RE: Cautions for Speeders
Monday 15th March 2004
Cautions for Speeders
Lancashire tries to addess the 'cash cow' issue
The Chief Constable of Lancashire has told his local press that some drivers caught be speed cameras will be cautioned rather than fined.
He said: "We're going to start introducing some cautions in that bottom end range where previously we have been prosecuting. I think that's a good way of trying to achieve the same outcomes and the same levels of safety, but influence driver behaviour and still keep the public support ."
According to the BBC news report, Lancashire has recently installed 300 speed cameras. Despite that deaths on the county's roads rose from 66 to 87 in a year. The local Road Safety Partnership said that none of the deaths occurred at camera locations!
Discussion
It's not just a case of keeping the publics' support - its more a sense of regaining it!
Bring back the police force where discretion is used rather than automatic punishment.
- oh and sadly it's not just speeding cameras that have caused the public to lose confidence in modern day policing, it's the ease of hitting the motorist whilst buglaries and muggings etc go unsolved.
Bring back the police force where discretion is used rather than automatic punishment.
- oh and sadly it's not just speeding cameras that have caused the public to lose confidence in modern day policing, it's the ease of hitting the motorist whilst buglaries and muggings etc go unsolved.
Perhaps it needs repeating the the UK's roads are the second safest in the world.
Given the probable increase in road traffic, the difference between 66 and 87 deaths over one year on Lancashire roads may be not be statistically significant-- especially when compared against US fatalities for the same volume of traffic.
Sure, there's always room for improvement in road safety. But how much room and where? If lunatic speed hooligans are the problem (and I'd like to see the data please), something tells me they're the most likely to know how to avoid speed cameras. Either that, or they're unlicenced and don't give a shit.
What's needed is an objective, scientific approach to the problem. What you've got is a lot of smoke and mirrors and emotional blackmail.
Again, let's start with this: is road safety actually a problem? How many Brits die from smoking and eating fried food? Or falling when they're old? How much of society's resources does road safety actually merit?
Ah, resources. The cynical amongst you see speed cameras as a cynical cash grab by a greedy government. Yes, well, there is that. Get yourself a real democracy (with constitutional rights, easier access for candidates, etc.) and see what happens.
Anyway, I believe the whole safety camera crusade reflects western society's inability to accept risk... and the inevitability of death.
Given the probable increase in road traffic, the difference between 66 and 87 deaths over one year on Lancashire roads may be not be statistically significant-- especially when compared against US fatalities for the same volume of traffic.
Sure, there's always room for improvement in road safety. But how much room and where? If lunatic speed hooligans are the problem (and I'd like to see the data please), something tells me they're the most likely to know how to avoid speed cameras. Either that, or they're unlicenced and don't give a shit.
What's needed is an objective, scientific approach to the problem. What you've got is a lot of smoke and mirrors and emotional blackmail.
Again, let's start with this: is road safety actually a problem? How many Brits die from smoking and eating fried food? Or falling when they're old? How much of society's resources does road safety actually merit?
Ah, resources. The cynical amongst you see speed cameras as a cynical cash grab by a greedy government. Yes, well, there is that. Get yourself a real democracy (with constitutional rights, easier access for candidates, etc.) and see what happens.
Anyway, I believe the whole safety camera crusade reflects western society's inability to accept risk... and the inevitability of death.
Accidents are not occurring at their scam sites - because they did not really occur at their scam sites in the first place! 
And when they did occur - then unique set of circumstances that led to event never occurred again!
Each accident is unique, and it seems that the circumstances are not fully investigated - it is always assumed that "speed" was the sole cause these days! Because it is an "easy and lucrative" solution!
Lancs did admit to "loose interpretation of the so-called guidelines" in the past, using minor collisions as an excuse for erecting a speed camera!.
Are Lancs finally admitting they have got the zero-tolerance policy wrong? After all, 320 scams plus talivans, etc, and a Speed Awareness Course have improved the situation at all! But then - 31-35mph was hardly inviting the right people for re-training! They are looking at targetting the course at 37mph-40mph - which would be more "appropriate!"?
The introduction of this will certainly be most welcome to all drivers in Lancs. Perhaps if less are speedo-gawping, then their accident figures will start to improve
And when they did occur - then unique set of circumstances that led to event never occurred again!
Each accident is unique, and it seems that the circumstances are not fully investigated - it is always assumed that "speed" was the sole cause these days! Because it is an "easy and lucrative" solution!
Lancs did admit to "loose interpretation of the so-called guidelines" in the past, using minor collisions as an excuse for erecting a speed camera!.
Are Lancs finally admitting they have got the zero-tolerance policy wrong? After all, 320 scams plus talivans, etc, and a Speed Awareness Course have improved the situation at all! But then - 31-35mph was hardly inviting the right people for re-training! They are looking at targetting the course at 37mph-40mph - which would be more "appropriate!"?
The introduction of this will certainly be most welcome to all drivers in Lancs. Perhaps if less are speedo-gawping, then their accident figures will start to improve
tonker
Frankly I am amazed that they have not placed a s/cam at Edgworth. If ever a scam was justified
it is there!
One of my uncles lives around there - past 30 years or so. Says it has been accident blackspot for as long as he can remember!
So - seems to prove point that Lancs places scams in fleecespots and not blackspots (i.e., where they should be!)
Frankly I am amazed that they have not placed a s/cam at Edgworth. If ever a scam was justified
it is there! One of my uncles lives around there - past 30 years or so. Says it has been accident blackspot for as long as he can remember!
So - seems to prove point that Lancs places scams in fleecespots and not blackspots (i.e., where they should be!
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