Tuesday 12th February 2002

Rural Roads Targeted

Transport Minister Sally Keeble today urged Local Authorities to take action to reduce the levels of death and injury caused by accidents on rural roads.

Speaking at the Institute of Highways and Transportation Seminar on Rural Speed Management, Sally Keeble said: "Speed is killing and injuring too many people in the countryside. In 2000, 189 people were killed on the motorways in Britain compared to 1,806 fatalities on rural, non built-up roads."

"The Government is committed to curbing road casualties in the countryside. We've had considerable success in making streets safer in our towns and cities, but so far, rural areas have not kept pace with their urban counterparts in making their roads safer."

Links: www.iht.org

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[CarZee]

There are some extremely disturbing elements in what this organisation reports.. have a look at this link:

www.iht.org/publications/public.asp?page=65

Observe such gems of wisdom as:

quote:Despite being controversial, variable speed limiters on all vehicles will be needed. (Recommendation 66).

and this one:

quote:Changing drivers' attitudes to speed is a major priority. Following changes in attitudes a reduction in the national speed limit on single carriageway roads should be introduced. (Recommendation 64).

Worried? Hmm.. looks like this is another organisation of cow-towing pseudo-liberal-vegetablists who need some vitriol spewing in their direction..

[CarZee]

quote:They'll win in the end. They'll beat us with the 'speed' stick so hard that we'll all go live abroad, be banned or give in and drive Nissan Micras...

Oh Ted, I can't help but feel you're right.. it's bloody dismal..

What to do ? Well I have noticed my blood pressure dropping when I stay off your site

I actually think (hope,pray etc) that once a critical mass is achieved in terms of number of people banned, there'll be a monumental backlash against the whole speeding/speed-camera issue.. expecially once, as we know will happen, there are 3x as many cameras and no reduction in KSIs is forthcoming.

In the meantime we need to keep plugging away, writing to the government, the police, the papers, persuading people to join the ABD etc etc..

Right, I'm off to shout at some people, send some argumentative emails.. then do some donuts in the company carpark..

[CarZee]

quote:Anyhow, it won't be too long before we have all had our cars nicked.

Yep - that's where my plan for running an A-Reg Sierra with a 4litre V8 and primered bodywork comes in

[CarZee]

quote:1. 5th ammendment means no speed cameras

I'm not sure I believe this as an 'Ultimate Truth' any more... see www.pistonheads.net/gassing/topic.asp?t=6288&f=10&h=0 - this thread seems to indicate that they have TruVelo type cameras in some US States..

Can anyone clarify this?

quote:I found on the whole that they have a much worse attitude to speeding in the US than in the UK (if thats possible!)

Here's where I get into generalisations and get told off by someone who's just sitting at the sidelines waiting for me to say something that "they wouldn't print in the Guardian"

Mainstream US Media seem to be even more bent on sensationalism, emotional manipulation and fatuous rhetoric than the media here. Whether their stand predicates or influences the governmental and social attitudes is open for debate.

I think that the US political system, similar to here, is obsessed with 'being seen to do right' rather than doing what is actually in the best interest of the country. Often, 'being seen to do right' means taking action which will meet with the approval of a public who's appreciation of the deeper issues is simplistic to say the least.

The simplistic view is one which the media are largely responsible for purveying, though admittedly they merely satisfy a demand from an unenlightened public.

In all, I stand by my previously expounded opinions about the moral and social bankruptcy of America (elsewhere in these boards) and will avoid ever visiting the place irrespective of their speeding laws or any other thread of their judicial position.

Oh, and 10 days a year Annual Leave ?? Pah - 3rd world sweatshop, mate! I could get 20-25 as an employee here as you'll be aware, but one of the reasons I'm a contractor is cos I like to have at least 42 days...

[CarZee]

That bloke's a quality nutter, Carl

[CarZee]

Dunno, Nonegreen - initially I meant Anton Satan Wotjemecallim, but having read it back I'm not so sure

At least you're a nutter of the same peruasion as I.. unlike Anton McSatan

[CarZee]

quote:When will someone with a brain get into the transport department?

When it's renamed The Department of Going Very Fast and not before - no one with a grip on reality could possibly want to work at the DLTR...