Speed cameras illegal?

[coxyhog]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/4059922/Speed-cameras-could-be-illegal.html

 

[GseRacing]

Thats a very interesting read. Although it does start off by grabbing your attention with a shock headline and towards the end i felt that the article was beginning to doubt itself.

As for the issue at hand, Im in mixed response. As a petrol head i live to drive my car and enjoy it and i feel that the camera's are just another stealth tax on cars. But on the other hand, some people drive like muppets and need to be caught. I agree with Jeremy CLarkson that all roads outside schools and in town centres should be a 20 limit. In my view what i would love to see on the streets are more police cars that can use discression and can also tell a drunk driver swerving at 20mph which a camera cant. Afterall he might go round the next corner speed up to 70 and run your mum over.

Not sure i came to a decided conclusion there but some thoughts on the issue anyway.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Here in Spain, there is a simple solution. First, the camera has to have a number of warning signs before the actual camera. Secondly, once installed, the 'locals' spray-paint the lenses. The local camera has been in this state for the last 12 months..!!!! Not a solution I would condone, you understand - but effective nevertheless .

 

[jamesmc]

Here in Portugal the system doesn't involve a camera nor a fine, although speed detection technology is used. In restricted/known accident areas overhead traffic lights are installed with speed sensors fitted high up near the light.

Exceed the 50kmph limit and you'll end up sitting at a red light losing time. Drive at 50kmph through the zone and you will arrive at your destination more quickly.

The system works on an incentive (to drive more slowly in the restricted area) verses the UK fine/punishment type approach.

I have, on a few occasions see our local GNR (plod) sat at the light on red because they were going faster than the prescribed speed limit which shows they are only human after all

 

[whitenemesis]

Here in Portugal the system doesn't involve a camera nor a fine, although speed detection technology is used. In restricted/known accident areas overhead traffic lights are installed with speed sensors fitted high up near the light.

Exceed the 50kmph limit and you'll end up sitting at a red light losing time. Drive at 50kmph through the zone and you will arrive at your destination more quickly.

The system works on an incentive (to drive more slowly in the restricted area) verses the UK fine/punishment type approach.

I have, on a few occasions see our local GNR (plod) sat at the light on red because they were going faster than the prescribed speed limit which shows they are only human after all

Now, I like that!

But how do they catch/stop/penalise those that run the red light?

'Cos that is what most certainly would happen if introduced in the UK :-?

 

[television]

But how do they catch/stop/penalise those that run the red light?

They use unmarked cars to catch those in the red light district

 

[jberks]

“Safety Cameras play a substantial role in saving lives. Independent research has shown that 1,745 fewer people are killed and seriously injured at camera sites each year. "

Based on what precisely?
Someone was knocked down at a particular spot after stepping out in front of a car travelling at the permitted speed limit of 40mph. They put up a camera and guess what? Nobody has been knocked down these since. (the pub shut too but that's not relevant).

Looking at the road traffic accident stats 1991 to 2001 http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Expodata/Spreadsheets/D6062.xls
injuries fell by roughly 25%. Factor in the dramatic increase in traffic level over that period and the fact that Gatso's didn't exist or weren't installed in any numbers at the time and I conclude that the reduction was primarily due to the advent of 'Brit Pop' being played on car radios and that Jarvis Cocker's "Live like Common People" is responsible for a great many lives being saved.

Oh and they're liars. The BMA says so.
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/12/1210.asp

 

[coxyhog]

Here in Portugal the system doesn't involve a camera nor a fine, although speed detection technology is used. In restricted/known accident areas overhead traffic lights are installed with speed sensors fitted high up near the light.

Exceed the 50kmph limit and you'll end up sitting at a red light losing time. Drive at 50kmph through the zone and you will arrive at your destination more quickly.

The system works on an incentive (to drive more slowly in the restricted area) verses the UK fine/punishment type approach.

I have, on a few occasions see our local GNR (plod) sat at the light on red because they were going faster than the prescribed speed limit which shows they are only human after all

Would never work in the UK.How would Gordon make any money?

 

[jamesmc]

My post was not about financial gain, but based on people driving slower allowing them to arrive at their destination sooner and potentially with less accidents. The end result is incentive based for the end user.

The UK traffic management culture is based on punishment rather than incentive driven. This (apparently) appears to fall in-line with much of UK government pain or no gain policy, for example: submit your tax claim late and suffer a fine, rather than submit your tax return on time and be eligible to win a prize.

best regards
James Mc

 

[st4]

Here in Spain, there is a simple solution. First, the camera has to have a number of warning signs before the actual camera. Secondly, once installed, the 'locals' spray-paint the lenses. The local camera has been in this state for the last 12 months..!!!! Not a solution I would condone, you understand - but effective nevertheless .

Shame yobs trash cars over here rather than damage something useful