Waze Camera Location Data is Not Accurate

How does Waze verify red light camera locations?

Here is a screenshot of Waze published red light cameras in New York.  This is not consistent with our data that is verified using news reports and Google Street view.  

  

We frequently get emails from our users who think Waze's red-light camera information is not accurate. This doesn't surprise me as I have seen this several times myself in the Los Angeles area.  

How do they verify data?  Curating data using the crowd only works if you have experts in each market who know what they are looking for.  

I have seen several "false positives" as well on the freeway.  Users seem to input that traffic is jammed or there is a parked car on the side of the road which is not correct.  

I would like to see Waze partner with companies like ours to verify data that is relatively static-like red light cameras.  

I would also like Waze to warn drivers of potentially hazardous intersections and warn people about the intersection that are dangerous.  They have an alert feature to do this and would like to see more warnings.  

The Eight Home Garage Essentials

One of the most common causes of traffic accidents is lackluster car maintenance, which means that many of the injuries and fatalities suffered on the roads could probably have been avoided if a little more care was taken when carrying out repair work.

Unfortunately, getting every niggle checked out as soon as it arises is almost impossible, for financial reasons if nothing else. This is where DIY car maintenance comes in so handy. A great way to keep your motor in tip-top condition without unnecessarily lining the pockets of your local mechanic, most people are perfectly capable of giving it a go.

But first, here are the eight essentials tools that you’ll need to hand if you stand any hope of success… 

#1: A Trolley Jack

Once you get to grips with car mechanics, you’ll find that more of your time will be spent under your motor than anywhere else, so a trolley jack is an absolute necessity. Enabling you to raise your vehicle to the right height quickly and easily, they really are essential.  

#2: Good Quality Power Tools

Want to save time and make maintaining your car much easier? Then a cordless drill and impact wrench is vital. If ever you have a tricky nut to remove or brushing and buffing to do, you’ll thank your lucky stars that you have them to hand. 

#3: A Torque Wrench

Perfect for helping you to replace wheels and tighten any nuts and bolts with precision, a torque wrench should be added to your kit too.

#4: Spanners 

For anything more complex than topping up fluids, you must also include a set of spanners amongst your essentials. Arguably amongst the most important tools to own, we recommend color-coded ones to make organizing and selecting them easier.

#5: Screwdrivers 

A handful of flat and crosshead screwdrivers you use around your home won’t be enough for maintenance work, so invest in a set that covers a range of tips and shaft lengths to make working on your car a whole lot simpler.

#6: A Work Light

You cannot properly perform car maintenance without good lighting to illuminate what you’re doing, which is why a work light is another essential. Thanks to improvements in lithium-ion batteries and LED technology, we recommend cordless if you’re looking for a truly versatile piece of equipment. 

#7: Pliers

Sockets and spanners are perfect for turning nuts and bolts, but you’ll also need a pair of pliers to get into the spaces that other tools simply can’t, so make sure that a good quality pair is present in your garage.

#8: An Air Compressor     

Last but not least, be sure to invest in an air compressor. Available from companies like SGS, they’re perfect for everything from applying paint to powering your tools, making them another garage essential.

What items do you still need to add to your kit? Image 9 of 12

The Different Forms of Car Ownership Explained

The Different Forms of Car Ownership Explained

Looking at changing your automobile? This can be a stressful process, but one of the great things about looking for a new car is that there are so many different options available to you in terms of ownership. Here are the main forms of ownership to consider, each with their own benefits.

New

No points for guessing this one, new simply means that you will be the first owner. This means that there is no history to worry about, you get the full warranty, no mileage and the satisfaction of having an automobile that nobody else has owned. Additionally, you are able to choose your exact specification. The drawbacks of buying brand new are that it can be very expensive and depreciation will be a factor if/when you look to sell. 

Used

The used car market is gigantic in this country, ensuring that you have a huge selection of used cars to choose from. Although you will not be the first owner, a second-hand vehicle will be much more affordable and depreciation is not as extreme. The main drawback is that you could end up with a faulty car or one with a poor history, but by looking online at guides and getting vehicle history checks carried out this can be avoided. 

Finance

Buying a car is often the second biggest purchase that an individual makes behind buying a house, so it is understandable that many are unable to pay upfront. This is why financing has become such a popular option, where a deposit is made and then monthly payments are made until the value is covered. With Hire Purchase (HP), the deposit is usually around 10% and then the car is yours at the end of the agreement. Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), meanwhile, has lower monthly payments with a balloon payment at the end where you then own the automobile. Alternatively, you can walk away from the deal or negotiate one on a new vehicle. 

Leasing

More and more motorists are now looking to lease from companies like Car4Leasing instead of purchasing a vehicle. This involves making monthly payments and then returning the vehicle at the end of the agreement, when you can then arrange a new lease. It is a fantastic way to drive new automobiles every few years, plus you do not have to worry about depreciation and re-selling the automobile as you do not own it.

The best path to take will depend on your financial situation and your own personal preference, but the range of options ensures that most motorists are able to obtain an automobile without too much difficulty.

How to Assess Vehicle Safety: The Four Essentials

How to Assess Vehicle Safety: The Four Essentials

When it comes to choosing a vehicle, we all want one that is going to keep us safe on the roads. No matter how good of a driver you are, accidents can still happen, and in the event that it all goes wrong, you’re going to want to have faith in the car that you’re driving.

But how do you sort the wheat from the chaff? Whether you’re looking at new models or used cars, there are a few universal essentials that you should be researching before settling on a particular motor.

Here are four of the most important…

#1: Crash Test Scores

When you take your vehicle out on the road, you don’t have to leave the likelihood of it keeping you safe in the event of a crash to chance. This is something that has already been tested for you, and the results are out there for everybody to see. The higher the score of the particular make and model you’re looking at, the more likely you are to avoid serious injury or death should you one day be involved in an accident.

#2: Side Airbags

Head on collisions are the most common type of accident, but side impacts are just behind them, and out of every type of crash, they are the ones most likely to prove fatal. So how can you minimise the risks? That’s an easy one: by looking for vehicles that have side head airbags installed for every occupant, and at the very least, torso airbags for the two front passengers too. These will dramatically reduce the chances of you being seriously injured or killed in the event of a collision. 

#3: Electronic Stability Control

Next up, keep an eye out for electronic stability control. This is basically a multi-directional version of an automatic braking system, and works by lessening the chance of your vehicle skidding following any sharp turns that you need to make. Having it installed is hypothesised to cut the risk of fatality in a single vehicle crash by 50 percent, and as half of motoring deaths occur in such circumstances, it is well worth having. 

#4: Ride Height  

Last but not least, we encourage you to take a look at any vehicle’s ride height, for the greater this is, the fewer occupant fatalities there tend to be. The science behind this is simple: if your head should be higher than the vehicle that’s about to ram into your door at 50 mph, you’re significantly less likely to either suffer brain injuries or underride the other vehicle.

Stay safe today: check that these four essential safety features are present in any motor you’re considering buying, and give yourself the best possible chance of walking away from an accident intact.

How Cab Drivers Keep Their Speeding Tickets to a Minimum

Industry Tips and Tricks: How Cab Drivers Keep Their Speeding Tickets to a Minimum

For those who work as professional drivers, there is arguably a greater chance of getting speeding tickets. Not because they’re likely to break the rules more often, but simply because they’re going to spend far more time behind the wheel than your average road users.

Unfortunately, it is also much worse for them when they do get a ticket. Tickets often lead not just to fines, but to points on their licences, and if these build up enough, they run the risk of being permanently banned from the roads and losing their livelihoods.

Little wonder, then, that most have plenty of tips and tricks up their sleeves to keep their mistakes to a minimum. If you’re wondering how they do it, read on to find out… 

#1: Speed Limiters

A lot of taxi drivers are turning to technology to help them stay below the speed limit, and many of the newer cars available from retailers like Cab Direct have speed limiters installed for just this reason. Setting the top speed that the vehicle can reach, these make it impossible for the driver to exceed the figure set, so that breaking the law and getting a ticket is something you never need to worry about. 

#2: Cruise Control

Cruise control works in a similar way, and is another trick used by taxi cab drivers to keep their speed down. Alternatively known as speed control or auto cruise, it automatically controls the speed of the motor vehicle. It does this by taking over the throttle of the car, to maintain the steady speed set by the person behind the wheel. This means that no accidental upsurges can occur even if the driver’s attention does wander for a moment or two. 

#3: Road Sign Identification

Alternatively, some cabbies choose to use road sign recognition technology. This enables the vehicle to ‘read’ traffic signs, and to react to them accordingly without any intervention from the driver. Thus, should a zone suddenly drop from 50 mph to 30 mph, or a sign appear warning of the presence of children in the area or a sharp turn ahead, the car can moderate its own speed to ensure that the speed limit is not breached and you don’t find a ticket in your post one day.

Take these tips and tricks from the experts and use them to improve your own driving today. They will not only save you money, but keep you and other road users safer too, making them beneficial for everyone. 

Disabled Drivers and the Rules of the Road

Disabled Drivers and the Rules of the Road

Advances in design and technology in recent times have enabled many disabled motorists to get behind the wheel either for the first time or after sustaining an injury. These fantastic advances include things such as hand controls for accelerating and braking, electronic handbrakes, left foot accelerators and joysticks for steering.

Wheelchair accessible vehicles, available from companies including Allied Mobility, allow wheelchair users to easily access automobiles whether they are a passenger or driver, which means that they no longer have to use public transportation which is not up to standard.  

Are the Vehicles Safe?

This has transformed the lives of thousands and allowed them to live independently, but do these modifications have any bearing on the rules of the road and are these adapted vehicles as safe to use as a standard automobiles or do they lead to speeding and accidents? 

Learning with an Adapted Automobile

Those with a disability must undertake a driving test - the test may see the motorist drive differently, but they must still drive to the same high standard in order to pass and the test will be exactly the same. There are driving instructors that specialize in teaching disabled individuals to drive, where they will learn with adapted controls. If the user passes their test, the DVLA will arrange for a license which states that the user is only licensed to operate a modified automobile. The exact modifications will be noted, whether it is modified transmission, steering or braking, and acceleration systems. Provided the motorist is driving a vehicle they are licensed to, it is no more dangerous than any other car on the road. 

Insurance

In terms of insurance, insurers are not allowed to refuse disabled motorists or charge more under the Equality Act (2010). The restrictions on the license will be taken into account, but this does not justify a higher premium. The only reason that a higher premium will be issued is if the user is adjusting to a new disability or to cover the cost of repairing an adapted vehicle. 

Statistics

Statistic show hat it is young males and those driving in a work-related capacity that is most likely to speed excessively, whilst a large percentage of accidents are due to drinking driving and the motorist using their phone whilst driving. No statistics show that adapted vehicles are involved in a high percentage of speeding incidents or accidents.

It is for these reasons that the rules of the road are exactly the same for disabled motorists. Some may think that operating an automobile that has been modified is unsafe, but the user will have learned to operate the automobile this way and be qualified to drive it on the roads.

How Mobile Speed Cameras Are Catching Drivers Using Their Phones

When drivers first learned that they could no longer use their mobiles at the wheel, it would be fair to say there was something of an uproar. Many argued that they were no more distracted by their phone than eating, smoking, or having passengers in the car, yet the new law was introduced nonetheless.

In March of this year, there was further controversy when the penalty attached to it was doubled, and now it seems that the police are really starting to crack down. But how are they doing it? They can’t have eyes and ears everywhere, so instead they’re relying on mobile speed cameras to do the hard work for them…

How It Works

Mobile speed cameras are in use across the world. Capable of snapping a shot up to one kilometer away, they’re set up to record a number of driving offenses, not just the speed of passing cars. For those who are unaware of this, it can lead to something of a shock when the attached fine is posted through your door.

The cameras work by flagging up vehicles that may be exceeding the speed limit. Should they track your vehicle, they will record the offense to use as evidence in your prosecution. This means that if you’re on your phone or not wearing a seatbelt at the time, you’ll soon suffer the consequences.

Why Does It Matter? 

If you’re on the side of those who are outraged at the increased fine, you probably think that it’s entirely unfair to track motorists and punish them so severely, but there’s actually a really good reason behind the rule.

According to experts Go Safe, those who spend their time behind the wheel talking, texting, or downloading data onto their phone will be pretty distracted, whether or not they realize it. This means that reaction times are significantly slower should you need to respond to a hazard on the road, making you even more likely to cause an accident than a drunk driver.

By taking part in the worldwide campaign to reduce deaths and serious injuries as a result of driving offenses, it is thus hoped that law-abiding citizens can help to make the roads a safer place for us all. 

Do your part to help: slow your speed, get off your phone, and take a look at this handy blog post from AA Cars to see how you can reduce driving distractions.

Which states allow speed cameras?

Can Traffic Cameras Be Used to Catch Drunk Drivers?

California is Trying to Legalize Speed Cameras

 Are Traffic Cameras Legal In Los Angeles, California?

This is a Legislative Guest Blog Post Alert from Highwayrobbery.net.   

Earlier this week a group of our legislators in Sacramento filed Assembly Bill 342, to allow the use
of speed cameras (photo radar) in California.  

In December, another group of our legislators in Sacramento filed Senate Bill 1, which will raise gas
taxes and registration fees.

The two bills - if they pass - will cost you hundreds of dollars every year for the rest of your life. 

SB-1 is coming to a crucial hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday, February 14th Valentine's Day - so our legislators need to hear from us very soon.  Info about both bills is on the 
Action/Legis page at my website.

It's easy - and very quick - to call a state legislator's office -  it's one of the few places anymore where a 
live person answers the phone after just a few rings.  Their phone numbers are in the Government section
at the front of your local phone book, or you can find them by Googling find California legislator.   

Regards, 
Jim 
Editor of Highwayrobbery.net

*****
Preventive measures:

1.  Would you like to have speed cameras (photo radar) in California?  How about higher car registration fees, and higher gas tax?  In early 2017, all of these are in bills in the Legislature in Sacramento.  See the Action/Legis page for more information. 

2.  Warn your friends about Snitch Tickets.  They're FAKE tickets issued by the police, and are sneakily different from a REAL red light camera ticket.  And, they can be ignored!  Read about them at the top of the Your Ticket page.  

3.  Also let your friends know that REAL tickets issued by the cities in LA County can be ignored, because the LA County court does not report ignored camera tickets to the DMV.  That ability to ignore includes tickets from the MTA/Metro, too.  (More info is in Set # 2 on the LA County Docs page.)  Educating your friends about these two big classes of tickets that can be ignored will reduce the money flowing to the greedy cities and camera companies and hasten the demise of red light cameras in California.

4.  Do you drive in Bakersfield, Canoga Park, Cathedral City, Culver City, Lynwood, Millbrae (adjacent to SFO), Montebello, Rancho Cordova, Redding, San Leandro, or Ventura?  In 2016 those cities greatly expanded their camera ticketing, so watch out!

5.  There is a very practical reason not to shop any more in red light towns!  In the questionnaire on my website, I ask defendants how often they have driven thru the intersection where they got their ticket.  While the majority of defendants were caught at intersections they had not visited previously, many were flashed at an intersection they were very familiar with.   Conclusion:  You are not safe from getting a ticket - or getting in an accident - simply because you know there's a camera there.  It is necessary to change your routine, to eliminate repeated visits to the intersection.  (It's like playing with snakes - no matter how careful you try to be, eventually they will catch you off guard, and you will get bit.)  The small amount of money you have saved at the big box discount store in that town will be more than offset by the cost of tickets, rearending someone, or being rearended.

Washington DC Protests Are Being Recording on Street Cameras

Washington DC Street Camera Locations Map

American Radar Dash Cam

American Radar's New Dash Cam

The American Rdara 9970BT is a high performance laser/radar detector that detects all radar and laser guns, including the instant-on and POP radar devices used by US law enforcement. Smart algorithm filters out false alerts produced by collision avoidance systems equipped in many modern vehicles. The unit will alert drivers to red light and speed camera locations throughout the United States. It uses dual GPS and GLONASS receivers and antennas to provide much faster performance with greater accuracy. Using the American Radar Android/iOS mobile app, customers can pair their mobile devices with the unit via a Bluetooth connection and receive software updates.