Possible idea about roadside signs

[woodlands]

I was driving down the road this morning, and spotted a sign saying "Drive carefully, 69 casualties in the last 3 years" and it got me to thinking.

Has anybody ever thought of putting up signs such as "Be vigilent, xx unsolved burglaries/rapes/murders/muggings/whatever in this area in the last x years".
I think that the population in general would appreciate public information about the actual levels of crime, and the corresponding statistics regarding the performance of the police in their resolution.
I think that seeing as the government as so intent on educating us about the evils of speed, and dangerous driving, perhaps it is time we educated the population in general about the lack of progress being shown by the police when it comes to prosecuting burglars, muggers, rapists, drug dealers, murderers etc, but we have to admit that thay are showing stellar performance in the area of prosecuting drivers.

Of course, it is not in the interest of the government for the population to see the real levels of crime, but surely thay could not in reality object to such civic minded messages being posted near traffic cameras etc.

[streaky]

woodlands said:

I was driving down the road this morning, and spotted a sign saying "Drive carefully, 69 casualties in the last 3 years" and it got me to thinking.

Usual "cry wolf" though. The signs in Farnborough, Hampshire have stated the same thing for three years. Either they (and the activities of the talivan) have had no effect or the Council is too lazy to replace them - Streaky

[deva link]

North Wales, where the burglary detection rate is 6%, would be a prime candidate for those signs.

[Hollywood Wheels]

Oh dear oh dear, here we go again........

[turbobloke]

Hollywood Wheels said:

Oh dear oh dear, here we go again........

I can see where the rolleyes came from there HW, but can you see this just reflects frustration in folk due to the police's political masters, and their political puppets wearing braid, putting too much effort and PR soundbytes into something that isn't a priority while performing far from expectation in areas that are a much higher priority for the public?

I've got copies of the results from a police survey or two that show this, here's one from Dorsetpol, I'll leave you to work out what number 9 out of 10 was, 'beaten' only by a social services role. Also would I be right in thinking that a lot of burglars are youths feeding a habit, so 6 is also related to 1 and 2 quite closely?

1 Tackling Youth Crime
2 Drug Related Crime
3 Tackling violent crime
4 Working with other agencies to improve community safety
5 Responding to emergency calls
6 Tackling burglary of peoples homes
7 Tackling motor vehicle crime
8 Policing ethnic communities
9
10 Improved service to victims of crime.

[jazzyjeff]

TB - I think HW is concerned about the relevance of such signs to the average motorist and also that his local area might get a slagging in terms of its detection rate ;-)

In my opinion, signs like this are a great idea. I'd certainly like to know. But on the walls of buildings in town centres. The reason such statistics aren't shown on road signs is because they're not relevant to the way a motorist will approach their driving technique along a certain stretch of road.

JJ

[turbobloke]

jazzyjeff said:

TB - I think HW is concerned about the relevance of such signs to the average motorist and also that his local area might get a slagging in terms of its detection rate ;-) In my opinion, signs like this are a great idea. I'd certainly like to know. But on the walls of buildings in town centres. The reason such statistics aren't shown on road signs is because they're not relevant to the way a motorist will approach their driving technique along a certain stretch of road. JJ

Yes it would seem reasonable to put l.e.d. headline figures on the 'welcome' signs at town and city limits...would make councillors (not front line police who are not the target here HW) think about their prioritieis and performance levels...

Welcome to Brunstromtown-in-the-Doldrums
Speeding convictions: seventy zillion
Burglary detection rate: 6%
Violent crime trend: UP

Would businesses relocate? Would tourists flock in? And with a bit of luck the topsy turvy priority politico brigade would flock off.

[Hollywood Wheels]

Is a major part of Advanced Driving the ability to give and recieve information? A sign like that is in fact very helpful to me. I immediately know that there are going to be a range of hazards which i need to be aware of. I need to be extra careful on this piece of road because it's obviously 'more' dangerous.

References to catching rapists and murderers is just ignorant and uncalled for here. Are nearly ALL rapists and murderers not caught then? I was under the impression that they are. Certain people here complain of the 'hysteria' that surrounds speed limit enforcement etc. Then they launch into a rant about Police catching 'real' criminals, hysteria very much in the same mould.....

[turbobloke]

Hollywood Wheels said:

A sign like that is in fact very helpful to me.

Well OK but it would be more meaningful to me if it gave the risk on that road relative to an average risk for that road type, casualty figures (numbers) that are out of date, may well relate to a junction a mile away from the sign and the speed trap, and also involve the meaningless and manipulable KSI don't cut it HW.

[turbobloke]

Hollywood Wheels said:

References to catching rapists and murderers is just ignorant and uncalled for here. Are nearly ALL rapists and murderers not caught then? I was under the impression that they are. Certain people here complain of the 'hysteria' that surrounds speed limit enforcement etc. Then they launch into a rant about Police catching 'real' criminals, hysteria very much in the same mould.....

Don't think it works quite like that HW, it's about priorities and perceptions, any comment on the survey results posted earlier (16:09)?

[woodlands]

When I saw the sign this morning, I felt that there was so much bandwidth being given to the wrongs associated with the motorist. When I thought about it a little more, I realised that there appears to be a genuine campaign of dis-information or mis-information when it comes to crime stats, and the public are in general more affected and worried about rates of burglary etc in their immediate neighbourhood.

I did not intend this to be a "police bashing" exercise, I am sure that the police are just as tired of all the focus and money devoted to policing the roads and the motorist, as opposed to actually using this money to address real crime, as felt by joe public.

I just think that there is a place in our society for education of the public, especially when it comes to things that directly affect their daily lives. Maybe a side effect of this public information would be a realisation amoung the politicians, police, and councils that the motorist is not necessarily more evil that your local drug dealer, burglar, rapist, mugger or murderer, but then again, I may be wrong.

All I ask is for the opportunity to make an informed choice.

[jazzyjeff]

turbobloke said:

jazzyjeff said: TB - I think HW is concerned about the relevance of such signs to the average motorist and also that his local area might get a slagging in terms of its detection rate ;-) In my opinion, signs like this are a great idea. I'd certainly like to know. But on the walls of buildings in town centres. The reason such statistics aren't shown on road signs is because they're not relevant to the way a motorist will approach their driving technique along a certain stretch of road. JJ Yes it would seem reasonable to put l.e.d. headline figures on the 'welcome' signs at town and city limits...would make councillors (not front line police who are not the target here HW) think about their prioritieis and performance levels... Welcome to Brunstromtown-in-the-Doldrums Speeding convictions: seventy zillion Burglary detection rate: 6% Violent crime trend: UP Would businesses relocate? Would tourists flock in? And with a bit of luck the topsy turvy priority politico brigade would flock off.

Hehehe! ;-)

I shudder to think of the reaction of motorists entering my home town...

..still, congestion levels in Reading are far too high at present!

JJ

[Hollywood Wheels]

To be honest Turbo, i'm expected to spend an awful lot of time at work reading through lengthy e-mails and surveys, done by people who obviously have far too much time on their hands. I rarely get to soak up the information contained within, i'm one of the few who are busy doing real Police work, rather than having coffee mornings and trying to 'forge new links' with so and so self-appointed representative group. So fair enough, point taken....

HW

[Hollywood Wheels]

Woodlands, just read your last post. I do see what your saying....

[woodlands]

Hollywood Wheels said:

Woodlands, just read your last post. I do see what your saying....

SHHHHH !!!!!
Don't let the others hear you.

[BliarOut]

Hollywood Wheels said:

Is a major part of Advanced Driving the ability to give and recieve information? A sign like that is in fact very helpful to me. I immediately know that there are going to be a range of hazards which i need to be aware of. I need to be extra careful on this piece of road because it's obviously 'more' dangerous.

Ahem, didn't that used to be the job of the central white line until some asshole decided to put chevrons down the middle at will

Road engineers my arse.

[turbobloke]

Hollywood Wheels said:

To be honest Turbo, i'm expected to spend an awful lot of time at work reading through lengthy e-mails and surveys, done by people who obviously have far too much time on their hands. I rarely get to soak up the information contained within, i'm one of the few who are busy doing real Police work, rather than having coffee mornings and trying to 'forge new links' with so and so self-appointed representative group. So fair enough, point taken.... HW

Ouch - but OK.