Gatso Dodgers' Deadly Game
Discussion
www.autoexpress.co.uk/?news/ae_news_story.php?id=43395
Gatso Dodgers' Deadly Game
Motorists are going to crazy lengths to avoid getting caught on camera - by driving on the wrong side of the road! If they believe they are speeding and likely to get snapped by a Gatso, maverick drivers are dicing with death and risking a collision with oncoming traffic.
The theory is if you avoid the little white lines on the road you can't be prosecuted. But police say the potentially deadly manoeuvre does not work - the lens will snap your plate whichever side of the road you're on. What's more, offenders may face further charges for dangerous driving.
News of the high-risk strategy comes from the West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership, which monitors local Gatsos. Spokesman Philip Gwynne said they'd filmed a number of near misses. He told us: "Drivers pulling out of side streets won't be looking for vehicles coming from the wrong direction, and neither will pedestrians crossing the road."
Meanwhile, scores of speed cameras in London are to be removed or resited as the detection rate of offences is so low they can't be justified. The news follows a survey by Gatso operators.
Safety Cameras eh?
Gatso Dodgers' Deadly Game
Motorists are going to crazy lengths to avoid getting caught on camera - by driving on the wrong side of the road! If they believe they are speeding and likely to get snapped by a Gatso, maverick drivers are dicing with death and risking a collision with oncoming traffic.
The theory is if you avoid the little white lines on the road you can't be prosecuted. But police say the potentially deadly manoeuvre does not work - the lens will snap your plate whichever side of the road you're on. What's more, offenders may face further charges for dangerous driving.
News of the high-risk strategy comes from the West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership, which monitors local Gatsos. Spokesman Philip Gwynne said they'd filmed a number of near misses. He told us: "Drivers pulling out of side streets won't be looking for vehicles coming from the wrong direction, and neither will pedestrians crossing the road."
Meanwhile, scores of speed cameras in London are to be removed or resited as the detection rate of offences is so low they can't be justified. The news follows a survey by Gatso operators.
Safety Cameras eh?
) but ...... PetrolTed said:
Err.. it's our headline story too!
www.pistonheads.com/speed/default.asp?storyId=7899
Ooops Sorry hadn't seen it
money grabbers said:FFS - educate people to look both ways then!!! It's a simple way of staying alive while driving!
"Drivers pulling out of side streets won't be looking for vehicles coming from the wrong direction, and neither will pedestrians crossing the road."
Green cross code would sort out the pedestrians - anyone who doesn't look both ways deserves to be hit!
I learnt the 1st point when almost hit coming out on to a NSL road once when 17!
If it's planned & executed safely then surely whats the difference between this & a planned overtaking manouver?
I for one freely admit to overtaking (where it is safe to so Mary!) those who don't know what the speed limit is & then brake as they pass a camera. Instead of reducing my gap, I often indicate & just waft past in perfect safety.
I am aware that some Cameras are set at juntions etc so it's not always wise, but most of them are not, many are on NSL roads where it can be perfectly safe do so.
Applying Flak Jacket & digging a bunker rapidly......
>> Edited by cptsideways on Thursday 22 January 12:11
I for one freely admit to overtaking (where it is safe to so Mary!) those who don't know what the speed limit is & then brake as they pass a camera. Instead of reducing my gap, I often indicate & just waft past in perfect safety.
I am aware that some Cameras are set at juntions etc so it's not always wise, but most of them are not, many are on NSL roads where it can be perfectly safe do so.
Applying Flak Jacket & digging a bunker rapidly......
>> Edited by cptsideways on Thursday 22 January 12:11
cazzo said:
He told us: "Drivers pulling out of side streets won't be looking for vehicles coming from the wrong direction, and neither will pedestrians crossing the road."
Well theres your problem straight away.
Yet again its lack of education.
Green cross code says look right, look left, look right again.
Im sure when I was taught to drive I was told to look both ways when pulling out of a junction too!
Here lies the problem:
Who is taught how to safely overtake? eg not to overtake at juntions & petrol stations etc, no-one unless they take it upon themselves to be taught.
Who remembers to look both ways upon exiting a junction?, almost no-one.
Lack of education & lack of regular training is the root cause of accidents at these sites, thats why they sometimes put Gatso's up near them.
Of course the root cause is the problem & thats where the solution lies.
However if its safe to overtake near one why not?
>> Edited by cptsideways on Thursday 22 January 12:55
Who is taught how to safely overtake? eg not to overtake at juntions & petrol stations etc, no-one unless they take it upon themselves to be taught.
Who remembers to look both ways upon exiting a junction?, almost no-one.
Lack of education & lack of regular training is the root cause of accidents at these sites, thats why they sometimes put Gatso's up near them.
Of course the root cause is the problem & thats where the solution lies.
However if its safe to overtake near one why not?
>> Edited by cptsideways on Thursday 22 January 12:55
I've seen this at traffic lights too where there has been a camera. When red light shows for straight ahead, cars use the right turn feeder lane to pass straight through. The camera doesn't seem to pick them up.
I saw this one night at a Junction on the A217 and decided to go through the red myself (was stationary waiting for green) and follow the van. I did, called the police, told them the number plate, and said they could do nothing about it as it was the job of the camera to sort the problem.
I'm still awaiting a response to a letter to the Commissioner in response to this. I've threatened legal action.
I saw this one night at a Junction on the A217 and decided to go through the red myself (was stationary waiting for green) and follow the van. I did, called the police, told them the number plate, and said they could do nothing about it as it was the job of the camera to sort the problem.
I'm still awaiting a response to a letter to the Commissioner in response to this. I've threatened legal action.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff