RE: Roads police chief stands down
Discussion
If cameras were not about raising cash, each one would have a clear indicator of the speed limit, speed limits would be clearly signposted, variable speed limits could be applied on certain roads such as motorways to reflect conditions and traffic density, and cameras would not be hidden.
QED ---
Respect for the intention.
Respect for the law.
General compliance.
Enforceability.
The proof of the magnitude of the current policy cock-up, is that the majority of drivers would not shop somebody seen trashing a speed camera AND in many places traffic is now flowing faster than it ever has outside congestion times.
Remember not to speed signs, makes people drive faster --- or hadn't THEY noticed ?
Converseley, Durham roads are probably safer than comparable "intimidatedly" speed camera'd areas.
But why not bring back the traffic copper with a passion for cars and a good dose of nouse. When he or she has to explain to you how silly you've been, you probably deserve it.
And if he or she gives you the benfit of the doubt, you slow down.
And when he or she takes dangerous drivers off the roads, we are all safer.
Epistle according to ChrisW.
QED ---
Respect for the intention.
Respect for the law.
General compliance.
Enforceability.
The proof of the magnitude of the current policy cock-up, is that the majority of drivers would not shop somebody seen trashing a speed camera AND in many places traffic is now flowing faster than it ever has outside congestion times.
Remember not to speed signs, makes people drive faster --- or hadn't THEY noticed ?
Converseley, Durham roads are probably safer than comparable "intimidatedly" speed camera'd areas.
But why not bring back the traffic copper with a passion for cars and a good dose of nouse. When he or she has to explain to you how silly you've been, you probably deserve it.
And if he or she gives you the benfit of the doubt, you slow down.
And when he or she takes dangerous drivers off the roads, we are all safer.
Epistle according to ChrisW.
I've a few cars but prefer to cycle to work. Last night some moron (not speeding) cut too close and his wing mirror hit my elbow sending me into the ditch. The bast**d didn't stop to see if I was OK, it simply drove on. The issue is not speeding but poor and inappropriate driving. More traffic police, fewer cameras and speed humps. AND automatic fines for all members of the MLOC
Scamera outside school - driver sees camera applies brakes, checks speedo, and hits child.
This is assuming that the school doesn't have the usual "traffic calming" 4x4 road blockage outside it!
So in the end it'll nick the people who whizz passed at 35mph at 11:00 at night right?
Paul
This is assuming that the school doesn't have the usual "traffic calming" 4x4 road blockage outside it!
So in the end it'll nick the people who whizz passed at 35mph at 11:00 at night right?
Paul
I've just been told the real reason that Brunstrom is stepping down.
As you know, it is intended to merge various police forces, and it looks as though north and south Wales will merge to form an all-Wales police force.
Brunstrom wants to be in charge, and he is manouvering himself into a position to facilitate this. He is therefore dumping his ACPO duties to free up his time for his new goal.
It just goes to show that he was more interested in making a name for himself than he was in road safety.
As you know, it is intended to merge various police forces, and it looks as though north and south Wales will merge to form an all-Wales police force.
Brunstrom wants to be in charge, and he is manouvering himself into a position to facilitate this. He is therefore dumping his ACPO duties to free up his time for his new goal.
It just goes to show that he was more interested in making a name for himself than he was in road safety.
Another problem I feel is one of perception and a feeling of persecution.
If you get stopped by a traffic cop (fat chance really) at least you get to deal with a human being, you are told there and then what you have been stopped for and can even put forward your point of view if you want.
With a scamera you get a nice letter through the door way after the event, informing you of your fine and points. You probably struggle to remember the exact circumstances surrounding your transgression. I think this goes a long way to making people feel like victims rather than having done something that they shouldn't and so leads to the levels of resentment. Couple that to the fact that as you drive along you see so many other antics that are at least equally dangerous if not more so, but which will rarely get detected and it is no wonder people are anti-camera.
If you get stopped by a traffic cop (fat chance really) at least you get to deal with a human being, you are told there and then what you have been stopped for and can even put forward your point of view if you want.
With a scamera you get a nice letter through the door way after the event, informing you of your fine and points. You probably struggle to remember the exact circumstances surrounding your transgression. I think this goes a long way to making people feel like victims rather than having done something that they shouldn't and so leads to the levels of resentment. Couple that to the fact that as you drive along you see so many other antics that are at least equally dangerous if not more so, but which will rarely get detected and it is no wonder people are anti-camera.
Selecting and controlling speed is only one small aspect of driving, but it requires a continuous process of analysis and adjustment. It is possible to constantly maintain a speed at or below the posted limit, but this would require a disproportionate amount of sensorial capacity and the brain's processing power to monitor the speedo and adjust the accelerator/brake controls.
To safely control a car you need to assign sensory and processing capacity to other tasks, such as looking for obstacles, steering, reviewing road conditions, judging distance, monitoring road information (signs and applicable legislation), and then making decisions and carrying out responses.
The driver is best placed to decide what allocations he gives to each of the tasks, but all are necessary. It is therefore logical to assume that occasionally breaking the speed limit is an unavoidable part of driving, as speed cannot be monitored and controlled exclusively.
The fact that the likes of BMW and Mercedes, with all their resource, cannot produce an intelligent cruise control that doesn't require inputs from humans goes to prove what a difficult process this is, and electronic systems generally have an advantage in that they can be dedicated to one task.
To safely control a car you need to assign sensory and processing capacity to other tasks, such as looking for obstacles, steering, reviewing road conditions, judging distance, monitoring road information (signs and applicable legislation), and then making decisions and carrying out responses.
The driver is best placed to decide what allocations he gives to each of the tasks, but all are necessary. It is therefore logical to assume that occasionally breaking the speed limit is an unavoidable part of driving, as speed cannot be monitored and controlled exclusively.
The fact that the likes of BMW and Mercedes, with all their resource, cannot produce an intelligent cruise control that doesn't require inputs from humans goes to prove what a difficult process this is, and electronic systems generally have an advantage in that they can be dedicated to one task.
smeggy said:
....but who will replace him?
someone from another thread said:
South Yorks CC is up to replace him.
He told the local paper he wants more cameras....
All hidden......
That was me....
Interesting to note that, when Med Hughes took over in South Yorks, the outgoing Chief Con did a two page interview for the local paper, in which he voiced his opposition to cameras......
chief loser said:
Parents often write to us and ask us to put a camera outside a school because the traffic is so dangerous. It’s very difficult to write back and say, ‘Please let us know when your son is killed and then we can consider putting a camera there’.
I wonder how many accidents are caused by the school run bunch in their 4 x 4 20 litred bull barred humungous vehicles, causing no end of conjestion, jams etc, not being too cynical I hope.
But did he go cheaply, or is another golden handshake bye bye?
And on the subject of "your son being killed" for christ sake lets start educating "children" of the dangers of the roads, how often do you see them amble across the road, not a care in site, yapping or Ipods stuck in their ears, In my school days, (50's) we used to have the police come around in the Wolseys, and show us things like the distance it took a car to stop, now that was very interesting, luckly I taught my son well, he is now 23, and still stops at the kerb, looks left, right, left again, and crosses, looking as he goes..........bless.
Why do these guys have a driver anyway ?
If a cop is doing it, that's one less on the road or pounding the beat. If it's a civvy, then their salary would be better used employing a cop.
The bottom line is that Chief Constables and the like are no more than politicians now. It's all spin and PR, not proper policing.
If a cop is doing it, that's one less on the road or pounding the beat. If it's a civvy, then their salary would be better used employing a cop.
The bottom line is that Chief Constables and the like are no more than politicians now. It's all spin and PR, not proper policing.
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