Wednesday 31st May 2006

Scameras lurk on remote roads

Scots cops use bikes to nab you

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Spot the police bike

Fancy a hoon round some fun roads in the remoter bits of Scotland? Well, watch out for a police bike lurking in the bushes.

News has reached our ears that Lothian and Borders Police has set up a bike with -- believe it or not -- a VHS videotape-based system that can measure vehicle speeds. According to a police spokesman, the new system uses "more advanced technology than fixed speed cameras."

Trouble is, there's no flash, so you won't know you've been nabbed until the NIP arrives in the post. Alternatively, you could just drive at night...

The local force is using bikes because the normal camera vans are too bulky to fit down some of Scotland's narrower and more remote roads.

Paul Smith, founder of road safety campaign Safe Speed, said: "There is certainly a civil liberty issue about this new technology. But, more importantly, it's just another addition to a road safety policy that is clearly failing. What we want to see is road deaths going down and that is exactly what we are not seeing.

"We should be focusing resources not on enforcing rules but on strengthening driver skills, attitudes and responsibility."

• There's more in The Scotsman

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

Just shocking. The public are really being alienated here (well, I know I speak for myself and a few others anyway). I mean, come on! Bikes to catch the odd car on the odd lane in the "remoter bits of scotland"? Seems to me that someone is hell bent on numbers on the speedo as opposed to actual safety and the goodwill of the voting public.

Want to win my vote come the next election? Get rid of speedcameras and all this horsemanure. Introduce measures that actually gauge the situation and take account of the circumstances.

[rpa.janwell]

Seconded. Refer to the statements made in the Ohio court case V. cameras. It's a matter of time now before the tide swings against them, but unfortunately in that time it will cost again and again.

[Phil Dicky]

It is really getting out of hand, cameras on remote highland roads how on earth do they justify that????

[JMGS4]

Phil Dicky said:

It is really getting out of hand, cameras on remote highland roads how on earth do they justify that????

NOT Highland roads, Lothian and Borders!!! Who've always been part of the scamming community....... however they are picking on roads which are known to hooners and prone to hooning just for moneys sake!!!
Thats why we shouldn't put any recommendations to other PHers about good hooning roads, as this site is perused by some of the "other ilk" who are NOT interested in cars or driving just hypothecation revenue (see the saddo from Cumbria Scumeraship as a prime example of a brainwashed ilk)... all IMHO

[unobtainum]

I live and work in Buckinghamshire and have seen bike mounted speed detection devices many times. So it possible they can be anywhere.

Mostly around here I have seen them "watching" the exact same bit of road a fixed camera watches. Same is often true of camera vans too.

So much for the much acclaimed effectiveness of cameras if you need TWO to do the same bit of road.

Someone should be made to explain this in terms of cost effectivness. Let alone anything else.

[mrloudly]

I've started driving past scameras with my eyes closed at the posted limit.

Might not be the best of ideas, but it sticks the "Rod's" up at the Bafoons who think they're stopping accidents through a reduction in speed.

It's easy to speed past fixed cameras anyhow. Do it on the wrong side of the road. If you look at the inductive loop sensor, buried in the road, it only runs halfway across on either side. It does work, I tried it when my numberplate was stolen

>> Edited by mrloudly on Wednesday 31st May 14:01

[qube_TA]

I thought that you couldn't have posted limits or scameras on 'de-restricted' country roads that don't have street lamps. Seem to recall a chap getting his conviction overturned because of this.

Matthew

[james_j]

Phil Dicky said:

It is really getting out of hand, cameras on remote highland roads how on earth do they justify that????

The true justification, which they'll never admit of course, is that they guess there'll be easy pickings on this type of road.

[pjskel]

They're not de-restricted - they fall under NSL - 60 mph. Or is that the old-fashioned, antiquated, NSL speed I'm recalling? *shrugs*

[Sgt^Roc]

Phil Dicky said:

It is really getting out of hand, cameras on remote highland roads how on earth do they justify that????

money

[WildCat]

Sgt^Roc said:

Phil Dicky said: It is really getting out of hand, cameras on remote highland roads how on earth do they justify that???? money

But of course ist about money.

I give another example .. sister-in-law says roadworks on M60 ist really a credit to planners. She ist less held up going to work than before work started in reality. However, she tell us that scam before J8 disappeared prior to J8 closure for resurface workings.

It then appear behind barriers und behind some sign .. she say there ist attemtp to disguise und they also remove the white line markings. She want to know why.

She also say that the slip road per Parrot of Doom's post re A6144 ist 50 mph.

There ist no red rectangle saying speed limit change. There are 50 mph repeaters in upright rectangle und with yellow backing. Where road ist at traffic lights at Carrington she say that ist very correct with large signs parallel to each other at the traffic lights showing the 50 mph limit.

However, at the other end where this meet motorway .. only one sign und she say this ist only visible to those approaching from A56 sliproad. Ist not visible to those who leave at J8 und cross M60 to go on A6144 - nor are there two parallel lollies at mouth. There should be roadworks or no roadworks as this ist another road.

She also say she noted police van parked illegally in lay-by on this road since 50 mph reduction und her RA alerted an alarm. She ist OK at 47 mph per RA und dash she note said "dead 50 mph" at time her RA sounded a warning.

Be carful all guys who drive this road. Sorry .. ist drifting off topic und perhaps should be a separate as a warning....

[711]

Aaaaarrghghg just read the BBC version of this story!

Why are the BBC allowing this Stradling bloke his soapbox? Why can't they just tell us the facts about this vile little idea rather than spewing propoganda?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/e

Quoted from the above:
"Steve Stradling, professor of transport psychology at Napier University's Transport Research Institute, said: "A recent study has shown that drivers who have been caught speeding by a speed camera are twice as likely to have a collision than those who haven't been caught."

Worth a complaint to the beeb about this one? I should stop reading SP&L so close to bedtime, I'm having nightmares!

[alphadog]

Why do these statistics that the so-called experts often quote clash so badly with what we experience day in day out on the roads?

Or to put it another way, how many people on here have ever come even remotely close to an incident when conditions make it safe to exceed the NSL?

Personally, I find it more dangerous on the M1 driving to work in the morning when it is virtually impossible to reach the speed limit let alone exceed it. The sheer number of accidents that happen during these times bears witness to this!

[twister]

[redacted]

[shuvitupya]

[vipers]

Quote from the paper:- The brightly marked Honda 650 Deauville will only go to sites where there is a history of road collisions. Un-quote. (This is the Edinburgh one).

That doesnt sound too bad in it self. What I recall seeing some years ago on a TV prog, and which I though was quite good, was an unmarked police bike, with forward facing video, they would follow a motorcyclist, filming him, and after a few miles pull him over if his actions justified it.

The police officer would then replay the video to the motorcyclist pointing out his "errors of judgement", call them what you will, and giving him some advice on his stype of driving, then send him on his way.

Some I recll was a motorcyclist who habitually crossed double white lines to overtake other vehicles.

This approach I thought was a good idea, and was better then just receiving a NIP for being caught exceeding NSL somwhere.

[711]

If the unmarked bike and education only approach was used, I think I might find myself being a bit more supportive of the scheme. Sadly, this one just looks like another scam. It's a good post there vipers, 'cause it highlights how the authorities have moved away from approaches that had real road safety impact coupled with some basis of respect for the driver / rider.

I wonder what types of collisions will qualify for this scheme? Will accidents involving suicidal sheep be used as justification?

[shuvitupya]

Need to pay for for more Croquet equipment for Mr.Prescott when he visits

[mybrainhurts]

Spotted one in North Wales.

Only clue was blue strobes on the front. Rider all in black, including black helmet. No police signs/badges.

Only a quick glance as he was booking another rider, but I think this is accurate.

[jensen lunn]

I guess these police camera operators need something to do, its not as if they can go home and make love to their wives..... I wouldnt @@@@ on them if I passed one that was on fire, they need to get real jobs and stop @@@@ing annoying the rest of the country.

RIP scameras, your days are numbered.

My tip... refuse to sign NIP on the basis you are unable to determine who was driving that day, always drive with sun Visor down, get a good radar detector, or make a friend overseas (chat rooms or family), fill in NIP with their details (with their permission), police will take "no Further action" everytime because they are not uk residence.



>> Edited by jensen lunn on Thursday 1st June 09:39