Super Traffic Camera Arrives in Europe

For all of us who believed the speed cameras installed on the sides of the road or in intersections are the invention of the devil, this latest contraption might be considered the devil itself. Called Trafistar SR590, the camera is apparently capable of detecting... just about everything.

Currently being installed in Geneva, Switzerland, Trafistar SR590 is capable of detecting all those who exceed the speed limits or run the red lights. But that's only the beginning. According to argus.nc, the traffic camera is capable of tracking 22 vehicles at the same time, on a distance of over 500 meters.

It is able to detect 10 traffic rule violations at the same time, including ignoring stop signs, tailgating, not giving way to pedestrians, unauthorized turns, passing over the dividing lane and much, much more.

The system works by using a a high-precision camera and a regular camera. The first one records the offense, 6 frames per second, while the second photographs the driver. Fortunately for now though, these features won't become operational before 2011.

The super camera has been testing in Switzerland for the past three months or so and was given the green light to enter operation after testing concluded. According to Jean-Marc Pecorini, head of the Geneva canton traffic police, law enforcement agencies are very pleased with the new equipment. So is the city of Lausanne, which will likely be the next to order Trafistar SR590.

The camera is being manufactured by Zurich-based Multanova and, if proved effective, might be embraced by other European countries as well.