mwp

Looks like daily mail hacks have had enough of getting caught on camera. They have put some moron plod in bristol on the front page. The pic shows a police camera van on the A38 breaking 3 laws by being parked on double-yellow AND cycle-lane AND footpath all in the course of nicking passing cars. They list some other silly examples of speed camera sitings too.

They are urging the public to send information of obvious money grabbing locations to the paper - i'm sure photos will go down well.

So get snapping and sent to cameras@dailymail.co.uk

- mark.

[Edited by mwp - 05/06/2003 09:39:00]

Jen

...er...appart from the fact they probably aren't breaking the law.

Most Traffic Regulation Orders (the things which make yellow lines legal etc.) have a clause built in, e.g. from the nearest one to me on my desk atm for some yellow lines:

"Nothing in Article 3 of this Order shall render it unlawful to cause or permit any vehcile to wait on the side of the road ot in the length of road referred to therein for so long as it may be necessary to enable the vehcile, if it cannot conveniently be use for such purpose in any other road to be used in connection with any of the following opertaions namely:- (f) the vehicle to be used for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes"

i.e. they can park where they like

The sentiments good though - locations with no injury accidents (although it amazes me how the Daily Mail know this...) shouldn't have police enforcement.

...just drives me mad when people don't have a clue what they're writing about

mwp

... er ... quotes from Steve Mortimore, Assistant Chief Constable Avon and Somerset:

"Appalling and hypocritical"
"We cannot be seen to break the law in order to enforce the law"

He clearly agrees with you

Jen

...or he just doesn't know what he's talking about

Jen

...guess the point is, it looks like they're breaking the law even if they're not.

Huge

Isn't a key issue that the van was parked part on & part off the pavement, therefore potentially causing an obstruction to other road users (or indeed pavement users).

If the camera van was being used correctly - ie in an accident blackspot - isn't causing an obstruction making the accident blackspot even more dangerous??

Hugh

scunnered

iTrader: (1)

I saw a speed camera van parked in a layby. It was a dual carraigeway and was in a 50mph zone, and about 100 metres from a 30mph zone. It was their intention to catch bikers on their way to the superbike race at Knockhill. So anyway, being in my car, I parked right behind the van and obstructed their view. A few moments later I was asked to move on. I of course told them that it was a public layby and as such I have every right to be there, pointing out the large 'P' sign. I was then informed that a traffic police car was in the area and that I would likely be charged with obstruction if I didn't move on. I just stayed put and called their bluff. After about a 15 wait, they decided to move not me. I felt I'd acheived something that day.

midget1500

scunnered - hat off to you sir, well done!

bluenosewrx

iTrader: (2)

scunnered, quality, you have big cajonnes -plod must be defeated
MAD

SiPie

Here here...well done for having the ***** to stick with it

Well done scunnered

NotoriousREV

Jen, where can the general public find injury accident statistics for their area?

EDITED: On wednesday I noticed Cheshire police had sited a mobile van carrying a laser device 50 metres before a fixed GATSO, presumably to catch people out before they slowed for the known camera. How this can be justified as road safety, I have no idea. If they need a camera 50m earlier for safety reasons then they should move the existing camera.

[Edited by NotoriousREV - 05/06/2003 13:37:27]

Jen

Rev - contact either the Police, the County Council or your Local Borough Council, all should have the info, although I'm not sure whether the Police will give it out? It's a standard thing to put in a letter of reply though here in the Council, usually the last three years data

Jools

scunnered

Top *******, well done you... and what a result

DBY

Scunnered fair play mate well done!!

mattstant

errr Jen check out the picture first before you comment
I saw it earlier and tried to get a link to it but couldnt find one

to stick a van in that position regardless of its precise legal obligation defies any practical or commonsense view of road safety.
Cyclist have to swerve around it out of their lane and into the traffic.

Apparently I can Legally hang a welshman in hereford on market day if it so pleases me ,but it doesnt mean its a good idea (well not all the time).

Its not often i will defend a journalist but in this case they are spot on

Jen

...I was just pointing out that whilst it may be ridiculous, (and I never said it wasn't, they were clearly stupid) it's *not* technically illegal - just an inacuracy...it winds me up when people write traffic things without knowing all the facts - that's all

john_s

iTrader: (1)

scunnered - well done that man!

John.

oj

scunnered - brill and well done... top man...

OJ..

Leslie

You're a brave man Scunnered-well done

Les

Tino

Scunnered is my hero for the weekend. Top bloke,large brass neck,defender of the few!

DanTheMan

Scunnered you are a star, infact in the same league as AngleGrinderMan but hopefully with better dress sense
www.anglegrinderman.com

wos 69

Scunnered --well done