Safety Cameras
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The problem with speed cameras is they are just a snap shot in time. When I used to drive to Aberdeen I knew where all the speed cameras were, so slow down for camera then speed up after passing them. Not much of a deterrent really. Been done for speeding twice and both times it was a policeman who stopped me 👮♂️
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Either way the cameras do not prevent speeding
Tend to agree with the fixed point cameras. They are normally highlighted by signage and can be easily seen. Yes they might prevent speeding at that particular spot but not over much of a distance. Much more effective are the average type. We have quite a few long stretches of single carriageway A road in this area, with average speeds set at 30, 40 and 50 mph.
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Very true. As the guy who investigated accidents I did come across one where a lorry driver had missed his delivery slot at a supermarket distribution centre. He decided to phone them while speeding down the motorway and missed that the traffic ahead had stopped. He hit the back of a car and killed the driver.
Having said that even hands free sets do distract drivers, so the only safe way thing is not to use them at all when driving.
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I don’t need to prove that, Surfer, as the proliferation of cameras across this country suggests you are incorrect.
Answering a question with another is a well known avoidance tactic so I assume you have no proof.
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The speed cameras do not do more than reduce accidents by a very small amount if any according to the statistics. In general people know where they are and those speeding slow down for them and then speed up again. Most sat navs tell you where they are so they are easily avoided.
Average speed cameras have been introduced in Scotand, between Aberdeen and Peterhead. These have proved far more effective, and although it is early days, recorded accidents have reduced and speeding has dropped. Rather than the new speed cameras being introduced the average speed cameras look to be coming to more roads up here.
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So you seem to be in favour of people speeding or using their mobile phone whilst driving not being fined or prosecuted unless the are caught by a policeman? It makes no difference how they are caught breaking the law be it a camera or a person. The problem with relying on the person is that more will get away with it as the police can't be omnipresent. It is silly to suggest they are only there to collect money. If people obeyed the law they would be redundant so there is a choice.
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There is an app available for your phone which bleeps at you when you are approaching speed cameras. It's called Radarbot. I believe it is free, but there may possibly be advantages by paying for the premium version. There may verywell be other similar apps.
While I have some reservations about these type of apps, on the basis that one should always be alert to speed limits and changes, I appreciate it can help to bring to back you in Iine should you miss a speed limit change.
Embarrassingly, I will admit to being someone who has 'had the pleasure' of attending a 'Speed Awareness Course'. The instructor did point out that he reckoned that there is a strong possibility that at sometime, everyone has broken the speed limit - including himself. I have to say, the course I attended was really worthwhile, although I have heard others say different.
David
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Firstly I agree that Average Speed Cameras are a better deterrent. We've had the "pleasure" of driving down through the roadworks on the M6 between Northwich and Sandbach where a 50 mph has been almost totally adhered to. However the Average SC is only effective on certain stretches of roads. You can't have too many turnoffs otherwise the cost of installation of cameras would be prohibitive.
Secondly I also agree with David's assessor that virtually everyone speeds either intentionally or not. Sometimes it's both.
I really do feel though that the use of mobile phones whilst driving should be more heavily punished and if these new cameras can catch these users both when they are speeding and when they are not then great but can they detect non speeders using them?
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This whole thing is a nightmare.......
I'm going to have to stick to the speed limit, stop chatting shi!e on my phone and eat my breakfast before I leave for work.....
What a mess we are in.....
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In a crazy world I find sanity, both sanity & priorities👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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So you can get prosecuted for operating a mobile phone when driving, but if your a police man driving at high speed in a pursuit it's OK to keep taking one hand of the wheel to push the transmit button on your radio
Funny old world, isn't it
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A pity they have to risk life and limb pursuing anyone isn't it? I hope the safety cameras prove to be a better system than the ones used now. A friend of mine was shocked to see the actual photo of herself at the wheel on the M5 through Bristol, no arguing about who was doing the actual speeding!
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Davidklyne please point out where I specifically stated that I am in favour of people speeding or using their mobile phone. You are making assumptions when there are none to be made.
I made a statement that the cameras do not reduce speeding or use of mobile phones when driving. At no time did I condone either practice!
It is a known fact that many cameras are set up as a source of revenue and do nothing to prevent accidents. As mentioned people know where the camera is located, slow down for the area of entrapment and then speed up.
I favour the Average Speed cameras that measure speed over a distance of a few miles like those found where there are roadworks. They seem to be more effective that a camera that only records the speed at a particular spot.
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Am I right in thinking that, at one time, speed cameras could only be installed where there accidents had taken place? Or perhaps this was one of those mythical stories that has got around?
Perhaps 'smart motorways' come under a different 'category'.....
I have to say, I agree that average speed cameras are fairer. If you do accidentally go through the first one a little bit fast, just after a speed limit change, at least you've got chance to 'make amends' before you come out the other side..... 🙂
David
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One of the problems i find with speed cameras is those who do not seem aware of the speed of the road they are on , many is the time when travelling at the correct speed vehicles in front on seeing or hearing a warning will break even if already at the speed limit of the road, which i consider is more dangerous to other road users who are aware of what speed they are doing
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I too was 'invited' to attend a speed awareness course a good few years ago. I don't think I've improved as I already knew at the time that I should have only been doing 30 in the 30 limit. But someone is making a few quid out of them .....
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Is the driver caught speeding more like to learn anything and modify behaviour and attitude from paying a fine and receiving penalty points on a driving licence or attending a speed awareness course?
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MF,
In my opinion(I chose the course) it was better to do the course than get the points. That was 5years ago & I've not knowingly been speeding since. Prior to that I got 2 speeding fines within 18months. The course gave me a chance to take stock & realise my ignorance of the dangers. The 2 ‘teachers’ were ex traffic police who told us stories of people they’d come across like us on the course. It gave me an insight, & was quite cathartic.
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like all courses or classes, if you go in with a certain open frame of mind (btw growth mindset is the current slogans in schools) then you listen and learn and gain from it.
If you go in with this won't teach me anything frame of mind then that is exactly what you will learn and it will be a waste of time, but at least it will have kept you off the road for a while and made others a bit safer
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as with all learning or change of behaviour it only works if you want it to. I know old colleagues who did the course and were convinced they were a 'safe driver' and were safer than those who 'dawdle' along and were caught speeding again (and again) and with these, sadly, the prospect of spending more money on insurance or losing their licence was a far better incentive to drive safely than the course. But at least there is the option.
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I’m with you 100%, a couple on the course joked through the course, when leaving they stated it was a waste of time. Swift evolution, some learn quickly for survival purposes whilst others fight the whole moving forward thing☹️
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It's a fair cop? Yes, it is if we are found to be speeding according to the law! We all know the limits but some, like me, do get caught out. There was no too ways about it, I was speeding albeit only a few MPH over! Did I gain anything by going on the SAC and did it make a difference to me? Yes it did, in several ways. Firstly it cost me in both time and money but, in the case of the latter, probably much less than if I'd not attended. Secondly it reminded me to try harder not to be caught in the future. Finally it reminded me of those potentially far more tragic events which can befall speeders. Stupidly I was already personally fully aware of these but over time I'd become somewhat complacent. Such things, like getting caught speeding on camera happen to others! I was annoyed at myself but I don't resent the presence of such devices on our roads. After all, there is some evidence I was told at the course that they do reduce the occurance of both speeding and accidents.
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Cameras don't catch the halfwits like I saw the other day. Go-faster Golf was in the left lane, then the right, then the left then the right just as he/she got to a set of traffic lights where he/she was actually turning left cutting up the car to his/her left. Then, though the road was fairly wide he/she overtook a car in a completely inappropriate place. I could only assume that his/her passenger really needed to get to Crumpsal Hospital ASAP .... 🙄
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.... I believe it's all classroom based now though. No more points though .... 