Scamera Van Solution perhaps!!
Discussion
Just a thought, if everybody adopted the policy of flashing their headlights twice when they see a scamera van on the opposite carriageway to them, therefore alerting the victims who might have inadvertently stepped over the speed limit to adjust to the correct limit, and pootle past the highway robber at their adjusted speed.
I wonder how long it would take for the powers that be too have to justify the extra expense overtime,bonus etc.etc. and realise it is no longer viable. Or would headlight flashing be the next thing they would try to ban.
If we all past this advice on via forums e-mail, text or verbally to every motorist we meet it wouldn't take long for this to become the norm would it?
I wonder how long it would take for the powers that be too have to justify the extra expense overtime,bonus etc.etc. and realise it is no longer viable. Or would headlight flashing be the next thing they would try to ban.
If we all past this advice on via forums e-mail, text or verbally to every motorist we meet it wouldn't take long for this to become the norm would it?
.... 
"did you flash your lights to warn on-coming motorists of the speed trap?"
"Yes officer. Why?"
"I'm arresting you for perverting the course of justice, you do not have to say anything.............."
Nobody takes any notice anyway, I occasionally try and warn people and half the time get sworn at for my troubles.
"Yes officer. Why?"
"I'm arresting you for perverting the course of justice, you do not have to say anything.............."
Nobody takes any notice anyway, I occasionally try and warn people and half the time get sworn at for my troubles.
Or you could adopt the approach of the transit van driver on a road in Sheffield, a popular site with the old scamera van, yes it seen a fair number of KSI but not where the van parks.
He was leaning out the window, arm maving the highway code slow down sign shouting slow down **** ahead!
He was leaning out the window, arm maving the highway code slow down sign shouting slow down **** ahead!
There was a story a few months ago for some old chap who got points on his license (or was it a ban? I forget) for standing by the side of the road with a sign warning of a speed camera ahead. Seems these days you can get points on your license even if you aren't driving. Maybe they'll have to introduce a 'standing by the side of the road' license so they can ban you from doing that, too.
>> Edited by GreenV8S on Saturday 5th February 18:26
>> Edited by GreenV8S on Saturday 5th February 18:26
MilnerR said:
"did you flash your lights to warn on-coming motorists of the speed trap?"
"Yes officer. Why?"
"I'm arresting you for perverting the course of justice, you do not have to say anything.............."
Nobody takes any notice anyway, I occasionally try and warn people and half the time get sworn at for my troubles.
Some people don't understand but I certainly look out if warned. First I check my car (as I slow down) for sillies, and make sure a spend a while under the limit. Journey times are mainly down to traffic anyway..
It's funny when people try to threaten you for preventing crime - it's like trying to make mud stick to a waterfall... perverting the course of justice is oh so different from perverting the course of crime
GreenV8S said:
There was a story a few months ago for some old chap who got points on his license (or was it a ban? I forget) for standing by the side of the road with a sign warning of a speed camera ahead. Seems these days you can get points on your license even if you aren't driving. Maybe they'll have to introduce a 'standing by the side of the road' license so they can ban you from doing that, too.
>> Edited by GreenV8S on Saturday 5th February 18:26
Pinch of salt?..anyone..
..Streetcop said:
There was a story a few months ago for some old chap who got points on his license (or was it a ban? I forget) for standing by the side of the road with a sign warning of a speed camera ahead. Seems these days you can get points on your license even if you aren't driving. Maybe they'll have to introduce a 'standing by the side of the road' license so they can ban you from doing that, too.
>> Edited by GreenV8S on Saturday 5th February 18:26
Pinch of salt?..anyone..
Nope, it actually happened
Streetcop said:
You can't get points for standing at the side of the road warning other road users of the presence of a speed camera..
He didn't get points, but he did get a driving ban.
http://money.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;sessionid=WO1MB5W4AHE23QFIQMFSM5WAVCBQ0JVC?xml=/news/2004/06/03/ncam03.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/06/03/ixportal.html
03/06/2004
"A pensioner who warned motorists of a police speed trap was convicted of wilfully obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty, banned from driving and ordered to pay £364 costs yesterday."
Streetcop said:
You can't get points for standing at the side of the road warning other road users of the presence of a speed camera..
But you *can* get a ban, it seems. I'm surprised the law allows this type of penalty for a non-driving offense, and I'm also astonished that it is considered an offense to tell people that a law is being enforced in a particular area. The precedent that this sets is one that I find rather unsettling.
MR2Mike said:
He didn't get points, but he did get a driving ban.
http://money.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;sessionid=WO1MB5W4AHE23QFIQMFSM5WAVCBQ0JVC?xml=/news/2004/06/03/ncam03.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/06/03/ixportal.html
This bit is the key part:
Telegraph said:
Alex Wyman, the presiding magistrate, told Harding: "The use of the sign was a deliberate and intentional act and by use of the words 'speed trap' you were assisting speeding motorists from being prosecuted."
There is nothing illegal in getting people to slow down - banging on about speed traps was the problem here, coupled with a poor lawyer by the sound of it. Just because you happen to place yourself near a scumera van and ask people to slow down is not an offence.
Proving flashing headlamps is one hurdle, proving why you flashed them is hurdle #2.
"What headlamps officer - do you think my lamps may be faulty?"
"I was approaching very slow traffic and warning them of my presence officer".
"Sorry I mistook it for the window spray".
etc.
As for signs - great idea and just like scamera vans are for 'safety', you sign can be for whatever you like? Advertising a camera you have for sale?
Exactly, surely a decent lawyer would have countered that the old boy was simply trying to slow down traffic in an area that was obviously dangerous.
If I stood in front of a CCTV camera with a big sign warning of it and thus prevented someone shoplifting would I too be guilty of obstruction?
If I stood in front of a CCTV camera with a big sign warning of it and thus prevented someone shoplifting would I too be guilty of obstruction?
GreenV8S said:
You can't get points for standing at the side of the road warning other road users of the presence of a speed camera..
But you *can* get a ban, it seems. I'm surprised the law allows this type of penalty for a non-driving offense, and I'm also astonished that it is considered an offense to tell people that a law is being enforced in a particular area. The precedent that this sets is one that I find rather unsettling.
Rather than unsettling, I would describe it as outrageous. I still can not see how a driving ban was judged to be appropriate.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
TripleS said:
I would describe it as outrageous.
I agree. A few years ago I would have found this hard to believe. It makes me wonder how much further we have to go, given the way individual rights and liberties seem to be set aside once the spectre of terrorism raises its ugly head. How clear is the line between a charge of obstructing the police, and terrorism? At the moment it seems very far fetched, but only a few years ago a pedestrian receiving a driving ban for holding a sign woud have seemed far fetched.
It's odd that the camera people are able to put their own signs up warning of cameras, including signs that warn of a camera where none exists; as well as putting up camers with no warning.
But you're not allowed to warn others yourself.
Strange...
It's as if they want to confuse, entrap and thus generate revenue.
But you're not allowed to warn others yourself.
Strange...
It's as if they want to confuse, entrap and thus generate revenue.
james_j said:
It's odd that the camera people are able to put their own signs up warning of cameras, including signs that warn of a camera where none exists; as well as putting up camers with no warning.
But you're not allowed to warn others yourself.
Strange...
It's as if they want to confuse, entrap and thus generate revenue.
you reckon?
surely our elders & betters wouldn't stoop so low? 
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff