I don’t know if you know much about speed cameras. They are an amazing combination of technology, including in some cases, lasers and light sensors, radar transmitters and digital imaging tech such as number plate recognition.
It’s only by chance, as opposed to my good driving, that I’ve only got to know them personally just once in my time in NSW, and it wasn’t even along the esplanade at Speers Point. Once in 8 years is far less than some people. But I can tell you that the speed camera in the Australian Navy section of the National Park at Jervis Bay worked well – to the tune of $280.
But did you know that the speed camera was first invented by a man who was trying to go faster?
His name was Maurice Gatsonides and he was qualified pilot, raced at Le Mans four times and was arguably the world’s first professional rally driver. It started innocently enough. In the late 1950’s Gatsonides was trying to measure his cornering speed so he could improve his rally driving.
He developed a system with two pneumatic tubes which were spaced apart on the road and when the two tubes were run over by a car, an electronic box timed the interval and calculated the road speed.
Although his contraption was designed to help people go faster, not slower, Police departments began showing an interest and Gatsonides formed a company in 1958 and became very rich.
Now, I think the general public has a bit of a love/hate relationship with speed cameras. But the stats do show that they are somewhat effective at one thing – catching people who are speeding at one exact point in time and space.
You might say that speed cameras are good at discouraging certain behaviour. But what they aren’t good at is actually encouraging safe behaviour that protects life and property.
Wouldn’t it be nice If someone could invent a system that actually rewarded you for all the times you were a good driver; for all the times when you obeyed the laws. For all the times when you drove safely
Well, did you know, they’ve done that too!
In 2018, a speed camera was launched in the south of the Netherlands. This one. (see below)
Instead of punishing drivers for speeding, it rewards them for driving in compliance with the rules. In the town of Helmond they deployed a speed camera which instead of capturing and punishing speeding drivers, but that rewards drivers driving at the allowed speed.
The reward is 10 cents per ride and every day each vehicle can ‘earn’ a maximum of 50 cents. This money does not go to the driver but is transferred to a special fund. Once a larger amount of money has been raised. The residents decide on what social purpose the funds will be used for. During the first two weeks of operation of the speed camera, drivers collected about €400. The first project funded with the funds raised through the speed camera was a playground. Everyone benefits from this solution of encouraging positive behaviours.
The reason I mention this, is that we want to encourage in our students and staff, approaches to life and learning, habits and dispositions that will help you flourish, academically and personally and socially.
That’s why next Tuesday night at Presentation Night, we will present awards of academic achievement and diligence, character and service. Some schools don’t do awards. They think its wrong to award some students and not others on the grounds of fairness. But we believe that it is important that we use the talents and abilities God has given us and so we want to encourage those who do so in some way. Your parents will be notified this week if you are receiving an award.
Whether you are a recipient of not, I hope you’ll make it a priority to come to the Review. It’s a great night of music, humour, awards and celebration. There’s an amazing vibe in the event and before it at the Food Alley. It’s a great way to finish the year with your friends and family.
Mr Mark Ash / Principal
