New Speed Cameras on M4
Discussion
Not wishing to sound as though this is a good idea, the traffic is following so much better 
CC set at 78mph, until the 40 for the road works, and wasnt overtaken once. Normally it feels as though i must have a caravan stuck to my arse the way the cars fly by.
It was actually quite a refreshing change. That said I havent been late for work over the last few days, so I havent had to get frustrated at the fact the ceiling is <80
CC set at 78mph, until the 40 for the road works, and wasnt overtaken once. Normally it feels as though i must have a caravan stuck to my arse the way the cars fly by.
It was actually quite a refreshing change. That said I havent been late for work over the last few days, so I havent had to get frustrated at the fact the ceiling is <80
Let's refresh our memories about that article.
The Times Online, 12/4/05 wrote:
Shortly after midday tomorrow, drivers on the M4 in Wiltshire, between junctions 14 and 18, will face a £60 fine and three penalty points for speeding by as little as 9mph.
[...]
The Wiltshire partnership, which includes the police and the county council, will argue tomorrow that the casualty rate on the M4 is higher than on the average motorway and meets the level required by the department. There were 18 deaths, 69 serious injuries and 641 slight injuries between junctions 15 and 17 between 2001 and 2004.
[...]
Edmund King, its director, said that the casualty problem on the M4 was caused largely by people driving too close to the vehicle in front, stopping on the hard shoulder, overtaking without checking mirrors and failing to slow down for fog.
And what have the "Safety Cameras" done?
Well, it's taken two full days, but:
AA Traffic News, 14/4/05 wrote:
M4 Multi-vehicle accident between J18 and J19 in Westbound direction.
M4 Overturned vehicle(s) between J14 and J15 in Westbound direction.
M4 Overturned vehicle(s) between J15 and Membury Services in Eastbound direction.
Assuming that each previous crash involved just ONE occupant injury, that's 728 crashes in 3 years, or 0.66 crashes per day. Assuming "multi-vehicle accident" means 2 cars, the "Safety Cameras" have upped that to 2.00 crashes per day. And that's at the absolute kindest to the cameras.
Way to go!
(Thanks to famine from the Barryboys website for supplying this entire posting)
The Times Online, 12/4/05 wrote:
Shortly after midday tomorrow, drivers on the M4 in Wiltshire, between junctions 14 and 18, will face a £60 fine and three penalty points for speeding by as little as 9mph.
[...]
The Wiltshire partnership, which includes the police and the county council, will argue tomorrow that the casualty rate on the M4 is higher than on the average motorway and meets the level required by the department. There were 18 deaths, 69 serious injuries and 641 slight injuries between junctions 15 and 17 between 2001 and 2004.
[...]
Edmund King, its director, said that the casualty problem on the M4 was caused largely by people driving too close to the vehicle in front, stopping on the hard shoulder, overtaking without checking mirrors and failing to slow down for fog.
And what have the "Safety Cameras" done?
Well, it's taken two full days, but:
AA Traffic News, 14/4/05 wrote:
M4 Multi-vehicle accident between J18 and J19 in Westbound direction.
M4 Overturned vehicle(s) between J14 and J15 in Westbound direction.
M4 Overturned vehicle(s) between J15 and Membury Services in Eastbound direction.
Assuming that each previous crash involved just ONE occupant injury, that's 728 crashes in 3 years, or 0.66 crashes per day. Assuming "multi-vehicle accident" means 2 cars, the "Safety Cameras" have upped that to 2.00 crashes per day. And that's at the absolute kindest to the cameras.
Way to go!
(Thanks to famine from the Barryboys website for supplying this entire posting)
atom290 said:
Not wishing to sound as though this is a good idea, the traffic is following so much better
Not the case at all, when I was driving back from Swindon to Bristol this afternoon - CHAOS!
One accident near jnct 17 west bound, another near jnct 18 effecting both carriageways with massive tail backs due to road surface damage.
What made me laugh was driving through the road works at the posted 40mph max speed, with the matrix signs flashing up an advisory 50!!
I saw one camera van on a bridge. Sickening sight.
Why oh why do they operate a policy of encouraging tailgating on a motorway!!
I feel certain there will now be many more accidents and tail backs on this stretch of the M4, honestly these camera partnerships will have more blood on their hands. Shame on them.
Im travelling from J15 to Carmarthen in Wales tomorrow so i'll note any accidents and number of cams. Not looking forward to the journey 
maybe i'll manage my quoted 45mpg now... and get there some time saturday afternoon 
Although obviously you have to feel for the people who have crashed, it should be interesting to see how many accidents crop up in the next 3 weeks so that a decent stat can be made up comparing to pre scamera M4 useage
I don't think it really matters who gets voted in, I doubt very much that Conservative would be able to get away with scrappying an obviously very expensive scheme which brings them so much revenue back... Gotta fuel those Jags etc some how
maybe i'll manage my quoted 45mpg now... and get there some time saturday afternoon Although obviously you have to feel for the people who have crashed, it should be interesting to see how many accidents crop up in the next 3 weeks so that a decent stat can be made up comparing to pre scamera M4 useage
I don't think it really matters who gets voted in, I doubt very much that Conservative would be able to get away with scrappying an obviously very expensive scheme which brings them so much revenue back... Gotta fuel those Jags etc some how
Peter Ward said:
“People aren’t supposed to slow down just because they have seen a camera. They are supposed to slow down because it’s the law.”
From the horses’ mouth: the enforced slow down is nothing to do with safety
A little harsh. The speed limits are intended to enhance safety, or else there's no other justification for them.
You are so right!
The 70mph speed limit was introduced specifically as a safety measure:
* by Barbara Castle, who didn't hold a driving license;
* as an "experiment";
* because many accidents were head-on across the central reservation.
At a time when:
* very few cars were capable of reaching even 100mph;
* most were capable of a maximum of 80mph ... if you reved the life out of the engine;
* cars had narrow, cross ply tyres, that offered little grip in the dry, let alone the wet;
* there was no stricture on tread depth and cars ran around on bald tyres;
* cars were stopped (eventually, hopefully) by drum brakes ... that didn't work when wet;
* power steering was uncommon, most cars were hauled around corners by tugging on a wide, thin-rimmed metal steering wheel;
* interior design took no account of occupant safety;
* seat belts were rare;
* seats were low-backed benches with no headrests, and covered in shiny plastic on which the driver and passengers slid around with gay abandon.
In short, the 70mph safety measure applied to cars then ... not to cars now.
Streaky
[With thanks to the ABD website for the ideas.]
>> Edited by streaky on Friday 15th April 12:44
Not wishing again to sound as though I’m in favour
But there well a very small percentage of vehicles on the road when the 70mph was brought in and an absolute minute number of lorries.
I do think the speed should be brought up to 80mph, but can you say hand on heart that the roads can take that sort of flow?
But there well a very small percentage of vehicles on the road when the 70mph was brought in and an absolute minute number of lorries.
I do think the speed should be brought up to 80mph, but can you say hand on heart that the roads can take that sort of flow?
atom290 said:
I do think the speed should be brought up to 80mph, but can you say hand on heart that the roads can take that sort of flow?
Many roads take that "sort of flow" without a problem.
When the traffic density is very heavy, the speed self-regulates. (Ignoring the effect of those who don't move over to a clear inside lane, overtakers creeping past at 1mph differential etc.)
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