Speed Cameras
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Join Date: Apr 2002
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The original post was only meant to help people who have been wrongly convicted like myself but anyway just to stoke the fire a bit more
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...ry/4104180.stm
Roads underspending sparks fears
Highway authorities have a legal duty of care to road users
Nearly half of England's local councils may be underspending on road repairs, despite 20% of the country's roads being classed as substandard.
In a survey of 88 authorities by BBC One's Real Story, 47% admitted to spending below their budget on road repairs in the last 12 months.
The AA Motoring Trust claimed that England's roads were worse now than in the 1970s.
But the Highways Agency said the safety of road users was their top priority.
Slippery when dry
In response to the Real Story survey, AA spokesman Paul Watters said: "We looked at some data for 2002 which shows that in areas that had underspent there were 900 more casualties than those that had overspent.
"The overspenders had good reductions in casualties."
Nine out of 10 English roads are looked after by local authorities.
According to the government's own most recent maintenance survey, one in every five miles of existing main roads are now potentially dangerous due to low skid resistance.
Real Story investigated concerns about one of the most widely used road surfaces in the UK - "thin road surfacing", also known as Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA).
Warning signs are critical, as is re-checking
Paul Watters, AA
Eleven English authorities reported problems with "early life skid resistance" - which means that in the first few months after the surface is laid road users are required to drive as if they were in wet conditions, regardless of the weather.
The programme discovered that the Highways Agency is so concerned that it has commissioned a series of skid tests on the surface. The results from the Transport Research Laboratory will be available later this year.
Paul Watters said: " We really need to bottom this out because at the moment if drivers see a new surface they assume it's perfectly good and far better than what was there.
"With Stone Mastic Asphalt, that isn't the case. The road in fact behaves like a wet road, even when it is dry."
A Derbyshire Police accident investigator, Sergeant Jim Allen, told Real Story he became aware of the problems caused by SMA when conducting routine tests in the summer of 2001.
"When we were skidding the police car over these road surfaces we were skidding for further than we would have expected to do and further than we had become used to on older road surfaces."
Compensation claims
As a result of Sergeant Allen's findings, Derbyshire County Council has erected warning signs whenever SMA is newly laid.
He said: "SMA is a kind of cake mix within the tar and it's all laid on the road surface in one go which means that all the stones have a coating of the binder material which is oil based.
"When you skid a car over that, one of the by products of friction is heat and we believed that that heat was melting the binder which was lubricating the patch between the tyre and the road and that's what was extending the skidding distance."
Despite the concerns, Real Story's survey has revealed that at least 16 local authorities plan to increase their use of thin road surfacing over the next five years.
The AA Motoring Trust said there had been a 50% rise in motorists claiming damages against councils after sub-standard roads have damaged their vehicles or caused road accidents in the past 12 months.
"Road users should be left in no doubt if a new surface needs 'bedding in'. Warning signs are critical as is re-checking to establish when a safe level of skid resistance returns."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...ry/4104180.stm
Roads underspending sparks fears
Highway authorities have a legal duty of care to road users
Nearly half of England's local councils may be underspending on road repairs, despite 20% of the country's roads being classed as substandard.
In a survey of 88 authorities by BBC One's Real Story, 47% admitted to spending below their budget on road repairs in the last 12 months.
The AA Motoring Trust claimed that England's roads were worse now than in the 1970s.
But the Highways Agency said the safety of road users was their top priority.
Slippery when dry
In response to the Real Story survey, AA spokesman Paul Watters said: "We looked at some data for 2002 which shows that in areas that had underspent there were 900 more casualties than those that had overspent.
"The overspenders had good reductions in casualties."
Nine out of 10 English roads are looked after by local authorities.
According to the government's own most recent maintenance survey, one in every five miles of existing main roads are now potentially dangerous due to low skid resistance.
Real Story investigated concerns about one of the most widely used road surfaces in the UK - "thin road surfacing", also known as Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA).
Warning signs are critical, as is re-checking
Paul Watters, AA
Eleven English authorities reported problems with "early life skid resistance" - which means that in the first few months after the surface is laid road users are required to drive as if they were in wet conditions, regardless of the weather.
The programme discovered that the Highways Agency is so concerned that it has commissioned a series of skid tests on the surface. The results from the Transport Research Laboratory will be available later this year.
Paul Watters said: " We really need to bottom this out because at the moment if drivers see a new surface they assume it's perfectly good and far better than what was there.
"With Stone Mastic Asphalt, that isn't the case. The road in fact behaves like a wet road, even when it is dry."
A Derbyshire Police accident investigator, Sergeant Jim Allen, told Real Story he became aware of the problems caused by SMA when conducting routine tests in the summer of 2001.
"When we were skidding the police car over these road surfaces we were skidding for further than we would have expected to do and further than we had become used to on older road surfaces."
Compensation claims
As a result of Sergeant Allen's findings, Derbyshire County Council has erected warning signs whenever SMA is newly laid.
He said: "SMA is a kind of cake mix within the tar and it's all laid on the road surface in one go which means that all the stones have a coating of the binder material which is oil based.
"When you skid a car over that, one of the by products of friction is heat and we believed that that heat was melting the binder which was lubricating the patch between the tyre and the road and that's what was extending the skidding distance."
Despite the concerns, Real Story's survey has revealed that at least 16 local authorities plan to increase their use of thin road surfacing over the next five years.
The AA Motoring Trust said there had been a 50% rise in motorists claiming damages against councils after sub-standard roads have damaged their vehicles or caused road accidents in the past 12 months.
"Road users should be left in no doubt if a new surface needs 'bedding in'. Warning signs are critical as is re-checking to establish when a safe level of skid resistance returns."
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Ah yes, SMA, indeed mastic itself, is one of the greatest hazards to those on two wheels. Paricularly when its used on city streets/ring-roads etc. In dry weather you get a build up of deposits, grease, oil diesel, which lurk there waiting for the first shower of rain. Then you have a lethal surface. We can claim if we can prove the surface was a major factor in an accident; you can also claim against the council if your car/bike is damaged due to a poor road surface, i.e potholes.
As for speed cameras, it's the forward facing ones that I love and loath in equal measure. Love them when I'm on the bike, loath them when I'm in the car.
Anybody got any favourite roads? For me the A697, only 10 cameras, great road, great scenery. When you get to the end turn left for the A68 and frighten yourself silly on the switchbacks!
As for speed cameras, it's the forward facing ones that I love and loath in equal measure. Love them when I'm on the bike, loath them when I'm in the car.
Anybody got any favourite roads? For me the A697, only 10 cameras, great road, great scenery. When you get to the end turn left for the A68 and frighten yourself silly on the switchbacks!
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Discovered excellent web site at:-
http://www.e-database.co.uk/
Since freedom of information act, all photographs taken on road side cameras that recorded only a small infridgement ie; 32 mph, are stored on a date base for future referal should you speed again. You can log on and request new log on and password for 1st time users and seek wether your registration has been recorded. If found it actually displays time, date, grid refrence of camera and picture taken. Try it....very interesting...big brother is out there!
http://www.e-database.co.uk/
Since freedom of information act, all photographs taken on road side cameras that recorded only a small infridgement ie; 32 mph, are stored on a date base for future referal should you speed again. You can log on and request new log on and password for 1st time users and seek wether your registration has been recorded. If found it actually displays time, date, grid refrence of camera and picture taken. Try it....very interesting...big brother is out there!
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''National security would be endangered'' if idiot squadron leader pilot Philip Whitcombe at Lyneham was to lose his driving licence for 3 months,, according to his economical with the truth barrister, after the idiot was caught doing 119 mph... Would not be able to do his job, apparently...
Should get on his bike
Still, the ban was only reduced by a month
Still use his bike, or walk for 8 weeks. Trust we won't go to war in that time and nat-sy won't suffer.
How many kids or other innocent road users have nearly been killed by this moron ????
Will he learn his lesson, now he has been named and shamed in court ???
Obviously his personal qualities are not of a high standard and he won't be considered fit for promotion anytime soon, or in next decade, will he ???
Should get on his bike
Still, the ban was only reduced by a month
Still use his bike, or walk for 8 weeks. Trust we won't go to war in that time and nat-sy won't suffer.
How many kids or other innocent road users have nearly been killed by this moron ????
Will he learn his lesson, now he has been named and shamed in court ???
Obviously his personal qualities are not of a high standard and he won't be considered fit for promotion anytime soon, or in next decade, will he ???
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Probably NIL, however, how many have been endangered by those who dodder along, not indicating, not paying attention or have shot responses/poor eyesight but continue to drive? - or are they OK because they drive below the speed limit?
The good Squadron Leader might have behaved like a numpty but I doubt he's deserving of your vitriol (never met the guy BTW)
caught doing 119 mph...
What/where/when?
Do we have to see the old and discredited 'speed kills' debate again? It’s INAPROPRIATE speed that kills, 2am on the M4?
If they refused to promote anyone with driving convictions the armed forces would have problems filling the manning plot
The good Squadron Leader might have behaved like a numpty but I doubt he's deserving of your vitriol (never met the guy BTW)
caught doing 119 mph...
What/where/when?
Do we have to see the old and discredited 'speed kills' debate again? It’s INAPROPRIATE speed that kills, 2am on the M4?
If they refused to promote anyone with driving convictions the armed forces would have problems filling the manning plot
"Speed" does not kill or cause accidents.
The lack of maneuver or an improper maneuver immediately prior to the crash causes death and mayhem.
If one drives at 200mph on the motorway and there is no one about to even see that....what is the damage?
If one drives 10 mph over the limit and smacks another....is speed alone the issue? What if one is driving 10 mph under the posted limit but smacks someone....is speed an issue?
It is when one considers all of the other factors does speed become an issue. Traffic congestion, pedestrians, weather, road condition, sobriety, and distractions all affect the issue of "speed".
An example of what I am trying to say here....2AM, after a long day of work, and a stop off at the Pub...very foggy night....car with bad brakes....driver creeping along groping for his home...runs over a kerb and finds himself in a hedge.
Speed had nothing to do with it...beyond maybe he was driving too fast for the conditions then prevailing.
Those that harp about "speed" need to realize it is not just raw "speed" that is the issue.....it is just one of many issues that define a dangerous driver.
The lack of maneuver or an improper maneuver immediately prior to the crash causes death and mayhem.
If one drives at 200mph on the motorway and there is no one about to even see that....what is the damage?
If one drives 10 mph over the limit and smacks another....is speed alone the issue? What if one is driving 10 mph under the posted limit but smacks someone....is speed an issue?
It is when one considers all of the other factors does speed become an issue. Traffic congestion, pedestrians, weather, road condition, sobriety, and distractions all affect the issue of "speed".
An example of what I am trying to say here....2AM, after a long day of work, and a stop off at the Pub...very foggy night....car with bad brakes....driver creeping along groping for his home...runs over a kerb and finds himself in a hedge.
Speed had nothing to do with it...beyond maybe he was driving too fast for the conditions then prevailing.
Those that harp about "speed" need to realize it is not just raw "speed" that is the issue.....it is just one of many issues that define a dangerous driver.
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Fatalities rise in speed camera hotspots
And according to the Daily Mail, Co Durham have deployed more traffic officers who are reducing accidents by looking out for the uninsured, no MOT, no tax idiots.
The UK government recently suspended the deployment of more speeds cameras pending the outcome of of a University College London probe into whether they actually save lives.
We have no doubt, then, that the investigators will be taking a close interest in the Motorcycle News revelation that road deaths have risen dramatically in those areas favoured with the most Gatsos.
According to the MCN figures - joyfully reported in today's Sun - Hertfordshire saw a 24 per cent rise in speed camera numbers between 2003 and 2004. In the same period, road fatalities rose by 34 per cent.
Likewise in Wiltshire, camera numbers went up 14 per cent, and those killed 22 per cent. In County Durham, meanwhile, a lone Gatso oversaw a 22 per cent drop in fatalities
The Sun is also delighted to report that in North Wales, where "Gatso fan Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom has a league table for traffic cops", 56,247 speeding tickets were issued although this had little effect on safety, with an 18 per cent increase in road deaths.
The reason? Simple, says safety expert Paul Smith: “Crashes are avoided by making a safe plan based on what you see. Cameras move attention away from hazards to speedometers.”
We have no doubt, then, that the investigators will be taking a close interest in the Motorcycle News revelation that road deaths have risen dramatically in those areas favoured with the most Gatsos.
According to the MCN figures - joyfully reported in today's Sun - Hertfordshire saw a 24 per cent rise in speed camera numbers between 2003 and 2004. In the same period, road fatalities rose by 34 per cent.
Likewise in Wiltshire, camera numbers went up 14 per cent, and those killed 22 per cent. In County Durham, meanwhile, a lone Gatso oversaw a 22 per cent drop in fatalities
The Sun is also delighted to report that in North Wales, where "Gatso fan Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom has a league table for traffic cops", 56,247 speeding tickets were issued although this had little effect on safety, with an 18 per cent increase in road deaths.
The reason? Simple, says safety expert Paul Smith: “Crashes are avoided by making a safe plan based on what you see. Cameras move attention away from hazards to speedometers.”
Join Date: May 2003
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I fully accept I'm guilty of speeding but post this for info:
Both offences within a month of each other and driving a 'reasonably priced car'.
1. Dorset, Stourpaine - just over 30 mph and caught by chap in van... £60 fine and 3 points.
2. Powys, Bwlch - just over 30 mph (but less than above) and caught by chap with speed gun... means tested for fine (which they checked) £250 plus £35 in fees and 4 points.
Like I said, just for info... Dupe's
Both offences within a month of each other and driving a 'reasonably priced car'.
1. Dorset, Stourpaine - just over 30 mph and caught by chap in van... £60 fine and 3 points.
2. Powys, Bwlch - just over 30 mph (but less than above) and caught by chap with speed gun... means tested for fine (which they checked) £250 plus £35 in fees and 4 points.
Like I said, just for info... Dupe's
Does it make any difference if a pedestrian is run down by a rich man or a poor man, assuming Mr Rich isn't driving an expensive 4X4? Fines should be relevent to the offence not income.
PPatRoN
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Does it make any difference if a pedestrian is run down by a rich man or a poor man, assuming Mr Rich isn't driving an expensive 4X4? Fines should be relevent to the offence not income.
A fine is a punishment. Not a payment. To ignore income when setting a fine would be unjust. Let me illustrate.
Fred runs over your wife in his car. He is at fault, and is fined £800. Fred's a glass collector in the pub: he arranges a payment schedule with the clerk of the court. It takes him four weeks to earn the money to pay his fine.
Tarquin runs over your daughter in his car, in circumstances astonishingly similar to your wife's unfortunate accident. He, being at fault, is fined £800 (magistrates having been barred, in this hypothetical scenario, from considering income when setting fines). Tarquin is a very successful City trader: he pays the fine there and then out of what he considers looses change. He'll earn it back in less than half a day.
So for the same offence, the poor man is punished with the loss of four week's income, and the rich man, with less than half a day's.
adr
Last edited by adr; 7th Aug 2005 at 16:48.
Join Date: Jun 2003
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Thought I would just add this one for a bit of mischief :
............................................................ ............................................
While I was driving down the A40 the other day, (going a little faster than I should have been) I passed under a bridge only to see a copper on the other side with a radar gun laying in wait.
The copper pulled me over, walked up to the car, and with that classic patronizing smirk asked:
"Runway too short?"
To which I replied,
"I'm late for work."
To which he asked,
"What do you do?"
"I'm a rectum stretcher," I responded.
The copper was surprised and confused.
"A what?
A rectum stretcher??
And just what does a rectum stretcher do?"
"Well," I said,
"I start by inserting one finger, then I work my way up to two fingers, then three, then four, then with my whole hand in, work side to side until I can get both hands in, and then I slowly but surely stretch the hole, until it's about 6 feet."
"Then the copper asked questioningly and cautiously,
"And just what do you do with a six-foot arsehole?"
To which I politely replied,
"You give him a radar gun and park him behind a bridge..."
............................................................ .............................................
............................................................ ............................................
While I was driving down the A40 the other day, (going a little faster than I should have been) I passed under a bridge only to see a copper on the other side with a radar gun laying in wait.
The copper pulled me over, walked up to the car, and with that classic patronizing smirk asked:
"Runway too short?"
To which I replied,
"I'm late for work."
To which he asked,
"What do you do?"
"I'm a rectum stretcher," I responded.
The copper was surprised and confused.
"A what?
A rectum stretcher??
And just what does a rectum stretcher do?"
"Well," I said,
"I start by inserting one finger, then I work my way up to two fingers, then three, then four, then with my whole hand in, work side to side until I can get both hands in, and then I slowly but surely stretch the hole, until it's about 6 feet."
"Then the copper asked questioningly and cautiously,
"And just what do you do with a six-foot arsehole?"
To which I politely replied,
"You give him a radar gun and park him behind a bridge..."
............................................................ .............................................
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Interesting thing found here with the site that facing forward posted....
Inserted my car details and found it to be recorded in Cleveland doing 81.2mph on the 19th of oct. I was however at this time more than 100 miles away fitting radiators in my house! And never went out all day! (nor did the car!)
Funny that the picture evedence wasn't available.
Will wait with baited breath for the next two weeks to see if anything happens to come through the post.
Well this site seems to be a spoof.... Entered another registration number from a mates ex police unmarked 4x4 Sierra Who was working with me.... Guess what, his car was on the same road at the same time and at the same speed!!
Put the Kwakka's number on the screen and that too was doing the same speed at the same time this time in cambridgeshire!
Think I can rest assured that this site is a non starter!
Inserted my car details and found it to be recorded in Cleveland doing 81.2mph on the 19th of oct. I was however at this time more than 100 miles away fitting radiators in my house! And never went out all day! (nor did the car!)
Funny that the picture evedence wasn't available.
Will wait with baited breath for the next two weeks to see if anything happens to come through the post.
Well this site seems to be a spoof.... Entered another registration number from a mates ex police unmarked 4x4 Sierra Who was working with me.... Guess what, his car was on the same road at the same time and at the same speed!!
Put the Kwakka's number on the screen and that too was doing the same speed at the same time this time in cambridgeshire!
Think I can rest assured that this site is a non starter!
