my drive to work today, for Steve Callaghan
Discussion
Just another drive from Pontefract to Hull, encorporating motorway/dual carriageway almost all the way.
First the roadworks at Ferrybridge. All carriageways open plus sliproad, but workmen (during the day) so 50MPH is justified. Pass the gatso on the eastbound side as part of a nervous carnival procession of vehicles in the inside lane. The couple of people in the other lanes haven't seen it so emergency brake to avoid a ticket. Everyone else is watching their speedos as it's so easy to creep above.
End of 50MPH area, and onto the wide open motorway. Traffic medium. As we go on, traffic thins out somewhat around the M18 so trafic volume is now medium to light. Traffic speed between 75MPH and 90MPH, plenty of space betwen cars, visibility good, everyone making progress, and people observing their own 'safety cell'. I'm travelling along at about 85MPH.
Road turns into the A63 dual carriageway. Traffic volume higher and speeds slower. Now we have elephant racing (lorries overtaking lorries very slowly) old folk in the inside lane driving at 50MPH causing bunching. Little vans overtaking without indicating.
enter the 50MPH zone at North Ferriby. 'Safety' camera van seen by those infront. Slamming on of brakes creating a forced carnival procession again of nervous driving while they creep past. Much looking at speedos going on here. Cars remain at 50MPH until the NSL sign is reached. Drivers have been prosecuted before for speeding up just before this sign, so the sign is now used as a sort of 'starting pistol' to get your foot down and make up some time.
As a professional and expert on road safety Steve, where and what do you think the safety and danger elements of my journey are. Your reply will no doubt indicate whether you actually have a car or not, and is you do, which day of the week you drive it on perhaps?
First the roadworks at Ferrybridge. All carriageways open plus sliproad, but workmen (during the day) so 50MPH is justified. Pass the gatso on the eastbound side as part of a nervous carnival procession of vehicles in the inside lane. The couple of people in the other lanes haven't seen it so emergency brake to avoid a ticket. Everyone else is watching their speedos as it's so easy to creep above.
End of 50MPH area, and onto the wide open motorway. Traffic medium. As we go on, traffic thins out somewhat around the M18 so trafic volume is now medium to light. Traffic speed between 75MPH and 90MPH, plenty of space betwen cars, visibility good, everyone making progress, and people observing their own 'safety cell'. I'm travelling along at about 85MPH.
Road turns into the A63 dual carriageway. Traffic volume higher and speeds slower. Now we have elephant racing (lorries overtaking lorries very slowly) old folk in the inside lane driving at 50MPH causing bunching. Little vans overtaking without indicating.
enter the 50MPH zone at North Ferriby. 'Safety' camera van seen by those infront. Slamming on of brakes creating a forced carnival procession again of nervous driving while they creep past. Much looking at speedos going on here. Cars remain at 50MPH until the NSL sign is reached. Drivers have been prosecuted before for speeding up just before this sign, so the sign is now used as a sort of 'starting pistol' to get your foot down and make up some time.
As a professional and expert on road safety Steve, where and what do you think the safety and danger elements of my journey are. Your reply will no doubt indicate whether you actually have a car or not, and is you do, which day of the week you drive it on perhaps?
bryan35 said:
Just another drive from Pontefract to Hull, encorporating motorway/dual carriageway almost all the way.
First the roadworks at Ferrybridge. All carriageways open plus sliproad, but workmen (during the day) so 50MPH is justified. Pass the gatso on the eastbound side as part of a nervous carnival procession of vehicles in the inside lane. The couple of people in the other lanes haven't seen it so emergency brake to avoid a ticket. Everyone else is watching their speedos as it's so easy to creep above.
End of 50MPH area, and onto the wide open motorway. Traffic medium. As we go on, traffic thins out somewhat around the M18 so trafic volume is now medium to light. Traffic speed between 75MPH and 90MPH, plenty of space betwen cars, visibility good, everyone making progress, and people observing their own 'safety cell'. I'm travelling along at about 85MPH.
Road turns into the A63 dual carriageway. Traffic volume higher and speeds slower. Now we have elephant racing (lorries overtaking lorries very slowly) old folk in the inside lane driving at 50MPH causing bunching. Little vans overtaking without indicating.
enter the 50MPH zone at North Ferriby. 'Safety' camera van seen by those infront. Slamming on of brakes creating a forced carnival procession again of nervous driving while they creep past. Much looking at speedos going on here. Cars remain at 50MPH until the NSL sign is reached. Drivers have been prosecuted before for speeding up just before this sign, so the sign is now used as a sort of 'starting pistol' to get your foot down and make up some time.
As a professional and expert on road safety Steve, where and what do you think the safety and danger elements of my journey are. Your reply will no doubt indicate whether you actually have a car or not, and is you do, which day of the week you drive it on perhaps?
Excellent post.
What you describe just corroborates what Paul Smith has been saying all along. ie most ( there are always exceptions) drivers drive at a safe speed according to the conditions. The speed cameras take the drivers focus away from that and onto their absolute speed. These cameras are NOT educating drivers. They are only slowing them for fear of financial loss and losing their license. The problem of the piss takers can be resolved by more trafpol
I hope Steve answers thsi one, because many PH'ers will be very interested in his replies.
>> Edited by blademan on Friday 17th September 11:32
>> Edited by blademan on Friday 17th September 11:33
I doubt Speedfinder-General Callaghan will reply to this on here. Why not post it on the Cumbria Forum - Oh, he won't answer it on there either - no surprise then!
By the way, what makes anyone think any member of the Cumbria Silly Camera Pratnership is an expert on road safety. Mr. Callaghan is, I believe, a former member of the Royal Navy who went to sea in nuclear subs, whilst Mr. Kevin Tea is a Public Relations person, although you would never believe it from some of his ramblings on the Cumbria Forum (holes and digging come to mind here).
Their qualifications seem to be in sarcasm and cash-collection.
By the way, what makes anyone think any member of the Cumbria Silly Camera Pratnership is an expert on road safety. Mr. Callaghan is, I believe, a former member of the Royal Navy who went to sea in nuclear subs, whilst Mr. Kevin Tea is a Public Relations person, although you would never believe it from some of his ramblings on the Cumbria Forum (holes and digging come to mind here).
Their qualifications seem to be in sarcasm and cash-collection.
Last week I had a puncture on the M1. While changing the wheel I had plenty of attention on the traffic, as you can imagine.
What I found was that the speed of passing traffic was quite scary, and that the driving looked "dangerous". On rejoining the traffic it was clear that things were as normal. Appropriate space was being left, manouvres performed with care, etc.
I mention this because I think the point of view is vital to this. A non-driver, who only views driving as a passenger or as a pedestrian, would see cars as dangerous and would wish to slow them down at any cost. A driver understands the different context of driving alertly and can see that such conditions can be relatively safe.
But is road safety in the hands of experienced drivers? It would seem not. It's the "roadside" view rather than the "driving seat" view that's being taken.
What I found was that the speed of passing traffic was quite scary, and that the driving looked "dangerous". On rejoining the traffic it was clear that things were as normal. Appropriate space was being left, manouvres performed with care, etc.
I mention this because I think the point of view is vital to this. A non-driver, who only views driving as a passenger or as a pedestrian, would see cars as dangerous and would wish to slow them down at any cost. A driver understands the different context of driving alertly and can see that such conditions can be relatively safe.
But is road safety in the hands of experienced drivers? It would seem not. It's the "roadside" view rather than the "driving seat" view that's being taken.
james_j said:
Don't hold your breath for a reply.
There are numerous threads that have sunk away while waiting for answers from Mr Callagham.
The questions and points put forward were not rude in any way, just very polite and pertinent questions, but of course, no answer.
Probably because he had lost his generic statement list....
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