Scamera van after J24 M62 westbound - Dangerous?

[r32]

Spotted a scamera (or ANPR i guess) van parked ON THE HARD SHOULDER of the M62 westbound this morning angled so that the two cameras out the back were pointing roughtly at the outside 2 lanes.

Firstly, is this legal? Seems mighty dangerous to me, I'm sure if I parked there the police would move me on in no time!

Secondly, anyone know who I can complain to at the West Yorkshire Police?

[CarZee]

It's really not on is it, if they're actually on the hard shoulder rather than one of the police patrol bays.

ISTR reading that 1 in 10 motorway fatalities involve a collision with a stationary vehicle on the hard shoulder, so they're putting themselves and other motorists at risk for the sake of making a few quid.

[robp]

FFS, they are now putting scamera vans on motorways?

Was this in a 70 limit or a 50?

[robp]

CarZee said:

ISTR reading that 1 in 10 motorway fatalities involve a collision with a stationary vehicle on the hard shoulder.

What? I thought ALL accidents were due to excessive speed

[rude girl]

CarZee said: ISTR reading that 1 in 10 motorway fatalities involve a collision with a stationary vehicle on the hard shoulder, so they're putting themselves and other motorists at risk for the sake of making a few quid.

I think it's even more than that. Might be 1 in 10 accidents, but more fatalities.

Personally I'd rather they videoed the M'way then wrote to people pointing out too-small braking spaces or poor lane discipline - motorways are the safest roads of all, what are Scameras doing on them? There was one on the M180 on Saturday (UK's least-used motorway according to statistics). WTF?? There were about 10 cars on it, with about 1/2 a mile gap between each of them. How can they justify this on the grounds of safety?

I was doing either 80 or a bit less, and if I get a ticket for that, I will be very unhappy indeed. Not because I think I shouldn't get caught if I'm naughty, but because I could think of dozens of places within 5 miles of the site where cars and pedestrians are in close proximity, and where some cars go waaaaay too fast (50 or 60 in a 30 type too fast). IMHO in the conditions, I was posing no more threat to anyone's safety than I would have been if I was doing 70.

Edited to say I actually support cameras in some situations. Urban areas are no place for testing the loud pedal and we should be encouraged to observe posted speed limits where there are squashy people or bad junctions.

>> Edited by rude girl on Wednesday 11th June 10:53

[griffless]

anyone know who I can complain to at the West Yorkshire Police?

I don't know about Yorkshire police, I'm afraid, but have you considered calling/dropping a line to the Daily Mail, since they're running a campaign against this kind of thing at the moment? The more bad publicity scameras get, the better, IMO.

E-mail address is: [e-mail],
phone no is: 0141 331 4705 (for my edition)

I'm sure they'd be pleased to hear from you

[r32]

Good idea about the Daily Mail, I'll drop them a line.

Just to confirm this was a normal 70 limit section of motorway and I have seen the same van in the same area before. Last time it was in the CENTRAL RESERVATION under a bridge - although as it was behind crash barriers at least its a bit safer.

[robp]

r32 said: Good idea about the Daily Mail, I'll drop them a line.

Just to confirm this was a normal 70 limit section of motorway and I have seen the same van in the same area before. Last time it was in the CENTRAL RESERVATION under a bridge - although as it was behind crash barriers at least its a bit safer.

I never realised they patrolled motorways. I always thought they kept to 30's 40's 50's and roadworks.


Scum.

[gro]

If it were you or I who had parked on the hard shoulder for anything other than a genuine emergency, we would be up infront of the beak. How do this lot expect anyone to respect the law anymore. These guys should be reported and prosecuted....

[SpudGunner]

r32 said: Good idea about the Daily Mail, I'll drop them a line.

Just to confirm this was a normal 70 limit section of motorway and I have seen the same van in the same area before. Last time it was in the CENTRAL RESERVATION under a bridge - although as it was behind crash barriers at least its a bit safer.

OMFG how the heck did they position themselves in the central reservation? Thats mad! I always carry my camera around nowadays just in case......

[lucozade]

Perhaps it was broken down and whilst waiting for the pick-up lorry they decided to put the cameras to "good" use!

[deltaf]

All these speed cameras on motorways....why?
Whats the reasoning? I suspect pure and simple revenue, there can be NO other reaosn.
They put their nasty little spy cams up on 20 foot high poles in the mistaken belief that theyre ahem...safe up there...wanna bet?
Now im not gonna shin up no 20 foot pole on a motorway, but im pretty sure that from about 1/2 a mile it could get a round thru its ugly front orifice.
Not that id ever do such a thing, no siree, no sir, but someone will!!!!
MOVE THEM YOU BASTARDS!!!!

>> Edited by deltaf on Thursday 12th June 13:23