Gatsos are revenue-raisers: survey
Motorists not fooled by scameras finds pre-election research
According to a survey of motorists people carried out for Green Flag Motoring Assistance, reducing drink- and drug-driving, tackling uninsured drivers and car crime were the top issues that parties need to address in pre-election campaigning.
Completing a top five were reducing road deaths and injuries and maintaining the standard of roads. They also strongly believe that speed cameras are there to raise revenue, and that the quality of public transport is poor.
In a wide-ranging survey by the breakdown and recovery provider, motorists were asked to score the key issues out of ten.
Surprisingly, the cost of fuel and traffic congestion were given a lower priority by motorists than safety concerns such as reducing casualties on the roads and eliminating use of hand-held mobile phones behind the wheel. Ranked even lower were greater regulation of private wheel clampers, improving driver training standards and raising penalties for motoring offences.
Commenting on the results, Green Flag spokesperson Melanie Denny said, “The scoring for key issues such as drink- and drug-driving and road safety suggest that drivers are concerned about broader social issues and the welfare of other road users, although they remain concerned about issues such as car crime and the state of our roads.
“With around 30 million UK motorists and more than 70 per cent of households having access to at least one car, the parties cannot afford to ignore motorists’ views on the issues that concern them.”
Green Flag commissioned YouGov to gauge motorist’s feelings and influences. Drivers were asked to rate key issues out of ten. Their responses are revealed in the following list.
Issue rating
- Reducing drink/drug driving
- Reducing the number of uninsured drivers
- Reducing car crime
- Reducing road casualties/fatalities
- Improving the maintenance of our roads
- Reducing congestion
- Protecting the environment
- Improving public transport services
- Eliminating hand-held mobile phone use
- Reducing fuel costs
- Regulation of private wheel clampers
- Improving driver training standards
- Increasing penalties for motoring offences
- Reducing speeding
Other findings in the survey:
- Cost of motoring too high and congestion charging rejected
On fuel prices, nine out of ten motorists said the current prices were too high. Congestion charging, rejected recently in Edinburgh, was given similar treatment in the survey with more than half of those questioned (54 per cent) against the idea.
- Mixed message on speed cameras, roads ‘more dangerous’
The survey revealed a mixed view on the use of speed cameras with more than two-thirds (69 per cent) calling speed cameras as a ‘revenue generating exercise’ while just over a quarter (26 per cent) said they were essential to road safety.
Three-quarters of people questioned supported a reduction in speed limits to 20mph around schools and despite high-profile public education campaigns, 41 per cent felt that the roads in their area were more dangerous now than five years ago. Only 14 per cent said they felt that their local roads were now safer.
- Public transport considered ‘poor’ by more than a third of motorists
The quality of their public transport did not provide an incentive for motorists to leave their cars at home. Over a third (38 per cent) polled felt that their public transport services could be described as poor with only 17 per cent feeling positive about the quality of buses and trains in their area.
Melanie Denny added: “There are 30 million motorists in the UK and nearly three-quarters of households have access to a car, so it’s clear that politicians need to take on board the views and concerns of this influential group of voters.”
Article said:
Melanie Denny added: “There are 30 million motorists in the UK and nearly three-quarters of households have access to a car, so it’s clear that politicians need to take on board the views and concerns of this influential group of voters.”
But they won't take it into account because people in this country generally just roll over and wait for their bellies to be tickled whilst the next badly thought out piece of legislation comes along to screw us.
Fire99 said:
Then someone needs to make a stand..
It always starts from one person who is prepared to stand up for what they believe!
www.safespeed.org.uk/index.html ?
It's all in public information. there are some public information films on TV, but if the money spent on cameras was spent on adverts, it could easily cut the death rate.
But, advertising COSTS money, fining drivers MAKES money.
tvrgit said:
You would think they HAVE to listen
Oh they do......with La-La Fingers pressed firmly in their ears. Especially as 'Reducing accidents/deaths' was a "top 5 priority as voted for by the public", or at least that's how it will be told when it comes out of the politician's mouths.
And of course, we all know the best way to stop deaths is cameras, isn't it kids?!?!
Everybody says their listening, and for those who are trying to get in, it's a tempting bit of spin to sway a few votes. For those who are trying to stay in, it's a "we'll review things in due course" dodge to make like they're bothered and that they are doing something about it.
Sadly we all know the result of this 'effort' will be no change whatsoever.
Which is also what will most likely be the case post-May 5th......which is as bad, if not worse, than having more cameras.
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