Friday 1st July 2005

Scameras cause deaths: police chief

'Intelligence not cameras', say Durham's traffpols

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More of these required, perhaps

Speed cameras cause accidents and their deployment should be frozen, said Durham's chief constable Paul Garvin yesterday, because they cause fatal road accidents. He said forces around the country should curb their reliance on speed cameras, according to a report in a local newspaper, and rely instead on "intelligence-led traffic policing".

The county has no fixed speed cameras and was the only county in the north-east to experience a fall in the number of fatal road accidents during 2004. Garvin said that an excess of fixed cameras can damage police efforts to reduce dangerous driving, remarks he supported with yesterday's DfT road death statistics for 2004 (see link below for report), which show that the number of people killed on roads in the county fell by 10 in the last year.

Instead, said Garvin, intelligence-led traffic policing was the only way forward. While clearly not content with a figure of 32 dead from road accidents last year, a spokesman said that the policy of "focusing on poor driving and criminal driving rather than simply relying on speed cameras" was having an effect.

• Road Casualties Great Britain (Main Results) 2004

[johnny88]

So why don't the police start lobbying the government? :confused:

[scoule]

Offer that man a pay-rise, we need him down south!

[ashes]

Wait for the denial in the next few days after he has a visit from the men in grey suits.....

[Mr Whippy]

These "safety" camera free zones in North Yorkshire really say alot about how unsafe the reliance on speed cameras is.

Scamera's are not dangerous in their own right, but Police focussing on speed and not the real problems is what is dangerous to drivers!

Having driven in North Yorkshire for the majority of my driving life. I still using them at weekends, and I can say that out in the sticks, police presence feels alot more reassuring. I kinda know that they are out to catch bad drivers, not just tot up their figures for any old thing.


It's nice to see, what is in my mind, a very respected force with some very tough and wide-ranging "potentially" dangerous roads, doing the right thing, and policing them properly.
They clearly respect human life enough to do a proper job policing the roads, and not just taking the easy and foolish way out and using camera's!

Good work fella's!

Dave

[CiderwithCerbie]

I have always said what sensible people originate from the North East - wish I lived there

[The Gman]

ashes said:

Wait for the denial in the next few days after he has a visit from the men in grey suits.....

It is well known that this guy has always had this stance, and that is why cameras are not used in County Durham. Very sensible bloke.

[B 7 VP]

So why dont we present an annual PH award/s for the best Statement/Action for commonsense and Roadsafety by a Police or County authority.Start with this County Chief.

[steff]

common sense at last.

[volvos70t5]

The Gman said:

ashes said: Wait for the denial in the next few days after he has a visit from the men in grey suits..... It is well known that this guy has always had this stance, and that is why cameras are not used in County Durham. Very sensible bloke.

Agreed 100%. He truly understands road safety.

[wab172uk]

Top bloke that Paul Garvin. I doubt other forces will adopt his stance though.
Living in County Durham has never been so good. The police up here are top blokes. Have been stopped a couple of times, for enthusiastic driving shall we say. But never been issued a ticket........ yet (touch wood) Just been given a talking to. They seam to appreciate that not all people with fast cars, are out to kill every other road user.
Have always been told to be sensible, slow down, and be on my way.
Co. Durham rules

[fidgits]

wow - a good apple in a barrel of lazy, money-grabbing rotten ones...

Oh well, we can only hope this common-sense approach catches on in the same way the 'money making' Gasto's did..

[xxplod]

I've said for a long time we should be a national Police Service. And I think this chap should be its Chief Officer.

[apache]

Durham's chief constable Paul Garvin is unique unfortunately, a really top bloke who doesn't toe the PC line.
He speaks the truth, unlike the other 'outspoken' CCs, before he retires. Shows Brunstum up pretty well I think.

[gh0st]

apache said:

Durham's chief constable Paul Garvin is unique unfortunately, a really top bloke who doesn't toe the PC line. He speaks the truth, unlike the other 'outspoken' CCs, before he retires. Shows Brunstum up pretty well I think.

He is the anti brunstrom

[CTE]

I cannot believe what I have read....someone in authority with some common sense, make him Prime Minister.
I used to live just outside Durham....theres loads of great roads, and what with sensible policing,...i`m moving back.
Now who`s constituency is next door?

[woof]

have to salute the guy - standing up for something that is correct - against the police federation and the governement !

And also now combing through the jobs section in his local paper !

[safespeed]

apache said:

Durham's chief constable Paul Garvin is unique unfortunately, a really top bloke who doesn't toe the PC line.

He isn't unique. Della Cannings (Female CC of North Yorkshire) has similar views.

[turbo tim]

Article said:

The county has no fixed speed cameras and was the only county in the north-east to experience a fall in the number of fatal road accidents during 2004.

Coinicidence??? I think not.......

Can we verify this is an actual true statistic and if so, surely this (along with this coppers wise thoughts on 'intelligent policing') really helps our case against these bl00dy scamera's

[kenel]

Moved back from the south and two months later got done for speeding in County Durham. conversation went like this Female Police Officer "Fantastic looking car, what speed does it do. Me "Er seventy" ) her "no go on tell me" :. Me 180. She "Well if it were mine I would want to do that too" Me "so you going to let me off then" . Him " No sir not at 99.8mph You can't help but love them!!

[veg]

Great thing about real plod is I bet you did slow down as opposed to brake sharply to 70 and then accelerate to normal speed