Wednesday 21st June 2006

ASA slams police speeding booklet

Misleading and denigratory, says ASA

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Book of Tricks indeed

A police booklet containing threats and emotional appeals via the 'Speed Kills' message in order to cut speeding, and which resulted in lawyers calling for it to be withdrawn, has attracted further opprobrium, this time from the Advertising Standards Authority.

The ASA today published a landmark ruling against Greater Manchester Police for misleading and 'denigratory' information in a leaflet in support of its speed camera programme.

Sent out with speed camera tickets, the booklet gives details of "Operation Cheetah" as well as offering some pro-speed camera publicity. Operation Cheetah is intended to catch people who attempt to evade speeding tickets dishonestly, which in itself is probably no bad thing.

Reactions included that of motoring law solicitor John Josephs, who said: "While I accept that there is a small minority of motorists who might resort to measures of the kind set out in this booklet, I am appalled that Greater Manchester police should try to mislead the public by suggesting that all the matters mentioned in the booklet amount to fraud. Some of them, if genuine, amount to a perfectly proper defence in law and for the police to describe someone who puts forward such a defence as a "Cheater" is grossly unfair and is clearly an attempt to frighten people against using their rights.

"Nowhere in the booklet do the police advise motorists what to do if they genuinely do not know who was driving. They do not even advise motorists to seek independent legal advice. I consider that this booklet should be withdrawn immediately."

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign said: "It is quite extraordinary - and totally unacceptable - to see the British police playing fast and loose with information. The leaflet was intended to deceive, and as such is all too typical of the information surrounding speed cameras.

"I will be contacting the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester for an apology, and I will be investigating the case for damages."

Mike Morgan, founder of Pepipoo.com said: "The misinformation contained in the Operation Cheater booklet was deliberately intended to mislead and intimidate members of the public; so should we believe any of the claims surrounding the effectiveness of the current road safety policy?

"Furthermore, this underhand conduct brings into question the integrity and the profession standards of the whole of the British police."

The Police said the Book of Tricks formed part of a campaign designed to help and inform members of the public who were going through an enquiry or prosecution process and it was no longer being distributed.

Related stories

• ASA ruling
• 'Tricks' booklet misleads: researcher
• Police use fear against drivers
• Safe Speed

[CTE]

Why is access denied???????? Sensored?

[Parrot of Doom]

Booklets like this damage the relationship between the public and the police - specifically the police who we're most likely to encounter in our day to day lives, those people on patrol.

I wonder if the genius that thought this booklet up has ever actually clocked up any time as a bobbie?

[porky]

This is a sorry episode in the speed debate. I can understand the Police wanting to state the facts but making things up as this booklet does is deplorable. The websites that have been maligned deserve an apology and the booklets should be withdrawn and pulped.

These booklets should be factual not statements of opinion.

[hendry]

As Alan Patridge would say, it should be "word porridge".

[J111]

Interesting result to the (vague) question on drivesafe.org.uk -

Have Your Say!

Mar 2006: Fewer accidents are likely to happen where speed cameras are installed?
YES 21%
NO 79%

[rtp]

I disagree that it is wrong to attempt any means to deny a speeding fine, the reason being is that the whole speed camera system is based on lies; i) that speed is a causal factor in most accidents and ii) that scamera partnerships are not there to fleece the motorist. The Camera Partnerships are not a legal entity (stetement by Ladyman, minister of Transport) and therefore under Magn Carter and Bill of Rights cannot issue fines without court action.

[james_j]

Ultimately, they're running scared about people's desire to maintain the "innocent until proven guilty" mantra that has been the basis of our legal system for many years.

They are trying to set the system so anyone, innocent or guilty, will just pay up because the alternative is "too much hassle with a fear of worse if they lose".

A sad time for democracy in the UK's history.

[RRG]

"Speed Kills"

was in Germany at the weekend. Hired a 530d. Speedo indicated 260kph on several occassions. Cruised at 200-240kph for tens of kilometres.

Guess what? I'm still alive!!!!

"Speed DOES NOT Kill"

QED

[NormanD]

RRG said:

"Speed Kills"

was in Germany at the weekend. Hired a 530d. Speedo indicated 260kph on several occassions. Cruised at 200-240kph for tens of kilometres.

Guess what? I'm still alive!!!!

"Speed DOES NOT Kill"

QED

Very true, and they don't hog the outside lane doing 65mph

[RainerM]

Sorry, sometimes they do :-(, but this can happen everywhere. And
Sorry to hear these changes on UK roads,I appreciated driving overthere soo much, especially
Cornwall,Scotland and Wales.

BUT: in the end everybody must ask himself, who do I elect next time??!! Same overhere,

most people are feeling much too comfortable, except we Pistonheads :-)

I do not want to say more otherwise I am getting really angry :-((((((

Regards,
Rainer-Switzerland

...but still looking forward to some secluded roads....

[police state]

...yet more indoctrination emanating from the foot soldiers of the state. They would like you to think they are all friendly 'among the people' bobbies, the reality is that they are becoming a polarised 'state bureau' populated by ever increasing numbers of failed busy idiots from universities. They, like our 'elected leaders' are supposed to serve us, this delusion only exists in one state of mind; ours.

[Jasper Gilder]

GMP spent a lot of money on this - doubtless with much pencil sucking to get the wording just right. If it is the result of hard work and much care - not to mention significant investment of public money - I wonder what has changed that causes them to no longer be distributing it?........

[fnegroni]

Are people at ASA utterly bonkers?

They previously stopped an advert for the Mazd MX-5, but now recognise how this booklet is actually worse.

[Crippo]

I have no faith in the Police. They have spent far too much time politicing and not enough time Policing.

[davidra]

well done ASA.

Grounds for pppoo to mount a defamation case? Probly crossed their minds already.

[Plotloss]

Crippo said:

They have spent far too much time politicing and not enough time Policing.

Its only a small difference though, you know with the lowered admission criteria or even dyslexia it's a mistake anyone could make...

[cjbolter]

A short time ago, I saw an interview with a Chief Constable. The interviewer got up his nose, and he retorted " I'll have you know, my officers spend up to 40% of their shift on patrol, and half of the rest on admin ".

Now my point is that "half of the rest" is 30% of the whole.

What the hell are they doing for the missing 30% of their shift ??????????????.

vbr CJA