Robertio

iTrader: (1)

It may be worth taking a bucket of mud on a journey in that part of the world then, seen as they are not officers I assume they cannot do you for having non-readable number plates?

As for getting done for speeding while overtaking, I think that is absolutely ridiculous, I know you are still supposed to stick to the limits, but if everybody stuck below the limits while on single carriageways the roads would grind to a halt.

Nothing to do with the above but mentioned anyway:
Yesterday on my way in to work a police BMW had pulled over an Escort and was sitting at the side of the road with the lights on (this is in a 30 zone). The cars up ahead seeing this slow down to have a nose, which eventually results in the traffic coming to a halt, all that is except for the Pug 206 in front of me, whose driver was so busy looking back at the incident that she ran into the back of the Vetra in front of her.
So proof that speed causes accidents, if she had been stationary like the rest of the traffic this would never have happened

AWD

Thanks for the info Darren.

adyhicut

I saw the van on the bridge over the m1 the other day.

But my radar detector didn't pick it up!

I was doing 80, so with any luck it wasn't switched on.

Ady

Neil Smalley

And the best news is yet to come. These are going to be rolled out across the country.

According to EVO magazine they are manned by trained civil servants, ex police and civvies in general. They are given set guidelines and anyone doing over that speed is done, regardless of the safety of the manuvere and how well the person is driving .

I've heard of people that've been done for 78Mph on a motorway by these things.

Now where's my laser jammer......

RonaldoH

Ask Harj about mine and his little incident with this Van, on two occasions in one day, both at different locations.

Praise Mercedes for the brakes they fit as standard and the fact that I have an eagle eye!

Proper naughty.

Were you in a thirty mate? Doing 70? Or in a 60?

R

dholmes

R,

I was in a 60 mph limit.

Thing is, I drove in today exactly 1 week after getting caught and spent most of the journey stuck behind a small group of lorries at speeds that regularly dipped below 40 mph and didn't overtake because of the dent it has made in my confidence. If I get caught again then I would have to start thinking about getting rid of the Scoob. This would not necessarily solve the problem, but it would remove some of the temptation.

Anyone know if I have a right to see the photograph?

I have to reply in 28 days confirming who was driving. What about that European ruling about not incriminating yourself?

The Zohan

dholmes
I live in said county and could not agree more. With other crime on the increase it seems a shame that the Police are concentrating their energies in this single area. The motorist is such an easy target...
However the police are just enforcing goverment policy - Think about this you voters out there!

There is an interesrting piece on the front of the Chron & Echo today, a local lady has had a bumper sticker made for her car saying ' Sorry for any delay, only three points left on my licence'

I imagine that we will be seeing a few more of these about!
Paul

chiark

Surely the police aren't wasting time on this - they're "outsourcing" it to the camera teams, which are staffed by civvies?

I hate it, but at the end of the day speeding is breaking the law. Given that speed limits aren't going to rise, welcome to the Police State. Have a nice and lawful day.

I'm in Milton Keynes today, and driving through Northamptonshire on the M1 I sat at an indicated 70-75mph. As did everyone else. Seems to be working by reducing speed then. There was a massive smash on the opposite (northbound) carriageway. So using government logic, that proves that speeding doesn't kill, and can we have the cameras removed now?

Nick.

dholmes

Northamptonshire: Enter this county at your own peril. Ok, way too dramatic I know, but be very careful all the same.

Northants has several busy roads running through it that are regularly policed by their 5 safety vans, prime favourites being the M1 Junc 15, A43, A45 ( I see one at the Brackmills fly-over nearly every day; this is where the speed limit is temporarily reduced to 60 over this fly-over so easy to get caught) and A14. Several Scooby owners have already reported they have been caught by these vans on these roads. Unfortunately, I am the latest as I got my NIP this morning.

Most Road Safety Camera Vans sit on bridges and most wait for you to pass under the bridge before your speed is recorded, but not all. I saw a white one this morning sitting on a bridge with the side door open facing on coming traffic ( i.e. little or no time to react if you are above the limit).

Some as I found out last Friday, sit facing oncoming traffic and by the side of the road. If you were like me and thought that you are a good observant driver and you would spot a van before it got you, you may want to think again. I got my letter this morning for overtaking a slow van ( doing approx. 50 mph ) on the A605 Oundle by-pass. By the time I had overtaken the van ( quick blip of the throttle in 3rd ) I was in the 70s ( in fact I was done for 73mph ). Only when I had indicated back in did I notice the van some distance away and I obviously reduce my speed instantly, but I knew deep down it was too late.

My work ends in Northants at the end of April and I can’t wait. Not because I dislike the county, but because I now know this could happen so easily again.

The camera van is probably the most effective weapon in the police arsenal. It’s better than the traditional GATSO and even the much improved Truvelo forward facing camera, because on a regular journey, you know where they are and you slow down. They are even better than the unmarked car, because it has to chase and catch you and spend valuable time booking an offender. Where as the Camera van never as to be in the same place twice ( although they do because they have so much success in certain places ), never run out of film, don’t have to have tell tail markings on the road, don’t have to waste time chasing and booking people at the side of the road, it just click … click. I read somewhere that in the time of this pilot scheme in Northants has been running, they have taken an estimated 1/3 million quid in fines!

I am trying not to be bitter about this as I was braking the speed limit, even though it was done while overtaking a slow moving vehicle. Apparently 60% of people caught don’t live within the county and are a just travelling through, so next time you are travelling through this county, please be extra careful.

Darren

Steve Williams

Thanks for the heads-up.

Going to Scotland this weekend, think I will go on the M40 and avoid the M1 altogether.

nevr

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by dholmes:
<B>R,

I was in a 60 mph limit.

Thing is, I drove in today exactly 1 week after getting caught and spent most of the journey stuck behind a small group of lorries at speeds that regularly dipped below 40 mph and didn't overtake because of the dent it has made in my confidence. If I get caught again then I would have to start thinking about getting rid of the Scoob. This would not necessarily solve the problem, but it would remove some of the temptation.

Anyone know if I have a right to see the photograph?

I have to reply in 28 days confirming who was driving. What about that European ruling about not incriminating yourself?[/quote]

The safety vans may only be using laser therefore no photo....
You have to name the drivingthe european rule not applicable
Motorways are the safest roads DOT figures show only 4% of allcrashes happen on motorways and only 4% of injuries of all crashes. Police still put 50% of their resouces onto motorways. Some Police areas are letting Beat constables carry out speed enforcement in the villages or towns that the officers cover, no longer just traffic officers.. Some forces have set performance indicators that their traffic officers must attain, ie a number of fixed penalties that they must issue each month therefore no discretion

ca

I would strongly encourage anyone who feels that the UK motorist is being persecuted by the Government and Green lobby, to join the Association of British Drivers. (www.abd.org.uk)

Membership is only 15 quid per year. There is a dedicated ABD Members only e-mail list, which will show you exactly how the ABD are actively engaging the people responsible for the polices described above.

The ABD membership hotline number is 0800 358 9955.

Remember, 15 quid is roughly HALF of what you give the Government in tax EVERY TIME you fill your car up!!!!

[This message has been edited by ca (edited 25 February 2001).]

Andy W

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by dholmes:
<B>R,

Anyone know if I have a right to see the photograph?

[/quote]
Interesting if they don't have photos, where is their proof?

boomer

Just to back ca up - note that it is only TWELVE POUNDS a year (to join the ABD) if you pay by direct debit.

Please do JOIN, lest we all end up having to walk due to the anti-car minority!!!! I would hope that EVERY Scooby driver feels that membership is worth it.

mb

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

Sorry, but just need to blurt this out.
Labour SUCK BIG TIME.

Maggie kicked ***. Mother brainwashed me well....

Free board, free expression etc.

I got done as a youngster 4 years ago at 98.5 on the M4 coming off of the severn bridge. Police pulled and asked me to get into the back of their car. I was bricking it. Later was told that it was because it was chilly and starting to drizzle. They were really good about it and told me that they realised every once in a while, people with sporty cars need to stretch their legs. They felt that I was not placing any other drivers in danger that day. How cool were these guys. Got 3 points and £40 fine. Also followed me for a couple of junctions. I got the exception to the rule that day, but I have noticed over the last few years how the police have turned into heartless robots when it come to the roads. Completely unnecessary. I do not drive as well on the motorways as I used to, due to spending far too much time looking out for Babylon ( sorry, had to say that word ) related antics. I will drive at whatever speed I deem fit for the type of road,conditions and the other drivers around me. Motorway speed limits are blatantly out of dates. We don't drive Morris Minors anymore that fall apart at 70, are w*nk to control and take 500 yards to stop.

Don't know if the tories would relax/remove any of the s*!t, but I am willing to give it a go. Don't really think that they can screw us motorist's much more than the Labour Shcum!

Pleas don't take offence to any of the above, just venting.


[This message has been edited by Mr Footlong (edited 25 February 2001).]

Dave25

I agree with Darren about the fear of driving through Northamptonshire - I drive on the A14 3-4 days a week and unbelievably have only seen the van on the A14 a couple of times.

Like Darren, my work ( In Birmingham ) may finish in April but I really don't want to extend it too long. I find myself watching the speedo all the time when going through Northants now and watching the bridges far ahead. Some people might say that I should be watching the road ahead of me but what can you do!?!?!?!

I'm on a very precarious 9 points ( until next June ) and a ban would be disastrous. I agree that the speed limits are unjustifiable for many roads now. I can't understand why the idea of variable limits isn't extended, but to *increase* the limits at times or on roads when the limit can clearly be increased. Very little money seems to have been spent on this type of research.

Perhaps I wouldn't be so aggrieved if I felt that the police were doing a good job, but having been the victim of car theft, burglary and damage to my property in the last 2 years I can say that they haven't earned or deserve any respect from me.

Sorry for the rant!

Dave.

dholmes

The letter claerly says they have photogrphic evidence. I wonder if I am allowed to see it?

chiark

Mr F - the world would be full of better drivers if people were forced to drive a Morris Minor occasionally!

I drove one for six months prior to the scooby. I guarantee you would never get a turkey sitting two inches from your bumper in traffic, as stopping one reminds you just how far braking technology has come...

HunterB

dholmes,

You are entitled to see any evidence that the police have if they are pursuing a case against you - this includes photographic evidence. Just ask for it politely.

Brian

DavidRB

Do always bear in mind that it's the government that ultimately makes police resourcing decisions, not the police officers.

If Tony decides that catching speeding motorists on empty motorways deserves more police attention than muggings, aggravated burglary and vehicle theft, then that's what happens.

I'm sure many police officers are equally frustrated at the way things are.

Tim Skerry

I think that the evidence linking speed and incidence of "accidents" is not as strong as the correlation between speed and severity of crash/injury/numbers of fatalities. The experience of the Germans on unrestricted sections of autobahns is (I think) more that when there are crashes, they are very severe, with lots of people involved and many bad injuries and deaths.
However.....
There cannot be anyone who does not realise that if two drivers doing 70 and 100 both have to react to the same change in circumstances (and all other things are equal), then the one doing 70 will have a better chance of avoiding the obstacle in the road, making it round the bend etc etc. That is simple and clear, as it is just a matter of how long it takes to travel the distance to the problem. So lower speed mean you will have less chance of hitting things.

Of course the counter argument to this is that all things are not equal and this car stops or corners better than average. Or this driver has quicker responses than that one. We cannot do anything about this as currently the only vehicles that are allowed more lenient treatment in this respect are cars (over speed limited HGVs). It would be unworkable to allow different cars or drivers to have different limits, and we have to live with the fact that the limits are like everything, a compromise between speed and safety. They are not there to irritate those of us with cars that will do double the legal limit or to make money for the establishment.

In reality, if you don't want to get nicked for doing 125 between London and Edinburgh, do it on the train. Or go on track days if you want to drive that fast. Or move to Germany.
Democracy seems to mean that everyone is moderately dissatisfied, which to me is preferable to a few people being very happy to drive without restrictions if that increases the likelihood of people I know being killed.

Weaver

Are all these cameras foward facing?

If so what would they be able to do if your front number plate was missing because it fell off? *ahem*

Just thinking out loud..............

MrData

Can't help thinking that if the government are trying to reduce deaths, why don't they ban smoking?????????? Too much revenue from smoking I guess!!

Also, I reckon driving too close on the roads is a bigger relative hazard than speed. A lot of time spent on motorways recently has reiforced this opinion.

Why don't they get tailgating cameras??

Regards
KurtW