OzSTOC
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Diesel on December 10, 2012, 12:22:54 PM
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Coming home from the Qld OzSTOC Xmas party on my 13 along the Gateway Arterial near Sandgate Road overpass....
Road works there brought the 100km/h speed limit back to 80 for many months now.
Bumper to bumper traffic moving at 80km/h (the speed limit).
The only gap to be seen anywhere was the 2 second one I ALWAYS leave in front of me!
This apparently upset the young bloke in the Commodore Ute behind me enough to sit 4ft off the back of my bike (quite literally). :||||
I put up with this for 800m then decided to look at him and gesture that he back of a few metres. You'd think I just killed his first-born!
With both hands now off the wheel he was flipping the bird at me and yelling (I could only imagine what) and motioning me to f*&^ off to the next lane (which was full of cars anyways).
The gap remained the same, but he was sooo infuriated (as was I). Remember I mentioned that there were cars everywhere (so I couldn't even changed lanes at that point), and that we were in actual fact doing the posted limit!
I found a spot 300m later where I changed lanes, and he flew by me, no doubt wishing that a truck would turn me into roadkill, and tore off to the horizon.
I motioned to him that his only lover was his right hand as he went by, but was glad to see the end of him. We can't afford to play snow ploughs out there on meagre motorcycles!
Another car passed me and the passenger were giving me the thumbs up in support.
The amateur psychologist in me would love to have interviewed him to find out exactly what the useless PR&%CK on the motorcycle did to upset him so much. And the amateur Golden Gloves 2009 in me would love to beat the crap out of him afterwards! :rofl
If you all saw how compacted the cars were, you too wouldn't be able to believe this guy's actions. I kind of wished it went to court, and that there was footage of the incident.
Someone once said though.... "If you're laying dead on the road, doesn't matter if you're in the right or wrong!" Fair call.
Stickerman showed me his great camera set-up at the party - read about it here http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=2905.msg29544#msg29544 (http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=2905.msg29544#msg29544) Thanks Tony!
Think it might be a good idea to invest. If I could have filmed the other driver's wreckless behaviour, could I have forwarded a copy to the police for any further action?
I can see why plenty of folks are mounting cameras to monitor others' road manners. Apparently some insurance co's offer a discount for traffic cams mounted in/on your vehicle.
Hmmmm.... We've all got stories like this - just have to suck it most of the time and be glad we have our health I guess. :thumbsup
Vent over.
Cheers, Diesel
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Good idea Diesel - I am working on my setup now. I have a reservoir cover with dual ram balls in the post now so I can mount my camera there and plug it into the riser powerlet so I dont have to rely on batteries. I bought a drift X170 so I will update you when its altogether
:slvr13
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Tony, Just a thought but I would assume that the reservoir cover will move with the handlebars, so if, for instance you see something that you might run into and steer to avoid it, the camera view will move away from whatever it is pointed at, which could be just what you DON'T want to happen ::)
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True Whizz, but the camera should be following the direction of travel of the bike me thinks and it should avoid the delay when cornering. I just think its unsafe to have it helmet mounted as I get to see what helmets, visors and associated fittings look like after coming to sudden stops :fp :grin
:slvr13
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I have mounted mine under the headlight (HD170) it doesnt miss much. Shooting through the windscreen introduces a lot of distortion and loos of detail, due to bugs and tinting.
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So you were the old bloke seen filming around the "loos" :law :law :phone :-((( :fp :grin
:slvr13
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Oh very clever :well :well
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My policy is to move over let them speed off to be someone elses problem......preferable someone in uniform with or without a camera......leaves me to enjoy my oblivion
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Brock do the bugs hitting the camera where you have it block the lens anyway? The big grasshoppers and Chrissy beetles make a bit of a mess pretty quickly out here
:slvr13
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Dont get that many hitting it, but the road spray is a problem.
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If I could have filmed the other driver's wreckless behaviour, could I have forwarded a copy to the police for any further action?
Simple answer is YES. They will ask you to provide a statement and whether you are willing to go to Court. This is because we can't introduce your video, however we can use it to prove the offence.
Basically you get into the witness box, say you were driving and you activated the camera and here it is. If they have a Barrister/Solicitor they will try and discredit you, because that it what they steal money from people for, and then you go home.
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Further to Tackleberry's advice: we've had a few traffic matters go before our local Court which have been successfully prosecuted where civilian video evidence has been introduced to prove an offence.
In defended matters, if all the proofs exist and the Court finds you to be a credible witness, you have a pretty good chance of getting up. The Court is usually sympathetic toward someone who has witnessed a serious traffic offence and is prepared to give up their own time to come along to Court and give evidence.
In fact, the existence of good video evidence can deter offenders/legal reps from challenging some matters in the first place so coming along to Court may not even be necessary in some cases.
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Brock do the bugs hitting the camera where you have it block the lens anyway? The big grasshoppers and Chrissy beetles make a bit of a mess pretty quickly out here
:slvr13
Tony, a couple of pictures where the bugs have hit >:()
(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv353/TeeJay_019/FILE0763.jpg)
(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv353/TeeJay_019/FILE0761.jpg)
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Thanks for your comments guys.
I have one more question concerning the placement of such traffic cams in cars .... (may differ in each state)...
Are they ALLOWED to be mounted under the rear-view mirror? i.e. the centre of the windscreen?
I believe phone cradles and GPS' (at least in Qld) have to be mounted lower RHS, and NOTHING at all on dashboards in Vic.
Thanks again for your input.
Cheers, Diesel
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No restriction that I know of in WA, except for not blocking the drivers forward vision.
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Oh jeez...I thought you had an accident...reading that subject line
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Oh jeez...I thought you had an accident...reading that subject line
Yeah mate - I think it could have led to exactly that if I'd pushed my luck! :eek
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I have one more question concerning the placement of such traffic cams in cars .... (may differ in each state)...
Are they ALLOWED to be mounted under the rear-view mirror? i.e. the centre of the windscreen?
I believe phone cradles and GPS' (at least in Qld) have to be mounted lower RHS, and NOTHING at all on dashboards in Vic.
In Queensland there is a law that no VDU display is to be seen by the driver, excluding navigation devices, however we have to be able to prove that. The following link is a good explanation of the laws as they apply to each State or Territory, not exhaustive, but not bad.
http://www.blank-it.com/australian-distracted-driving-laws.aspx (http://www.blank-it.com/australian-distracted-driving-laws.aspx)
Sorry but Brock you may want to check the bottom of the page.
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There doesnt seem to be any restriction on the fitting of a Camera in any of those, as its not a TV or VDU. However, common sense would say to mount it in such a way as not to obscure drivers vision. Tucked up under the mirror in most cases would seem to be a good location, with power wiring secured out of the way.
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Thanks for your comments guys.
I have one more question concerning the placement of such traffic cams in cars .... (may differ in each state)...
Are they ALLOWED to be mounted under the rear-view mirror? i.e. the centre of the windscreen?
I believe phone cradles and GPS' (at least in Qld) have to be mounted lower RHS, and NOTHING at all on dashboards in Vic.
Thanks again for your input.
Cheers, Diesel
I couldn't see a problem with a small camera like a Go Pro or similar in NSW anyway. It wouldn't fall within the definition of a VDU etc. The main thing is to make sure that it doesn't obstruct the drivers view of the road ahead.
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There are crash cams being marketed that just keep taking footage, and overwrite footage as the memory fills up. Here are some, and some seem to have VDUs http://www.navig8r.com.au/products/crashcam (http://www.navig8r.com.au/products/crashcam)
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Although there is a chance a camera will be destroyed in an accident that takes out the helmet, there would seem to be a very good reason to helmet-mount in that it records exactly what you are looking at, assuming you turn your head.
I've also seen, like everyone, the dumb seconds of handlebars, boots and dirt, but apart from that, they seem to record what you wanted.
I would also expect that even if the camera took a hit, the card would generally retain the record.
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I've been thinking about this for a while, and whilst a go-pro or similar would be useful, I'd rather something that acted like a video black-box. My requirements are to have 2 cameras, front and rear, always on and running both cams when bike is on, SD card, bike powered and mounted, records over the buffer ie SD card capacity. THe only thing I could find is this
http://www.4kam.com/bike_camera_motorcycle_cam_packages.htm (http://www.4kam.com/bike_camera_motorcycle_cam_packages.htm)
The "ARP Bike Camera Package Pro PIP (Multi camera)" is probably the pick, but at 400 pommy quid, it's pretty expensive. Interestingly, this kit allows up to 4 camera's, so with 1 front, 1 back, and 1 each side, the only angle you don't have covered is from above,
regards
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the only angle you don't have covered is from above,
Handy for recording those falling cows or pianos.. :grin :grin :grin
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the only angle you don't have covered is from above,
Handy for recording those falling cows or pianos.. :grin :grin :grin
Just have to watch out for those :)
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It's really easy to let the dickhead drivers get us angry at their inconsiderate and unsafe practices. After a couple of close calls, I'll just pull over and let them pass, or give them plenty of space and not get involved by returning gestures. If some moron who's upset with me gets in front, I'm worried that they'll slam on their brakes for "revenge", which has already happened to me once :eek I take confort in the knowledge that I'm likely to be a safer road used than they are, and that by not inflaming the situation my blood pressure will be lower and I'm more likely to get home safe.
o:)
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It's really easy to let the dickhead drivers get us angry at their inconsiderate and unsafe practices. After a couple of close calls, I'll just pull over and let them pass, or give them plenty of space and not get involved by returning gestures. If some moron who's upset with me gets in front, I'm worried that they'll slam on their brakes for "revenge", which has already happened to me once :eek I take confort in the knowledge that I'm likely to be a safer road used than they are, and that by not inflaming the situation my blood pressure will be lower and I'm more likely to get home safe.
o:)
I agree, and my wife is constantly telling me that getting the chits with them and participating in the "road rage" doesn't change their attitude, which I have to say I agree with. However, that doesn't make me feel any better about the fact that these morons may at some stage kill an innocent party, whether they be a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, driver or truckie. They are incapable of critically looking at themselves and their driving habits with a view to becoming safer and considerate, and there is nothing we can do to help, except to hope that when they do have a big one, they are the only ones affected. But then, someone always has to clean up the mess.... :cuss :cuss
Fred Gassit has it right with his ascertion that "if your'e not usin' it, you won't be needin' it" as he kicks their side mirror off! :grin
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It's really easy to let the dickhead drivers get us angry at their inconsiderate and unsafe practices. After a couple of close calls, I'll just pull over and let them pass, or give them plenty of space and not get involved by returning gestures. If some moron who's upset with me gets in front, I'm worried that they'll slam on their brakes for "revenge", which has already happened to me once :eek I take confort in the knowledge that I'm likely to be a safer road used than they are, and that by not inflaming the situation my blood pressure will be lower and I'm more likely to get home safe.
o:)
I agree, and my wife is constantly telling me that getting the chits with them and participating in the "road rage" doesn't change their attitude, which I have to say I agree with. However, that doesn't make me feel any better about the fact that these morons may at some stage kill an innocent party, whether they be a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, driver or truckie. They are incapable of critically looking at themselves and their driving habits with a view to becoming safer and considerate, and there is nothing we can do to help, except to hope that when they do have a big one, they are the only ones affected. But then, someone always has to clean up the mess.... :cuss :cuss
Fred Gassit has it right with his ascertion that "if your'e not usin' it, you won't be needin' it" as he kicks their side mirror off! :grin
Wow! Great words you two! (and everyone else for that matter) :thumbs
It just really sucks to move over because they are riding 4ft off your arse end! This teaches them that this is how to get results!!!! :cuss
So from now on I will remember your wise wife's words Andrew, that "participating in the "road rage" doesn't change their attitude" and also "hope that when they do have a big one, they are the only ones affected"
It must be a Russian Roulette situation in America where a lot of people are "carrying"! You'd have to be very careful before really trying to ruin someone's day there...
Rednecks Mess With Wrong Bull (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_izd39hq198#)
Although here... it seems to save this guy from a whoopin'
Cheers, Diesel
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It just really sucks to move over because they are riding 4ft off your arse end! This teaches them that this is how to get results!!!! :cuss
That's very true Diesel, but I no longer care if they think that they've had a win. "Home Safe" is my primary objective. It would suck even more if they cause you to have an "off" 'cause your attention is consumed by the angry, tailgateing muppet in your mirrors, who is so close he can't see your brakelights, and not watching for the inattentive, phone using, "P" plater, driving his Dad's 4WD, who's about to pull out in front of you.
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Too true mate. I initially motioned this bloke to bring it to his attention. I was hoping he would have thought "Oh yes! I am waaay to close. I wasn't thinking!" (yeah right)!
Instead it infuriated him.
My main concern was that I was going down if i so much as touched the brakes, as he left no room for me. So - even if there was a large lump of timber or steel on the road, I was going to have to run over it without even washing off any speed! Further to that, if I had come down, he would surely have hit me! Everyone here knows how dangerous freeways can be. This is why I got so cranky. It is one thing to try and ignore him, but another to accept you are road pizza if anything goes wrong because of this numpty's stupid driving habits and mind set!
They are easier to ignore and accept if your health and even life aren't in jeopardy. He'd get 3 months, I'd get a wheel chair for life, or a coffin. And none of it was my doing.
I know, I know - get out of the kitchen etc etc.... but fair go... I KNOW he wouldn't have done any of this if he thought I was a copper!
Anyways - I normally ride out in the countryside where the sun shines and the birds sing lol
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The late great Peter Brock said that it is best to just feel sorry for them as they will go through life as angry, stupid, ignorant morons, or words to that effect! I put it all down to in-effectual training and licencing. Unfortunately it's a price we pay for being a very mobile society. In know in training circles in NSW for forklifts, implements etc, people are not deemed in-competant, but NOT YET competent, implying that they can become competant, not that they might be a lost cause. I think that goes for the average road user too (unfortunately, some motorcyclists included) that really, they will never be competant, and it's not just through lack of driving/riding skills, it's the attitude between the ears! :crazy :o :crazy :A
Most people don't think that it is a priviledge to have a licence; they simply think that it is a right, regardless of how dangerous they are.
If I were of politician, licencing would require 3 different levels of training, and stringent testing that actually tests the road skills of the driver/rider. I suppose as motorcyclists we do have a heightened awareness of safety, and that is something that the average car driver rarely understands and hardly ever get; they just see us as temporary Australians..... o:)
Now if we all had "always on cameras" facing every which way, we could get revenge on these idiots by catching video evidence of what they do. :grin
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I have one more question concerning the placement of such traffic cams in cars .... (may differ in each state)...
Are they ALLOWED to be mounted under the rear-view mirror? i.e. the centre of the windscreen?
I believe phone cradles and GPS' (at least in Qld) have to be mounted lower RHS, and NOTHING at all on dashboards in Vic.
In Queensland there is a law that no VDU display is to be seen by the driver, excluding navigation devices, however we have to be able to prove that. The following link is a good explanation of the laws as they apply to each State or Territory, not exhaustive, but not bad.
[url]http://www.blank-it.com/australian-distracted-driving-laws.aspx[/url] ([url]http://www.blank-it.com/australian-distracted-driving-laws.aspx[/url])
Sorry but Brock you may want to check the bottom of the page.
With the laws(http://A driver must not drive a vehicle that has a television receiver or a visual display unit operating if any[i] part of the screen is visible to the driver or is likely to distract another driver.[/i]) does this also mean screens on the rear of headrests are a no no as they can distract other drives?
It's hard to watch a story without sound or subtitles.
:blu13
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because of this numpty's stupid driving habits and mind set!
That's exactly what the problem is. His/her whole self image is wrapped up in the superiority they bought when they paid the 5% deposit on their Crumpledoor. Now they've got all that power and invulnerability, they can do what they like with impunity.
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Hey Dave,
I just bought one of the aldi action video cameras for $70 early tests ie walking round the yard etc it seems good value for money. It even has led and infared lights for those lonley FarRide nights.
cheers Greg
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...does this also mean screens on the rear of headrests are a no no as they can distract other drives?
It's hard to watch a story without sound or subtitles.
I was finding that the driver with the headrest got more distracted than me cause he wanted to move over as I got my car closer to see the small screen. :grin
Mounting the cameras behind the mirror or similar shouldn't cause any dramas at all, unless obscuring view etc. When the
Just remember fellas to have any real evidence value you need to be able to catch the actual incident, which most people turn on the camera afterwards. Two examples of cameras that we use at work for the pre-record feature are below:
http://vio-pov.com (http://vio-pov.com)
http://www.ewitness.com.au (http://www.ewitness.com.au)
I currently run BOTH of these, the POV is permanently mounted on the bike, and the eWitness I have just purchased to run on the side of the helmet as an interview recorder. Numerous coppers wear these models, either in cars, or on bikes. They both have a pre-record/loop record feature and can save recordings from before the button is pressed.
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I just found this: - http://www.digoptions.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1917 (http://www.digoptions.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1917)
It might not be perfect, but for the price ($99), it might not be a bad start. Seems like it could be stashed in one of the storage boxes as it's not weather proof, and all that's needed is a camera, 12V source, and a card to record to. If only it had more inputs to do front, rear, left and right... almost forgot above as well, for those errant pianos etc... :grin
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the only angle you don't have covered is from above,
Handy for recording those falling cows or pianos.. :grin :grin :grin
Gotta remember Drop Bears too Brock :grin :grin
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Just did a lap of the suburb with the Contour ROAM HD Cam mounted on my helmet..... :thumb
Also have two other mounting spots.
- On Ram Mount above triple clamp - forward view through windscreen; and
- Under RHS tipover cover facing forward with view of lower cowling and front wheel/calipers/disc assembly (as well as scenery).
The helmet mount is 360* rotatable and can film behind me as well.
I have done some tests and am pleased with the results - will post a few small clips soon.
Just have to cover my speedo up as the resolution is too good! :whistle :rofl
The camera records in .MOV format.
Cheers, Diesel
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Hey Dave,
I just bought one of the aldi action video cameras for $70 early tests ie walking round the yard etc it seems good value for money. It even has led and infared lights for those lonley FarRide nights.
cheers Greg
I'll have a good gander at Bucca mate. Cheers
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Hey - did you guys see today's news in Qld where a road rage incident escalated to violence and car ramming. The other driver even jumped on the bonnet of Car A and smashed the windscreen with his fist!
It was all caught on a crash cam mounted in Car A. This exemplifies the use I was thinking of when penning/typing this thread.
Cheers, Diesel
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Hey - did you guys see today's news in Qld where a road rage incident escalated to violence and car ramming. The other driver even jumped on the bonnet of Car A and smashed the windscreen with his fist!
It was all caught on a crash cam mounted in Car A.
Excellent- is it on the 'net? Can't see it yet.
Amazing what gets into people. Or maybe it was one of those mental cases they were talking about having electronic tags on while they are released into the public (so they can be easily found soon after they re-offend).
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Hey - did you guys see today's news in Qld where a road rage incident escalated to violence and car ramming. The other driver even jumped on the bonnet of Car A and smashed the windscreen with his fist!
It was all caught on a crash cam mounted in Car A. This exemplifies the use I was thinking of when penning/typing this thread.
Cheers, Diesel
Yep saw that incident Diesel. Seriously, that guy should be locked away for a while. He was totally out of control. He had no regard for anybodies safety or his own vehicle. The guy is nuts. Wonder what the 'girlfriend' sees in him. She was in the car so maybe 'birds of a feather' as the old saying goes. Should be easy pickin's for the QPS as the number plate was quite visible on the footage. Crazy stuff.
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Here's an affordable unit. Might be possible to make it waterproof.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Navig8r-NAVCAM-HD-Car-Crash-Dash-Camera-HD720p-2-5-LCD-/120949538224#ht_4091wt_1186 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Navig8r-NAVCAM-HD-Car-Crash-Dash-Camera-HD720p-2-5-LCD-/120949538224#ht_4091wt_1186)
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apparently more people (women included) are now coming forward. hope they DO something not just recommend treatment and bond