[gers09]

Right, first of all, its pretty obvious that Im not a fan of speed camera's. The main reason is that I think the Police abuse the usage of them, and site them in area's where cars are most likely to be speeding, regardless of how dangerous a road is.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...nd/6570935.stm

"In 2005/06 there were 169.5 offences per thousand people compared to a national average of 73.5. The majority of these offences were for speeding with most of those taking place on the M74"

Dumfries and Galloway site camera's almost daily on the M74, The reason being, that its a pretty quiet long motorway, where users of it are often travelling long distances, so tend to travel a bit faster. I have driven this motorway on many occasions, and have never witnessed a crash or 'near miss'. In my opinion, a motorway like this can safely be driven over 70mph.

By putting the cameras on the M74 they have ignored the A75, a road im not as familiar with, but the few times I have driven it I would find it hard to justify driving at high speeds.

Just yesterday I was travelling on the M9 between Edinburgh and Falkirk when I saw a camera van on the bridge ahead, I was only going about 60 as I hadnt yet joined the motorway, but the road was so quiet that speeds in excess of 70 would have been acceptable. Where as just 5 minutes earlier I was on a 50mph stretch of road, from the Forth Road Bridge to the M9, where a car overtook me at fairly high speed, almost causing a head on collision.

So why punish the people who are speeding on safe roads when there are people who are driving like arseholes, making dangerous overtaking manouvers and causing the loss of lives on non-motorway roads. Something has to be done !

And dont even start me on middle lane hoggers!!!! Expect a thread about them soon

Rant over

[elena]

Hmm... I think with motorways it's difficult, because I think on such roads there needs to be an element of leeway on the maximum speed dependant on the condition of the road at the time. So in that respect I don't think they should site speed cameras/traps on motorways, apart from perhaps the ones they use for roadworks.

When I was back in the UK I almost had an accident because people had spotted a speed van on the bridge above and were literally slamming their brakes on and slowing right down (some people seem to worry when they see a speed camera and travel far below the speed limit). I was travelling at the limit but almost ran into the back of some fool who had spotted this camera and gone down from what must have been 80 to 60 in a couple of seconds.

[gers09]

Originally Posted by elena

Hmm... I think with motorways it's difficult, because I think on such roads there needs to be an element of leeway on the maximum speed dependant on the condition of the road at the time. So in that respect I don't think they should site speed cameras/traps on motorways, apart from perhaps the ones they use for roadworks.

When I was back in the UK I almost had an accident because people had spotted a speed van on the bridge above and were literally slamming their brakes on and slowing right down (some people seem to worry when they see a speed camera and travel far below the speed limit). I was travelling at the limit but almost ran into the back of some fool who had spotted this camera and gone down from what must have been 80 to 60 in a couple of seconds.

I agree that there has to be some sort of limit in poor conditions, rain, fog, high winds etc.

And I know what you mean about the speed traps aswell, people obviously dont know there not going to get a ticket for driving the speed limit, even slightly over!

[Sticky Wicket]

I saw a whinge today about speed cameras NOT prosecuting enough people.

[waamo]

A little tip, if you are in Scotland and get the dreaded Notice of Intended Prosecution don't sign it.

Make sure you get your "agent" to complete it on your behalf (an agent can be a friend, neighbour, relative etc) then return it unsigned.

A word of warning though plod may knock on your door and ask you to sighn it, so keep an eye out for a few months.

[elena]

Originally Posted by gers09

I agree that there has to be some sort of limit in poor conditions, rain, fog, high winds etc.

And I know what you mean about the speed traps aswell, people obviously dont know there not going to get a ticket for driving the speed limit, even slightly over!

Yep, I agree.

Still, my smiley, happy self can be contented to know that I can drive unrestricted here in Germany on a fair proportion of sections of the autobahn.

Though speed cameras in Germany can be incredibly sneaky and sometimes hidden. . There's less of them but they're also quite crafty.

[Granny Weatherwax]

Originally Posted by gers09

Right, first of all, its pretty obvious that Im not a fan of speed camera's. The main reason is that I think the Police abuse the usage of them, and site them in area's where cars are most likely to be speeding, regardless of how dangerous a road is.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...nd/6570935.stm

"In 2005/06 there were 169.5 offences per thousand people compared to a national average of 73.5. The majority of these offences were for speeding with most of those taking place on the M74"

Dumfries and Galloway site camera's almost daily on the M74, The reason being, that its a pretty quiet long motorway, where users of it are often travelling long distances, so tend to travel a bit faster. I have driven this motorway on many occasions, and have never witnessed a crash or 'near miss'. In my opinion, a motorway like this can safely be driven over 70mph.

By putting the cameras on the M74 they have ignored the A75, a road im not as familiar with, but the few times I have driven it I would find it hard to justify driving at high speeds.

Just yesterday I was travelling on the M9 between Edinburgh and Falkirk when I saw a camera van on the bridge ahead, I was only going about 60 as I hadnt yet joined the motorway, but the road was so quiet that speeds in excess of 70 would have been acceptable. Where as just 5 minutes earlier I was on a 50mph stretch of road, from the Forth Road Bridge to the M9, where a car overtook me at fairly high speed, almost causing a head on collision.

So why punish the people who are speeding on safe roads when there are people who are driving like arseholes, making dangerous overtaking manouvers and causing the loss of lives on non-motorway roads. Something has to be done !

And dont even start me on middle lane hoggers!!!! Expect a thread about them soon

Rant over

O'goody a thread about me!

[Deep Purple]

The whole point of them is catch people for the offence of exceeding the speed limit, and if they're doing that it means people are ignoring limits.

They are not there to catch dangerous drivers, they cant do that.

The limits are in place, and every driver knows it. How many times do you speed without getting caught?

It's pretty rare to get caught, but it's risk when a driver makes the choice.

[gers09]

Originally Posted by Deep Purple

The whole point of them is catch people for the offence of exceeding the speed limit, and if they're doing that it means people are ignoring limits.

They are not there to catch dangerous drivers, they cant do that.

The limits are in place, and every driver knows it. How many times do you speed without getting caught?

It's pretty rare to get caught, but it's risk when a driver makes the choice.

I understand what your saying, but speeding isnt always dangerous. Depending on the drivers ability and the circumstances they are speeding in. Every week they publish the locations of my local police departments camera van in the paper. Its always on either 60 or 70mph stretches of road, where its safer to go fast. Long straights, good visibility, quiet road etc. Not in more dangerous 30 roads where people go flying around them because theres never even Police there.

I have only been caught once, and I managed to talk my way out of a ticket after being pulled over on the A9 by Tayside Police. Never had any endorsements on my license

[Deep Purple]

Originally Posted by gers09

I understand what your saying, but speeding isnt always dangerous. Depending on the drivers ability and the circumstances they are speeding in. Every week they publish the locations of my local police departments camera van in the paper. Its always on either 60 or 70mph stretches of road, where its safer to go fast. Long straights, good visibility, quiet road etc. Not in more dangerous 30 roads where people go flying around them because theres never even Police there.

I have only been caught once, and I managed to talk my way out of a ticket after being pulled over on the A9 by Tayside Police. Never had any endorsements on my license

In most cases it isn't dangerous, but it is an offence that is able to be dealt with easily, although when you consider how many times people speed, and how many times they actually get caught, the enforcement is not as draconian as some make out.

It's a pity other types of offences cant be pursued as they should, but it is much harder, and there are nowhere near enough Police to do it.

Just because thats the case doesn't mean speeding should be ignored thiugh.

[Hathor]

I think the fact remains that speeding is an illegal activity. Therefore the police are rightfully allowed to prosecute you for it. Their chosen method is via speed cameras. This frees up time to allow them to do other things.

[Glawster2002]

Originally Posted by Hathor

I think the fact remains that speeding is an illegal activity. Therefore the police are rightfully allowed to prosecute you for it. Their chosen method is via speed cameras. This frees up time to allow them to do other things.

It might be an "illegal" activity but it certainly isn't the most likely to cause an accident!

The problem is that the government, and most police forces, have bought in to the myth that only speeding causes accidents. Therefore they've installed all of these speed cameras and removed virtually all the police patrols from the road.

Inappropriate speed, like doing 50 mph in a 60 mph limit in very thick fog, is much more deadly than someone breaking the speed limit by a few miles an hour on the same road in dry, sunny conditions. However the person doing 50 mph in very thick fog wouldn't be caught by the speed camera as they haven't actually broken the law!

It's also a fact that accidents have been caused by people looking down at their speedometer to check their speed when they see a camera and then hit someone. I defty anyone, whether they're actually speeding ot not, to not look down to check their speed when they see a camera - but then surely that's also an "illegal" activity, driving without due care and attention, but an inevitable consequence of speed cameras!

I've no problem with speed cameras being placed where they're required, to enforce a speed limit on a dangerous stretch of road, or outside of a school, or hospital, but you'll never convince me that a speed camera on a low-risk, safe stretch of road, where the speed limit is mysteriously reduced from 60 mph down to 40 or 50 mph, is there purely for "safety" reasons.

[Mark.]

Originally Posted by gers09

I understand what your saying, but speeding isnt always dangerous.

Carrying a knife or a gun isn't always dangerous. Doesn't make it legal.

[kiss_me_now9]

For christs sake... How hard is it for you to understand that going over the speed limit, which is THE LAW, is illegal? It doesn't matter whether it's on a 'safe' road (which doesn't exist) or not.

[Bundyman]

Originally Posted by kiss_me_now9

For christs sake... How hard is it for you to understand that going over the speed limit, which is THE LAW, is illegal? It doesn't matter whether it's on a 'safe' road (which doesn't exist) or not.

It's about raising cash...pure and simple

Nothing to do with road safety whatsoever

[Mark.]

Originally Posted by Bundyman

It's about raising cash...pure and simple

Nothing to do with road safety whatsoever

So what? It's still illegal to speed.

[Bundyman]

Originally Posted by dundee_mark

So what? It's still illegal to speed.

I think the point he's trying to make is that in a large number of cases the speed limits have been reduced on major roads to such low levels that no-one sticks to them, then they whack up a camera or send a mobile van & nick loads of drivers.

40mph on a motorway thru roadworks when no-one is working with "average speed check cameras" is a joke.

It may be illegal to speed, but sometimes there is no common sense with the speed limits.

[Color of Night]

I can't understand the moan about speed cameras, if you don't speed you don't get done as simply as that. If you are caught speeding then you are breaking the law, don't do it & there shouldn't be a problem.

[Mark.]

Originally Posted by Bundyman

40mph on a motorway thru roadworks when no-one is working with "average speed check cameras" is a joke.

But there will be times when people are working. It's impractical to limit the speed restriction to certain times of the day.

Also, if you're reduced to one or two lanes, it makes sense to drop the speed limit as well.

[Bundyman]

Originally Posted by julie1961

I can't understand the moan about speed cameras, if you don't speed you don't get done as simply as that. If you are caught speeding then you are breaking the law, don't do it & there shouldn't be a problem.

Simple isn't it...You never speed then? not even by 1 mph or don't you drive?

My generation was taught to drive by looking at the road & judging the dangers around us. Until a few years ago, i never looked at the speedo..i didn't need to, i knew if i was going too fast & i haven't had an accident since 1986.

Now we are all getting nicked.

Those not getting nicked though are those on drugs, those drunk or those joyriding....Which do you think is more dangerous?

[Bundyman]

Originally Posted by dundee_mark

But there will be times when people are working. It's impractical to limit the speed restriction to certain times of the day.

Also, if you're reduced to one or two lanes, it makes sense to drop the speed limit as well.

Sorry total crap.

They only need to remove the signs & turn the cameras off..it's not hard, but then of course they make less money

[kiss_me_now9]

Originally Posted by Bundyman

It's about raising cash...pure and simple

Nothing to do with road safety whatsoever

Right... So I guess you've had a ticket or two in your life?

Anyway - It's the law to go by the speed limit. Like it's the law to not murder people or not drive whilst you're drunk.

[Footloose]

Originally Posted by Bundyman

It's about raising cash...pure and simple

Nothing to do with road safety whatsoever

Couldn't agree with you more. I have now got 9 points on my licence, and on each of those I was going at less than 38 miles per hour in a 40. And yes I know I was over the limit, but each of the roads i was caught on are not residential roads, so why a 30 mph speed limit?
My last offence was a month ago, and they had sited the mobile van at the bottom of a hill where it goes from a 40 into a 30 on the approach to a roundabout. Now tell me that isn't a money making exercise?
I do a lot of driving in my job, so statistically am more likely to be caught. One more offence and that's my licence, and therefore my job, gone.

[Bundyman]

Originally Posted by kiss_me_now9

Right... So I guess you've had a ticket or two in your life? .

Yeah i got a ticket. 36 mph in a 30... at 10.30 at night....absolutley pathetic. I was a danger to no-one.

Originally Posted by kiss_me_now9

Anyway - It's the law to go by the speed limit. Like it's the law to not murder people or not drive whilst you're drunk.

Do you work for one of those Scamera partnerships. Sounds like something they would say.

[Mark.]

Originally Posted by Bundyman

Sorry total crap.

They only need to remove the signs & turn the cameras off..it's not hard, but then of course they make less money

You make it sound so simple. How many signs are needed for a long-ish stretch of roadworks? How long would it take to remove them? And, of course, whilst they are being removed, people are obviously working, so how do you get cars to adhere to the speed limit with the signs gone?