Scarecrow Police .....
Author
Discussion

the Wiz

Original Poster:

5,875 posts

282 months

Thursday 7th August 2003
quotequote all
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/3130001.stm

Scarecrow police stop speeding

Villagers want a 40 mph speed limit introduced in the village.Residents are putting the brakes on speeding drivers - by using scarecrow traffic police.

Villagers in Merrymeet, Cornwall, have dressed two straw-stuffed figures in police uniforms and armed them with a radar gun made from a plastic lunchbox and cup.

They came up with the idea as part of a campaign to reduce the current speed limit through the village from 60mph to 40mph.

The scarecrow police officers were made by Jackie Radcliffe, and her husband Peter, and they are proving a success.

Drivers come through here much too fast and the majority of people who cross the road are elderly
Jackie Radcliffe "People instinctively slow when they see the scarecrows and it is getting the message across that this is a dangerous stretch of road," said Mr Radcliffe.

The couple's front wall is still being rebuilt after a lorry crashed into it.

Mr Radcliffe, 54, said: "There are a couple of accidents every year at the crossroads, as well as countless near misses."

Mrs Radcliffe said villagers feared for the lives of residents, many of whom crossed the A390 road to the chapel and its hall.

Scarecrow stolen

"We did it for a bit of fun, but there was also a serious reason," she said.

"Drivers come through here much too fast and the majority of people who cross the road are elderly."

The first policeman the couple made for the village near Liskeard was stolen.

But Mrs Radcliffe explained: "We called Radio Cornwall and told them we had a missing person.

"But we came back with a vengeance. The thieves are not going to stop us, so we made two."

Devon and Cornwall Police said they welcomed any reduction in speeding.


>>> Edited by the Wiz on Thursday 7th August 08:38

deltaf

6,806 posts

273 months

Thursday 7th August 2003
quotequote all
"Drivers come through here much too fast", said an expert on speed related accidents today.
Interfering, self righteous, pious, lecturing,condescending asswipe. Pirelli anyone?


>> Edited by deltaf on Thursday 7th August 08:47

voyds9

8,490 posts

303 months

Thursday 7th August 2003
quotequote all
Can a scarecrow be done for impersonating a police officer?
Surely if they are one the roadside/pavement then they should be removed for causing an obstruction

CarZee

13,382 posts

287 months

Thursday 7th August 2003
quotequote all
it'd be tragic if this hot dry weather made their scarecrows highly flammable, wouldn't it

JMGS4

8,867 posts

290 months

Thursday 7th August 2003
quotequote all
US and the RCMP have been using cut-out cruisers and crew parked on highways for years......

beav

510 posts

273 months

Thursday 7th August 2003
quotequote all
I actually see this is a bit of a novel and fun idea. However not in a 60 limit becasue it could casue more problems than it would solve but it could work in say 30limits or around schools...it would probably make you slow down but wouldn't punish you if you were slightly over, just like those light up signs or when you see a workman cuttingt he verges in bright clothing!

Although I would love to see one of them up in fire, that would make my day. I wonder how many people wouuld stop for the burning BiB Just kidding you lot

Trefor

14,709 posts

303 months

Thursday 7th August 2003
quotequote all
Pass the airrifle.

DennisTheMenace

15,605 posts

288 months

Thursday 7th August 2003
quotequote all
deltaf said:
"Drivers come through here much too fast", said an expert on speed related accidents today.
Interfering, self righteous, pious, lecturing,condescending asswipe. Pirelli anyone?


>> Edited by deltaf on Thursday 7th August 08:47



You got sponsership now then Delta

could go for a ride down there on the bike tomorrow with a box of matches

pesty

42,655 posts

276 months

Thursday 7th August 2003
quotequote all
Mr Radcliffe, 54, said: "There are a couple of accidents every year at the crossroads, as well as countless near misses."
That will be people pulling out on people wiyhout looking first

Mrs Radcliffe said villagers feared for the lives of residents, many of whom crossed the A390 road to the chapel and its hall.

What they need is a zebra crossing then !

^Slider^

2,874 posts

269 months

Thursday 7th August 2003
quotequote all
DennisTheMenace said:

deltaf said:
"Drivers come through here much too fast", said an expert on speed related accidents today.
Interfering, self righteous, pious, lecturing,condescending asswipe. Pirelli anyone?


>> Edited by deltaf on Thursday 7th August 08:47




You got sponsership now then Delta

could go for a ride down there on the bike tomorrow with a box of matches


I think matches would be most satisfying!

Flat in Fifth

47,508 posts

271 months

Thursday 7th August 2003
quotequote all
Personally I'm amazed that a scarecrow has such an effect. Even when it is a real trap with car all togged up in battenburg most drivers still approach with car in gear, brain and observation in neutral.

One apt descrption heard was " like salmon leaping over a weir"

blueyes

4,799 posts

272 months

Friday 8th August 2003
quotequote all
beav said:

I wonder how many people wouuld stop for the burning BiB


I would..... to take a pi55!