Motorway Speed Cameras To Be Rolled Out
Discussion
Nothing like making a stink about nothing new:
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/10613388/Motor...
It starts off in a with what appears to be a 'fact':
"Motoring groups condemn planned introduction of motorway speed cameras, claiming scheme is about raising revenue rather than road safety."
But wait:
"But now for the first time the Highways Agency is looking at the widespread introduction of cameras to target drivers exceeding the maximum allowed speed of 70mph."
However they will just be in addition to existing traffic control methods:
"The cameras will be deployed on sections of so-called smart motorway, where the flow of traffic is carefully controlled using a variety of techniques."
So the comments section goes into meltdown about something that may not actually be implemented anyway...
Personally I find that when traffic is controlled - 50mph limits, etc. - it does seem to flow better so I have no issue with this sort of scheme being introduced - should it actually be introduced that is...
Edit: The comments are also full of people getting 'brake' and 'break' mixed up. Idiots.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/10613388/Motor...
It starts off in a with what appears to be a 'fact':
"Motoring groups condemn planned introduction of motorway speed cameras, claiming scheme is about raising revenue rather than road safety."
But wait:
"But now for the first time the Highways Agency is looking at the widespread introduction of cameras to target drivers exceeding the maximum allowed speed of 70mph."
However they will just be in addition to existing traffic control methods:
"The cameras will be deployed on sections of so-called smart motorway, where the flow of traffic is carefully controlled using a variety of techniques."
So the comments section goes into meltdown about something that may not actually be implemented anyway...
Personally I find that when traffic is controlled - 50mph limits, etc. - it does seem to flow better so I have no issue with this sort of scheme being introduced - should it actually be introduced that is...
Edit: The comments are also full of people getting 'brake' and 'break' mixed up. Idiots.
Edited by KTF on Monday 3rd February 12:08
An infuriating leading poll in that article...
Q. Are 'stealth cameras' on motorways a good idea?
- Yes: efforts should be made to target those who exceed the speed limit
- No: I doubt they'll have an impact on slowing drivers down
- Not sure
Where's the option for "No: Drivers don't need to slow down"?
Q. Are 'stealth cameras' on motorways a good idea?
- Yes: efforts should be made to target those who exceed the speed limit
- No: I doubt they'll have an impact on slowing drivers down
- Not sure
Where's the option for "No: Drivers don't need to slow down"?
Newspapers are paranoid and jumpy, drivers refuse to understand that speeding on busy motorways causes congestion and steady traffic flow is better.
In other news canine companion bites owner, Pope believes in transubstantiation and ursine animals defecate in deciduous areas.
In other news canine companion bites owner, Pope believes in transubstantiation and ursine animals defecate in deciduous areas.
Edited by SteveSteveson on Tuesday 4th February 10:51
SteveSteveson said:
....drivers refuse to understand that speeding on busy motorways causes congestion and steady traffic flow is better...
Quote edited. I might be helped in getting my head around it if we had variable limits with a sensible maximum speed to reflect the road and weather conditions.
Until we move on from a figure effectively plucked from thin air 40+ years ago to a range that reflects 2014 then we might get somewhere. Until then though most will continue to ignore what is an outdated and out moded arbitrary figure. If people can see the logic in why they should or shouldn't be doing something then they are far more likely to comply with the regulations surrounding it. If they do not see the relevance or reasoning (ie 50mph in thick traffic in serious rain, yet only 70mph on a clear, dry and empty road)then they will ignore what they are told. See why people don't often jump off cliffs but happily swim in Mill Pools and weirs.
How about no more cameras and speed humps (except for on roads with schools).
Then any money not spent on cameras and traffic calming can actually be spent improving the road network countrywide i.e. decent roads with no potholes, clear sign posting, widening motorways, creating new motorways, etc.
The actual problem with the road network is that the demand on them is increasing but the use of them esepcially in built up areas is becoming more restrictive.
Fines for minor parking offences, fines for minor speeding offences, etc are all punitive and add no value to the justice system or to the people that have to abide by it
Then any money not spent on cameras and traffic calming can actually be spent improving the road network countrywide i.e. decent roads with no potholes, clear sign posting, widening motorways, creating new motorways, etc.
The actual problem with the road network is that the demand on them is increasing but the use of them esepcially in built up areas is becoming more restrictive.
Fines for minor parking offences, fines for minor speeding offences, etc are all punitive and add no value to the justice system or to the people that have to abide by it
KTF said:
So the comments section goes into meltdown about something that may not actually be implemented anyway...
I never really understood this line of reasoning. By definition, the point at which something opposed is introduced is too late to oppose it in hopes of preventing its introduction.Edited by KTF on Monday 3rd February 12:08
Sadly these cameras won't catch the REALLY dangerous and retarded drivers out there, like the daft bint I saw this morning treating J13 of the M6 like any other road junction - i.e coming to a complete stop before seeing if it was clear.
Could have done without such a comprehensive test of my ABS first thing in the morning......
Could have done without such a comprehensive test of my ABS first thing in the morning......
UK fascination with speed cameras is as amusing as it is sad.
Police acts as if speed was the only reason for accidents while ignoring things like tailgating, changing lanes without looking, unnecessary hard braking, not using indicators, blocking a lane (50 in the fast lane - you gotta love it) etc.
Shockingly high number of people on UK roads drive as if they had no idea what highway code is.
Police acts as if speed was the only reason for accidents while ignoring things like tailgating, changing lanes without looking, unnecessary hard braking, not using indicators, blocking a lane (50 in the fast lane - you gotta love it) etc.
Shockingly high number of people on UK roads drive as if they had no idea what highway code is.
Another great excuse to bring up this video.
http://jalopnik.com/this-is-the-best-takedown-of-t...
If you haven't seen it you should - it's quite brilliant
http://jalopnik.com/this-is-the-best-takedown-of-t...
If you haven't seen it you should - it's quite brilliant
I have no problem with the variable limits. As long as they get them right. Far too many times in the UK they are just not required. Totally clear motorways with 50 limits posted, just make people ignore them, and make a mockery of the whole system. As somebody that used to use the M25 before and after the intro of the VSL's on the Heathrow section, I would say that when adhered to, they can help. Pop on the cruise, stay in lane, and away everyone goes. Of course it's all buggered up by those braking heavily for the gantries, and then whizzing off again.
Most of my driving these days is done in europe. In Austria almost everyone sticks to the posted limits. A very reasonable 130kph / 85mph when it's clear and safe, 110 / 68 when its wet, and 100 through urban areas. I've been in one traffic jam in 4 years. Granted it's road system is not as busy in general as UK roads, but everything flows.
If nothing else, as others have said, the UK must raise the limit to 80, and make sure the VSL's are posted properly.
Most of my driving these days is done in europe. In Austria almost everyone sticks to the posted limits. A very reasonable 130kph / 85mph when it's clear and safe, 110 / 68 when its wet, and 100 through urban areas. I've been in one traffic jam in 4 years. Granted it's road system is not as busy in general as UK roads, but everything flows.
If nothing else, as others have said, the UK must raise the limit to 80, and make sure the VSL's are posted properly.
bodhi said:
Sadly these cameras won't catch the REALLY dangerous and retarded drivers out there, like the daft bint I saw this morning treating J13 of the M6 like any other road junction - i.e coming to a complete stop before seeing if it was clear.
Could have done without such a comprehensive test of my ABS first thing in the morning......
or the stupid cow who did NOT stop at the give way markings and tried to force an hgv to move into lane 2(only 2 lanes) even though that lane was full of cars, after nearly causing an accident because she thought that she had the right to join the expressway no matter what she then had the nerve to complain to the authorities that the hgv driver flicked her the v's and she wanted to make an official complaint because no-one flicked the v's at her and got away with it. She didn't know the rules of the road and was unbelievably arrogant, she was incapable of seeing that she was in the wrong!!Could have done without such a comprehensive test of my ABS first thing in the morning......
Some people can't judge the flow of traffic nor how to join it with ease.
radio man said:
or the stupid cow who did NOT stop at the give way markings and tried to force an hgv to move into lane 2(only 2 lanes) even though that lane was full of cars, after nearly causing an accident because she thought that she had the right to join the expressway no matter what she then had the nerve to complain to the authorities that the hgv driver flicked her the v's and she wanted to make an official complaint because no-one flicked the v's at her and got away with it. She didn't know the rules of the road and was unbelievably arrogant, she was incapable of seeing that she was in the wrong!!
Some people can't judge the flow of traffic nor how to join it with ease.
Amen to that. Amateurs that have managed to get a licence.Some people can't judge the flow of traffic nor how to join it with ease.
Pip
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