Be careful what you ask for.
Discussion
Just a thought, but in this age of gatso-gb, and multiple cameras, and so few TC's around - it is really rather easy to engage in the gentle hoonery that is most enjoyable with performance machinery.
Do you *really* want more Trafpols & unmarked patrolling? after all, the Gatso is beaten by the Radar detector, the laser defeated by the jammer, and that only leaves humans that can catch you out.
I'm not saying I want to drive dangerously, but 85 or so on NSL, and 90 or 100 on Motorways seems ok to me.. so do ya really want more people? or gadgets that you can beat with some technology???
Go figure. Write comments here please!
Keep it shiney side up folks.
Do you *really* want more Trafpols & unmarked patrolling? after all, the Gatso is beaten by the Radar detector, the laser defeated by the jammer, and that only leaves humans that can catch you out.
I'm not saying I want to drive dangerously, but 85 or so on NSL, and 90 or 100 on Motorways seems ok to me.. so do ya really want more people? or gadgets that you can beat with some technology???
Go figure. Write comments here please!
Keep it shiney side up folks.
Well i dunno. Theres a flip side to every situation, and this would appear to be it in regard to the gatso problem.
It all depends on the attitudes of the trafpols we want to have working for our benefit.
Itd be no good if they were all as mind numbingly stupid as "Thick Dick" Brunstrom, thats for sure.
It all depends on the attitudes of the trafpols we want to have working for our benefit.
Itd be no good if they were all as mind numbingly stupid as "Thick Dick" Brunstrom, thats for sure.
What worries me is the proliferation of the cameras, and yes we can learn where they are, and where the mobile ones are likely to be, but as they grow in number the chances of getting caught are increasing and it is black and white (not going into avoiding prosecution). I consider the TP with a bit like a mobile but with common sense attached (in the dealings I’ve had).
On my daily travel up until about 2 years ago I knew where TP hung out and would always adjust my speed appropriately just before they would hang out (as I do with the mobiles), and once I had noticed their absence, or otherwise, would continue to adjust my speed appropriately, if you get my drift.
On 2 occasions (in the UK) I have been stopped by TP for speeding, once I had showed them my documents (not something I could do normally but unusually on these occasions I had them all on me) and they had worked out I was a legal resident, licensed to drive, insured, taxed and did not have any outstanding warrants was happy to let me go on my way for the penalty of a severe bollocking. Much more preferable IMO, as long as the TP continue with the same attitude.
I think that’s it for me, TP can have attitude, gatso’s can’t.
On my daily travel up until about 2 years ago I knew where TP hung out and would always adjust my speed appropriately just before they would hang out (as I do with the mobiles), and once I had noticed their absence, or otherwise, would continue to adjust my speed appropriately, if you get my drift.
On 2 occasions (in the UK) I have been stopped by TP for speeding, once I had showed them my documents (not something I could do normally but unusually on these occasions I had them all on me) and they had worked out I was a legal resident, licensed to drive, insured, taxed and did not have any outstanding warrants was happy to let me go on my way for the penalty of a severe bollocking. Much more preferable IMO, as long as the TP continue with the same attitude.
I think that’s it for me, TP can have attitude, gatso’s can’t.
On balance I'd take more Trafpol and get rid of these blasted cameras. But really I want more than that - I want a return to traffic policing where the guys on the ground get to exercise just a bit of their own discretion.
We've had the chance, through PH, to talk to guys like silverback mike, tonyrec, Madcop, madant69 and others. I have to say I'd trust them to do a good job - whilst not winding up the pubilc by sticking to the letter of the law rather than the spirit. (Possible exception of 318i but there you go...
)
Bad and dangerous driving needs to be caught and put a stop to. Enthusiastic driving, frankly, needs to be curbed into being reasonable by enough police presence. (I'll explain this in a moment). Ordinary drivers need to be reminded to be careful.
To explain my point about enthusiasm above. There is a world of difference between a driver taking to the B-roads, checking for road surfaces, hedges, junctions, blind-spots etc and perhaps exceeding the speed limit whilst still able to stop in the distance that can be seen to be clear and a young lad/lass thrashing the crap out of their automotice steed up the high street.
Its that difference that Trafpol can spot and a computer/GATSO cannot.
So I'll ask for more and better Trafpol. On balance.
We've had the chance, through PH, to talk to guys like silverback mike, tonyrec, Madcop, madant69 and others. I have to say I'd trust them to do a good job - whilst not winding up the pubilc by sticking to the letter of the law rather than the spirit. (Possible exception of 318i but there you go...
) Bad and dangerous driving needs to be caught and put a stop to. Enthusiastic driving, frankly, needs to be curbed into being reasonable by enough police presence. (I'll explain this in a moment). Ordinary drivers need to be reminded to be careful.
To explain my point about enthusiasm above. There is a world of difference between a driver taking to the B-roads, checking for road surfaces, hedges, junctions, blind-spots etc and perhaps exceeding the speed limit whilst still able to stop in the distance that can be seen to be clear and a young lad/lass thrashing the crap out of their automotice steed up the high street.
Its that difference that Trafpol can spot and a computer/GATSO cannot.
So I'll ask for more and better Trafpol. On balance.
I would take more TrafPols anyday. On christmas day I was travelling along the M27 (no other traffic for miles) at, lets just say making progress when a 
Volvo Estate joined the motorway with the blues on 
as he went past me at a considerable rate of knots he smiled and gave me the thumbs up 
Alan
Volvo Estate joined the motorway with the blues on as he went past me at a considerable rate of knots he smiled and gave me the thumbs up Alan
alans said:
I would take more TrafPols anyday. On christmas day I was travelling along the M27 (no other traffic for miles) at, lets just say making progress when a
Alan
Not surprised alan, that's a very tidy Griff, I'd happily put up with more plod and less gatsos because it is getting very dangerous on the roads these days
As has been said with any luck a Trafpol is like a moile camera but with common sense. Therefore I am all in favourof more trafpol.
Also of course trafpol can take action when driving between locations if they see damgerous/reckless driving etc, a mobile camera can't.
Therefore more traf pol please.
Also of course trafpol can take action when driving between locations if they see damgerous/reckless driving etc, a mobile camera can't.
Therefore more traf pol please.
Chrisgr31 said:
As has been said with any luck a Trafpol is like a moile camera but with common sense. Therefore I am all in favourof more trafpol.
Also of course trafpol can take action when driving between locations if they see damgerous/reckless driving etc, a mobile camera can't.
Therefore more traf pol please.
I agree here. Not only a case of speeding detection thats at stake. There is an increase in numpty behaviour and knackered vehicles about.
Incident No1: Going over towards Arrochar from Dunoon making rapid progress on a NSL. Got pulled by the unmarked trafpol (who had been following me for a while) as I got into Arrochar village. They spoke to me about my driving. They said I was too close (not over) to the white line going round a corner and if a biker was coming round I could have taken him out (the bikers fault I would have said but I do bear it in mind now). Said if I had gone into the village at the same speed they would have booked me. Sod off son.. off I sodded.
Incident No2: Empty A9 at about 7am on a summers morning. Doing 82. 3 points and £60 quid from a gatso.
Only ever met decent trafpol. So if it was a choice between trafpol and gatsos. Trafpol any day.
>> Edited by naetype on Tuesday 30th December 01:17
Incident No2: Empty A9 at about 7am on a summers morning. Doing 82. 3 points and £60 quid from a gatso.
Only ever met decent trafpol. So if it was a choice between trafpol and gatsos. Trafpol any day.
>> Edited by naetype on Tuesday 30th December 01:17
Definately bring back the human interaction between speed and prevailing conditions and the normal variation of speed that all a part everyday driving, that only the TrafPol can sensibly judge the difference.
They can also prevent/catch the drunk/drugged/joy riders/dangerous drivers/dangerous vehicles etc. etc. etc. that an dumb unthinking speed camera will never be able to differentiate.
In 32 years of driving, i've been stopped 3 times by the BiB for speeding, nothing outrageous and every time they just pointed out the error of my ways and sent me on my way. 6 Months ago i got gatso'd late at night on a deserted dual carrigeway, clear contitions and views doing 48 in a 40 - 3 points and £60 Grrrr.
Yes bring back the TrafPol for everyones benefit.
They can also prevent/catch the drunk/drugged/joy riders/dangerous drivers/dangerous vehicles etc. etc. etc. that an dumb unthinking speed camera will never be able to differentiate.
In 32 years of driving, i've been stopped 3 times by the BiB for speeding, nothing outrageous and every time they just pointed out the error of my ways and sent me on my way. 6 Months ago i got gatso'd late at night on a deserted dual carrigeway, clear contitions and views doing 48 in a 40 - 3 points and £60 Grrrr.
Yes bring back the TrafPol for everyones benefit.
Did'nt Guildford Trafpol used to hand out Navy Blue Police Pens when you got stopped for "Safe but Enthusiastic Motoring" I seem to remember. It was usually an unmarked car.
I had quite a collection!.
In my yoof I was for ever being stopped god knows how many times. One time I got invited to attend a safer driving course, bloody marvelous I got to meet all the plod who were forever stopping me. Got me into Roadcraft & kept it up ever since. Best thing that ever happened in my motoring career.
I have to say I would have been Gatso'd, Lasered & Licencless if it was nowadays. The plod I met then not only enlightened me but have most definately saved my life for sure.
All I can say is I wish it was the same for many poor souls.
I had quite a collection!.
In my yoof I was for ever being stopped god knows how many times. One time I got invited to attend a safer driving course, bloody marvelous I got to meet all the plod who were forever stopping me. Got me into Roadcraft & kept it up ever since. Best thing that ever happened in my motoring career.
I have to say I would have been Gatso'd, Lasered & Licencless if it was nowadays. The plod I met then not only enlightened me but have most definately saved my life for sure.
All I can say is I wish it was the same for many poor souls.
Real live Policemen for me. I've been stopped having exceeded the speed limit several times and been asked to bear in mind the national speed limit shouldn't be broken even if it's 2am etc. I wouldn't have got that discretion from a Gatso.
Bear in mind just how many people drive like total Nimrods - provided they are driving within the limit of the Gatso they do not get caught. A strategic move to put Policeman on the roads with the objective of maintaining traffic flow (85 to 90 on motorways being OK provided you don't have tailgating etc) and picking out the idiots would be far better than throwing money at buying cameras. But this isn't what is politically correct, so I am resigned to driving far slower than the conditions allow to keep my licence.
Bear in mind just how many people drive like total Nimrods - provided they are driving within the limit of the Gatso they do not get caught. A strategic move to put Policeman on the roads with the objective of maintaining traffic flow (85 to 90 on motorways being OK provided you don't have tailgating etc) and picking out the idiots would be far better than throwing money at buying cameras. But this isn't what is politically correct, so I am resigned to driving far slower than the conditions allow to keep my licence.
at the end the day a human has the benefit of descretion and can take mitigating(sp) into consideration rather than a camera that says you were doing 59mph in a 50mph limit 3points and £60 please not arguments please, no ifs or buts.
give me traffic policeman anyday, if you have the misfortune to get done its normally your own fault for not having your wits about you and hence probably justified....
although i did once get pulled over whilst stationary in traffic for no reason other than having the roof down, having the stereo turned up(not excessivly!) and being unshaved, but thats another story!
give me traffic policeman anyday, if you have the misfortune to get done its normally your own fault for not having your wits about you
and hence probably justified.... although i did once get pulled over whilst stationary in traffic for no reason other than having the roof down, having the stereo turned up(not excessivly!) and being unshaved, but thats another story!
I have only ever been awarded points from trafpol and never by a camera so I'm undecided as to which I prefer.
The main argument for me is that trafpol can catch the drunk/dim/blind etc, however with no trafpol, folk with good observation skills who know where the cameras are can go as fast as they like. 
Hmm, maybe cameras are the way forward. Bah, it's swings and roundabouts.
and never by a camera so I'm undecided as to which I prefer. The main argument for me is that trafpol can catch the drunk/dim/blind etc, however with no trafpol, folk with good observation skills who know where the cameras are can go as fast as they like. Hmm, maybe cameras are the way forward. Bah, it's swings and roundabouts.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff