The £1.2m M4 speed trap
Discussion
News Taken From Here: http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/07/04/ncam04.xml
Two temporary speed cameras on the M4 have clocked up £1.2 million in fines in two months. More than 20,000 motorists - the equivalent of one driver every five minutes - have been caught exceeding the 40 mph limit at roadworks near the Bath junction since the middle of April.
The Avon and Somerset Safety Camera Partnership said the cameras were put up to protect workers building a £10.7 million crawler lane, which is due to be completed in January.
But Paul Smith, an anti-speed camera campaigner who organised an M4 go-slow protest in April, said the speed cameras were "about making money".
He said: "What we have got with this system is cash-hungry quangos with wage bills to pay and plans to implement and they live on fine income.
"Nobody wants to see road workers injured, everyone wants to see these projects executed efficiently, sensibly and with a minimum of risk. But I wouldn't mind betting that most of the time those drivers were issued tickets, there were no road workers on the motorway."
Anyone breaking the 40mph limit risks an automatic £60 fine and three points on their licence. Of the 20,000 motorists caught by the two cameras on either side of the carriageway, 2,100 were driving at speeds high enough for them to be taken to court.
The figures were disclosed after the camera on the westbound carriageway was set on fire shortly before 1am last Wednesday. It has been replaced.
Sgt Mel Small, of the road policing unit at Avon and Somerset police, who works with the Safety Camera Partnership, said the number of drivers breaking the limit was "frightening".
He said: "Because the work involves closing carriageways and contraflows on the motorway, we have imposed the temporary 40 mph speed limit.
The limit has been set at 40 mph rather than 50 mph, because the narrow lanes and heavy traffic are said to pose a particular risk to workers.
If motorists continue to be caught at the present rate, it is estimated that 70,000 will receive tickets by the end of the year, totalling £4 million in fines.
So far this year, four workers across Britain have been killed and four seriously injured when hit by vehicles during motorway roadworks.
That's proberly why, They don't need the mobile camera's on the bridges at the moment. As they are making a nice profit there
. Atb Derek
>> Edited by winnebago nut on Tuesday 5th July 18:04
Two temporary speed cameras on the M4 have clocked up £1.2 million in fines in two months. More than 20,000 motorists - the equivalent of one driver every five minutes - have been caught exceeding the 40 mph limit at roadworks near the Bath junction since the middle of April.
The Avon and Somerset Safety Camera Partnership said the cameras were put up to protect workers building a £10.7 million crawler lane, which is due to be completed in January.
But Paul Smith, an anti-speed camera campaigner who organised an M4 go-slow protest in April, said the speed cameras were "about making money".
He said: "What we have got with this system is cash-hungry quangos with wage bills to pay and plans to implement and they live on fine income.
"Nobody wants to see road workers injured, everyone wants to see these projects executed efficiently, sensibly and with a minimum of risk. But I wouldn't mind betting that most of the time those drivers were issued tickets, there were no road workers on the motorway."
Anyone breaking the 40mph limit risks an automatic £60 fine and three points on their licence. Of the 20,000 motorists caught by the two cameras on either side of the carriageway, 2,100 were driving at speeds high enough for them to be taken to court.
The figures were disclosed after the camera on the westbound carriageway was set on fire shortly before 1am last Wednesday. It has been replaced.
Sgt Mel Small, of the road policing unit at Avon and Somerset police, who works with the Safety Camera Partnership, said the number of drivers breaking the limit was "frightening".
He said: "Because the work involves closing carriageways and contraflows on the motorway, we have imposed the temporary 40 mph speed limit.
The limit has been set at 40 mph rather than 50 mph, because the narrow lanes and heavy traffic are said to pose a particular risk to workers.
If motorists continue to be caught at the present rate, it is estimated that 70,000 will receive tickets by the end of the year, totalling £4 million in fines.
So far this year, four workers across Britain have been killed and four seriously injured when hit by vehicles during motorway roadworks.
That's proberly why, They don't need the mobile camera's on the bridges at the moment. As they are making a nice profit there
. Atb Derek >> Edited by winnebago nut on Tuesday 5th July 18:04
winnebago nut said:
Sgt Mel Small, of the road policing unit at Avon and Somerset police, who works with the Safety Camera Partnership, said the number of drivers breaking the limit was "frightening".
Presumably Sgt Mel Small has never driven on a motorway before? He must be easily scared, or perhaps has some kind of velocophobia as I can't really figure why he'd find it so frightening? Unless of course he spouting complete hyperbole for the press statement...surely not?
MR2Mike said:I suspect it's Arithmophobia, a fear of numbers - Streaky
Sgt Mel Small, of the road policing unit at Avon and Somerset police, who works with the Safety Camera Partnership, said the number of drivers breaking the limit was "frightening".
Presumably Sgt Mel Small has never driven on a motorway before? He must be easily scared, or perhaps has some kind of velocophobia as I can't really figure why he'd find it so frightening? Unless of course he spouting complete hyperbole for the press statement...surely not?
winnebago nut said:
So far this year, four workers across Britain have been killed and four seriously injured when hit by vehicles during motorway roadworks.
While each of those four deaths and four seriously injured is a tragedy, it's not exactly a lot of folks nationwide is it ?
Compare and contrast with the tens of thousands that die of smoking or heart attacks.
I think a cynical observer might conclude that the millions of quid in speeding fines was out of all proportion to four deaths and four serious injuries nationwide.
MR2Mike said:
Sgt Mel Small, of the road policing unit at Avon and Somerset police, who works with the Safety Camera Partnership, said the number of drivers breaking the limit was "frightening".
Presumably Sgt Mel Small has never driven on a motorway before? He must be easily scared, or perhaps has some kind of velocophobia as I can't really figure why he'd find it so frightening? Unless of course he spouting complete hyperbole for the press statement...surely not?
Yes, very scary. It must be carnage with workers' body parts strewn all over the road.
The 40 limit on this section of roadworks is a joke. It should definately be a 50 - it's hard to keep the car at 40 especially when the road is quiet and the roadworks are deserted - which they usually are when I go past. They should be working on this 24/7 to get it over and done with.
Having said that the number of people who steam through without slowing down at all is astonishing given the prevalence of camera enforcement in roadworks. I've never seen a Talivan there so for 20,000 people to get caught by a couple of Gatsos smacks of lack of observation on their part and, to be honest, stupidity.
Having said that the number of people who steam through without slowing down at all is astonishing given the prevalence of camera enforcement in roadworks. I've never seen a Talivan there so for 20,000 people to get caught by a couple of Gatsos smacks of lack of observation on their part and, to be honest, stupidity.
This is quite an interesting story, purely because the speed cameras are actually be used somewhat sensibly for a change, to a certain extent.
During the daytime when workers are present on the roadworks then I agree with enforcing the limit. However, at night or weekends etc when there are no workers there the limit should be raised as all you are going to smash into is cones.
There is, however, and element of scamming here. You can imagine Cpt Small (pe
s) looking at this, realising people will speed, and rubbing his little hands with glee at the thought of people putting money in the speed camera pot.
If they are closing lanes off and using contraflows then you can see why they would have good excuses to be enforcing the limit.
Its a funny one really because I think, to a certain extent and certain times of the day, the speed cameras are doing a good job for a change. The people who need to go to court must have been doing 30mph over the limit?? Now if that was in the daytime with workers there that is stupid, if at night then maybe not so if they know the layout of the roadworks.
Can I just add that I am not saying the speed cameras are little angels guarding the road. I just feel that at certain times of the day when workers are present you can't really grumble at this can you.
Also, I know cameras are a distraction in certain cases which probably makes the situation of watching for workers and speed limits at the same time more dangerous. However, if everyone trundled through at the speed limit this wouldn't be the case.
Isn't it amazing though that there are so many people being caught? Surely word would have got around ages ago? Doesn't it also mean that maybe snoopers and radar detectors aren't working properly??
Asbestos pants now on, ready for flaming!!
During the daytime when workers are present on the roadworks then I agree with enforcing the limit. However, at night or weekends etc when there are no workers there the limit should be raised as all you are going to smash into is cones.
There is, however, and element of scamming here. You can imagine Cpt Small (pe
s) looking at this, realising people will speed, and rubbing his little hands with glee at the thought of people putting money in the speed camera pot. If they are closing lanes off and using contraflows then you can see why they would have good excuses to be enforcing the limit.
Its a funny one really because I think, to a certain extent and certain times of the day, the speed cameras are doing a good job for a change. The people who need to go to court must have been doing 30mph over the limit?? Now if that was in the daytime with workers there that is stupid, if at night then maybe not so if they know the layout of the roadworks.
Can I just add that I am not saying the speed cameras are little angels guarding the road. I just feel that at certain times of the day when workers are present you can't really grumble at this can you.
Also, I know cameras are a distraction in certain cases which probably makes the situation of watching for workers and speed limits at the same time more dangerous. However, if everyone trundled through at the speed limit this wouldn't be the case.
Isn't it amazing though that there are so many people being caught? Surely word would have got around ages ago? Doesn't it also mean that maybe snoopers and radar detectors aren't working properly??
Asbestos pants now on, ready for flaming!!
40 is too low.
I'm all in favour of protecting the workforce when they're there, but this is overkill; they already have an entire empty buffer lane between them and the traffic as well as solid barriers.
Elsewhere, you have road workers going about their business with only a line of cones to "shield" them from traffic and they get a 50 limit.
Its inconsistent and further undermines the respect for the temporary limit that most road users would otherwise have.
In fact, having driven this route a fair bit in the past few weeks, its clear that most drivers are slowing to 40 for the 2 well known fixed camera points and then creeping up to more like 60 for the rest of the works, as 40 is just unmanageably slow. The few who do stick to 40 for the duration end up getting into elephant races with artics... the exact situation that the new crawler lane is intended to prevent on the steep climb up to the A46 exit. Ironic, huh?
The bottom line is: Cash over Safety (as usual!)
I'm all in favour of protecting the workforce when they're there, but this is overkill; they already have an entire empty buffer lane between them and the traffic as well as solid barriers.
Elsewhere, you have road workers going about their business with only a line of cones to "shield" them from traffic and they get a 50 limit.
Its inconsistent and further undermines the respect for the temporary limit that most road users would otherwise have.
In fact, having driven this route a fair bit in the past few weeks, its clear that most drivers are slowing to 40 for the 2 well known fixed camera points and then creeping up to more like 60 for the rest of the works, as 40 is just unmanageably slow. The few who do stick to 40 for the duration end up getting into elephant races with artics... the exact situation that the new crawler lane is intended to prevent on the steep climb up to the A46 exit. Ironic, huh?
The bottom line is: Cash over Safety (as usual!)
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