Police use fear against drivers

'Speed Kills' booklet designed to terrify us

By PH Staff / Friday, 10 February 2006 / Loading comments

Anti-speeding booklet from GMP

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has issued a emotional booklet in which it threatens, cajoles and uses emotional appeals via the 'Speed Kills' message in order to cut speeding -- see link below.

Part of what the GMP calls "Operation Cheetah", the booklet warns against lying and giving false statements -- which is fair enough. It then goes on to say that "stating that you don't know who was driving and that it could have been one of several people" is one of the "tricks" that drivers try. In other words, even if it's true, in Manchester, you won't be believed.

Aiming to scare you, the booklet warns that if you contest a prosecution, you may end up with a higher penalty fee. And among its claims, made under the heading "Trick Dealers", are that the "closely monitored" campaigners the Association of British Drivers and Safe Speed are out to "take your hard-earned money". Yet both are organisations that lobby for a realistic and scientific approach to road safety, rather than the overly-emotional one that GMP has opted for.

The overall message is that if you watch your speedo rather than the road and adhere to speed limits, you'll be safe and not kill pedestrians.

It would appear that the GMP has very little faith in the ability of road users to think for themselves -- and doesn't intend to encourage any change in that situation.