Speeding offences soar by 44 per cent
Almost all are based on scamera-provided evidence
 Camera evidence used for 93 per cent of speeding offences |
There were 1.9 million speeding prosecutions in 2003, according to Home Office figures released yesterday, up a massive 44 per cent on the previous year. Of all speeding offences, 93 per cent were based on speed camera evidence, and the Home Office attributes the rise in prosecutions to their use.
According to the AA, the numbers of people caught on camera are surprisingly small. A spokesman said that he expected the number to be nearer three million.
But the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) reckoned the trend will continue, as there are some 6,000 more cameras than five years ago, so the number of convictions will continue to rise.
ACPO spokesman Ian Bell said that, despite the jump in the number of offences, drivers' behaviour has improved, as people ensure they're not speeding camera sites. "There has been a 71 per cent reduction in accidents at camera sites,'' he said.
However, the number of deaths on the roads continues to rise, up over the same period from 3,431 (2002) to 3,508 (2003), which road safety campaigners put down to incorrect speed enforcement policies, the latest of which is the controversial installation of speed cameras on the M4 motorway, despite the fact that motorways are the UK's safest roads.
Paul Smith, road safety spokesperson for the M4 Protest group said, "Vehicles are getting safer. Roads are getting safer due to engineering improvements. Post accident medical care is getting better. So why on earth are road deaths rising at the same time as speed camera fines are rising? The growth in traffic is nowhere near sufficient to offset the gains. The only answer is that policy isn't working. Modern road safety policy is founded on speed cameras and that's the fatal mistake."
"Speed cameras have issued £700 million pounds in fines and road deaths are going up. It isn't fair. It isn't safe. It isn't right. We urge everyone to join the M4 Protest on Saturday."
Meanwhile, the Association of British Drivers has decided to lend its support to the M4 Protest Campaign.
ABD Chairman Brian Gregory said, "This is an absolutely golden opportunity for the motoring public to make their voice heard in the run up to the general election. If the opportunity is missed then we risk facing another five years of disastrous road safety policy."
Road Safety Spokesman, Mark McArthur-Christie said, "It was not a good idea to start using camera vans on the M4. We believe that they will make the motorway more dangerous, not less. But the crucial fact is that the public seems to know it. Essential public trust has finally collapsed, and just in time to force the politicians to examine their positions."
Of the other figures also released yesterday, parking offences were down about 10 per cent, while prosecutions for taking and driving away fell less, by six per cent.
Links
From a Scottish newspaper:
A report has been received that two traffic patrol officers from North Berwick were involved in an unusual incident whilst checking for speeding motorists on the A1 Great North Road between Oldhamstocks and Grantshouse. Last May, they were using a hand-held radar device to trap unwary motorists on the Edinburgh to London trunk road.
One of the unnamed officers used the device to check the speed of a vehicle approaching over the crest of a hill. He was somewhat surprised to find that the speed recorded was off the scale, in excess of 400 mph. The machine had then seized up and could not be reset by the bemused PCs. The radar had in fact latched onto a NATO Tornado aircraft in the North Sea, which was taking part in a low flying exercise over The Borders and Southern Scotland.
Following a complaint by Sir William Sutherland, Chief Constable of Lothian & Borders police to the RAF Liaison Office, it was revealed that the officers could be classed as 'very fortunate'! The tactical computer on board the Tornado had not only detected and jammed the hostile radar equipment, but had automatically armed a Sidewinder Air-to-Ground Missile, ready to neutralise the perceived threat.
Luckily the Dutch pilot was alerted to the missile status and was able to over-ride the automatic protection system before the missile launched. The Police have so far declined to comment, although it is understood that officers will be advised to point the radar guns inland, in future.
, We pay for this travesty, whilst people are being kicked to death on our streets and the offenders seemingly getting away with it, (Just heard a couple of harrowing stories on the Jeromey Vine show) I honestly never thought I'd see the day where financial gain over rides protecting the public, it's truly sickening!
Duncan M said:
Not sure if this is true, but it made me laugh...
From a Scottish newspaper:
www.snopes.com/horrors/techno/radar.htm
Duncan M said:
Not sure if this is true, but it made me laugh...
From a Scottish newspaper:
A report has been received that two traffic patrol officers from North Berwick were involved in an unusual incident whilst checking for speeding motorists on the A1 Great North Road between Oldhamstocks and Grantshouse. Last May, they were using a hand-held radar device to trap unwary motorists on the Edinburgh to London trunk road.
One of the unnamed officers used the device to check the speed of a vehicle approaching over the crest of a hill. He was somewhat surprised to find that the speed recorded was off the scale, in excess of 400 mph. The machine had then seized up and could not be reset by the bemused PCs. The radar had in fact latched onto a NATO Tornado aircraft in the North Sea, which was taking part in a low flying exercise over The Borders and Southern Scotland.
Following a complaint by Sir William Sutherland, Chief Constable of Lothian & Borders police to the RAF Liaison Office, it was revealed that the officers could be classed as 'very fortunate'! The tactical computer on board the Tornado had not only detected and jammed the hostile radar equipment, but had automatically armed a Sidewinder Air-to-Ground Missile, ready to neutralise the perceived threat.
Luckily the Dutch pilot was alerted to the missile status and was able to over-ride the automatic protection system before the missile launched. The Police have so far declined to comment, although it is understood that officers will be advised to point the radar guns inland, in future.
Sidewinder missiles. Better than a radar jammer anyday.
Anybody know where I get them and if they can be fitted discretely?
stackmonkey said:
Accident reduced by 71% at camera sites.
Oh, I'd love to see the raw data used for that statistic!!!
You can, well the data now. Not the data used to justify the placement of the camera, or the baseline for the 71% calculation. Apparently thats top secret and is held by the Scamera crew.
There a private company that removes costs before contributing to the government coffers. Bet they have very high operating costs
. Big director's bonus's and high staff payroll 
whoateallthepies said:Ah, but when the 'counting rules' allow crimes from murder downwards to be recorded as "detected" - i.e. to Joe Public "solved" - even when the case is dropped before or during a trial (for example because the police have not gathered sufficient evidence) and contested penalty notices to be counted even though the CPS does not proceed, how can anyone (except BLiar and his cronies) have any faith in that statement? It's just more manipulation of the figures to 'prove' that yet another nonsensical target is being met - Streaky
.......latest crime figures show that the police are solving more crimes than ever before
The ACPO spokesman said:
"...despite the jump in the number of offences, drivers' behaviour has improved..."
Oh? And how did he deduce that from speeding-at-scamera-site stats?
Have I missed something or do those clever little boxes now provide him with evidence on the overall levels of tailgating, observation, attitude to other road users, anticipation, aggressive driving... and all other facets of good and bad driver behaviour?
What a crock of Sh
t.mrloudly said:
"Oh, I'd love to see the raw data used for that statistic!!!"
Don't rforget there's "lies, dammned lies and statistics"
They can and will prove anything they want by statistics.... its about making money and stelth taxation.
Statistically is is safer to drive when your drunk!!!
10% of all accidents are caused by drunk drivers. So 90% are caused by sober ba$%^£ds! Stay drunk and reduce your chances of a crash by 9 times!
chris_crossley said:I thought it was more like 41% (or 47% when looking at bbc online). Where did 71% come from?
Accident reduced by 71% at camera sites.
Oh, I'd love to see the raw data used for that statistic!!!
You can, well the data now. Not the data used to justify the placement of the camera, or the baseline for the 71% calculation. Apparently thats top secret and is held by the Scamera crew.
There a private company that removes costs before contributing to the government coffers. Bet they have very high operating costs
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