Speed cameras really do cause accidents
Discussion
In my role as an A&E doctor I get to see quite a few people everyday who have been in an RTA. I have noticed recently an increasing number of people who have had an accident near a speed camera. The most recent was a lady I saw yesterday who had recently been caught by a camera doing 33mph in a 30 and fined, points etc... She is so paranoid about "getting caught" again that she T-boned another car pulling out of a junction because she was watching her speedo and not the road as she went past the camera.
I am hearing similar stories from patients more and more often. Obviously the irony here is that if she were watching the road and not her speedo but was doing a few miles an hour above the limit the accident would never have happened.
I am hearing similar stories from patients more and more often. Obviously the irony here is that if she were watching the road and not her speedo but was doing a few miles an hour above the limit the accident would never have happened.
Chim450 said:
In my role as an A&E doctor I get to see quite a few people everyday who have been in an RTA. I have noticed recently an increasing number of people who have had an accident near a speed camera. The most recent was a lady I saw yesterday who had recently been caught by a camera doing 33mph in a 30 and fined, points etc... She is so paranoid about "getting caught" again that she T-boned another car pulling out of a junction because she was watching her speedo and not the road as she went past the camera.
I am hearing similar stories from patients more and more often. Obviously the irony here is that if she were watching the road and not her speedo but was doing a few miles an hour above the limit the accident would never have happened.
Write to the papers and TELL them about this!
Interesting that they use this as an excuse.
I am the first to say I totally HATE speed cameras and would be delighted to see every last one ripped up.
But anyone who is incapable of monitoring their speed satsfactorily whilst managing proper observation of the road ahead really shouldn't have a licence.
Sorry. But you know its true.
I am the first to say I totally HATE speed cameras and would be delighted to see every last one ripped up.
But anyone who is incapable of monitoring their speed satsfactorily whilst managing proper observation of the road ahead really shouldn't have a licence.
Sorry. But you know its true.
Don said:
Interesting that they use this as an excuse.
I am the first to say I totally HATE speed cameras and would be delighted to see every last one ripped up.
But anyone who is incapable of monitoring their speed satsfactorily whilst managing proper observation of the road ahead really shouldn't have a licence.
Sorry. But you know its true.
I do tend to agree, but I even find myself looking down at my speedo more than is necessary when going past a speed camera. After all it only takes a split second for something to come out in front of you, if you were looking at the road you would have had more time to react.
Don said:
Interesting that they use this as an excuse.
I am the first to say I totally HATE speed cameras and would be delighted to see every last one ripped up.
But anyone who is incapable of monitoring their speed satsfactorily whilst managing proper observation of the road ahead really shouldn't have a licence.
Sorry. But you know its true.
Well said Donald.......
DVD
>> Edited by Dwight VanDriver on Monday 31st May 16:33
Chim450 said:
Don said:
Interesting that they use this as an excuse.
I am the first to say I totally HATE speed cameras and would be delighted to see every last one ripped up.
But anyone who is incapable of monitoring their speed satsfactorily whilst managing proper observation of the road ahead really shouldn't have a licence.
Sorry. But you know its true.
I do tend to agree, but I even find myself looking down at my speedo more than is necessary when going past a speed camera. After all it only takes a split second for something to come out in front of you, if you were looking at the road you would have had more time to react.
North West? Several speed limit gawps? Accident rate increasing?
Bet you are in LanCASH£re! Don Liebchen - there is overkill on the darned things in this area - and the locals are always complaining about the absolute zero tolerance. You really, really do need the B2s on the dash - set with the overspeed blip as well as your cruise controls in this area. "Feel your speed" - you do not dare - because the tolerances are set so low on some of them (and you have no idea which!) - you have to check to check the speed. They also craftily hide these whenever possible, behind signs, bus shelters, foliage...
If this guy is in Lancs - can believe him! Hubby is also a Mad Doc - and he hears the same thing in these hospitals! Another Dr Pyscho Puss works A&E in Met area, and he says he hears similar in his patch! He has written to "Standard" but letter not been published - yet!
>> Edited by WildCat on Monday 31st May 17:11
Dwight VanDriver said:
But anyone who is incapable of monitoring their speed satsfactorily whilst managing proper observation of the road ahead really shouldn't have a licence.
Sorry. But you know its true.
Well said Donald.......
DVD
I got prosecuted for "speeding" once.
For doing 5mph below the limit.
So it would seem that not even all traffic cops can watch their speedos and the speed limit signs at the same time.
Good job no ickle baybee ran out between us while they were checking their speedo.
Oh, and even the government, in a published, but, strangely, unpublicised report, states that if you are driving along a road and it gets progressively safer your speed will automatically increase, but your brain will still think it is doing the same speed.
Ie the safe speed for the conditions.
Sorry. But you know its true.
Or are there people out there who think that the human brain has a little dial in it, calibrated in mph, or kph, depending on which country they were born in?
And that animals have one too, which explains why they don't keep crashing into things?
Well said bogush.......
And I note your lady patient got done for 33mph in 30mph zone. Take it she had already been on the "naughty driver" course - hence the fine and points for this.
Need one say more about LanCASH£re. Mad Doc's surgeon pal, who got NIP @ 34mph there is contesting it! Think Paulie & ABD need to see these. One of our mob (aka Speeder? If Only!!!) does now have one in his possession (NOT HIS!) and he is now whacking the Chief CON with it in his weekly letters! Mad hubby's surgeon pal has promised us he plans to send his on to Paulie when dust has settled and it is sorted one way or the other. (Our pal got pinged on return to his seriously ill patient) - but if you can get your patients to send their dodgy ones (33-34mph) off to ABD & Paulie - more the merrier to show this is not one off blip!
Need one say more about LanCASH£re. Mad Doc's surgeon pal, who got NIP @ 34mph there is contesting it! Think Paulie & ABD need to see these. One of our mob (aka Speeder? If Only!!!) does now have one in his possession (NOT HIS!) and he is now whacking the Chief CON with it in his weekly letters! Mad hubby's surgeon pal has promised us he plans to send his on to Paulie when dust has settled and it is sorted one way or the other. (Our pal got pinged on return to his seriously ill patient) - but if you can get your patients to send their dodgy ones (33-34mph) off to ABD & Paulie - more the merrier to show this is not one off blip!
Don said:
Interesting that they use this as an excuse.
I am the first to say I totally HATE speed cameras and would be delighted to see every last one ripped up.
But anyone who is incapable of monitoring their speed satsfactorily whilst managing proper observation of the road ahead really shouldn't have a licence.
Sorry. But you know its true.
bogush said:
I got prosecuted for "speeding" once.
For doing 5mph below the limit.
So it would seem that not even all traffic cops can watch their speedos and the speed limit signs at the same time.
What a bizarre error!
bogush said:
Good job no ickle baybee ran out between us while they were checking their speedo.
Ickle baybees do not run out. They crawl. Slowly. Its toddlers that run off swiftly with no regard for their surroundings. Generally of course their parents are watching them. In my experience the ones that step off the road into the path of vehicles are teenagers - who bloody well know they're doing it!
bogush said:
Oh, and even the government, in a published, but, strangely, unpublicised report, states that if you are driving along a road and it gets progressively safer your speed will automatically increase, but your brain will still think it is doing the same speed.
Ie the safe speed for the conditions.
Sorry. But you know its true.
Indeed. At 150mph up the runway at Bruntingthorpe had me yawning with boredom until it came time to brake...no reference points to give a sensation of relative speed....
bogush said:
Or are there people out there who think that the human brain has a little dial in it, calibrated in mph, or kph, depending on which country they were born in?
Well - its not that accurate and is fooled by reference points. You can see the effect if you try (AS A PASSENGER!) looking at the road directly in front of the car - you can't actually focus on it...
That's why cars are fitted with speedometers. So you can tell you are absolutely tanking it towards the speed trap at the end of the two mile straight and will need to brake VERY HARD not to hit the parked cars at the end of the runway...
Similarly you can check the speedometer to work out how much over the speed limit you are.
I am often over the speed limit. By a lot. Often I am not. I choose..and know when I'm doing it. Its not hard..and I bet the rest of us can and DO do that as well.
The speedometer staring thing is a red herring. And the arguments stating checking the speedo make you more dangerous seem spurious to me.
I have lots of other ( to me convincing ) reasons why I hate speed cameras and don't want them...but the speedo thing isn't one of them.
bogush said:
And that animals have one too, which explains why they don't keep crashing into things?
Well said bogush.......
Animals are notorious for being unable to judge speed. Look at how sheep walk into the road...
WE ARE NOT SHEEP!
>> Edited by Don on Monday 31st May 18:08
Don said:
But anyone who is incapable of monitoring their speed satsfactorily whilst managing proper observation of the road ahead really shouldn't have a licence.
Sorry. But you know its true.
Sir, I could not agree more.
(you know there's a "but.." coming next, don't you?
) But, spend a few days up here and allow me to draw your attention to the bastards who have installed speed cameras BEHIND ROAD SIGNS up here in the West Midlands, one even where there isn't a road junction any more (it was rerouted last year). Then you can tell me precisely how much more concentration one needs to acquire in order to spot a camera that is totally obscured.
Legitimised money printing at its finest.
GregE240 said:
But, spend a few days up here and allow me to draw your attention to the bastards who have installed speed cameras BEHIND ROAD SIGNS up here in the West Midlands, one even where there isn't a road junction any more (it was rerouted last year). Then you can tell me precisely how much more concentration one needs to acquire in order to spot a camera that is totally obscured.
Legitimised money printing at its finest.
All part of the reason I totally HATE the damn things. Sure. Hiding the buggers so you have no chance of spotting them isn't playing the game...
All I'm saying is when they're painted bright yellow and are in full view as you approach then surely a quick check of the speedo to ensure you won't get a ticket is not likely to cause an accident.
Siting GATSOs so that they are only visible for the last ten yards is clearly going to cause panic braking and is not on...but you already knew I thought that.
We are all in violent agreement about the blasted things. Its just I don't accept speedo checking as an excuse for not looking out the windscreen!
Tonyrec said:
Don said:
Interesting that they use this as an excuse.
I am the first to say I totally HATE speed cameras and would be delighted to see every last one ripped up.
But anyone who is incapable of monitoring their speed satsfactorily whilst managing proper observation of the road ahead really shouldn't have a licence.
Sorry. But you know its true.
Yes Liebchen - we know all that
- but I challenge you and Don like I challenged 'gone' ....cover up your speedo and ... ....Come up t'North and you name will change to Hugh as in "Will Hugh Eckers like feel the speed" and see half these scams. You will get duped by the dual carriageways which used to be 50mph - but got changed to 30mph. Some of these folk are getting pinged at speeds as low as 33-34mph because they want to place bums on the seats of the Speed course (which undermines a very good initiative
) Cut off at 35mph - and Mr Average gets pinged at 36 mph. Instead of allowing the 36-37mph on the course or even the marginals in 40/50/60/70 - they appear to make up numbers by "up to 35mph" and inviting below so-called guideline. That is according to the locals - and our pal surgeon's NIP @ 34mph is a definite tangible which will land in Paulie's mits some time soonish as the bloke will keep his promise to my mad husband. You really do need the b2s in this county. A583 Preston New Road - was 40mph dual carriageway - now 30mph. Lost count of the number of scams there. They are just lamposts apart and the b2 just screams at you all the time!
Promenade (admittedly dangerous for j-walkers and pony trap rides in the season) - lost in the illuminations. But drive up the golden mile at 34mph from Pleasure beach to Bispham out of season, or in quieter hours even, and you could have lost your driving licence.
A6 from Chorley onwards through to Lancaster - scams. Many hidden from view on approach behind road signs, bus shelters ...
Blackburn .... not content with scam warning signs and ensuing scam hidden behind roadside furniture - they have talivan twits larking around in the back of their vans taking rude pictures of speeding motorists!
A59 going up to our speeding hillybilly cousin - talivan twits at each speed limit change. Though witchcraft at Pendle Hill has got rid of some of them!
In Lancs - you only have to walk into any shop, club or pub - and you will find a Gatso victim who has been on the course, and they do not want to get copped again! At zero tolerance --- these people are paranoid.
I confess - I do not like driving through this county, nor does my husband and we avoid whenever possible! Not easy when we have to cross Lancs to get to work - and sometimes detour drive down A roads when m/way is choking!
>> Edited by WildCat on Monday 31st May 18:37
>> Edited by WildCat on Monday 31st May 18:42
Generally, the people who post on here do so because they have an interest in their driving and take pride on it.
I think the point here is being missed slightly. I'm sure we can all monitor our speed past speed cameras without too much difficulty.
The main problem is the complete muppets that do 30 - 35 coming up to a camera, and then slam on the anchors at the last millisecond and creep past the camera at 20- 25mph.
Thats the danger point, cos with the best will in the world, I bet 99.9% of the time, as you drive towards a camera, you will involuntarily glance down at your speedo to confirm what you already know - your speed.
What you can't anticipate, even leaving a reasonable gap to the car in front, looking past that car for hazards, that the guy will chuck on the brakes for no apparent reason. The problem is made worse at higher speeds on busy urban dual carriageways.
It's not 'US' particularly but the hordes of average drivers who are the problem. Quite frankly, to be an average driver is simply not good enough these days.
Rant over.
I think the point here is being missed slightly. I'm sure we can all monitor our speed past speed cameras without too much difficulty.
The main problem is the complete muppets that do 30 - 35 coming up to a camera, and then slam on the anchors at the last millisecond and creep past the camera at 20- 25mph.
Thats the danger point, cos with the best will in the world, I bet 99.9% of the time, as you drive towards a camera, you will involuntarily glance down at your speedo to confirm what you already know - your speed.
What you can't anticipate, even leaving a reasonable gap to the car in front, looking past that car for hazards, that the guy will chuck on the brakes for no apparent reason. The problem is made worse at higher speeds on busy urban dual carriageways.
It's not 'US' particularly but the hordes of average drivers who are the problem. Quite frankly, to be an average driver is simply not good enough these days.
Rant over.
WildCat said:
You really do need the b2s in this county. A583 Preston New Road - was 40mph dual carriageway - now 30mph. Lost count of the number of scams there. They are just lamposts apart and the b2 just screams at you all the time!
Promenade (admittedly dangerous for j-walkers and pony trap rides in the season) - lost in the illuminations. But drive up the golden mile at 34mph from Pleasure beach to Bispham out of season, or in quieter hours even, and you could have lost your driving licence.
The delights for us Blackpool people - protected by our 50 speed cameras
. And yes I have been caught by one @ 35mph (on the A583 that as Wildcat says was 40mph for as long as I can remember but became 30 in the last few years). The speed awareness course was a better option than 3points (I did learn some things on it - also everbody was caught @ 35 and the instructors did insist that 35 was the only speed it was offered for - this was last November so may have changed). Shame that I've seen several letters in the local paper from holidaymakers saying that they will not be coming back due to the number of cameras and the risk to loosing their licences.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff