By Steve Ranger, 11 January 2006 15:40
NEWS
Drivers will be able to download video footage from Highways Agency CCTV cameras onto their mobile phones as part of a 12-month trial.
The footage was previously only available to road contractors, the police and emergency services.
The trial starts with 100 cameras on the motorways including the M25, M1, M4 and M40 and will extend to the full Highways Agency CCTV network by the end of the year.
Highways Agency information director Denise Plumpton said in a statement: "We're carrying out this 12-month trial to see if we can help our road users plan their journeys and avoid any delays on the network."
She added: "You'll be able to check real-time traffic conditions on the busiest parts of our network from the convenience of your mobile phone."
The Highways Agency is working with MX Data on the trial. The service, which supports more than 100 handsets and the networks O2, Orange, T-mobile and Vodafone, already provides local authority, Scottish and Welsh CCTV images.
Comments
There are 10 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
"it's OK Officer, I wasn't talking on my mobile while driving, I was watching this little screen for potential hazards on the route ahead...."
2. anonymous
Should the headline be "Watch motorway traffic-jam clips on your mobile - A peek at Queues before you CRASH into them because your looking at your mobile and not the road."?
3. anonymous
This is a good one, Its against the law to use a mobile phone whilst driving, how are they going to make any money (they will charge for this) and have users observe the law?
4. anonymous
Why ?? Beggaring belief
Get SatNav with Traffic Avoidance.
5. anonymous
We have subscribed to the service for 6 months now. Works very well, especially if on the move and you have a passenger to operate the phone. Otherwise just pull over. Will be even better when there is truly national 3G coverage.
6. Mike
"Real Time" and "clip" are incompatible. It all depends on the refresh rate.
I've lost count of the number of times, the M-way message boards have said queue ahead, and it's been clear as a bell.
Maybe the people who update the boards (or rather usually don't for a few hours) ought to make use of the service!
Also - if you are going to check before your journey - how about internet access (for free!)
7. dee
As anonymous from buckinghamshire said just pull over but be prepare to be fined £60 for the pleasure especially if you are in the west midland area
8. Ian Savell
I'll add my voice to the others. Keep mobiles and motoring separate, put the information on the Internet and allow traffic alert services to precis it for the drivers.
9. Ian Gillson
Been using it today, works great , spoke to them about use in the car - their aim is for it to be used as a planning tool - the Live Traffic information is far more useful actually than the CCTV in my opinion and can easily be used via handsfeee ! :-)
10. Alan Price
Smart? cant find a jam? then cause one by crashing whilst watching your phone. As if drivers dont have enough trouble watching the car in front whilst watching out for cameras and speed traps.