How to build a speed detector?

[Chia Kok Wai]

I had involved in car accident for three times in the past two months.
I realise that I would be good if I have a device to read the distance and
the speed of the car in front of me, of course this device must be able to
function in the rain. I have seen this devices in the internet, but the cost
if way too costly. Any help? Thank you.

Regards,
Desperate

 

[Ian Stirling]

I had involved in car accident for three times in the past two months.
I realise that I would be good if I have a device to read the distance and
the speed of the car in front of me, of course this device must be able to
function in the rain. I have seen this devices in the internet, but the cost
if way too costly. Any help? Thank you.

You really should do this by yourself.
Have you had a recent eye test?

 

[Activ8]

You really should do this by yourself.
Have you had a recent eye test?

Don't recaull being tested for depth perception and perceiving
moving objects is different than taking a static eye test, though a
good eye doc should be able to figure out if there's a problem if
the situation is explained.

Safe following distance is 2 sec, so you pick a point and start
counting when the car in front of you passes it. Around here they
have huge dots on a section of one road and signs telling drivers to
maintain a two dot distance. Two dots, however, works out to 4 sec
at the speed limit. I suppose the expected reaction time of idiot
drivers has increased, especially with all the cell phone users.

I can see the OP getting in another accident 'cause his face is
staring at the speed measuring device. I'd suggest taking a cab.

 

[Don Pearce]

I had involved in car accident for three times in the past two months.
I realise that I would be good if I have a device to read the distance and
the speed of the car in front of me, of course this device must be able to
function in the rain. I have seen this devices in the internet, but the cost
if way too costly. Any help? Thank you.

Regards,
Desperate

If the accidents involve you running into the car in front this often,
then an electronic solution is not for you. You have some fundamental
problem with spacial awareness that should make you consider giving up
driving... you are dangerous. Sell your car, and use the money -plus
what you would have spent on this project - on taxis.

d
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

 

[Guy Macon]

I had involved in car accident for three times in the past two months.
I realise that I would be good if I have a device to read the distance and
the speed of the car in front of me, of course this device must be able to
function in the rain. I have seen this devices in the internet, but the cost
if way too costly. Any help? Thank you.

Hos costly is too costly for you?

 

[Tim Auton]

You really should do this by yourself.
Have you had a recent eye test?

Absolutely. If you hit the car in front the accident is your fault
(mechanical failure and oil spills excluded). If you've done it three
times in two months then either you shouldn't be driving or you need
to sue whoever made the brakes that keep failing.


Tim

 

[Tim Auton]

Safe following distance is 2 sec, so you pick a point and start
counting when the car in front of you passes it. Around here they
have huge dots on a section of one road and signs telling drivers to
maintain a two dot distance. Two dots, however, works out to 4 sec
at the speed limit. I suppose the expected reaction time of idiot
drivers has increased, especially with all the cell phone users.

I was taught it was 2s at 30mph and 4s at 70mph.


Tim

 

[Rene Tschaggelar]

I had involved in car accident for three times in the past two months.
I realise that I would be good if I have a device to read the distance and
the speed of the car in front of me, of course this device must be able to
function in the rain. I have seen this devices in the internet, but the cost
if way too costly. Any help? Thank you.

Forget electronic solutions, have more distance. Far more distance.
We have several rules here.

1) You have to be able the stop within sight. Though I'd add :
you'll have to be able to stop within half the sight distance,
when something comes against you.
2) You have to be able to stop the car safely regardless what
the one before you does. Whether it fully breaks or has
a piston stuck.
3) On the fast freeways keep a distance of at least 2 seconds.
If your car has cruise control that can be operated with the hand,
you can go lower than 2 seconds when you have the foot touching the
break all the time. Though below 1 second is highly unrealistic.

Missing on one of these in case of an accident costs another few hundred
bucks for not having control.


Rene

 

[maxfoo]

I had involved in car accident for three times in the past two months.
I realise that I would be good if I have a device to read the distance and
the speed of the car in front of me, of course this device must be able to
function in the rain. I have seen this devices in the internet, but the cost
if way too costly. Any help? Thank you.

Regards,
Desperate

if you really must...

Bushnell Speedster. The lowest base price is $132.99


http://www.epinions.com/Gifts_Collectibles_Gadgets_Novelties-Bushnell_Speedster_Model_10-1907_101907














Remove "HeadFromButt", before replying by email.

 

[Michael]

I was taught it was 2s at 30mph and 4s at 70mph.


Tim

Nowadays they're saying you should keep a 4 second following distance at
any speed.

-Michael

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

Forget electronic solutions, have more distance. Far more distance.
We have several rules here.

1) You have to be able the stop within sight. Though I'd add :
you'll have to be able to stop within half the sight distance,
when something comes against you.
2) You have to be able to stop the car safely regardless what
the one before you does. Whether it fully breaks or has
a piston stuck.
3) On the fast freeways keep a distance of at least 2 seconds.

If your car has cruise control that can be operated with the hand,
you can go lower than 2 seconds when you have the foot touching the
break all the time. Though below 1 second is highly unrealistic.

Missing on one of these in case of an accident costs another few hundred
bucks for not having control.


Rene

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

 

[Rene Tschaggelar]

<LOL>, I mean, really, <LOL> Maybe at off hours.

I'm aware of the US americans to be absolutely insane on this aspect.
I myself drove in LA at 65 mph with 5m distance, some factor 10 below
the 2 seconds. The uneasy feeling was terrible. You had to concentrate
during every heartbeat. No looking around, no thinking ahead. No
day-dreaming.

I'll stick with our 2 seconds.

Rene

 

[Tim Auton]

On Wed, 02 Jun 2004 22:32:18 +0200, the renowned Rene Tschaggelar


<LOL>, I mean, really, <LOL> Maybe at off hours.

Why LOL?


Tim

 

[maxfoo]

Why LOL?


Tim

Ha! Try staying 2 seconds behind the guy in front of you in Malaysia, and you'll
get cut off by a rickshaw...LOL.







Remove "HeadFromButt", before replying by email.

 

[Jim Thompson]

I'm aware of the US americans to be absolutely insane on this aspect.
I myself drove in LA at 65 mph with 5m distance, some factor 10 below
the 2 seconds. The uneasy feeling was terrible. You had to concentrate
during every heartbeat. No looking around, no thinking ahead. No
day-dreaming.

I'll stick with our 2 seconds.

Rene

My rule is you have to see at least some pavement between you and the
car ahead

And where were you that they were only doing 65?

Around here it's more likely to be 85.

And the cops have timed some drivers on the new section of Loop 101 at
110.

...Jim Thompson

 

[Rene Tschaggelar]

On Wed, 02 Jun 2004 22:32:18 +0200, the renowned Rene Tschaggelar
[snip]

3) On the fast freeways keep a distance of at least 2 seconds.

<LOL>, I mean, really, <LOL> Maybe at off hours.

Why LOL?

In the US, they drive at relative distances at every velocity.
As soon as there is a gap where a car fits in, one fits in.
Meaning the distance to the next is somewhere between 2 and 5 m.
Yes, at whatever speed. 60 Mph, 70 Mph, no worries.

Rene

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

Why LOL?

Because (around here, Toronto, and in many North American cities with
big spread-out expressway systems) if you leave anything like that
amount of space, either someone will pull into it sideways from other
lanes, or, if there is room, the guy or gal behind you will (sometimes
angrily) pass you and move into it ahead of you (so that you don't let
in an endless stream of cars, slowing down that lane).

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

 

[Rene Tschaggelar]

[ snip]

I'm aware of the US americans to be absolutely insane on this aspect.
I myself drove in LA at 65 mph with 5m distance, some factor 10 below
the 2 seconds. The uneasy feeling was terrible. You had to concentrate
during every heartbeat. No looking around, no thinking ahead. No
day-dreaming.

I'll stick with our 2 seconds.

My rule is you have to see at least some pavement between you and the
car ahead

And where were you that they were only doing 65?

Around here it's more likely to be 85.

And the cops have timed some drivers on the new section of Loop 101 at
110.

Considering the speedlimit is 55 Mph or so, we felt pretty outlawish
when doing 65. But that was in California.
In Utah, you feel outlawish when doing 56 Mph, one mile more than
usual.
And you're in Texas you said. Interesting, drivers paradise then.

Rene

 

[Jan Panteltje]

I'm aware of the US americans to be absolutely insane on this aspect.
I myself drove in LA at 65 mph with 5m distance, some factor 10 below
the 2 seconds. The uneasy feeling was terrible. You had to concentrate
during every heartbeat. No looking around, no thinking ahead. No
day-dreaming.

I'll stick with our 2 seconds.

I one had a bus (local line) full of people at 80km/h (max speed) 1 meter
behind me for a long time.
That really pissed me off, so I put on the emergency lights, and forced
him to stop.
I stepped out of the car, wanting to 'give it to him', he got the message
and somehow turned around...
I think those tailgaters are idiots.
They are not real commies, maybe Steve can shoot a few ;-)

JP

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

I'm aware of the US americans to be absolutely insane on this aspect.
I myself drove in LA at 65 mph with 5m distance, some factor 10 below
the 2 seconds. The uneasy feeling was terrible. You had to concentrate
during every heartbeat. No looking around, no thinking ahead. No
day-dreaming.

I'll stick with our 2 seconds.

Rene

You just were not used to it. Once you get used to it, you can whip
along any of those freeways while shaving, talking on the phone,
reading the paper, blow-drying your hair, cleaning your guns,
whatever. Didn't you look at the other drivers? No white knuckles.
Once you get out of the congested areas the traffic tends to go a lot
faster than your observed 65mph (only 100km/h).

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany