Guilt and Remorse
Discussion
I wonder if BiB (the ones who are on a mission to ticket speeding drivers doing 80 on a motorway for example), and the people running scamera partnerships realise what an impact their jobs, actions and decisions make on real peoples lives, emotions, security (stress, depression, risk of loosing livelihood), finances (actual cost of a speeding fine over 3 - 5 years incl insurance) when they hand out a speeding ticket, or sit at the computer sending out fines.
My point isn’t that speeding is right, wrong, appropriate or acceptable – but the fact is, almost everyone does it, so it can’t be that bad because if it was such a taboo, we wouldn’t all do it (motoring public in general).
My point is simply that do these people know what an impact their decision has? What an impact being a government henchman has on a person and their family for doing little or nothing really so bad?
And before anyone says something like “what about the family of a speed victim” – that’s not my point here; assume speed is not the definitive factor in most accidents. The roads need clearing of the idiots, drunks, drugged drivers, people who cant drive… not the ones doing 35 on a back road.
My point isn’t that speeding is right, wrong, appropriate or acceptable – but the fact is, almost everyone does it, so it can’t be that bad because if it was such a taboo, we wouldn’t all do it (motoring public in general).
My point is simply that do these people know what an impact their decision has? What an impact being a government henchman has on a person and their family for doing little or nothing really so bad?
And before anyone says something like “what about the family of a speed victim” – that’s not my point here; assume speed is not the definitive factor in most accidents. The roads need clearing of the idiots, drunks, drugged drivers, people who cant drive… not the ones doing 35 on a back road.
s a m said:
I wonder if BiB (the ones who are on a mission to ticket speeding drivers doing 80 on a motorway for example), and the people running scamera partnerships realise what an impact their jobs, actions and decisions make on real peoples lives, emotions, security (stress, depression, risk of loosing livelihood), finances (actual cost of a speeding fine over 3 - 5 years incl insurance) when they hand out a speeding ticket, or sit at the computer sending out fines.
I suspect they'll all simply counter that with: if it messes up your life that badly, don't do it! which is a modification of 'if you can't to the time don't do the crime'
obviously this fails to emphasise what a waste of time most out of town speed limits are, but I still think that's what they's all say...
As much as I'm for trafpol and not cameras...I do also think that if we are mature enough to pass a driving test, and buy a car, then we should be mature enough to realise that certain actions have consequences..
There is a difference between getting prosecuted for speeding and having 3-6 points on your licence and getting done for 140mph and getting banned.
In addition, those drivers who get done for speeding in January, then March, then August etc...really aren't learning...and perhaps deserve what they get..
It is easy to exceed the speed limit on suitable roads at suitable times; enjoying the drive/ride and your vehicle without receiving a ban. Many people manage it.
>> Edited by Streetcop on Thursday 3rd February 18:38
There is a difference between getting prosecuted for speeding and having 3-6 points on your licence and getting done for 140mph and getting banned.
In addition, those drivers who get done for speeding in January, then March, then August etc...really aren't learning...and perhaps deserve what they get..
It is easy to exceed the speed limit on suitable roads at suitable times; enjoying the drive/ride and your vehicle without receiving a ban. Many people manage it.
>> Edited by Streetcop on Thursday 3rd February 18:38
You are right Street, however the message is now lost. Instead of people slowing down they are just viewing it as an additional cost of motoring, all the data does not support the speed kills message and people do not belive the spin they are given. The idea of reducing accidents by controlling speed has been lost and people now regard all the scameras and the police as tax rasiers. The BIBs have more direct effect on driver behaviour when they speak with people a NIP says your are stuffed.
No they don't
There are two types in the Scams - the morons who just wan't an easy life and don't really think about it - in fact don't want to
And the front-line types like Steve C, J Rowling et al who like religious zealots believe they are doing us good, saving us from ourselves. Just like Torquemada and his fellow inquistors in Spain did.
There are two types in the Scams - the morons who just wan't an easy life and don't really think about it - in fact don't want to
And the front-line types like Steve C, J Rowling et al who like religious zealots believe they are doing us good, saving us from ourselves. Just like Torquemada and his fellow inquistors in Spain did.
Streetcop said:
As much as I'm for trafpol and not cameras...I do also think that if we are mature enough to pass a driving test, and buy a car, then we should be mature enough to realise that certain actions have consequences..
There is a difference between getting prosecuted for speeding and having 3-6 points on your licence and getting done for 140mph and getting banned.
3-6 points is the 'norm' these days though, and people are becoming tired of that new norm. I know several people who speed now just because they know they'll get caught one day (i.e. get the 'time') so they are making sure they get to do the 'crime' well and truely first..
People are also tired of cameras. When a camera does someone for speeding it has essentially failed. Our speed camera culture is therefore based upon failure.
When a speed triggered red light goes active it is succeeding, because the speeder now has to stop. People learn very quickly not to set them off, and are not punished unduly if they forget.
Unfortunately this government is choosing failure because it appears (on the surface) to make for money.
The people who give out speeding fines are not doing it out of any sadistic hatred for motorists. They do it as they, like you, must feed their families and house themselves. Hating the people who inflict fines on motorists is pointless and is not going to solve anything, a wider political action is required, aimed at those who instigated these policies in the first place. As we all know, there are ways of avoiding speeding fines [Road Angel etc]. If a fine would cost so much and cause so much turmoil, why not invest in one? It would make things so much simpler....
Streetcop said:
There is a difference between getting prosecuted for speeding and having 3-6 points on your licence and getting done for 140mph and getting banned.
Aye, but the vast majority of those notching up 12 in 3 years are just the kind of people who will suffer the anguish that this thread's all about...
Streetcop said:
In addition, those drivers who get done for speeding in January, then March, then August etc...really aren't learning...and perhaps deserve what they get..
Come on, when cameras are set to 32, it's possible to get 4 tickets in one journey....
The key to all of this though…
Excess Speed is not right, however many speed limits are wrong.
The law has to have a line of what’s right and what’s wrong; the problem is the location of that line and how some choose to enforce it rigidly and other choose to use their professional judgement to turn a blind eye.
Points and fines should be reserved for genuine cases of dangerous driving, where if the driver isn’t pulled up, peoples lives could be at risk.
I couldn’t do the job of operating a scamera, I would feel terriable for doing it knowing its all based on a lie. I really wonder how these people sleep knowing what they do every day, and how some BiB get their kicks from dishing out fines for what is generally accepted as an appropriate speed.
Street – thanks for your reply and I agree with you, we all “know the consequences” but say there was a law banning breathing through your nose… knowing the consequences (a £60 fine if seen doing it), I am certain people would still do it, hope to get away with it – because it wasn’t hurting anyone, it was an unjust law, and therefore the public break it regularly – which defeats the object of having the law in the first place as like you, its there to serve the public.
Excess Speed is not right, however many speed limits are wrong.
The law has to have a line of what’s right and what’s wrong; the problem is the location of that line and how some choose to enforce it rigidly and other choose to use their professional judgement to turn a blind eye.
Points and fines should be reserved for genuine cases of dangerous driving, where if the driver isn’t pulled up, peoples lives could be at risk.
I couldn’t do the job of operating a scamera, I would feel terriable for doing it knowing its all based on a lie. I really wonder how these people sleep knowing what they do every day, and how some BiB get their kicks from dishing out fines for what is generally accepted as an appropriate speed.
Street – thanks for your reply and I agree with you, we all “know the consequences” but say there was a law banning breathing through your nose
… knowing the consequences (a £60 fine if seen doing it), I am certain people would still do it, hope to get away with it – because it wasn’t hurting anyone, it was an unjust law, and therefore the public break it regularly – which defeats the object of having the law in the first place as like you, its there to serve the public.mybrainhurts said:
Yep, never had a speeding ticket in the 24 years I've been driving.
Grouch.
Govt's aiming for 5 million tickets a year....
Rest assured your name's on the list.......
TBH, it's about time. I can't go for drive these days without wondering if I've been targeted by some lazer gun and when my NIP is going to drop on the mat.
Grouch.
mybrainhurts said:
Come on, when cameras are set to 32, it's possible to get 4 tickets in one journey....
My county has cameras set to 36mph in a 30mph zone...out of nearly 115 cameras..something like 12 are actually active.
In addition, if you get flashed by a fixed camera at one location and then stopped by a police officer further down the road for speeding again....the second offence won't be pursued as our 'management' consider it 'one journey'!
I know..as I had a ticket returned to me recently..
So there...not quite as Third Reich as you thought..
deeen said:
The MOP inclination to choose a speed appropriate for the road and conditions... should be matched by a change in the law
Yes I think you are right, at least so far as the NSL is concerned, though I'm inclined to try and comply with sensibly applied 30/40/50 limits in built up areas.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
TripleS said:
Yes I think you are right, at least so far as the NSL is concerned, though I'm inclined to try and comply with sensibly applied 30/40/50 limits in built up areas.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Wise man Dave....
You're unlucky to get caught our in a NSL...and those are the roads where the fun of driving is really found..
Limits in 30/40/50 and you'll not go far wrong..
Gary
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