Brake are off on one again...
Discussion
Manchester Evening News said:
TOP Gear's Jeremy Clarkson is under fire from road safety campaigners and politicians who claim he sent out an `irresponsible' message that speed does not kill.
He is accused of glamorising speeding in comments about co-presenter Richard Hammond's dragster crash.
Dramatic footage of Hammond's 288mph accident was shown for the first time on Sunday night's Top Gear.
Aired on the first show of the new series, it revealed the 36-year-old's incredible escape when he crashed while filming a stunt for the programme in September. Dianne Ferreira, of road safety charity Brake, said: "Jeremy Clarkson said on the programme `speed kills' and then pointed at Richard Hammond as if to say `speed doesn't kill'.
"This glamorised speeding. The programme is watched by impressionable young people who are easily influenced and irresponsible remarks like that could tempt them to speed."
The Scottish Green Party joined the attack, demanding Clarkson publicly apologise for the comments and accusing him of `childish arrogance'.
Party leader Robin Harper MSP said: "Jeremy Clarkson should publicly say sorry. The glamorisation of driving at high speeds is unacceptable."
Mr Harper was speaking after a weekend of carnage on Scotland's roads claimed the lives of at least 14 people.
'Conclusions'
A BBC spokesman said: "Jeremy Clarkson did not say it was untrue that `speed kills'. On the contrary, he made the statement without qualification, and allowed viewers to draw their own conclusions from an item which could not have been a clearer illustration of the dangers as well as the excitements of speed.
"The laughter shown was a true reflection of the atmosphere at the studio recording, where the audience were determined to celebrate Richard's strength and survival, in keeping with the spirit of the programme."
But Brake was not appeased by the response. The charity is planning to compile examples of any irresponsible content from Top Gear to present to the newly-formed BBC Trust, which represents the interests of the licence fee-paying public.
Jools Townsend, head of education at Brake, said: "Clarkson's comment was highly irresponsible and offensive to anyone who has been bereaved or injured at the hands of a speeding driver."
The charity said that in 2005 speeding was a factor in nearly a third of fatal crashes in Britain.
He is accused of glamorising speeding in comments about co-presenter Richard Hammond's dragster crash.
Dramatic footage of Hammond's 288mph accident was shown for the first time on Sunday night's Top Gear.
Aired on the first show of the new series, it revealed the 36-year-old's incredible escape when he crashed while filming a stunt for the programme in September. Dianne Ferreira, of road safety charity Brake, said: "Jeremy Clarkson said on the programme `speed kills' and then pointed at Richard Hammond as if to say `speed doesn't kill'.
"This glamorised speeding. The programme is watched by impressionable young people who are easily influenced and irresponsible remarks like that could tempt them to speed."
The Scottish Green Party joined the attack, demanding Clarkson publicly apologise for the comments and accusing him of `childish arrogance'.
Party leader Robin Harper MSP said: "Jeremy Clarkson should publicly say sorry. The glamorisation of driving at high speeds is unacceptable."
Mr Harper was speaking after a weekend of carnage on Scotland's roads claimed the lives of at least 14 people.
'Conclusions'
A BBC spokesman said: "Jeremy Clarkson did not say it was untrue that `speed kills'. On the contrary, he made the statement without qualification, and allowed viewers to draw their own conclusions from an item which could not have been a clearer illustration of the dangers as well as the excitements of speed.
"The laughter shown was a true reflection of the atmosphere at the studio recording, where the audience were determined to celebrate Richard's strength and survival, in keeping with the spirit of the programme."
But Brake was not appeased by the response. The charity is planning to compile examples of any irresponsible content from Top Gear to present to the newly-formed BBC Trust, which represents the interests of the licence fee-paying public.
Jools Townsend, head of education at Brake, said: "Clarkson's comment was highly irresponsible and offensive to anyone who has been bereaved or injured at the hands of a speeding driver."
The charity said that in 2005 speeding was a factor in nearly a third of fatal crashes in Britain.
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz/s/234/234699_top_gear_in_speed_row.html
Didn't I hear Richard Hammond say on something that if his accident served as an example that things do go wrong, and inspired one person coming too fast into a blind bend with an obstacle the other side of it to slow down and survive as a result, that it would all have been worth it?
Guess they must have missed that, then.
Comments are amusing to see the public "really get behind our message", though
Dianne Ferreira, of road safety charity Brake, said: "Jeremy Clarkson said on the programme `speed kills' and then pointed at Richard Hammond as if to say `speed doesn't kill'".
Well, I've just re-watched the end of the show and unless she has footage that wasn't broadcast, Jeremy didn't even look at Richard when he said it, let alone point. Whatever the implication of Clarkson's statement, good to know the facts are important to these people...
Well, I've just re-watched the end of the show and unless she has footage that wasn't broadcast, Jeremy didn't even look at Richard when he said it, let alone point. Whatever the implication of Clarkson's statement, good to know the facts are important to these people...
graebob said:
Most importantly, Clarkson's comments were in relation to something which happened on a closed circuit. Brakes message is that speed ON THE ROAD kills. The two are not similar and cannot be comparable.
I should clarify that Clarkson didn't comment directly at all, however the whole item upon which Brake are complaining is based on a closed circuit.
This is utterly ridiculous, saying that driving a jet dragster in any advocates speeding is like saying a plane on take off going 150mph+, or watching formula 1 also encourages speeding.
Claiming that showing Richard Hammond is a example of the fact that speeding doesnt kill is "Glamourising speeding [and is] irresopnsible" is just another weak stab by the anti motoring / votes bandwagon at any sort of motoring. Any one who isnt dribbling in a wheelchair will realise that was only the excellent work of the air ambulance / nurses + doctors that kept him alive, he very nearly died.
They will also realise that this crash has nothing to do with road driving. If Brakes are worried about this, what about the thousands of people who go to santa pod each year, the millions of people who watch motorsport each year, the millions who fly each year - there might be some impressionable passengers who,loving the speed at take off, wish to replicate it out side a local school and mow down some innocent children. Its a matter of if, not when.
Claiming that showing Richard Hammond is a example of the fact that speeding doesnt kill is "Glamourising speeding [and is] irresopnsible" is just another weak stab by the anti motoring / votes bandwagon at any sort of motoring. Any one who isnt dribbling in a wheelchair will realise that was only the excellent work of the air ambulance / nurses + doctors that kept him alive, he very nearly died.
They will also realise that this crash has nothing to do with road driving. If Brakes are worried about this, what about the thousands of people who go to santa pod each year, the millions of people who watch motorsport each year, the millions who fly each year - there might be some impressionable passengers who,loving the speed at take off, wish to replicate it out side a local school and mow down some innocent children. Its a matter of if, not when.
This has nothing to do with Hammond being on a track. It’s about Clarkson trying to rubbish a road safety campaign that attempts to reduce death and injury on the road. He does that kind of thing because he knows it will excite the impressionable people who comprise his audience and watch the show.
Edited by herewego on Tuesday 30th January 23:30
herewego said:
This has nothing to do with Hammond not being on a track. It’s about Clarkson trying to rubbish a road safety campaign that attempts to reduce death and injury on the road. He does that kind of thing because he knows it will excite the impressionable people who comprise his audience and watch the show.
Bollocks, utter bollox. The whole campaign is misinformation and half truths. What's not needed is money wasted on various cameras which will tell you you've been naughty a month later, but on marked and unmarked patrol cars who'll pull you up if you're driving BADLY and not so much throw the book at you as try to beat you to death with it. Speed doesn't kill, not by a long shot. But the police's sit back and send a letter tactics, which simply pick out those who drive past hidden cameras and so don't brake, probably do.
Calorus said:
herewego said:
This has nothing to do with Hammond not being on a track. It’s about Clarkson trying to rubbish a road safety campaign that attempts to reduce death and injury on the road. He does that kind of thing because he knows it will excite the impressionable people who comprise his audience and watch the show.
Bollocks, utter bollox. The whole campaign is misinformation and half truths. What's not needed is money wasted on various cameras which will tell you you've been naughty a month later, but on marked and unmarked patrol cars who'll pull you up if you're driving BADLY and not so much throw the book at you as try to beat you to death with it. Speed doesn't kill, not by a long shot. But the police's sit back and send a letter tactics, which simply pick out those who drive past hidden cameras and so don't brake, probably do.
What's bollox? What would Brake get out of misinformation and half truths? If you don't hear for a month you can send it back you know. they have to inform you within 2 weeks.
Edited by herewego on Tuesday 30th January 23:37
herewego said:
Calorus said:
herewego said:
This has nothing to do with Hammond not being on a track. It’s about Clarkson trying to rubbish a road safety campaign that attempts to reduce death and injury on the road. He does that kind of thing because he knows it will excite the impressionable people who comprise his audience and watch the show.
Bollocks, utter bollox. The whole campaign is misinformation and half truths. What's not needed is money wasted on various cameras which will tell you you've been naughty a month later, but on marked and unmarked patrol cars who'll pull you up if you're driving BADLY and not so much throw the book at you as try to beat you to death with it. Speed doesn't kill, not by a long shot. But the police's sit back and send a letter tactics, which simply pick out those who drive past hidden cameras and so don't brake, probably do.
What's bollox? What would Brake get out of misinformation and half truths? If you don't hear for a month you can send it back you know. they have to inform you within 2 weeks.
Whether informed in two weeks, a month a year or when you get home. If someone is driving like an idiot they should be informed immediately. Someone doing 95 on a motorway is not equivalent to someone doing 25mph powerslides in busy a residential area. Or talking on a phone with his mind elsewhere, whilst driving at 30 down a busy road. Or driving drunk and paranoid crawling along at 25 mph swerving and thinking he's looking inconspicuous, or driving at 70 in heavy rain with 20 metre visiblity.
The fact is we EITHER pay for camera crews and camera equipment or police officers. We can afford both. At the moment we're investing in completely the wrong way.
herewego said:
This has nothing to do with Hammond being on a track. It’s about Clarkson trying to rubbish a road safety campaign that attempts to reduce death and injury on the road. He does that kind of thing because he knows it will excite the impressionable people who comprise his audience and watch the show.
Edited by herewego on Tuesday 30th January 23:30
Brake would not know a road safety campaign if it drove up and ran over them.
herewego said:
Calorus said:
The fact is we EITHER pay for camera crews and camera equipment or police officers. We can afford both. At the moment we're investing in completely the wrong way.
Police numbers are increasing. VH gave us the figures recently on another thread.
Not NEARLY quickly enough. More patrols every penny more patrols. Patrols give clear warnings directed at motorist in clear dynamic English. Patrols do not stand on flyovers waving speed guns and posting letters when they get back to the station.
Calorus said:
herewego said:
Calorus said:
The fact is we EITHER pay for camera crews and camera equipment or police officers. We can afford both. At the moment we're investing in completely the wrong way.
Police numbers are increasing. VH gave us the figures recently on another thread.
Not NEARLY quickly enough. More patrols every penny more patrols. Patrols give clear warnings directed at motorist in clear dynamic English. Patrols do not stand on flyovers waving speed guns and posting letters when they get back to the station.
Isn't a NIP a clear warning?
herewego said:
Calorus said:
herewego said:
Calorus said:
The fact is we EITHER pay for camera crews and camera equipment or police officers. We can afford both. At the moment we're investing in completely the wrong way.
Police numbers are increasing. VH gave us the figures recently on another thread.
Not NEARLY quickly enough. More patrols every penny more patrols. Patrols give clear warnings directed at motorist in clear dynamic English. Patrols do not stand on flyovers waving speed guns and posting letters when they get back to the station.
Isn't a NIP a clear warning?
If someone's driving dangerously, should they be left to finish driving dangerously, or should they be stopped from driving dangerously as soon as possible?
Is 70 on a motrway safe? Is 80 on a motorway safe? is 100 on a deserted motorway at 5AM on a deserted summer Sunday morning with the sun coming from behind and clear vison almost to the horizon safe? Is 60 in 10 meter visiblity driving rain & fog on a busy dual carriage way with no hard shoulder at night safe? I can't answer any of those questions, so I can't set up a speed camera to know. On the other hand a trained police officer will know, and he should be empowered and suitably equipped, not with a radar gun, but with cameras and surveillance equipment to ensure that in the event of a neccessary prosectuion, both he and the accused are suitably protected. I don't care if you're doing 120 down the M1 on a clear dry night with a set of PIAA's mounted to the front of your Zonda, burning the chill out of the air, because SPEED DOESN'T KILL. I do care if you can't read the road, if you react in a way which puts other road users at risk, if you are drunk, distracted, agitated or road raging, if you're tired and refuse to pull over, if you're dithering, or are driving a car which, MOT'd or not, is visibly unroadworthy. Or, most commonly, if you are incapable of driving to the condtions of the road, THAT Kills.
A speed camera will only pick up the only offence that might well cause no potential hazard to road users. A police officer will judge the situation on its merits and react instantly to prevent any dangerous actions of the driver continuning.
A speed camera isn't prevention rather than cure. It's not even cure rather than prevention. It's blame rather than anything.
drags06 said:
Calorus said:
But Richard Hammond has driven faster in Britain than anyone, ever.
And Richard Hammond has crashed faster than anyone in a car ever.
And Richard Hammond isn't (to my knowledge) dead.
And Richard Hammond has crashed faster than anyone in a car ever.
And Richard Hammond isn't (to my knowledge) dead.
No he has not. Sammy Miller has and other drag racers!
Suddenly a little confused. Why, in that case, did it never occur to Miller to turn around and drive back?
Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff