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Truvelo D-Cam Speed Cameras Explained
In 2013 a new type of digital Truvelo speed camera was launched, known as D-Cam which is short for Digital Camera. Since that time a number of Police forces and constabularies across the UK have opted to replace many ageing fixed Gatso speed cameras with Truvelo D-Cams. This change from Gatso to Truvelo D-Cam is by far most noticeable in Norfolk where Norfolk Constabulary have installed no less than 27 Truvelo D-Cams.
Unlike the original Truvelo speed camera, the new Truvelo D-cameras can be installed forward or rear facing to approaching traffic. This means they can target the front or rear of passing vehicles.
Truvelo D-Cams can also be used as red light cameras and can monitor traffic on 3 lanes at any one time.
The cost of installation is around £10,000, but have relatively low running costs. If you'd like to read more about the original Truvelo speed camera click here.
What's new with these cameras?
The latest Truvelo cameras named D-Cam are part of a new digital camera range which are mounted to polls at the side or central reservation of the road.
These new digital cameras don't require film, instead the Truvelo D-Cam can either store up to 100,000 digital photos or send the photos in real-time via an ADSL/3G connection to a back office for processing.
If the photos are stored on location, the camera conveniently lowers so the data can be simply downloaded to a laptop or other device to be then processed at the Police authorities or Safety Camera Partnerships offices.
How does the new Truvelo D-Cam work?
The Truvelo D-Cam uses one of two technologies to trigger the camera in taking a photo of a speeding motorist.
The first is called D-Cam P and uses piezo sensors embedded into the roads surface. As a vehicle drivers over the strips in the road and if the calculated speed is too high the Truvelos infra-red camera is triggered to take a photo.
The second method named D-Cam L uses a laser beam to measure the speed of approaching vehicles. When a car, van, etc is approaching too fast the camera springs to life to photo the offending motorist.
Do you have a question about Truvelo D-Cam speed cameras? You can read UK motorist's Truvelo D-Cam questions and answers and you can also ask your own unanswered question via our online form. Alternatively, read UK drivers Truvelo D-Cam camera comments.
Does a Truvelo D-Cam speed camera flash?
The Truvelo D-Cam speed camera does not 'flash' like a Gatso speed camera. Instead Truvelo cameras uses an infra red flash which produces no visible 'flash' to the approaching driver. This is provided via either a built-in infra-red flash or a separetly mounted unit - as pictured below.
Points and Penalties
The absolute minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a fine of £100. A minimum of 3 penalty points will also be added to your driving licence.
However, depending on the road speed limit and your actual recorded speed in the speeding offence a court summons may be generated in place of the Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) through the post with the code SP10, SP20, SP30, SP40 or SP50. Read more about speeding fines.
Also, if it is your first speeding offence you may be invited by letter to undertake a national driver offender retraining scheme course with your local Police force.
Truvelo D-Cams in West Yorkshire
In September 2013 two New Truvelo D-Cams were installed in accident blackspot locations previously enforced by Gatso speed cameras. Because these are now Truvelo the photo they take now includes the driver of the vehicle. This leaves it undeniable who was driving at the time of the speeding offence.
Simon D'Vali, chair of West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership, comments: "The new cameras on York Road are the first sites in Leeds district to have been replaced with modern digital cameras. These sites have been at the road side for 13 years, camera housings do not last forever and in the intervening time camera technology has moved on. The West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership has a rolling programme that, over the course of 20 or 30 years, will see all the county's cameras moved to digital".
He also added "The new digital sites transmit photographs and speed readings directly to the back office for checking, there is no requirement for a technician to drive to site, collect the film, then develop it."
Mr D'Vali finally commented "The partnership exists to reduce casualties. We know safety cameras are an effective tool to do this. We are making savings, so with the digital cameras we can effectively do more for less money."
Truvelo D-Cam Speed Camera locations
What is your view and experiences with Truvelo D-Cam speed cameras in the UK? Tell us and read more Truvelo D-Cam comments. Alternatively, if you have a question relating to Truvelo fixed speed cameras, please see our Truvelo D-Cam Q&A page.
Want to know where the UK's Truvelo D-Cam speed cameras are as you drive? Here at SpeedCamerasUK.com we have a UK database of speed camera locations. This database also includes Gatso, SpeedCurb, SPECS, Truvelo, Peek, Traffic Light speed cameras and more. Read more about the speed camera types.
Last updated: 6th August 2024
