This 'hidden' secret behind one ute is driving motorists wild. What could it be?

As Australian roads bustle with the usual traffic, authorities are now finding ways to catch drivers who break the law.

A seemingly innocuous ute has been turning heads and sparking debate among drivers.


An Isuzu ute has been recently spotted on a busy motorway, and it was not carrying tools or worksite equipment.

It, however, carried something on its closed tray: speed detection equipment.

The 'hidden' equipment ignited a fiery discussion among motorists, as some accused the police of using the unmarked vehicle for 'revenue raising'.

Other motorists took a different stance and argued that the presence of such equipment is a straightforward deterrent.


compressed-isuzu.jpeg
Motorists spotted an Isuzu ute decked out with speed detection equipment, which raised concerns. Image Credit: Facebook


'If you don't speed, they won't get your money,' one argued.

A SAPOL spokesperson confirmed that their speed camera arsenal now included different vehicles.

'Since the retirement of the Holden brand in Australia, SAPOL's fleet now includes a variety of makes and models, which undergo testing to ensure they are suitable for use within SA,' the spokesperson shared.

'SAPOL employed a number of methods to monitor speed and driver behaviour on our roads, including overt and covert mobile speed cameras.'


Over a thousand motorists shared their opinions about the SAPOL's actions.

Some advocated for unmarked speed detection.

'If you're doing the right speed, there's no need to look out for them,' one commented.

'Don't do the wrong thing, and you won't be given a fine. It's as simple as that,' another echoed the sentiment.

However, some individuals expressed their frustration over the number of fines issued through roadside cameras.

'This is not about prevention but rather revenue! Otherwise, they would use branded vehicles,' a disgruntled driver remarked.

Another suggested that funds could be allocated to educating new drivers on road rules rather than revenue-raising tactics.


Despite the mixed reactions, SAPOL maintained its transparency by publishing the locations of its mobile speed cameras on its website.

This would let drivers know where the detection cameras are stationed throughout the day.

The fines for those caught by a camera range between $202 for driving less than 10km/h over the speed limit, to a hefty $1900 for exceeding the limit by 45km/h or more.

This 'hidden' detail in the back of the ute could be a reminder to all drivers about the importance of adhering to road rules.

It also raised questions about the balance between enforcement and education and the best methods to ensure road safety.
Key Takeaways

  • An Isuzu ute on a South Australian motorway has been identified as having mobile speed detection equipment.
  • SA Police confirmed that since the retirement of Holdens, their fleet has started including various vehicles equipped with speed cameras.
  • The tactic of unmarked speed detection vehicles sparked debate among motorists, as some saw it as a revenue-raising strategy.
  • SA Police started publishing the locations of their mobile speed cameras online, and fines for speeding depend on the level of the speed breach.
What's your take on this approach to speed monitoring? Is it a fair tactic in the name of safety, or do you think otherwise? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section below.
 

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Speedo's are out by as much as 14kph and the cops allow 2kph. If that's not revenue rasing, then waht do you call it. Radars have made no difference to the road toll but inaccurate speedo's has made it worse. Going too slow is just as bad as going to fast.
 
Speedo's are out by as much as 14kph and the cops allow 2kph. If that's not revenue rasing, then waht do you call it. Radars have made no difference to the road toll but inaccurate speedo's has made it worse. Going too slow is just as bad as going to fast.
Inaccurate speedo's have nothing to do with it. People speed because they can and the majority of the time they get away with it. When they get caught they complain like hell and blame the cops. It's their own fault and if they weren't speeding they wouldn't be fined - it's as simple as that. Do the right thing and they won't need these vehicles.
 
Inaccurate speedo's have nothing to do with it. People speed because they can and the majority of the time they get away with it. When they get caught they complain like hell and blame the cops. It's their own fault and if they weren't speeding they wouldn't be fined - it's as simple as that. Do the right thing and they won't need these vehicles.
My point is that nobody knows how fast they are driving because their speedo don't do what it are supposed to do, and that show how fast we are driving. so people have to rely on GPS which isn't always accurate and not admissible in court and neither is faulty speedo's despite the government passing the speedo rule in the first place. And that is REVENUE raising.
 
Speedo's are out by as much as 14kph and the cops allow 2kph. If that's not revenue rasing, then waht do you call it. Radars have made no difference to the road toll but inaccurate speedo's has made it worse. Going too slow is just as bad as going to fast.
pretty much everyone has GPS in their pocket nowadays, cunningly disguised as a 'smart phone' (choose your poison).
you can install an app that uses the GPS capabilities, and will alert you when you are over the speed limit for the current stretch of road.
of course, this does not take into account temporary changes - e.g. road works - so the responsibility still lays with the driver to be aware of their surroundings and their vehicle's speed, but such a warning (e.g. Waze gives a 'beep!') under most circumstances can be a (not so) gentle reminder to 'watch your speed'.

and it seems that for most people "too slow" is someone else sticking to (or just under) the speed limit. more than once I have come from an open road (80kph) into a built up area (60kph) with a car behind me playing the fool (flashing lights, waving hands) and we come around a bend in the road to find a speed trap. "you're welcome for saving you a fine and points, tosser."
 
My point is that nobody knows how fast they are driving because their speedo don't do what it are supposed to do, and that show how fast we are driving. so people have to rely on GPS which isn't always accurate and not admissible in court and neither is faulty speedo's despite the government passing the speedo rule in the first place. And that is REVENUE raising.
If your speedo isn`t correct then get it fixed when you service your vehicle. I found my speedo was 5kpm out with my GPS .
 
And that is the problem. Some people have accurate speedos and others are out by up to 14 kph. We now have millions of people driving at what they think is the right speed but in fact they are driving at different speeds because speedo's don't work. Road tolls have increased by thousands since this stupid rule was introduced. It has to change.
 
If your speedo isn`t correct then get it fixed when you service your vehicle. I found my speedo was 5kpm out with my GPS .
Kia refused to fix it under warranty because the ADR says speedo's can be out by up to 14kph. No exclusion in the warranty. Why should we pay to fix when they should be accurate in the first place. Driving 14kph under the speed limit is not different to driving 14kph over the speed limit. Dangerous.
 
Every state has its monitoring equipment. Some are very visible, some not so much. Years ago South Australia had speed cameras in wheelie bins on the roadside. Very few people want a fine or demerit points. It's a fact that all of us are being subject to surveillance, every where we go in public.
 
Speed cameras in South Australia are not about saving lives, they are about raising revenue, not saving lives. I have no objection to speed cameras, it is where they place them. Example, where there is a change in the speed limit zone or at the bottom of a hill. They are never placed where fatalities have occurred.
 
Speedo's are out by as much as 14kph and the cops allow 2kph. If that's not revenue rasing, then waht do you call it. Radars have made no difference to the road toll but inaccurate speedo's has made it worse. Going too slow is just as bad as going to fast.
Isn't a Speedo check a standard part of a car service?
 
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Kia refused to fix it under warranty because the ADR says speedo's can be out by up to 14kph. No exclusion in the warranty. Why should we pay to fix when they should be accurate in the first place. Driving 14kph under the speed limit is not different to driving 14kph over the speed limit. Dangerous.
Your choice, but if you get booked because your Speedo is out, you'll need to pay the fine, not KIA 😟
 
And that is the problem. Some people have accurate speedos and others are out by up to 14 kph. We now have millions of people driving at what they think is the right speed but in fact they are driving at different speeds because speedo's don't work. Road tolls have increased by thousands since this stupid rule was introduced. It has to change.
Fix the Speedo.
 
This really gets my goolies……. Don’t fricken speed. The signs are on the side of the road to indicate what speed you can do up to, don’t go over it!! Also most modern cars have something on their dash what the speed is and madly flashes if you go over it. Again don’t fricken speed if you do and get caught tough titty!!
 
pretty much everyone has GPS in their pocket nowadays, cunningly disguised as a 'smart phone' (choose your poison).
you can install an app that uses the GPS capabilities, and will alert you when you are over the speed limit for the current stretch of road.
of course, this does not take into account temporary changes - e.g. road works - so the responsibility still lays with the driver to be aware of their surroundings and their vehicle's speed, but such a warning (e.g. Waze gives a 'beep!') under most circumstances can be a (not so) gentle reminder to 'watch your speed'.

and it seems that for most people "too slow" is someone else sticking to (or just under) the speed limit. more than once I have come from an open road (80kph) into a built up area (60kph) with a car behind me playing the fool (flashing lights, waving hands) and we come around a bend in the road to find a speed trap. "you're welcome for saving you a fine and points, tosser."
Yes, so many drivers exceed the posted limit.

When I'm on the 8 kilometre stretch of the M1 at Currumbin (the roadworks) the speed there has been 80kmph and 60 kmph for years. But countless drivers pass me like I'm standing still.

On other parts (of the M1), idiot speedsters approach from behind at 110+kmph and swerve/lane change right behind me.

They often force me to speed up to avoid the ratbags hitting me. And no I'm not driving too slowly, I constantly check the speedo and drive according to the signed limit.

That's why drivers should undergo a driving test (both theory and practical) every 5 years.

When the SoBs fail the test, they'll realise that driving is an earned privilege and not a right.
 

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