At the DGT, they have different tools to control speed limits and ensure their compliance throughout the road network of our country. The variety is important, from radars that could be described as more traditionalas well as the expandable ones or even the more minimalist ones and difficult to perceive while driving, in the case of laser bikes. These are the smallest in size and the most effective for the agency that depends on the Ministry of the Interior.
The percentage increases
The presence on the roads is increasingly important and there are now about sixty of these mobile units. One of their characteristics is their discretion, because They are only about 50 centimeters tall and they weigh two kilos, which is one of their characteristics.
They can be placed next to guardrails, side cabins or gantries, on a tripod or even inside Civil Guard or Police cars.
They feature a five-hour battery life and WiFi connectivity, allowing them to work almost anywhere they need to be.
Another feature of these laser velocradars is their precision, so that they can detect speeding at a distance that can vary between 15 and 50 meters in both traffic at the same time.
We can find them in many areas of Spain
As they say, we can distinguish different classes of vehicles, heavy and light, by applying speed limits that correspond in each case. Although its presence is generally most common in urban areasit is increasingly common to see them on other types of roads.
The problem with finding them often is that users end up communicating with each other to report their location.
They are collected by Social Drivewhich will publish the location of this type of radar using a map. Every time we find a new location and report it, those responsible will update it so that drivers know about it.
Many of those we are talking about, as they appear on the radar map, are located in the Community of Madrid, Galicia, Castile-La Mancha, Castile and León, the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia.
This type of radar has been used by the DGT since at least 2018.. The operations to install and uninstall them are so fast that we can work on different points in the same day.
Advantages and disadvantages of radars
Speaking of radars, let’s look at some of the positive and some not so positive things about radars.
Benefits
- Fewer accidents: One of the most important goals is to reduce the speed of cars, which reduces the likelihood of serious and fatal accidents, as excessive speed is a contributing factor in many road accidents.
- Improved road safety: They help create a safer environment as drivers are more aware of how they drive and the need to respect the limits.
- More aware: They serve as a visual reminder of limits, helping drivers adjust their speed and be more aware of traffic conditions.
- Equal enforcement: Speed cameras apply the rules objectively and uniformly, regardless of who the driver is. This makes the law appear less arbitrary.
- Emissions and fuel consumption are reduced: as vehicle speeds are reduced, they contribute to greater savings and greenhouse gas emissions, which will have environmental benefits.
Disadvantages
- Focus only on speed: Some critics say they focus too much on speed and fail to address a number of other dangerous behaviors on the road, such as distractions or reckless maneuvers.
- They generate revenue: There are places where radars can be seen as tools to generate revenue for the government or administration, instead of focusing primarily on road safety.
- Traffic Diversion: Drivers may sometimes attempt to avoid traffic by taking alternate routes using a navigation app to avoid patrolled areas.
While it is true that they contribute to road safety, it is also true that their use should also be more balanced with a greater effort in road safety education, which would help to reduce accidents and particularly dangerous behaviour.
