Discussion
Coming through Kidsgrove last night on the A34 I was flashed by a speed camera. The first time one of these has gone off with me in its path. I knew the camera was there and had been at 30 mph for a couple of hundred yards. Thing is, my speed was 30 mph. As the lights went off I looked at my speedo and thought 'no f*****g way'. The speedo showed I was at worst just a shade over 30 mph, around 31 mph. There was a car tight behind me and another coming the other way who seemed, in that split second, to be going a little too fast for 30 mph. So, what are my chances? Are these damn things activated by oncoming traffic? Do we have to drive with such precision that even 1 mph over the posted limit brands you a speeder? How long do I have to wait to find out whether the great and good decide to do me over? I'm just about containing my self-righteous indignation but if anything comes of it the cat's going to get its head kicked off.
And another thing
I've been driving for 25 years, conviction free. I always observe speed limits, even when intimidated by other drivers. I used to like driving but now it's just a chore. Cameras, illogical speed limits, ignorant drivers and shite road layouts all make me want to emigrate. I seem to worry more about tripping a camera than I do about driving with proper observation. That zing of panic you get when you're on a camera and you check your speedo just in case, is really horrible and simply takes your eye off the ball and breaks your concentration even though you're driving safely. Meanwhile, traffic bunches and stopping gaps shorten. Who's better to judge road conditions, the driver of the vehicle or a civil servant poring over photographs weeks after the event? Answers on a postcard. Phew. Nurse, where are my pills?
And another thing
I've been driving for 25 years, conviction free. I always observe speed limits, even when intimidated by other drivers. I used to like driving but now it's just a chore. Cameras, illogical speed limits, ignorant drivers and shite road layouts all make me want to emigrate. I seem to worry more about tripping a camera than I do about driving with proper observation. That zing of panic you get when you're on a camera and you check your speedo just in case, is really horrible and simply takes your eye off the ball and breaks your concentration even though you're driving safely. Meanwhile, traffic bunches and stopping gaps shorten. Who's better to judge road conditions, the driver of the vehicle or a civil servant poring over photographs weeks after the event? Answers on a postcard. Phew. Nurse, where are my pills?Relax, you're fine! 2 weeks is the time you need to wait, but if your speedo indicated 31 your actual speed was probably 27 or so, and I wouldn't imagine the camera would trigger under 35.
You right though - a conscientious and safe driver reduced to staring at his speedo rather than at the road - all in the name of road saftey
Edited to say: did it flash once or twice? I have been flashed once by a camera when I was going the other way - I think it is a kind of warning device - could have been for the person going the other way?
>> Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Monday 7th March 01:09
You right though - a conscientious and safe driver reduced to staring at his speedo rather than at the road - all in the name of road saftey
Edited to say: did it flash once or twice? I have been flashed once by a camera when I was going the other way - I think it is a kind of warning device - could have been for the person going the other way?
>> Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Monday 7th March 01:09
NiceCupOfTea said:
Relax, you're fine! 2 weeks is the time you need to wait, but if your speedo indicated 31 your actual speed was probably 27 or so, and I wouldn't imagine the camera would trigger under 35.
You right though - a conscientious and safe driver reduced to staring at his speedo rather than at the road - all in the name of road saftey
Edited to say: did it flash once or twice? I have been flashed once by a camera when I was going the other way - I think it is a kind of warning device - could have been for the person going the other way?
>> Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Monday 7th March 01:09
I seem to recall that Govt wanted to change the rules so that you could be done at 1-2mph above the limit, but they were generously reducing the penalty from 3 points to 2.
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