Speed cameras

Apart from Mr. Coad, I don't think that the cash machines refered to as speed cameras on the A30 have many fans. I wonder if this idea being trialed in Denmark would work on the Roseworthy dip? http://tallywag.multiply.com/video/item/25

Yes... Great fun... BUT would we get such pretty women?

Sparks is right, I still hate speeding. I have PERSONALLY seen too many people killed and ripped to pieces in accidents to put up with the pathetic excuses used by people who drive too fast.

Graham.

And do you think anyone actually enjoys seeing this death and mutilation Graham?
Excessive speed counts for a small minority of deaths and injuuries, most are caused by a host of other factors/causes. The only safe speed would be zero mph, but that would get us nowhere fast! While there are roads, there will always be RTA's. The fact is, speed cameras do not curb excessive speed for inappropriate conditions at inappropriate times, and have actually been known to cause accidents because of people suddenly braking upon seeing one. They are huge revenue raisers, but this money doesn't appear to be being spent on our roads, making dangerous stretches 'safe' and policing the main causes of these deaths and injuries.

Sparks, liked the video and it might get my vote, but doubt that Roseworthy would be the place -somewhere narrow that required slower driving to take in the view might be better (although just as likely to cause an accident)!

Not wishing to cause an argument but why do you have to start your post in reply to Graham's in such a confrontational manner (And do you think anyone actually enjoys seeing this death and mutilation Graham?) - after all, he is only expressing his view about speeding and cameras that you raised. Did you not want people to comment?

I must admit I feel no animosity (possibly because I have never speeded through it) nor can I be described as a fan of the camera at Roseworthy Dip (don't think anybody could actually be called a FAN of it). I cannot also comment upon whether speeding is the main cause of RTA's but seem to think from what I hear that it is - or rather the it's the use of INAPPROPRIATE SPEED for the road and/or conditions that is a very major cause. After all, you can have an accident in a Cornish Lane going round a corner at 15 miles per hour if it's too fast for the conditions (despite being within the speed limit). As an aside, it makes you wonder why people sound their horn when approaching a sharp lane bend - if they drove slowly enough to stop in time if something were coming the other way, the horn wouldn't need to be used surely?

That being the case, then speed cameras (which are admitedly very well signposted before you reach them) might be just one of the methods that the police can use to reduce the incident of accidents. My understanding is that they are generally placed where regular accidents have been seen in the past, so must prove to work as we keep being told that they are not used specifically to raise revenue. When was the last time you heard of a serious accident in the dip?

The number of people braking (red tail lights coming on) going down the dip again shows how many are driving too fast at that point (also a shame that they didn't make it dual cariageway in both directions as the incidence of people overtaking coming down one side but not looking ahead to what's in the outside lane coming the other way is still a worry).

The fact that they do make so much money is however evidence that a hell of a lot of people continue to speed - even after seeing the signs warning them! I agree however that the money ought to be used for traffic improvement rather than be swallowed into "normal" policing overheads. Don't get me wrong, I am no angel, and have been known to drive a little above the speed limit on occasions, but am conscious of my speed whenever I see the signs and I find it does continue into my normal driving.

End of rant!

Hi PZboy...my response To Graham reflected his own post, and Graham and I have had this debate before, when he refused to accept facts, so his input was fairly predictable! Of course I want people to comment, and i'm pleased that you did so!
The 2007 figures from the department of transport showed that just 6% of injuries/fatalities were directly attributable to excessive speed beyond the legal limit. This being the case, why has the country been blighted by so many thousands of speed cameras in recent years? The revenue they raise answers this question quite clearly. The common perception is that excessive speed is the major factor in most road accidents, but this is simply not the case. I just happen to think that more should be done to tackle the major causes of accidents instead.
You quite rightly point out that an accident is more likely to happen on a 'Cornish lane' and the driver be well within the 'legal limit'. BTW, I sound my horn on some corners that i regularly drive around, simply to warn any lunatics coming the other way that I am there!
A change in the law meant that cameras were only to be placed in known accident spots, and so many had to be removed and the remaining ones painted yellow instead of grey. The Roseworthy dip has seen several accidents since the cameras, at least one of which was actually caused by someone slowing down for the camera. We all know that had another white line been painted to stop similtaneous overtaking in both directios, then this will have probably put a halt to the main cause of accidents on this road. But, that wouldn't have made them any money, would it?!
Hundreds of thousands were spent on the camera system enforcing the ridiculous 30mph limit through the Saltash tunnel. Figures show that they would net an astounding £750,000 a day as figures show the majority of drivers stray above 30mph. However, the cameras were not allowed to be switched on other than for monitoring purposes, because the tunnel is NOT an accident blackspot. This may change, or may have done so already, I'm not sure. Tempted by the amount of potential revenue I'm sure they will do all they possibly can to get these cameras in use!
I rant about cameras because i know exactly what they are there for. And I see terrible and dangerous driving all around me which remains unchallenged....

Sparks, Thanks for the update - you are right, my impression was that most accidents (or at least a large proportion of them) are caused by speeding.

I completely agree with you about standards of driving, see bad practices everywhere, especially people still using mobile phones whilst driving - several every day.

That's the bit that annoys me! We are all led to believe that excessive speed is the major cause of accidents when it's just not true. It's all a ploy to make us more 'tolerant' of speed cameras.

"A survey carried out by Car Parts Direct has revealed that over 268,000 drivers are now banned from driving and millions of pounds are being paid out in speeding fines. Thousands of motorists are losing their jobs, freedom and ability to earn a living. 82% of speed camera victims thought they were driving safely at the time of their conviction and were just unfortunate to be doing a few miles over the limit"

Simple answer...stay within the speed limit...it's not hard.......

Yes, the answer may well appear 'simple' to someone whose short school run in the 4x4 is possibly the sum total of their recent driving experience.

Those who regularly drive on the 'big roads' may disagree, and argue that constantly peering down at the speedo just in case they stray 1mph over the limit is just not practical, and probably actually quite dangerous. Keeping an eye on the road ahead would probably make for a safer driving experience....

You have to keep looking at your speedo Sparks??

When you have more driving experience and maturity you will be able to judge your speed accurately without constant glimpses at your speedo!

You might find that if you start your journey earlier, and drive slower, you will be able to develop skills like this!

I have faith in you, good luck!

Graham.