Damian Green asking you about speed cameras
Discussion
Damian Green, the Shadow Transport Secretary proposes to change the law to abolish penalty points for drivers caught by speed cameras (except near schools and in areas where there are many pedestrians) so that they will face fines but not risk losing their licences. Send him your questions on speed cameras, motorists and pedestrians for him to answer next week. Click on this link to get your question across: www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,588-947050,00.html .Atb Derek.
I sent this 
As speed cameras have failed completely to save a single life. In fact they have stopped the steady decline in road deaths, which leads to the conclusion they are killers. Is it not time they were removed and the perpetrators of this state sponsored manslaughter brought to justice? This, to include the plethora of unelected single issue NGOs which have systematically bombarded this country with a wave of negativity from which our transport system will not recover if it goes unchecked. Surely it is now time for the conservative to capture the hearts and minds of the majority and depose the lunatic fringe such as Begg, Brunstrom, Livingstone et al.
As speed cameras have failed completely to save a single life. In fact they have stopped the steady decline in road deaths, which leads to the conclusion they are killers. Is it not time they were removed and the perpetrators of this state sponsored manslaughter brought to justice? This, to include the plethora of unelected single issue NGOs which have systematically bombarded this country with a wave of negativity from which our transport system will not recover if it goes unchecked. Surely it is now time for the conservative to capture the hearts and minds of the majority and depose the lunatic fringe such as Begg, Brunstrom, Livingstone et al.
i sent these
in the Q&A section of the times website, i've entered the following 2 questions for mr. green:
"how do you intend to replace the monies that the Scameras take from the public in the offical drivers' tax they really are?"
"how can you prove beyond ANY doubt that the official rule of 8 deaths = a camera site are being followed?"
in the Q&A section of the times website, i've entered the following 2 questions for mr. green:
"how do you intend to replace the monies that the Scameras take from the public in the offical drivers' tax they really are?"
"how can you prove beyond ANY doubt that the official rule of 8 deaths = a camera site are being followed?"
"The public are now very aware that cameras do nothing but earn cash from supposed 'accident blackspots'
They do not work, the decline in road deaths has been halted by their introduction and in some cases risen. Some Safety Partnerships will not even release their stats because of this.
How on earth does fining a driver make him safer? I have been fined and still use my judgement to speed (which makes me slightly less abhorrant than a paedophile in terms of spin)as will anyone else.
As the Party of the future stop it now, show some integrity and gumption, show some honesty and address the real issues for Road Safety"
not too good but it's early
They do not work, the decline in road deaths has been halted by their introduction and in some cases risen. Some Safety Partnerships will not even release their stats because of this.
How on earth does fining a driver make him safer? I have been fined and still use my judgement to speed (which makes me slightly less abhorrant than a paedophile in terms of spin)as will anyone else.
As the Party of the future stop it now, show some integrity and gumption, show some honesty and address the real issues for Road Safety"
not too good but it's early
What a stupid populist idea. What we need are sensible measures. If there is no justification for a speed camera on safety grounds, then there is no justification for a speed camera period.
We need more trafpol, a complete review of all limits, variable sleed limits where appropraite, more emphasis on advanced driving, etc.. etc..
I'll be writing to Mr Green in the next day or two.
We need more trafpol, a complete review of all limits, variable sleed limits where appropraite, more emphasis on advanced driving, etc.. etc..
I'll be writing to Mr Green in the next day or two.
Peter Ward said:
....If there is no justification for a speed camera on safety grounds, then there is no justification for a speed camera period.
Yes. And logically, if there is no justification for a speed camera, then the limit itself must be called into question.
It has been, on many occasions, and the bastards dropped it, which suggests if this has had no effect on fatalities then this indeed is a crock of shit also
It's completely the opposite to the way it should be handled.
If the fines were removed and the penalty was only points, the costs of running the cameras would not be offset in any way. In this situation, the local authorities would only spend money on cameras in logical locations rather than putting them where they can make the most revenue.
If the fines were removed and the penalty was only points, the costs of running the cameras would not be offset in any way. In this situation, the local authorities would only spend money on cameras in logical locations rather than putting them where they can make the most revenue.
FunkyNige said:
...abolish penalty points for drivers caught by speed cameras (except near schools and in areas where there are many pedestrians) so that they will face fines but not risk losing their licences.
WooHoo! I'm rich so I can go as quick as I want!
and Damien will make even more money, pretty transparent really
But thinking anout it....
Should we not wholehartedly support this move? Not everything that you might want but (finally) a step in the right direction.
No getting banned, risking losing your job, etc for 35mph at 2AM with nothing else around. Taking the penalty points away from speeding offences would also mean no code on your license - stops insurance companies taking a liberty with your renewal quote.
Can't say that removing points and leaving the fine exposes the fact that this is a "tax". There are many offences for which there is a fine but no other circumstances.
Should we not wholehartedly support this move? Not everything that you might want but (finally) a step in the right direction.
No getting banned, risking losing your job, etc for 35mph at 2AM with nothing else around. Taking the penalty points away from speeding offences would also mean no code on your license - stops insurance companies taking a liberty with your renewal quote.
Can't say that removing points and leaving the fine exposes the fact that this is a "tax". There are many offences for which there is a fine but no other circumstances.
I think there should be two levels of fixed penalty. For the more minor infringements, i.e. 47 in a 40, at night etc... say £40 and 2 points might (I said might!) be considered fair. Then for those who really have no excuse, a fine of £80 and 3 points. This way, we would avoid the problem of drivers who are basically safe, if a little careless, of facing a 6 month ban, for just 4 lapses in 3 years. This way, if you do keep getting done "unfairly" you can't really moan at the propect of a ban if it's your sixth ticket in 3 years, I mean that's once every 6 months!!
xxplod said:
I think there should be two levels of fixed penalty. For the more minor infringements, i.e. 47 in a 40, at night etc... say £40 and 2 points might (I said might!) be considered fair. Then for those who really have no excuse, a fine of £80 and 3 points. This way, we would avoid the problem of drivers who are basically safe, if a little careless, of facing a 6 month ban, for just 4 lapses in 3 years. This way, if you do keep getting done "unfairly" you can't really moan at the propect of a ban if it's your sixth ticket in 3 years, I mean that's once every 6 months!!
I think you are probably a very nice man but you are talking bollocks. What we need is very very skilled trafpol chasing the nutters and all speed cameras cut down and the owners of the company that make them faced with the tower or exile. This whole speed kills thing is totally imotive and thoroughly misused.
Still does not take into account the fact that most drivers should not be let loose on the road, if previous experiences are anything to go bye. I have seen so many numptons on the road its untrue! drive at 45 in a 60 limit get into a 30 limit and carry on at 40. shoot the numpties who cant drive! all IMHO of course! And let 2 jag preston walk for a while, that will teach him!
rviant said:
Still does not take into account the fact that most drivers should not be let loose on the road, if previous experiences are anything to go bye. I have seen so many numptons on the road its untrue! drive at 45 in a 60 limit get into a 30 limit and carry on at 40. shoot the numpties who cant drive! all IMHO of course! And let 2 jag preston walk for a while, that will teach him!
Agreed. That's why I strongly encourage you to write to Mr Green detailing a whole package of measures that he should be looking at not on just the single issue of speed cameras. That is what I'll be doing.
nonegreen said:
I think you are probably a very nice man but you are talking bollocks. What we need is very very skilled trafpol chasing the nutters and all speed cameras cut down and the owners of the company that make them faced with the tower or exile. This whole speed kills thing is totally imotive and thoroughly misused.
mate, that was a cracker!
Nonegreen - I like to think I'm nice!! I should point out, I'm very much singing from the same song sheet as your good self. I wouldn't say GATSOS have no role at all in road safety, I think in built up areas, for traffic light enforcement etc... they are OK. In an ideal world, we'd have a lot more Police in many areas, including traffic. But... think of the costs of putting a traffic car on the road 24 hours a day. That's ususally 3 shifts. Traffic cars are double crewed. That 6 PCs salararies at circa £30K PA, plus training costs, and the costs of the car. So, how much of your hard earned cash are you willing to give to the local authority in tax to fund these "loads of highly skilled trafpol?"
The point about two rates of penalty is not too far from reality. Some forces have piloted FPNs for No Insurance. Recent Conservative party mumblings talk of abolishing points for speeding in all but the most serious cases. From a personal view, I got a ticket, (from a highly skilled trafpol!) for 50 in a 40, at 0555 hours on a A class road! I felt hard done by, as do others who get 3 points for pretty minor infingements. A system that differentiated between those you digressed a little and those who are driving well in excess seems quite a fair one.
The point about two rates of penalty is not too far from reality. Some forces have piloted FPNs for No Insurance. Recent Conservative party mumblings talk of abolishing points for speeding in all but the most serious cases. From a personal view, I got a ticket, (from a highly skilled trafpol!) for 50 in a 40, at 0555 hours on a A class road! I felt hard done by, as do others who get 3 points for pretty minor infingements. A system that differentiated between those you digressed a little and those who are driving well in excess seems quite a fair one.
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