drivrs who are unable to sustain such speeds and happily crawl along at 40 kmph on the first lane.