speed cameras. Victim of their own success?
Discussion
They are fabulous devices for raising revenue, but only in the short term. As far as I can see, unless the government 1. abolish points for speeding fines and 2. get sold a better money earner from one of the electronics companies that peddle these expensive devices, they are going to be stuffed.
The problem is that people will be too scared to watch the road anymore, and as a result, because of the speedo watching, the number of fines will decrease dramatically. However, the upkeep of the beautifully modernised listed buildings, air conditioning, fact finding missions abroad, company cars, plus the plethora of posts created by the partnerships must be paid for somehow. They have already started dropping the trigger levels to as close at they can by law to try to keep the income stream consistant, but you can't do that forever, and as they expand the books become even harder to balance.
So, either you get rid of points so drivers can be fined continuously (still not good but better) or the electronics people will have to think of something else to market for them.
It's a scary thought. All those people at risk of losing their jobs just because people are now sticking bellow the limit.
drivers fault again!
>> Edited by bryan35 on Monday 23 May 16:02
The problem is that people will be too scared to watch the road anymore, and as a result, because of the speedo watching, the number of fines will decrease dramatically. However, the upkeep of the beautifully modernised listed buildings, air conditioning, fact finding missions abroad, company cars, plus the plethora of posts created by the partnerships must be paid for somehow. They have already started dropping the trigger levels to as close at they can by law to try to keep the income stream consistant, but you can't do that forever, and as they expand the books become even harder to balance.
So, either you get rid of points so drivers can be fined continuously (still not good but better) or the electronics people will have to think of something else to market for them.
It's a scary thought. All those people at risk of losing their jobs just because people are now sticking bellow the limit.
drivers fault again!
>> Edited by bryan35 on Monday 23 May 16:02
safety, who's talking about safety?
I'm talking about speed cameras, and how profitable they are, and how drivers slowing down is going to destroy their business.
As with any good successful business, you shouldn't let emotive issues like an increase in deaths stand in your way?. They certainly aren't doing are they?
I'm talking about speed cameras, and how profitable they are, and how drivers slowing down is going to destroy their business.
As with any good successful business, you shouldn't let emotive issues like an increase in deaths stand in your way?. They certainly aren't doing are they?
There will always be people on less than 9 points who willing to risk the fine and points when it's obviously safe to do so. So that gives you a 'cash cow' of millions of drivers who are good for £60 a throw. It's just a matter of how low do you have to set the limits and how high do you have to set the fines to meet your income targets.
On the other hand I reckon that if we ever manage to reinstate the principle that the punishment should fit the crime, these money-making speed enforcement schemes would become unviable overnight.
On the other hand I reckon that if we ever manage to reinstate the principle that the punishment should fit the crime, these money-making speed enforcement schemes would become unviable overnight.
Present day: trials of SPECS digital cameras in urban areas
Near future: trial deemed to be successful (for some unproven but statistically clever reason), scheme rolled out nationally
Future: same cameras also utilised for congestion charging (don't forget that they are basically ANPR)
Hence you'll pay a larger fine if you're caught speeding, and a smaller fine if you're caught driving. The partnerships continue to win.
You read it here first
Near future: trial deemed to be successful (for some unproven but statistically clever reason), scheme rolled out nationally
Future: same cameras also utilised for congestion charging (don't forget that they are basically ANPR)
Hence you'll pay a larger fine if you're caught speeding, and a smaller fine if you're caught driving. The partnerships continue to win.
You read it here first
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