Upsetting people in the Guardian
Discussion
Looks like I've upset Paige Mitchell at the Slower Speeds initiative. She's written to the Grauniad:
Mark MacArthur-Christie of the Association of British Drivers (Letters, August 27) asks why nearly 100 more people died on our roads in 2003 than in 1998 and then blames a misguided emphasis on speed limits and speed limit enforcement. According to official statistics, 87 more people were killed on our roads in 2003 than in 1998, an increase of 2.54%. In that period road deaths have fallen
for all categories of road users except two - car occupants and motorcyclists. Deaths of car occupants increased by 4% while those of
motorcyclists and their passengers increased by 40%; 195 more motorcyclists died in 2003 than in 1998.
On the accepted measure of exposure miles driven, motorcyclists ar30 times more likely to be killed than car occupants. Why? The annual
report on speeding, Vehicle Speeds in Great Britain, shows that motorcyclists are the most dedicated speeders, on all classes of road.
The only problem with the emphasis on speed limits is that, so far, motorcyclists can too easily evade enforcement. And, of course, many
of our limits are too high to encourage appropriate speed choice.
Paige Mitchell
The Slower Speeds Initiative
Mark MacArthur-Christie of the Association of British Drivers (Letters, August 27) asks why nearly 100 more people died on our roads in 2003 than in 1998 and then blames a misguided emphasis on speed limits and speed limit enforcement. According to official statistics, 87 more people were killed on our roads in 2003 than in 1998, an increase of 2.54%. In that period road deaths have fallen
for all categories of road users except two - car occupants and motorcyclists. Deaths of car occupants increased by 4% while those of
motorcyclists and their passengers increased by 40%; 195 more motorcyclists died in 2003 than in 1998.
On the accepted measure of exposure miles driven, motorcyclists ar30 times more likely to be killed than car occupants. Why? The annual
report on speeding, Vehicle Speeds in Great Britain, shows that motorcyclists are the most dedicated speeders, on all classes of road.
The only problem with the emphasis on speed limits is that, so far, motorcyclists can too easily evade enforcement. And, of course, many
of our limits are too high to encourage appropriate speed choice.
Paige Mitchell
The Slower Speeds Initiative
OH WTF?!
Bikers are more likely to be killed because of speed? That is so single-minded and utter bollocks.
Has she failed to notice the key fundamental difference between the amount of metal, airbags, crumple zones etc etc in a car and a bike!?
Plus, what is the "safe speed initiative"? Please dont tell me my taxes are paying for this...
MMC said:
In that period road deaths have fallen
for all categories of road users except two - car occupants and motorcyclists. Deaths of car occupants increased by 4% while those of
motorcyclists and their passengers increased by 40%;
Eh?
Deaths of road users dropped except for people in cars and on bikes.
So that covers, what, 98% of miles done on the roads then?
Bike deaths up 40%? How much has bike usage gone up?
Mr E said:
In that period road deaths have fallen
for all categories of road users except two - car occupants and motorcyclists. Deaths of car occupants increased by 4% while those of
motorcyclists and their passengers increased by 40%;
Eh?
Deaths of road users dropped except for people in cars and on bikes.
So that covers, what, 98% of miles done on the roads then?
Bike deaths up 40%? How much has bike usage gone up?
If you took dickhead scooter riders out of the equation who's idea of safety wear consists of short trousers and a T-shirt, then about -20%
Paige Mitchell said:
The only problem with the emphasis on speed limits is that, so far, motorcyclists can too easily evade enforcement. And, of course, many
of our limits are too high to encourage appropriate speed choice.
What a load of Grade A horse poo.
The ONLY problem is evasion by motorcylces? How about the public outrage that has elad to countless Gatsos being vandalised?
"...our limits are too high to encourage appropriate speed choice"
Well excuse me, but don't stupidly low limits actually REMOVE that choice?
Mark, I really don't know how you put up with the mindless drivel that these people spout, it really angers me. I even wrote a letter to the Independant after T2000's attack on yourself, for all the good it will do.
have you seen there logo! (www.slower-speeds.org.uk/)
twenty's plenty - yeah maybe if i was riding a push bike!
>> Edited by tim_s on Wednesday 1st September 20:40
twenty's plenty - yeah maybe if i was riding a push bike!
>> Edited by tim_s on Wednesday 1st September 20:40
[quote=tim_s]have you seen there logo! (www.slower-speeds.org.uk/)
twenty's plenty - yeah maybe if i was riding a push bike!
But only on the real roads.
On the rail roads 186mph is too slow.
Despite trains having non existant steering and taking miles to stop.
Now if that were the case with cars, what do you think "plenty" would suddenly drop to?
twenty's plenty - yeah maybe if i was riding a push bike!
But only on the real roads.
On the rail roads 186mph is too slow.
Despite trains having non existant steering and taking miles to stop.
Now if that were the case with cars, what do you think "plenty" would suddenly drop to?
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