Newspaper story...........2008
Discussion
The last speed camera in britain was today removed from the roads by contractors.
This coincides with the governments latest figures, released last week that continue to show a steady fall in the numbers of accidents on our roads.
The controversial raising of limits on roads in britain was initially considered as a pilot scheme, to be run on motorways and other high speed routes.
The success of the scheme was well documented and other countries have since followed suit.
Meanwhile, disgraced Transport ministers John Prescott and Alastir Darling, have appeared before an Old Bailey judge, charged with corruption and other undisclosed offences.
The appearance in court of the former ministers is the culmination of an undercover investigation lasting some 3 years.
The charges were made by an ex-labour government employee, who uncovered evidence that speed camera revenues were being siphoned off into offshore bank accounts, held by the two former minsters.
Amongst documents seized, were transport plans detailing the siting of speed cameras for maximum revenue generation.
The previous labour governments plans to introduce more speed cameras in February 2003, some 5 years ago, was openly criticized by motoring organisations, who asserted that revenue was at the heart of the plan.
The government at that time always maintained that safety was their prime concern.
However, the discovery of this "secondary" transport plan at Mr Darlings Mayfair penthouse had thrown considerable scepticism on his integrity.
Meanwhile, in Brussells, a European judge last week outlawed the use of laser speed measuring devices, after it was found that officers could easily "make up" speed readings at will.
In a potent demonstration of the devices' innacuracies, a technical engineer from the manufacturer of one particular speed device, the Kustom Prolaser, was summoned to appear on behalf of the maufacturer and demonstrated the device for the judge.
The engineer calibrated the device in accordance with the instructions given in the maufacturers handbook and proceeded to get a speed reading from a stationary chair in the courtroom which according to the device was travelling at 37kmh, to considerable amusement from court staff.
This coincides with the governments latest figures, released last week that continue to show a steady fall in the numbers of accidents on our roads.
The controversial raising of limits on roads in britain was initially considered as a pilot scheme, to be run on motorways and other high speed routes.
The success of the scheme was well documented and other countries have since followed suit.
Meanwhile, disgraced Transport ministers John Prescott and Alastir Darling, have appeared before an Old Bailey judge, charged with corruption and other undisclosed offences.
The appearance in court of the former ministers is the culmination of an undercover investigation lasting some 3 years.
The charges were made by an ex-labour government employee, who uncovered evidence that speed camera revenues were being siphoned off into offshore bank accounts, held by the two former minsters.
Amongst documents seized, were transport plans detailing the siting of speed cameras for maximum revenue generation.
The previous labour governments plans to introduce more speed cameras in February 2003, some 5 years ago, was openly criticized by motoring organisations, who asserted that revenue was at the heart of the plan.
The government at that time always maintained that safety was their prime concern.
However, the discovery of this "secondary" transport plan at Mr Darlings Mayfair penthouse had thrown considerable scepticism on his integrity.
Meanwhile, in Brussells, a European judge last week outlawed the use of laser speed measuring devices, after it was found that officers could easily "make up" speed readings at will.
In a potent demonstration of the devices' innacuracies, a technical engineer from the manufacturer of one particular speed device, the Kustom Prolaser, was summoned to appear on behalf of the maufacturer and demonstrated the device for the judge.
The engineer calibrated the device in accordance with the instructions given in the maufacturers handbook and proceeded to get a speed reading from a stationary chair in the courtroom which according to the device was travelling at 37kmh, to considerable amusement from court staff.
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