This speed camera can snap you for other offences too

LONDON - Even the most law-abiding driver may become jittery at the sight of this speed camera. For it not only detects speed, it also measures the distance between vehicles to spot possible tailgating and takes pictures to make sure you are wearing a seat belt.

The camera is also packed with gizmos that check number plates to make sure insurance and tax are up to date.

The latest weapon in speed camera technology can capture footage from 45 metres away, the Daily Mail reported.

It is the first to detect multiple offences at the same time and is connected to police computers via satellite, so that prosecutions can be started within seconds of any offence.

Development of the system, known as ASSET - Advanced Safety and Driver Support for Essential Road Transport - is being funded with around seven million pounds.

It is undergoing testing in Finland and is expected to be deployed across Europe from 2013, with each unit costing 50,000 pounds.

The reality show “Big Brother”-style set-up takes various pictures before filing details back to a central database via a GPS system. The equipment automatically destroys images over a month old and those in which no traffic violation is evident.

Campaign group Speed Cameras Dot Org spokesman said: “It’s a pity that the main actions that cause the most accidents, namely not paying attention to the road, misjudging distances and other drivers’ intentions, cannot be detected by a device of any sort.”

The ASSET test project will run till December 2011 with the aim of improving traffic safety.