Stunning Invasion of Privacy...or...
Discussion
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/3731211.stm
So how are they "authorised"? If I found some civvie pointing a laser at my car I'd be very, very tempted to get out and give them the benfit of my point of view on the matter in no uncertain terms.
bbc web site said:
Volunteers catch speeding drivers
Motorists who drive too fast in some Kent villages are being caught by teams of volunteers operating speed guns.
The scheme, which sees pairs of volunteers zapping vehicles at local speed hotspots, is due to be set up in every parish in the county.
Hand-held devices with lasers are used to check the speed of approaching cars and letters are then sent to offenders.
It is designed to raise awareness of speeding although persistent offenders may face fixed penalties from police.
Volunteers, who are trained and authorised, record the registration numbers of speeding vehicles.
The information is then passed to the area traffic management officer from Kent Police and letters are sent out.
Parish councils pay for the £160 hand-held speed indicators, and fluorescent jackets.
Pc Richard Gisbee, said: "As long as the enthusiasm is there from the parish councillors and the volunteers that are running it, it will last.
"If they want to keep doing it to make their villages safer than it will last for a long time."
So how are they "authorised"? If I found some civvie pointing a laser at my car I'd be very, very tempted to get out and give them the benfit of my point of view on the matter in no uncertain terms.
Are these devices calibrated? If not, any figures they give to the Police for follow-up letters are not reliable.
I would stop and request their identification and authority. I would then have a chat about the real causes of accidents and see if I could change their minds.
I do approve of 30mph limits in general (although some take the p**ss) and do not speed in genuine 30mph zones so presumably I would not get any letters.
I would stop and request their identification and authority. I would then have a chat about the real causes of accidents and see if I could change their minds.
I do approve of 30mph limits in general (although some take the p**ss) and do not speed in genuine 30mph zones so presumably I would not get any letters.
streaky said:
How is this an "invasion of privacy"? - Streaky
I view it in the same way I would someone staring at me with a telescope or taking pictures of me without asking permission first...coppers are entitled to do this in pursuance of their duty..but Joe Public? I think not...its...rude.
Its entirely possible I am just being overly sensitive - but I don't like the idea one bit.
This is a dangerous route to take. As I have mentioned previously, we will have the local busybodies with an agenda and no idea of accident causation volunteering for speed trap duty.
I have seen a TV report on this scheme and one scene was filmed from behind the local resident with the speed gun. He called out something like, " 48, that one", to his pal with the clip board. The figure on the gun clearly showed 38.
This is the the type of behaviour favoured in repressive regimes where neighbours are encouraged to snitch on neighbours.
Anyone recall the case some years ago when a policeman 'on speed trap duty' pointed his laser at a woman driver and claimed it proved she was exceedng the limit? His partner - clearly an honest cop - pointed out to his bosses that the battery had just been removed from the gun as they were due to pack up for the day.
If we can't trust every policeman to tell the truth, how do we trust those bug-hugging car-haters such as the chap in para 2.
I have seen a TV report on this scheme and one scene was filmed from behind the local resident with the speed gun. He called out something like, " 48, that one", to his pal with the clip board. The figure on the gun clearly showed 38.
This is the the type of behaviour favoured in repressive regimes where neighbours are encouraged to snitch on neighbours.
Anyone recall the case some years ago when a policeman 'on speed trap duty' pointed his laser at a woman driver and claimed it proved she was exceedng the limit? His partner - clearly an honest cop - pointed out to his bosses that the battery had just been removed from the gun as they were due to pack up for the day.
If we can't trust every policeman to tell the truth, how do we trust those bug-hugging car-haters such as the chap in para 2.
Might be an upside... I bet the old biddies reckon that a TVR doing 25mph gthrough their village is speeding because the car is loud and they have lousy speed perception.
Once they see what the laser's telling them, they might realise that sports car drivers are not all lunatics, just because they don't drive a Hyundai Atoz.
Once they see what the laser's telling them, they might realise that sports car drivers are not all lunatics, just because they don't drive a Hyundai Atoz.
If these busybodies, with time to spare, really wanted to make a difference they would be going to local schools and teaching kids to cross roads having looked where they are going. They would be campaigning about the dangers of chatting on mobile phones and blinding walking onto roads mid conversation. Or even getting involved in teaching cycling proficiency tests etc. Maybe they could get involved in campaigning against the 30 limits which start over a mile from village boundaries which bring the entire limit into disrepute including the area within the village.
None of this would of course give the nod to the local scamera partnerships where there is a ripe income stream opportunity.
DAZ
None of this would of course give the nod to the local scamera partnerships where there is a ripe income stream opportunity.
DAZ
As I've mentioned before I really object to these schemes because of the lack of objectivity and opportunity for personal vendettas.
Scenario 1 Reading of 48 but as its Fred who always stands his round up the golf club and he'll support my bid for club captain, no further action.
Scenario 2 Reading of 34, unknown visitor, reported as its above 30 isn't it. After all "Think of the ....."
Scenario 3 Reading of 28, but its that twonk from No 28 who won't take another two feet off his leylandii. Lets make it 38 and report him.
Scenario 1 Reading of 48 but as its Fred who always stands his round up the golf club and he'll support my bid for club captain, no further action.
Scenario 2 Reading of 34, unknown visitor, reported as its above 30 isn't it. After all "Think of the ....."
Scenario 3 Reading of 28, but its that twonk from No 28 who won't take another two feet off his leylandii. Lets make it 38 and report him.
CarZee said:
Might be an upside... I bet the old biddies reckon that a TVR doing 25mph gthrough their village is speeding because the car is loud and they have lousy speed perception.
Once they see what the laser's telling them, they might realise that sports car drivers are not all lunatics, just because they don't drive a Hyundai Atoz.
Interesting observation. It'd be nice to think so wouldn't it.
Tafia said:
This is a dangerous route to take. As I have mentioned previously, we will have the local busybodies with an agenda and no idea of accident causation volunteering for speed trap duty.
True!
They say these people have received training. What standard of training are we talking about? 3 hours on a Saturday morning in the local primary school?
Not quite the same as trained copper with practised eye - is it! Nor are they using "state of the art" technology here!
Only people likely to volunteer are the car hating muesli munchers anyway!
As dazren suggested - if they really want to address road safety for all - time and money would be be spent in teaching basic parenting skills, road sense, Green Cross Code and assisting in cyvling proficiency tests for all.
And leave the policing of traffic to professionals! Tafia said:
I have seen a TV report on this scheme and one scene was filmed from behind the local resident with the speed gun. He called out something like, " 48, that one", to his pal with the clip board. The figure on the gun clearly showed 38.
Saw something similar on BBC's "Countryfile" last month. Was
Clearly a buffoon when it came to judging speeds. We had the guy shouting to his mate 35, 36 and 48 - and the speed gun shown briefly on camera did, in fact, state lower speed. Sent e-mail to Beeb at time - no reply! No doubt - the twazak wanted people to know that village had problem - it did! Him! The twazak who wanted his 15 minutes of fame! Either that or contrived for impact - cynical me suspects latter! Would not deny that village in question did appear to have problem - NSL road changing to 30 mph through the village's straight, and it did seem as if it were the numpty brigade driving at 40-ish no matter what!
But even so - it showed that this kind of practice leads to gross inaccuracies and should be left to professionals. Tafia said:
This is the the type of behaviour favoured in repressive regimes where neighbours are encouraged to snitch on neighbours.
Everyday in every way - UK gets more and more Stasi-like!
And then of course - petty village/neighbour squabbles and grudges .....
CarZee said:
Might be an upside... I bet the old biddies reckon that a TVR doing 25mph gthrough their village is speeding because the car is loud and they have lousy speed perception.
Once they see what the laser's telling them, they might realise that sports car drivers are not all lunatics, just because they don't drive a Hyundai Atoz.
and who says they won't write down your number plate and report you anyway? and keep reporting, regardless of you actually going through the village, just because they want to, until you get a speeding fine?
where's the legal stance then?
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff