Gimme a BRAKE!!!
Discussion
Our friend Mary seems to be getting into the media a lot recently (AGAIN). Two night in a row on Radio 1 "NewsBeat" and also on Radio 4 news.
Tonight she was expousing how there should be random testing for drug-driving, especially at night near pubs and clubs. "It's not rocket science" she said, even though an expert had just been quoted as saying how hard it was to test for people driving under the influence of drugs and how they were trying to develop reaction tests on a handheld computer that a Police Officer could use on the roadside (ie. it IS rocket science).
(Forgive me if we've already covered this. I did do a cursory check before posting.)
Tonight she was expousing how there should be random testing for drug-driving, especially at night near pubs and clubs. "It's not rocket science" she said, even though an expert had just been quoted as saying how hard it was to test for people driving under the influence of drugs and how they were trying to develop reaction tests on a handheld computer that a Police Officer could use on the roadside (ie. it IS rocket science).
(Forgive me if we've already covered this. I did do a cursory check before posting.)
JonRB said:
Our friend Mary seems to be getting into the media a lot recently (AGAIN). Two night in a row on Radio 1 "NewsBeat" and also on Radio 4 news.
Tonight she was expousing how there should be random testing for drug-driving, especially at night near pubs and clubs. "It's not rocket science" she said, even though an expert had just been quoted as saying how hard it was to test for people driving under the influence of drugs and how they were trying to develop reaction tests on a handheld computer that a Police Officer could use on the roadside (ie. it IS rocket science).
(Forgive me if we've already covered this. I did do a cursory check before posting.)
One side effect of this is that it would need more trafpols about to carry it out.... ..not necessarily a bad thing....
JonRB said:
....and how they were trying to develop reaction tests on a handheld computer that a Police Officer could use on the roadside (ie. it IS rocket science)
Oh god no.... I am currently working on several projects to "enable" the police and other parts of the criminal justice system with handheld computers. Its hard, expensive and in reality wont appear for a couple of years yet.... so there is ZERO chance of getting some sort of handheld computer test program....
And anyway, they would have to pass through the software through PITO and there aint NO WAY that they would pass this - too easy to get around....sealed devices with certification checks are the only legal way to do this today. e.g. breathalyser and speed camera - and even then they arent perfect....
Apache said:
Good, hope she keeps it up, the more nonsense she spouts the more unlikely she is to be taken seriously
Yes, I'm sure that will be the general reaction, but I wouldn't be surprised if she still manages to convince some people who are already looking to be convinced by her.
pbrettle said:
....and how they were trying to develop reaction tests on a handheld computer that a Police Officer could use on the roadside (ie. it IS rocket science)
Oh god no.... I am currently working on several projects to "enable" the police and other parts of the criminal justice system with handheld computers. Its hard, expensive and in reality wont appear for a couple of years yet.... so there is ZERO chance of getting some sort of handheld computer test program....
And anyway, they would have to pass through the software through PITO and there aint NO WAY that they would pass this - too easy to get around....sealed devices with certification checks are the only legal way to do this today. e.g. breathalyser and speed camera - and even then they arent perfect....
I always wondered about SPECS in this respect, and the alleged new video/digital cameras - how easy would it be to "doctor" a few pics just to get the stats and revenue up? If ever there was a system open to abuse, then this has to be it .....
mondeoman said:
I always wondered about SPECS in this respect, and the alleged new video/digital cameras - how easy would it be to "doctor" a few pics just to get the stats and revenue up? If ever there was a system open to abuse, then this has to be it .....
Actually very easy.... its easy to doctor a sealed device to make it under / over / mis-read what you want. However, by doing so you are 1) Breaking the law, 2) Rendering all current and most likely previous convictions unsafe and finally 3) Its a member of the Police, you'll get the sack.... not good for the record....
The systems and procedures in place for sealed devices are pretty robust, but not outside the realms for tampering...more likely is the human element of processing a case - a small adjustment in letters and numbers or even Photoshop can vastly improve figures....
Rumours are abound that TfL are randomly picking reg plates to hit their targets - even if they arent in London. There was a piece on this on Watchdog last night, but without any direct evidence of this practice its all hearsay and conjecture....
But, as far as I know - they do..... but you didnt hear it from me, right?
pbrettle said:
Rumours are abound that TfL are randomly picking reg plates to hit their targets - even if they arent in London. There was a piece on this on Watchdog last night, but without any direct evidence of this practice its all hearsay and conjecture....
But, as far as I know - they do..... but you didnt hear it from me, right?
The bit on Watchdog was about three people who had got tickets after the CC cameras picked up tampered number plates and sent the tickets to the registered owners but were slow in putting it right.
Apache said:
Good, hope she keeps it up, the more nonsense she spouts the more unlikely she is to be taken seriously
I'd doubt it. Airtime equals publicity which equals synonimity and familiarity. The more she appears on radio and TV the more people will accept her as a recognised expert on the issues of road safety.
I can't even name anyone at the ABD, so they aren't doing enough to publicise themselves.
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