new type of radar??

chi-doha-08
By chi-doha-08

Yesterday, I got flashed and I know for sure that I was going 102 kph on a 100 speed limit. I pass that Radar everyday between 95 and 105 and never get flashed.

I had read a few months ago that they were going to install new radars where it takes the average speed between 2 points and if you go on a stretch too fast, it will catch you. Prior to the radar I was definitely going 120+ average....so does anybody know if these new types of radars have started where they take the average speed between 2 parts on the road?

Btw, there was a truck next to me, but it was definitely going around 80 kph or so, and couldnt have flashed cause of another car.

It was about 11:30 last night and it was the radar beneath the bridge on the way to the Pearl (right before Qatar sports club comes on your right).

By yatri• 31 Jul 2015 07:39
yatri

Dont exceed speed of ur vehicle.

By yatri• 31 Jul 2015 07:39
yatri

Dont exceed speed of ur vehicle.

By fubar• 15 Dec 2011 19:59
Rating: 2/5
fubar

Qatar_engineer:

Point to point radars are possible and in existence elsewhere in the world.

As you assume, they record all the vehicles between two points, and calculate the average speed of the vehicle passing between the two points. I don't see why that is such a hard concept to grasp.

As for your assumption that they would need to flash (in visible light) at night to catch every number plate, you seem to have overlooked infra red light, which is not visible to human eyes but allows special cameras to read number plates.

Which brings us to the obvious conclusion...

WHY DO YOU THINK THEY ARE CHANGING OVER ALL THE NUMBER PLATES TO A NEW DESIGN??

And if you want to know more about this technology (it's been around since the late 1970s in the developed part of the world, so it's hardly cutting edge) I am graciously providing a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_number_plate_recognition

By drsam• 15 Dec 2011 17:44
drsam

they did paint the radars in orange for all to see. and it's a good thing. yes radar are not to extract money but to reduce speed and hence fatalities. but mobile radar are another thing. about police car, well u should have a look at r/a without cameras: in front of the police red lakhwiya people burn red light daily.

By anonymous• 15 Dec 2011 11:18
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

Back in the country down under, it has been proven that a police car parked on the side of the road on a highway will stop people speeding of a distance of 10km each way of that vehicle, this is proven fact, but I have to say the police down under are very proactive,, and will get out of their cars to book you. Hail rain or shine you cannot run from our police, that the main problem here, you can drive down the road at a 120km speed limit. Be behind a Qatar police car and some guy in a land cruiser will pass you both doing 160kmh… nothing will happen by the police vehicle. Why,,,,,,,,???/ You tell me.. I have my thoughts on this….

By Translator• 15 Dec 2011 11:08
Translator

They hide it to win the battle, with the objective of establishing a constant fear of a radar nearby and hence slowing down habitually. Otherwise, people will only slow down near radar points.

By anonymous• 15 Dec 2011 00:37
anonymous

People people people,, radars are designed to lower speed to save life,, not to be used for revenue earnings. Put them out in full sight so people see them all the time... don’t hide them... save life not earn money,,, get back on track about this and what they are designed for,, HEloooooo

By Migsawy• 15 Dec 2011 00:08
Migsawy

I can't believe they are using these mobile radars on the streets of Doha at night. A car in front of me was speeding and I was right behind him at TV round about going towards University petrol station. There was a single flash, not sure if that was for him only or for the both of us. Shouldn't it flash twice for 2 cars if they are not on the same line ? I am relatively new here and I would never have imagined that such a small street would have a mobile radar ! I went back to check if it was a radar and they actually had one on each side. Black box on a tripod.

Anyway this was at around 11pm on Wednesday. Drivers beware.

By daiwai• 13 Dec 2011 10:52
daiwai

..well said - check the MOI homepage.

I believe that most manufacturers speedometers show a higher than actual reading so they avoid being sued (for something !) in the case of a diver's speedng conviction.

By zirkwander• 13 Dec 2011 01:27
zirkwander

Not to state the obvious but have you even checked the Traffic Department website if you were actually fined? I guess that will solve your confusion whether that flash was really for you or not.

By Koen1815• 12 Dec 2011 19:15
Rating: 3/5
Koen1815

I noticed several new cameras have been installed at various intersections across. This is excellent. I hope that all new intersections will be equipped with cameras (f.e. two new intersections on D-ring...).

Note also that the new license plates are perfect since the speeding cameras can read without error.

By drsam• 12 Dec 2011 18:21
Rating: 2/5
drsam

the manai-bridge that serves al rayyan road may be 80, but the bridge that serves khalifa street between TV and Oryx is 100

By Xena• 12 Dec 2011 14:19
Xena

its now 100.

By Satheesh_madh• 12 Dec 2011 13:22
Rating: 4/5
Satheesh_madh

qatar_engineer,I believe, you are right, regarding the 80KM speed limit on that section of the road.100 KM limit starts AFTER the fire station roundabout.And the new radars ARE capable of recording data of several plates and process them simultaneously.

By anonymous• 12 Dec 2011 12:58
anonymous

It also flashes when you talk on the mobile phone or when you aren't wearing seat belts. And it flashes when you put your hands between your girlfriend's legs. All these things are forbidden in beautiful Qatar!

By ajmani• 12 Dec 2011 12:03
Rating: 4/5
ajmani

I have seen this happening quite often near the Qatar Bowling Center underpass. Everyone slows down to about 60kmph, though speed limit is 80kmph. The flash of the radar under the bridges is not only for overspeeding cars, but also for high trucks (height above certain meters (for obvious reasons). So, if there was a truck next to you, it was most likely for the truck. Point to point radars would be useful on highways (straight roads) and not within the city with plenty of roundabouts. Anyways, always drive under the speed limit, but not too slow or you can experience other flashes in your rear view mirror :).

By drsam• 12 Dec 2011 11:37
drsam

100 for cars/motorcycles, 80 for tracks

By cherukkan• 12 Dec 2011 11:29
Rating: 3/5
cherukkan

qatar engineer, the road which goes through the underpass before Qatar Sports club has got a speed limit of 100 and not 80.

By cherukkan• 12 Dec 2011 11:25
cherukkan

Your were speeding above 102 and 120 in a road where the speed limit is 100? What will be your speed where the speed limit is 120?

By drsam• 12 Dec 2011 11:25
Rating: 2/5
drsam

at qatar engineer

point to point radar is plausible and can easily be used. computer camera can process hundred of car plates per second and compare the database in fraction of a second. think of face recognition cameras in airport or on the road who can recognise a face out of millions in the database.

better still, is the proposal to monitor all vehicles by satellite (day and night). the emirates is (or was) studying the concept: not only it tracks the vehicle speed, it can follow it in dusty sandstorms, or when in an underway tunnel!

By chi-doha-08• 12 Dec 2011 11:20
Rating: 2/5
chi-doha-08

qatar engineer, i agree with you, I think the only way they can do it is if they insert electronic chips or something in the license plate so they can monitor the cars more better. Not happening anytime soon.

But also, the speed limit was 100 kph, not 80.

By Translator• 12 Dec 2011 11:16
Translator

the new license plates have infra-red reflectors, which the camera can see the number code (not the number itself) from far away without the need for the bright flash.

As I pointed out earlier, there are so many advanced technology in the current system that once enabled, a speeding car will be ticketed.

By anonymous• 12 Dec 2011 11:15
anonymous

qatar_engineer: the limit is 100kmh, I usually drive at 90-95 and never had a ticket before.

By drsam• 12 Dec 2011 11:15
Rating: 5/5
drsam

because a 100 km/h radar should only flash at over 110 km/h speeding car. less than that and u can argue that it's mechanical error uncertainty (the margin of error or accuracy of a mchine). in qatar it's 10%, in france it is 5%. in 2009 the french governement wanted to make it 3% but met with angry taxi drivers threatening to strike.

bottom line, yes it may flash but u will not get fined. the photos of the radar showing ur speed at 102 km/h will be discarded by the police. otherwise u can file a lawsuit. i know what i'm talking about.

abide by the rules and don't speed drive.

By Chairboy• 12 Dec 2011 11:13
Chairboy

Just slow down - then you dont need to concern yorself with the technology............

By anonymous• 12 Dec 2011 11:07
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

First, if I'm not mistaken, that point where you got flashed is an 80km/hr zone. If you were going 100+, then you got a regular speeding ticket. Slow down under overpasses.

Second, I'm not buying this "point-to-point radar" propaganda. In order to ticket someone between two points, they would have to record every single vehicle passing by every single radar in Doha, then store that data in an enormous database and have it ready to compare it to every single car passing by every nearby radar point. Furthermore, they would need to have a camera pointed AT you, to get the features of your car and license plate once again, then quickly find your car in a central database calculate the speed between the 2 points, then tell the camera (pointed the normal way) to snap your photo.

Even Further, at night they would never be able to get info on your car unless there was a beaming bright light pointed right at your car all the way down the road.

Remember, at night when you speed by the radar it has to flash VERY brightly in order to capture your license plate. Nonsense....it just doesn't make sense........

So, think about it people, this is nothing but propaganda from the gov't. Period.

By anonymous• 12 Dec 2011 11:07
anonymous

Good question, isale. I know in some countries the tolerance is 10% over the limit, because there is always an error margin in the vehicle's mechanics but still, if the limit is 100kmh I would drive at 90 just to be on the safe side.

By Translator• 12 Dec 2011 11:06
Translator

"uncivilised" ????

Isn't that too much Mr. Civilized ?

The issue we are discussing here does not require such a reaction from you.

By s_isale• 12 Dec 2011 11:03
s_isale

if speed limit is at 100, why should it not flash when speed is 102?

By hislam• 12 Dec 2011 10:50
hislam

They have the speed indicated next to the phot.

I doubt 102 would get flashed; you might be still slowing down by then from higher speed. You have to work on your timing.

By chi-doha-08• 12 Dec 2011 10:41
chi-doha-08

Thanks, but this definitely wasn't a mobile radar, this was the normal camera beneath a bridge (been installed there for about a year or so).

I'm just surprised it flashed when I only went 2 kilometers over the speeding limit.

Yes I know the lesson is not to speed lol, but still want to know....

By hislam• 12 Dec 2011 10:39
Rating: 4/5
hislam

for all Mr. / Mrs. right to give you lessons about not speeding; how uncivilised you are may be to the extent of wondering how you are an existing creature!!!

Anyways, as far as I know, this Point-to-point radars are not installed yet. The plan is to start with free roads first then study if it is applicable within the city or not.

Definetly, the one you mentioned is not a point-to-point radar.

BTW, you still have to be cautios for the hidden radars as recently they decided to let go the decency of installing ONLY fixed visible radars.

By Translator• 12 Dec 2011 10:34
Translator

Yes, new radars have advance features that are not published. Slow down with or without radar.

By ani_chy• 12 Dec 2011 10:33
Rating: 5/5
ani_chy

yes, these types of radars are very frequently deployed on the road, and you will never know! earlier they used tinted black 4WDs to hide the camera, but recently, even the road barricades, the road signs, the barricades and even on the bridges..mobile radars are being deployed and people don't even get a clue!!!

End of the day lesson: Never over speed! Take that! You only make the rules tougher for others, not any easier!!

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