New police plane can detect speeding, issue fines (NSW)

[daggett]

With the Christmas season upon us NSW Police have today unveiled two new initiatives to help combat the growing road toll and make sure everyone makes it home safely.

Police will be out in force from midnight Friday 18 December until 11.59pm Sunday 3 January 2010 as part of Operation Safe Arrival, the annual Christmas/New Year road safety campaign, and this year motorists will be targeted from the sky –with the use of a fixed wing plane.

“This operation sees NSW Police use a fixed-wing plane to target speeding, fatigue and other dangerous driving behaviours from the sky,” said Commissioner Andrew Scipione.

“The ‘Cessna 206H Stationair’ will be crewed by trained traffic police who will use the plane to monitor drivers from the air, observing signs of fatigue.”

“Importantly also on board the Cessna is an approved device that measures the time taken for a vehicle to travel between special lines that have been marked on the road by the RTA. Where police on board detect a speeding offence a ticket will be issued by mail to the registered owner. Police will also have the capability to coordinate ground- based officers to intercept the vehicle if necessary,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“Road users should know, police are now everywhere targeting speeding – even the sky. The annual NSW road toll currently stands at 444 – 93 more than the same time last year. We don’t want to see more people die.

“Just as there are police cars on the road, we will now have a plane in the sky. You never know when police are watching you.

“On average nine people die on our state’s roads every week. This means that during the two week period that Operation Safe Arrival runs, 18 people will not be there for Christmas, for New Year, for the family get togethers and the happy times that people celebrate at this time of year,” said Commissioner Scipione.

Traffic Services Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, has re-iterated the Commissioner’s message that police will be out in force.

“Double demerit points will be in effect from midnight next Wednesday, 23 December 2009 and concluding on Sunday 3 January 2010 for all speeding and seatbelt offences,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

“If you break the law this Christmas/New Year period you will be caught. Police will be everywhere, even in the air, targeting the main roads and the backstreets. Irresponsible driving behaviour will not be tolerated. We want everyone to get home safely this holiday period.

“Police are on target to conduct four million breath tests this year. If you plan to drink, do not get in the car and drive, you will be caught and you will be dealt with and feel the full force of the law,” said Assistant Commissioner Hartley

In partnership with the NRMA police have today also launched a poster campaign focusing on reminding drivers of the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving.

“You’re four times more likely to crash when you’re on a mobile phone. Each week police catch around 755 drivers using their mobile phones in their vehicles. The penalty for using your phone is up to $338 and 4 demerit points.

“Our message couldn’t be clearer; don’t risk your life, don’t risk other people’s lives- when you are driving, keep your attention on the road, pull over if you want to take a call or read a text message,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

The posters will be distributed to all Local Area Commands throughout the state for police to distribute to local community groups and businesses.

Operation Safe Arrival will run throughout the state from 0001 Friday 18 December until 2359 on Sunday 3 January, double demerits will apply from 0001 Wednesday 23 December until 2359 on Sunday 3 January.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/la...ZhbGw9MQ%3D%3D

[jellycalais]

Ive been w8ing for some1 2 post this up! I can see good tax payers money going down the drain, once again

[daggett]

Couldn't agree more and would love to know how they can see a number plate unless their flying on your roof! Why don't they spend the money on driver education insted of wasting it on shitty stunts like this.

[calais24/7]

Hahaha and they said that it couldnt hold up in court. So basically if anyone gets done, they take it to court and it gets dropped. The police minister or whatever said "we have spoken with lawyers" (not exactly) and shit haha

[TVR-190]

what will com next, radar gun cops wearing jetpacks, polair blimp ????

[daggett]

For sale! Slightly used ex Russian Military S.A.M (Surface to Air Missile launcher) $10,000.00 ono.

[ausrs]

this is just a re hash of something that was trialled maybe 20 years ago
cough...................... publicity stunt.............cough

we already live in a police state
spend some decent money maintaining roads instead of this complete and utter BS !!!

[TVR-190]

i wonder when theyll start to have unmarked police airplanes, interceptor rims on the landing gear, and some blue / red dash lights

[calais24/7]

i wonder when theyll start to have unmarked police airplanes, interceptor rims on the landing gear, and some blue / red dash lights

Hahah lol, you forgot to mention some might be wearing a p plate

[STEALTHY™]

i wonder when theyll start to have unmarked police airplanes, interceptor rims on the landing gear, and some blue / red dash lights

Imagine the resale value with the unicorn chip.

[benjamino]

For sale! Slightly used ex Russian Military S.A.M (Surface to Air Missile launcher) $10,000.00 ono.

[TVR-190]

Imagine the resale value with the unicorn chip.

what differnce does my cessna 206hbt1 have over a standard cessna 206h

[danja]

Nothing like an extravagant waste of public money to get the road toll down

[STEALTHY™]

Nothing like an extravagant waste of public money to get the road toll down

Just think of how much speeding will be reduced near airports (as seen in results of less speeding near speed camera's........)

[sax]

Pigs in space !!

[VKCOMMO]

huge waste of money but if it saves lives and makes jobs then i think its good.

@TVR-161, whats the added extra's on the BT1.. lol

[Grennan]

Haha a plane to help with fatigued drivers, what are they going to do if they spot one? Fly down low and get the megaphone out?

[cewing]

Imagine if this actually works, and they expand the idea....
THere wont be much point even havin a commodore nemore- mite as well grab my speedlimit friendly corolla!

[Vee-ard]

To all those people that said "when pigs fly"... well, here you go.

[STEALTHY™]

To all those people that said "when pigs fly"... well, here you go.

What about the helicopters they have used for decades?

[VKCOMMO]

To all those people that said "when pigs fly"... well, here you go.

first thing that i thought when i heard this idea on the radio

[greenfoam]

Back in the day Vic Police had 3 choppers doign this same thing, untill the State went broke back in the days of one of the Labour goverments and all the choppers went offline due to not beign able to fix them. Dunno if they ever did get them running again

[VKCOMMO]

Haha a plane to help with fatigued drivers, what are they going to do if they spot one? Fly down low and get the megaphone out?

nope, drop the mufflers and make them sh!t scared..lol

[Grennan]

Back in the day Vic Police had 3 choppers doign this same thing, untill the State went broke back in the days of one of the Labour goverments and all the choppers went offline due to not beign able to fix them. Dunno if they ever did get them running again

Yeah it costs something like 10 grand just for the choppers to take off. Let alone fly around looking for people. Imagine how much this is costing the already piss broke NSW government.

[Maxxiz]

"Omg my cessna is faster than urs cos its an xcopr. Its got uh.. Survelance mode?" Siiiik