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obile phones will warn of speed traps

24th August 2000, Page 10
24th August 2000
Page 10
Page 10, 24th August 2000 — obile phones will warn of speed traps
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• by Liam O'Brien The Department of Transport is racing to draft legislation prohibiting the use of a new device which can warn drivers of approaching speed cameras.

The service is being developed using the latest-generation mobile phones which—when fitted with special software—can accurately anticipate speed cameras to within 15 metres. They can also be adapted to flash messages to drivers when they are approaching a hazard.

Project Eagle will start warning people when they are at risk of being booked for speeding from the beginning of 2001. It plans to combine the location-finding abilities of phones with a database of safety cameras and areas where motorists have been caught exceeding the limit.

The system will also warn drivers to slow down when they are approaching schools, hospitals or nursing homes.

The founders of Project Eagle are keeping their identity secret until the launch date to reduce the risk of preventative action by the authorities.

However, the Department of Transport is already drawing up laws to ban such devices and legislation should be in place by the end of the year. Depending on police Interpretation, this should mean that motorists will he allowed to own the devices—but not to use them The AA believes that the growing number of speed cameras on the roads means that the service will be of limited use.

The Freight Transport Association says it does not advocate anything which encourages law-breaking. "Commercial vehicles are fitted with speed limiters and therefore should not be speeding," says a spokesman.

• Road safety officers and police in Wales have combined to crack down on motorists who use mobile phones while driving, after research from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. The research shows that distraction, even from hands-free mobiles, can cause accidents.


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