Friday 22nd October 2004

Speed cameras 'stupid' says top cop

Traffic police chief of 20 years slams scameras

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Speed cameras are "stupid", says one of Greater Manchester's former top traffic cops. Once a chief inspector, second in command of the city's motorway group, Neil Longsden is reported by the local paper as hitting out at the way that scameras are used to raise revenue rather than improve safety.

He's quoted as saying that, when fixed speed cameras were introduced "I thought they were a good idea because they were positioned at accident hotspots. But now the situation is becoming stupid.

"With more than 20 years as a traffic inspector and chief inspector, I always thought that, when decisions were made to prosecute motorists, the police had to prove the offence beyond all reasonable doubt - and that they also had to use a certain amount of discretion and common sense.

"Now I believe those basic principles are being ignored in pursuit of revenue."

He goes onto say that while he's not favour of speeding, scameras should be sited where they'll do the most good from a safety perspective. However, the way accident figures had been calculated changed resulted in skewing of the decisions about the siting of the scameras. Instead, he calls for more mobile speed guns.

Now retired, Longsden was a cop for almost 35 years, 20 of which were spent on the traffic beat.

More here: www.manchesteronline.co.uk/

[AMG Merc]

Well, I wish he was Prime Minister!!!

[Streetcop]

He wants to enjoy his pension (which I'm paying for) and stop butting his nose into things....

Apart from that...I too would like more Trafpol numbers instead of static cameras

Street

[Alex]

And who's paying your salary, Street? Ah, that would be me.

[Streetcop]

Alex said:

And who's paying your salary, Street? Ah, that would be me.

Aye....but I'm paying it to...as is my wife....

Like I've said on another thread...I'm not tax exempt, I'm not Bergerac...

You also pay the wages of the binmen, and if it "doesn't fit in the bin, they're not collecting it"...tell them you pay their wages and see what response you get...

Street

[skittle]

Streetcop said:

He wants to enjoy his pension (which I'm paying for) and stop butting his nose into things.... Street

Perhaps this is the only way he and other can effectively voice their concerns over the road policing policy for fear of retribution whilst in their current position.

We know you are taking a more politically correct viewpoint from when you joined the board

[Streetcop]

skittle said:

Streetcop said: He wants to enjoy his pension (which I'm paying for) and stop butting his nose into things.... Street Perhaps this is the only way he and other can effectively voice their concerns over the road policing policy for fear of retribution whilst in their current position. We know you are taking a more politically correct viewpoint from when you joined the board

I know what you mean....

As for me...I blow hot and cold....this week I'm for hanging being brought back...

Only for Murder, Treason and Misuse of Front Fog Lights....

Street

[Apache]

Streetcop said:

He wants to enjoy his pension (which I'm paying for) and stop butting his nose into things.... Apart from that...I too would like more Trafpol numbers instead of static cameras Street

An odd reaction SC? the man seems to be speaking the truth, is that a bad thing? he wants what we all want and his position means he'll get published (unlike us)

[Alex]

Actually, I think all public sector workers should be paid tax-free.

[kurgis]

Not really los angeles, most BiB in my city want more Trafpol and have little or no liking for cameras and never had had. Morale is very low in the "Trafpol" section of our local force - they've always realised road safety is more than £30 and a few points.

[Streetcop]

Apache said:

Streetcop said: He wants to enjoy his pension (which I'm paying for) and stop butting his nose into things.... Apart from that...I too would like more Trafpol numbers instead of static cameras Street An odd reaction SC? the man seems to be speaking the truth, is that a bad thing? he wants what we all want and his position means he'll get published (unlike us)

Perhaps he was overlooked for a superintendant's job and it very bitter...it happens

Street

[wolves_wanderer]

Alex said:

Actually, I think all public sector workers should be paid tax-free.

Totally agree, how can it be sensible to pay them with taxpayers money, then have to administer a percentage being taken back as tax. Ridiculous

[Pete Cash]

If speed cameras are purely there to improve road safety & not generate revenue, then why don't they dispense with the fine altogether and just have penalty points - surely these are more of a deterrent than £60 ??

[D-Angle]

Streetcop said:

Perhaps he was overlooked for a superintendant's job and it very bitter...it happens Street

Perhaps, but I'm sure if you voiced your opinion about policing after you retire, which would have been based on many years experience in the job, you wouldn't take too kindly to someone saying "Shut it grandad, you're retired now. It might be wrong but it's not your business anymore." would you?

Also, from what you have said previously, it may be that the only people who can speak up in public about these things are officers who have resigned or are retired.

And yes, my binmen would probably give me a mouthful if I mentioned I pay their wages, but it doesn't mean I'm wrong to say it to them

[Streetcop]

Pete Cash said:

If speed cameras are purely there to improve road safety & not generate revenue, then why don't they dispense with the fine altogether and just have penalty points - surely these are more of a deterrent than £60 ??

The fine buys more cameras, pays for maintainance etc...and pays for prosecution of those that don't comply...

Street

[james_j]

From a thread in "Motoring News":

"...Tired driving causes 17 per cent of deaths and serious injuries whilst drivers breaking the speed limit cause only around three to four per cent, according to official Government research..."

Nuff said. (For now.)

[Peter Ward]

james_j said:

From a thread in "Motoring News": "...Tired driving causes 17 per cent of deaths and serious injuries whilst drivers breaking the speed limit cause only around three to four per cent, according to official Government research..." Nuff said. (For now.)

Which official government research was that? I'm sure Mr Straw will be initiating a witch-hunt to find the person who leaked these politically incorrect study results.

As with NHS efficiency statistics, the metrics are changed till they give the required answer (ie. 100% of KSIs caused by speeding).

[Mad Moggie]

[quote=D-Angle]
[quote=Streetcop]Perhaps he was overlooked for a superintendant's job and it very bitter...it happens

Chief Inspector Longsden retired in 1995. He spent 20 years in traffic and was second-in-command of the motorway division in the area - according to yesterday's paper. The opinion column paper (which campaigns for 20 mph speed limits around Manchester's vulnerable bits) appears to fully support the Chief Inspector's opinion.

Some - Durham and North Yorks - also express common sense opinions.

If serving BiBs are being gagged and are afraid to voice opinions for fear of repercussions - then this really does smack of Stasi-style leadership.

[Apache]

Kind of agree there MM. This is a free forum (mods excepted) and somewhere we can all say what we feel without fear of being named as politically incorrect, racist, homophobic etc if you can't speak what you feel for fear of repercussions, don't bother.

[deltaf]

Streetcop said:

Pete Cash said: If speed cameras are purely there to improve road safety & not generate revenue, then why don't they dispense with the fine altogether and just have penalty points - surely these are more of a deterrent than £60 ?? The fine buys more cameras, pays for maintainance etc...and pays for prosecution of those that don't comply... Street

So the NEED, the priority, to make money from the "punters" is quite a high one, wouldnt you say?

[dinkel]

In The Netherlands all lot of extra income comes from speed cameras. They even hide 'em in garbage-bins - where they belong . . .

Speed cameras in urban areas are pretty much OK. On highwaysthey must leave!

We have signs with led / lights and they can tell you how fast you can go considering the circumstances and all.
At night: 80+
At traffic jams 30 etc . . .