Absolutely fantastic!
Discussion
Took the girlfriend into work this morning in Bath. The road back is a fantastic driving road (although ruined by utterly arbitrary change of NSL to 30mph in several places - Kelston Road for those who know the area). Stuck behind white van in one NSL section, he then pulled away from me through a village (I slowed to 30mph, he sailed merrily on his way at 40mph). Exiting the village into another NSL stretch I blasted past - cue flashing lights and coffee bean gestures.
Forgot about him. Ten minutes later I was driving into my village (Bridge Yate) and saw a scamera van parked in a lay-by opposite a primary school. Not in a hurry so I stopped for a chat. The civilian operator was very friendly and mentioned that people drive through at silly speeds, despite clearly seeing his highly visible van.
"Ah look, here comes one now." White van man, 41mph. I failed to stop myself from laughing out loud and waving to the gormless idiot as he went past. Thank you God, you've made my day!
Forgot about him. Ten minutes later I was driving into my village (Bridge Yate) and saw a scamera van parked in a lay-by opposite a primary school. Not in a hurry so I stopped for a chat. The civilian operator was very friendly and mentioned that people drive through at silly speeds, despite clearly seeing his highly visible van.
"Ah look, here comes one now." White van man, 41mph. I failed to stop myself from laughing out loud and waving to the gormless idiot as he went past. Thank you God, you've made my day!
You have to see it to believe it.....even when parked behing the Camera van in a fully marked Trafpol car they still go past every 15 secs at more than 15mph over the limit.
They are either trying to take the piss or the genuinely dont see us
(Then complain on forums later that they have been caught)
They are either trying to take the piss or the genuinely dont see us
(Then complain on forums later that they have been caught)
Mon Ami Mate said:Maybe noone has marked this on their database as an "accident blackspot". You should mark it yourself. Are RA one of the companies that offers a finders fee?
Just realised something - my Road Angel didn't alert me to the scamera...I spotted the van using organic technology only. Wonder what's up with the bloody thing
I can understand that it's difficult to miss a camera van etc in an obvious place, but bear in mind the people caught (and who therefore probably haven't seen the "trap") may in fact be looking out very carefully for hazards involving danger to life, like cars or bikes pulling out from side turnings and people running out in front of them.
In short, the people caught may, in fact, be the safer drivers!
In short, the people caught may, in fact, be the safer drivers!
I know the bit you mean.
Outside redfield edge school, pre camera days we used to use the handheld lasers there.
People used to go barreling past the school at stupid speeds, obviously nothing has changed then.
If ever a place needs a camera, it is there.
Is the cherry tree still an 'enthusiastic' boozer?
Outside redfield edge school, pre camera days we used to use the handheld lasers there.
People used to go barreling past the school at stupid speeds, obviously nothing has changed then.
If ever a place needs a camera, it is there.
Is the cherry tree still an 'enthusiastic' boozer?
james_j said:
I can understand that it's difficult to miss a camera van etc in an obvious place, but bear in mind the people caught (and who therefore probably haven't seen the "trap") may in fact be looking out very carefully for hazards involving danger to life, like cars or bikes pulling out from side turnings and people running out in front of them.
In short, the people caught may, in fact, be the safer drivers!
If their that careful! then Why are they being caught!!!!! Co's their over the the LIMIT!!! Thats not being careful is it ?
>> Edited by Purple AK on Thursday 4th March 22:11
james_j said:
I can understand that it's difficult to miss a camera van etc in an obvious place, but bear in mind the people caught (and who therefore probably haven't seen the "trap") may in fact be looking out very carefully for hazards involving danger to life, like cars or bikes pulling out from side turnings and people running out in front of them.
In short, the people caught may, in fact, be the safer drivers!
Trust me James, this bend is a safety nightmare. And a 30mph limit.
There is no way of being safe other than driving slowly on this one, no way to see round the corner to watch out for little johnny, or anything else for that matter.
for once, a camera gets my vote.
Purple AK said:
I can understand that it's difficult to miss a camera van etc in an obvious place, but bear in mind the people caught (and who therefore probably haven't seen the "trap") may in fact be looking out very carefully for hazards involving danger to life, like cars or bikes pulling out from side turnings and people running out in front of them.
In short, the people caught may, in fact, be the safer drivers!
If their that careful! then Why are they being caught!!!!! Co's their over the the LIMIT!!! Thats not being careful is it ?
>> Edited by Purple AK on Thursday 4th March 22:11
No, it's not being careful in that they're not looking out for revenue cameras. However, it may very well be that they are being extremely careful drivers in looking out for hazards like people stepping out, drivers pulling out and so on. If you had a choice, which would you think is the most important?
Well, that doesn't surprise me.
I always try and stick to the 30, 40limits (or less if conditions dictate), if you do speed in them and get caught you only really have yourself to blame.
The scamera vans that annoy me are the one located on nice flowing open NSL road - they are the real money making machines with usually no proper need to be there. If it is an accident black spot put up a fixed camera.
Digressing slighty - very foggy this morning down in Bucks/Oxford, saw lots of people with no lights or side lights on! Surely that could almost be classed as dangerous driving or without due care tec?
Anyway it's friday and formula one begins again!
I always try and stick to the 30, 40limits (or less if conditions dictate), if you do speed in them and get caught you only really have yourself to blame.
The scamera vans that annoy me are the one located on nice flowing open NSL road - they are the real money making machines with usually no proper need to be there. If it is an accident black spot put up a fixed camera.
Digressing slighty - very foggy this morning down in Bucks/Oxford, saw lots of people with no lights or side lights on! Surely that could almost be classed as dangerous driving or without due care tec?
Anyway it's friday and formula one begins again!
jwo said:
Well, that doesn't surprise me.
I always try and stick to the 30, 40limits (or less if conditions dictate), if you do speed in them and get caught you only really have yourself to blame.
The scamera vans that annoy me are the one located on nice flowing open NSL road - they are the real money making machines with usually no proper need to be there. If it is an accident black spot put up a fixed camera.
I generally agree. 30 limits are there for various reasons including reduced noise levels. More historic 40s are valid too, though I'm not keen on the recent politically motivated ones. But generally we do need to be very aware of the dangers in built-up areas.
The issue is the targeting of NSLs. I would prefer no cameras but good signing of accident blackspots. Treat drivers as adults, then impose careless/dangerous driving penalties if they don't live up to it.
silverback mike said:
I can understand that it's difficult to miss a camera van etc in an obvious place, but bear in mind the people caught (and who therefore probably haven't seen the "trap") may in fact be looking out very carefully for hazards involving danger to life, like cars or bikes pulling out from side turnings and people running out in front of them.
In short, the people caught may, in fact, be the safer drivers!
Trust me James, this bend is a safety nightmare. And a 30mph limit.
There is no way of being safe other than driving slowly on this one, no way to see round the corner to watch out for little johnny, or anything else for that matter.
for once, a camera gets my vote.
Do not know the road - but will say this for Cumbria and Lancs - they do put up hazard warning signs/SLOWs at really nasty bends! (Or at least the ones I've met - and 30mph would be dangerous on all of them!)
What kind of signs are there? Is there a "dangerous bend" sign? SLOW sign? Anything to alert driver of potential danger BEFORE he reaches this bend? (Granted common sense should prevail if the bend is so dangerous, and that only a real numpty would take a dangerous bend too fast!)
Simply setting a speed trap is not the answer to hazard reduction. - From what I've read here - it is not slowing people down, is it? Nor does it appear to be reducing the danger! This is why I am asking about signs and other measures taken to promote safe driving here!
james_j said:
No, it's not being careful in that they're not looking out for revenue cameras. However, it may very well be that they are being extremely careful drivers in looking out for hazards like people stepping out, drivers pulling out and so on. If you had a choice, which would you think is the most important?
How on earth can you rationalise this? If you're looking for hazards, can you honestly be that prescriptive about what your eyes do and don't see? Can you tell me that you are able to see a cyclist 2-300metres ahead but completely blind to a transit van? What if the transit van was carrying road workers who might spill out of the back of it at any minute and present 'a genuine hazard'? Is it only the stripy dayglo orange vans that you don't see?
I've been done by a scamera van - didn't see it because I wasn't paying attention, but I'm not daft enough to suggest that I was nevertheless aware enough to have spotted a careless pedestrian, cyclist, child, dog etc. The 'looking for other hazards' argument just won't wash I'm afraid.
>> Edited by rude girl on Friday 5th March 09:41
james_j said:
I can understand that it's difficult to miss a camera van etc in an obvious place, but bear in mind the people caught (and who therefore probably haven't seen the "trap") may in fact be looking out very carefully for hazards involving danger to life, like cars or bikes pulling out from side turnings and people running out in front of them.
In short, the people caught may, in fact, be the safer drivers!
The original poster stated that the camera van was opposite a primary school, these "safer" drivers of whom you speak spotted neither a camera van nor a school. It doesn't sound like they're looking out for anything. A SAFE driver surely spots a school, therefore doesn't need to spot a camera van, he/she would surely slow down pasing a school.
jim'schim said:
I can understand that it's difficult to miss a camera van etc in an obvious place, but bear in mind the people caught (and who therefore probably haven't seen the "trap") may in fact be looking out very carefully for hazards involving danger to life, like cars or bikes pulling out from side turnings and people running out in front of them.
In short, the people caught may, in fact, be the safer drivers!
The original poster stated that the camera van was opposite a primary school, these "safer" drivers of whom you speak spotted neither a camera van nor a school. It doesn't sound like they're looking out for anything. A SAFE driver surely spots a school, therefore doesn't need to spot a camera van, he/she would surely slow down pasing a school.
Gonna be "awkward!" for sake of it!
Schools are just buildings! How do you know it is a school without a sign? If so many people are speeding here - not seeing signs and completely misreading the road - it tells me (who does not know this road or area) that something is wrong here! Also - have come across scam vans parked in the yellow no-no area!
School sign? All schools I pass - there is a School Sign! Triangular thingy! Usually accompanied by amber flashing lights at opening and closing times! Was it there to be seen? If driver fails to see this - then perhaps the numpty should give up driving!
Want to know what signs, (apart for cam sign?) did these people miss!
It has a school sign, a slow sign and every other sign you can throw at it.
I have attended RTA's at the location, and the only thing that has slowed people is a camera.
It may not strike the right chord with people, and generally I do not like cameras at all, but this is fact, that it has slowed people considerably at this particular location.
I have attended RTA's at the location, and the only thing that has slowed people is a camera.
It may not strike the right chord with people, and generally I do not like cameras at all, but this is fact, that it has slowed people considerably at this particular location.
silverback mike said:
It has a school sign, a slow sign and every other sign you can throw at it.
I have attended RTA's at the location, and the only thing that has slowed people is a camera.
It may not strike the right chord with people, and generally I do not like cameras at all, but this is fact, that it has slowed people considerably at this particular location.
Just gotta ask!
How come they see the scam but not the other signs? Or is it word of mouth/local knowledge that camera/ talivan is present?
Cannot see how you can miss a sign - yet see the talivan and slow down!
Take it the ones you catch are the blind blinkered numpties and Mumpties then! In that case ...OK!
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff