Two readers sent me pictures of a new emergency lane camera that was just setup on the 5th ring road between road 50 and 55. According to a reader the camera was flashing every car driving on the emergency lane so let me be the first to say thank you to whomever came up with this idea. I love it!
Thanks Omar and Dragos
26 replies on “New emergency lane cameras”
So THAT’s what it does! Now i can rest in peace. Lol
So please confirm, is it legal to use the left hand side emergency lanes during rush hour as you posted before?
My guess is (and its just a guess) that the information on the emergency lane usage i posted previously is correct. You’re only allowed to drive on the emergency lane of certain roads at certain times. The 5th ring road isn’t one of the roads you’re allowed to drive on the emergency lane at any time.
I have seen identical cameras with the 3 black rings in the UAE. Supposedly they can detect wearing seatbelts, using mobile phones while driving and overspeeding. Wonder if its the same ones ?
I highly doubt they cameras in Dubai can detect seat belts or using mobile phones.
I highly doubt any camera can detect that without human involvement. Just sounds impossible. but I imagine since it has three ‘bands’ like around it… i wouldn’t be surprised if it takes more than one picture from different sides… making it possible to the officer viewing the pictures to identify whether or not the driver was wearing seatbelt or using the phone.
They supposedly can.
https://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/dubai-police-s-new-radar-can-record-eight-violations-1.1320475
Look closely at the camera when driving by and you will see 2 lenses and a flash. One is a camera that takes a shot of the whole car, and the other is a video camera that records you via video as you are violating the law.
Now they only need to install these every 100 meters š
Exactly, otherwise they are utterly useless really.
whilst at it would be great if they also installed cameras to tackle queue jumping at signals etc!
So what if you have an emergency and have to use that lane? Last year when my wife was going into labor I drove for several miles on the emergency lane because of crazy traffic.
Also there are times when the cars stop very suddenly and going into the emergency lane is the best way to avoid hitting the car in front of you.
What about if you have a breakdown and you have to go to the emergency lane to park your car and investigate the problem?
Finally, it seems all those stupid cameras will do is stop people from driving on the left emergency lane in their immediate vicinity. Also everyone will just start using the right emergency lane.
Even though these cameras are now installed and are flashing pictures, I doubt they are actually issuing fines. There is usually a media campaign (newspaper, TV, road signs) whenever a new horrible gadget comes into existence on the roads here.
I understand but I think it’s better to take that fine contest it in court (your wife was in labour etc) than to have the emergency lanes open and full of traffic then you’re stuck with your wife in your car giving labour.
Emergency lanes are meant to be for emergencies, so if you are ticketed and can prove you have an emergency, then it’s easily contested in a court and they’ll bypass your ticket.
I agree though, people will just merge in before the cameras once they memorize where they are and then jump back into the emergency lane once they pass it. I think they should have never opened up this emergency lane during rush hour law.
Good luck with contesting it in court. LOL, there is no such thing in Kuwait. All these violations go to court because it has to by law since there is a fine. However its not like an actual courtroom with a judge and someone from the traffic police and the driver. You will not know when the court date even is, because again its not even a courtroom. Some judge will sign through hundreds of tickets in a shift all alone in his office. Just a procedural thing. He doesn’t even read any details about anything nor is he provided any.
Makes sense. Keeps roads safer and makes them money. Imagine how much money the Kuwaiti Government would be making if they set up cameras like Dubai. Driving in Dubai is so chill. Just like the States lesser populated areas.
Saw it in action last night. Only I did not realize it was a different camera compared to the speed/red light cameras already installed (just because I was paying attention to what its taking pictures of, rather than the camera itself)
I have to say I didn’t stop smiling for about 10 minutes. Thank you MOI — don’t sat that alot now, do we?
Hopefully some of the animals on the road now will be tamed.
Usually, it’s the Kuwaitis with big wastas that use the emergency lanes. So, Cameras, Rules, Fines etc. won’t work.
In case of real Emergency for an individual, one has to use an ambulance or Police car. No way can an individual use his private vehicle & use emergency lane.
Locals, to include the Saudis, will still do whatever it takes to get to their point of destination as quickly as possible. I am sure alot of you noticed that more and more of them are removing both front and rear license plates now. The new point-to-point cameras on the 40 to and from Saudi, these guys don’t care! Locals and Saudis are saying a BIG F-U to the local government breaking the laws the way they do. I admit I drive a little excessive sometimes but I am aware of my surroundings. Sometimes I cut off the guys using the left shoulder because I don’t want rocks thrown at me when they go by.
here is the link to the manufacturer page with all the information and capabilities:-
https://www.vitronic.de/en/traffic-technology/applications/traffic-enforcement/speed-enforcement.html
Nice, thanks š
In the video for the system that you can watch on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O5368tjcmY, it says it can even catch tailgaters. I really hope they put that function on because its a serious problem in Kuwait. It will hopefully curb the aggressive flashing and keep people from riding on your ass, which more than 90% of drivers do here.
Its entirely possible that you are one the 10% that drive on the left lane under the speed limit with acres between you and the car in front of you. Maybe thats why 90% of the drivers are flashing you.
AMEN!
As much as tailgaters are a menace, there are those that leave miles of space in front of them and cause disruption too. These people drive as if they have all the time in the world and don’t care about the others need to be on time. On most occasions you would notice that these are people on phones or dialling up a number and have their eyes and concentration at places it should not be. At other times, its guys from one car talking or “making friends” with some in the adjacent car causing a block on two lanes.
I can verify that there are cameras for traffic control that exist that can take highly accurate photos of a person speeding (aargh) which also clearly show if a person is wearing a seatbelt or talking on a phone. The Germans use these cameras extensively, and the evidence is undeniable, and the cost of the ticket is sickening.
One of my favorite things to do in Q8 is to merge into the emergency lane during morning rush hour and then drive very slowly. It never fails to send the entitled animal morons into hysterical fits of rage!