Camera Database Use In Germany

[richard345]

Hi All,

There is a possibility that I might be driving to the Heidelberg area of Germany later in the year and I was wondering if anyone knows the legallity of using the PGPSW databse on a TomTom 520.

I searched as best I could and found this thread: http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=32031
which goes back to 2005 /2006, but I couldn't see anything else that addressed the issue.

I know I would have to add the Western Europe map to my device, but I would do so anyway for navigation.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
_________________
Ric - TomTom 520 DEAD - Passed to the great traffic jam in the sky. Now using Maps & Waze on Samsung Galaxy S4 + CamerAlert of course!

[Andy_P]

As far as I know, POI-list-based camera databases (as opposed to radar detectors) are only illegal in Eire and Switzerland (which is why the Swiss cams aren't included in the database, I'm not sure why Irish ones are!).

Annother site agrees:
"GPS Speed Warning Devices, without incorporated radar detector, are perfectly legal in all countries, except in Switzerland" - www.gps-practice-and-fun.com

[richard345]

Cheers Andy_P,

If I get the chance, I'll ask some work colleagues in Germany if they can make some enquiries
_________________
Ric - TomTom 520 DEAD - Passed to the great traffic jam in the sky. Now using Maps & Waze on Samsung Galaxy S4 + CamerAlert of course!

[Border_Collie]

Copied from germany-tourism.co.uk

[richard345]

Thanks for that - it now makes me more confused than ever!

If this is the case according to law in Germany, then perhaps the database should be changed to reflect this?

If and when I hear back from my colleagues in Germany, I'll post the comments back.
_________________
Ric - TomTom 520 DEAD - Passed to the great traffic jam in the sky. Now using Maps & Waze on Samsung Galaxy S4 + CamerAlert of course!

[M8TJT]

I really have difficulty in understanding why we don't publish speed camera data for Switzerland. The fact that it is illegal to use them in Switzerland should be immaterial, as it should be up to the user to decide whether to break the law or not the same as for everywhere else we publish cams.

It should be pretty much the same as it being legal for a retailer to sell something, but illegal for the buyer to use it; radar/laser detectors/blockers spring to mind.

It is illegal in the UK to exceed the posted speed limit but we publish data so that speeders need not be caught along with statements such as “…do not condone speeding”.{but here it is in case you want it}

Now, before you start on about it, why would you want speed camera alerts if you did not deliberately break the law by exceeding the speed limit? The “occasional slight drift over the speed limit” excuse does not wash because this is admitting driving without due care and attention (you should be aware at all times of the speed limit, and more importantly your actual speed) so you deserve to be caught.

Come on admit it, the reason that you choose to use the PGPSW database is because it’s the best, most up to date, most accurate and most of all, most likely that it will prevent you picking up points and a fine for speeding or driving without due care and attention, both of which are against the law in UK. So it should be available for Switzerland as well for the same reasons.

[richard345]

[M8TJT]

[richard345]

[MaFt]

in switzerland it is illegal to have them on the device whether the device is in use or not.

how many people would know how to go through the EUR database and remove only the swiss cameras?

hence it was simpler for all to 'remove' the database.

MaFt

[M8TJT]

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