RE: RIP Paul Smith of Safe Speed

[Witchfinder]

I seem to recall mention on Pistonheads news that he had been ill. A sad loss of such a dedicated and effective campaigner.

[R Suppards]

Not really that effective though..... how many speed laws have been changed because of safespeed? or how many cameras have been removed?

[sa_20v]

RIP, a very sad time for the UK motorist.

[ipsg.glf]

R Suppards said:

Not really that effective though..... how many speed laws have been changed because of safespeed? or how many cameras have been removed?

Maybe, maybe not. But that never stopped him giving his all to try to return us to the policies that gave us the safest roads the world over.

[AdamT]

RIP Paul,

Very sad news, very sad news indeed

[dgr]

That's very sad, I'll miss his measured responses to the 'statistics' and other nonsense put out by the Govt.

Hopefully Safespeed will continue in his memory.

RIP Paul and condolences to his family

[Ashok]

Very sad news. RIP.

[Frederick]

This is a terrible shock, I was reading one of his posts on here just the other day.

Absolutely horrid news I wish my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and hope that someone takes up the reins of SafeSpeed and gives similar gusto and drive to the organisation that Paul gave to it since it's inception.

RIP Paul, the fight will continue in your honour...

[mark69sheer]

Please accept my sincerest condolences for Paul. May his family have strength.
Mark

[chris_crossley]

ipsg.glf said:

R Suppards said:

Not really that effective though..... how many speed laws have been changed because of safespeed? or how many cameras have been removed?

Maybe, maybe not. But that never stopped him giving his all to try to return us to the policies that gave us the safest roads the world over.

Fights like these are an up hill struggle against the arogant government machine. Lobbied by people who ignore facts. Brake could have saved so many people by actually listening to him.

He was making in roads to the media and the government. Unfortunatly for him and his family, life caught up with him

[vrooom]

Oh my lord. that is so sad. I never met him, but i read his post. god rest you.

[Parrot of Doom]

R Suppards said:

Not really that effective though..... how many speed laws have been changed because of safespeed? or how many cameras have been removed?

Paul brought the argument against enforcement of speed limits to a national audience. He forced authorities to factor in RTTM. He tirelessly campaigned for better road safety, and was quoted many times in newspapers, radio, and television.

He highlighted the way in which DFT hid the important figures on true speed related incidents in their footnotes.

I personally believe its very possible/likely that his campaign is responsible for the ending of the netting off of speed camera revenue, a move which ultimately will spell the end of most speed cameras in this country.

IMO the best epitaph for his work would be to address the poor driving standards which exist today - unfortunately the political will does not yet exist.

[PGM]

A real shame that.

The man was really dedicated to his cause, whether he was pissing into the wind or not he stood up for what he believed in and tried to do something about it - a quality we can all learn from I think.

Poor bloke was only early 50s too.

RIP and Condolences to his family.

Sad

[northflux2]

I have read Paul's reports and posts over the last few years, his clear, concise rebuttal and understanding of HM Government statistics on the use of the current road safety measures were both clear and inspired.

I am truly sorry for the loss of a man who, whilst I was not fortunate to know, seemed passionate, driven and committed to the true message of safe roads for all.

My heart felt condolences go to his partner clare and his family and friends,

I hope someone takes up the mantle of his work, knowing he will be a difficult act to follow but with much work still to be done.

[Chrisgr31]

RIP for Paul and best wishes to friends and family left behind.

52 is no age these days and many of us will either be over or approaching it, and potentially have parents over. It just brings home how little control we actually have over our destiny.

Paul did an incredible amount of work for us all in campaigning for safer roads, and truthful statistics. We need to ensure his work wasn't in vain.

[tony13579]

Many at SafeSpeed believe that we had won the argument. "Speed cameras did not save lives" Government and the press were just beginning to understand that they had not reduced road deaths and they were just turning their attention (in a clumsy way) to young drivers and drink drive. The problem is that they couldn't loose face. They took over the funding and were gradually diverting funds to road safety measures other than speed cameras.

I don't know where the campaign is going now. Hopefully it will continue. I don't know how that will happen with out Paul's understanding of the press and statistics. I hope that Paul's work is completed and that together with Claire, people come forward to form a strong leadership of SafeSpeed.

My thoughts are also with Claire at this time and for the future.

[Sgt^Roc]

I sent Paul an email regarding a story I wanted to write about the how Thames Valley Police is systematically turning road safety in Berkshire into the revenue machine. He was so helpful it is such a loss RIP Mr Smith and condolence to your family

[Vixpy1]

RIP Paul

[Frik]

Someone who was prepared to stand up and be counted - a very rare thing these days.

RIP Paul.

[supertramp]

SafeSpeed HAS won the argument. The policymakers are still wriggling though. Indeed they wish to save face.

I never met Paul, but feel as though I knew him very well, and I now feel very sad. SafeSpeed and Paul have formed an important part of my life, and I always look forward to my daily "fix" of the SafeSpeed forum.

Paul was greatly respected and admired and I am honoured to have known him. He will live on through his campaign. A truly great man.