A traffic warden’s dream… and a driver’s nightmare. Trànsit has released the first mobile radars of last generation, known as radar cars, certainly revolutionary devices to fight against accidents on the road.
We explain what they are and where to find them.
What is a radar car?
Trailer radars or radar cars are mobile radars designed to be installed on any road, without the need for electrical connection, which allows greater flexibility when it comes to their location. Thanks to their laser technology, they can monitor the speed of vehicles dynamically and simultaneously in several lanes. In addition, because they are connected to the Internet, fines are handled instantly, eliminating the need for police presence on site.
Their independence from electrical connection allows them to cover larger areas, including county roads. Each trolley-radar has long-life batteries that guarantee continuous operation for a week, allowing them to remain in the same place for several days.
In addition, thanks to their Internet connection, these radars automatically generate and send fines to offenders, eliminating the need for an officer to be present on site. This system makes it possible to manage fines more quickly and efficiently.
Where are they installed?
According to the SCT, their installation responds to detailed studies that analyze the black spots and stretches with the highest accident rates, with the aim of reducing accidents on Catalan roads.
The first of these radars has already been installed at kilometer 196 of the C-31, in Bellvitge, in the direction of Castelldefels, one of the stretches with the highest accident rate. A second radar will come into operation this Friday on the AP-7, at Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, in the direction of Tarragona. It remains to be reported where the other two that the SCT has incorporated will be installed.
The Servei Català de Trànsit emphasizes that in the stretches where similar radars have already been installed, the accident rate has decreased between 65% and 80%. These devices, visible to drivers and protected against vandalism, are designed to act as a deterrent, encouraging respect for speed limits.