UK - Are speed cameras frying your brain?
CALLS for research into the health effects of rays beamed from speed cameras and traffic lights are mounting.
Professor Richard Bramhall, Tunbridge Wells motorist Peter Gibby and Rusthall councillor Victor Webb are pushing for an urgent study to be carried out.
The trio want to discover if any damage is caused by the beams emitted.
Former RAF electrician Mr Gibby, 88, of Rydal Drive, has been alarmed by the significant rise in lasers picked up by his in-car detection device.
He said: "It is a horrible thought when you think of the rays that could be going through your body.
"It will be interesting to see if it is harmful for your body.
"They buzz when I'm approaching a speed camera, even in garages, and next to traffic lights."
Mr Gibby bought the Snooper SD715iS eight years ago after being snapped twice in a matter of months by a speed camera.
Since then he has never been penalised for speeding, but has noticed a significant rise in the number of rays being detected.
He added: "When I travel through Tunbridge Wells town centre, the device doesn't ever stop bleeping!"
Mr Webb shares Mr Gibby's concerns.
He said: "It seems odd if they haven't been tested.
"Often we are subjected to long periods of time next to the rays, when stuck in traffic jams."
Their worries have been backed up by Professor Richard Bramhall, secretary of the Low Level Radiation Campaign, who is unaware of a study into the possible dangers of the rays.
He said: "Purely from a layman's point of view, I would like to see what the lasers are spraying out."
When entering a speed trap, marked with white lines, a radar beam is projected on to a vehicle which tracks its speed.
If it senses the vehicle is above the limit then it takes two photos, within 0.7 seconds.
The first photo is usually a standard, everyday photo.
The second one is an infra-red picture to see through anything people have on their plates to hide their number.
High frequency radio waves are transmitted out and deflected back from objects in their path to gain information on driver's speed and direction.