We keep being told speed cameras are safety cameras in places which warrant safer driving. And that they are not revenue raising.
Well if that's the case, why don't the government introduce countdown markers leading up to them, thus preventing sudden breaking, and making drivers aware that the cameras are being approached.
Seems fair and logical.
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Arghhhh!!! Cue long, tiresome arguments about speed cameras descending into near abuse of one's fellow contributors. OK, I'll start then: 'Sudden breaking' of what?
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Sorry, left a comma out after cameras, before I get it back!!
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'Sudden breaking' of what?
Wind?
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Since when was " fair and logical " applied to the motorist in the UK ? We are second only to people who eat babies, on the hate lists of government and tree huggers.
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This will get moved to Speed Camera Thread but
tinyurl.com/d3ayl4
Driver killed after braking heavily for speed camera, even though police reckon he was not speeding.
Seems to be accepted as a natural reaction now.
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Thus the "logical" need for countdown markers.
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>Why don't the government introduce countdown markers ..
There's another thread about the excessive number of road signs. Perhaps 'the government' could simply erect fences along major roads, and (in)appropriate signs could be fixed to any posts as required.
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If you brake suddenly then you're possibly not aware of your surroundings and not concentrating enough and if you're not concentrating, should you really be on the road?
and if markers were not in place and you got flashed, would you then try to blame the government for 'allowing you to speed?
(it's that blame culture thing again)
Perhaps better driver training is required.
I recall a Top Gear article on drivers from Finland (I think) and the very long driver training they have to undergo before being given a licence to drive. Maybe we need a more intensive course before drivers are let loose. I'd be in favour of a ten year re-test but that's a subject for another day/thread.
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There are countdown markers for exits and level crossings. Are you suggesting these are removed, because we should be all aware of our surroundings. The markers work, and should be applied to speed cameras.
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Hellooooo, anyone awake out there in forum land???
Spood, all gone to sleep.
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I'm awake!
I think it is a sensible idea. Someone above moaned about the proliferation of road signage. Well surely the large amount of speed camera warning signs could be got rid, and replaced with a smaller number of count down markers.
Might be a boring topic to you woody, but any improvements in sign wastage has to be a good idea.
Edited by Ben10 on 13/02/2009 at 09:42
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A lone voice in the wilderness ?
preview.tinyurl.com/adx4mr
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MrX - any large nationwide organisation could probably have legitimate complaint levelled against it, both as a corporation and at individual levels. It would be crass to suggest that officers don't get it wrong sometimes, but perhaps we should separate the priorities that they are paid to work towards (i.e. no choice over what they're doing) and their own errors (e.g. speaking to someone less than politely). I note one of my colleagues has contributed on the ANPR thread the same point, but in my long experience of dealing with complaints against officers, most are vexatious or borne of ignorance. To be blunt, some people complain because they don't/won't accept they've done wrong, some to try and win a point that they couldn't with the officer, some because they were born with excess bodily orifices. But I accept that officers get the interaction wrong sometimes. They are dealt with, but rarely are these instances serious and beyond some form of apology being worthwhile.
So no, not a lone voice in the wilderness. Most officers are trying hard to do the right thing in frequently rather difficult circumstances. I have always noted, and questioned, the Police service's lack of willingness to respond in the media. Personally, I think it's high time we responded to criticism with a quick blast of the facts, to redress the balance. Until this is done, anyone can publish whatever they want, without apparent qualification. I fail to see how anyone can regard this as being balanced. Indeed, all too frequently this is exactly what happens on these forums.
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Six people killed in a head-on crash near Bilsthorpe (Notts). Locals saying the road is dangerous and has been for years, accident waiting to happen etc. Local councillor asking for roundabout/traffic lights. With this sort of background and past history of accidents I wonder where the nearest safety camera is?
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It is a very interesting report and from the Chief Constable of the British Police who is the chair of ACPO no less.
It is nice to see that a senior officer has realised there is a problem that some of the general public "Perceive" there is a problem with the polices image and rudeness.
It is in everyones interest that if there is a problem that is resolved as the Police perform an incredibly important job for the country and they need the backing / confidence of the general public
Over half the complaints against the police are about rudeness and incivility and about lack of service. We need to pay attention to that,' he said.
'I think that pride and ego comes into play with lots of officers.'
In 1982, 92 per cent of people thought their local police were doing a good job, compared to 53 per cent in 2007-08, according to British Crime Survey figures.
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Are those people expressing dissatisfaction with individuals or with the strategic direction of their local service? I suspect the BCS does not differentiate between the two.
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Dacouch, he's not the UK chief - no such thing. He's president of the Superintendents association. Not in itself representative of ACPO. representative of the Supt.s.
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Cameras are being introduced gradually in Spain and the authorities seem keen to avoid criticism of revenue-raising being the prime motivation.
It was only very recently that the Traffic division of the Guardia Civil were no longer required to patrol in pairs (as is still the case in Scotland), as a car-mounted camera is now sufficient corroborative evidence. The need to stop a speeding offender within 1 km of the offence has also gone, so postal prosecutions are now common. But all of this after public consultation and a long detailed advertising campaign.
A famous road tunnel outside Bilbao flashed 24,000 cars in the first three months, but prosecutions didn't start until after this trial period: in fact, firm but polite warning letters were sent out, and word got round and now everyone knows to slow down. The tunnel now sees 15 minor bumps a week instead of 19 - conclude from that what you will!
Where a new camera is installed, warning signs go up (masked in black a long time ahead) and then the camera becomes operative. There is no shortage of speed limit reminder signs, either, so anyone getting caught really deserves it. Rural Navarra is probably the most strict area, as there are no fixed speed cameras, only mobile radars, which the police can put up more or less anywhere they like.
My prediction is that Spain will soon have roads as safe as Britain's, but without millions being extorted from motorists along the way.
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