Petition against in appropriate speed Scameras

[Mercedes Lady]

I have been reading with interest all the posts here and, like the authorities, nearly all of you give all sorts of statistics. One statistic contradicts the other and so on.

Did any of you see Top Gear on Sunday? They give a very good side to the speed cameras and road safety and gotta agree with them that "most" of the cameras around are put in place purely as another form of tax to the motorist. Unfortunately, as the programme pointed out statistically across the UK speed cameras haven't cut deaths and accidents on our roads. Some cameras have imho been placed where its unsafe to do so as drivers tend to keep looking at their speedos rather than the road.

Agreed though they should be placed around schools and villages where "A" roads are on top of them. The Government have raised enough money in speed camera fines to fund them too.

 

[simonl]

Originally posted by Dieter
Hi (again),

I don't know from where you obtained a 1.7 sec thinking distance. Your'e assumption that this is a reaction time to an unexpected hazard is frankly ludicrous!!!

Driver's must be fully alert for all circumstance at all times and if I felt (that at 30mph) I would not be able to react for 75 feet (1.7 sec) I'd give up driving.

This is the nub of this issue. i.e. it's not speed per se which is dangerous it's 'c..p' drivers/driving. Thus the powers that be should focus more on these real issues not just cynically raise revenue.

I got that figure from the Head of Road Safety for Lothian and Borders Police. I don't have written proof of the figure though, so it could well be wrong.

Unfortunately drivers are not fully alert for all circumstances. And even if they were, many drivers probably wouldn't know what to look for anyway. I happily lump myself in that group as the state of my own car currently proves.

0.7s, 1.7s.....any figure will not apply in every situation. How long does it take to fiddle with the radio, adjust the wing mirror that isn't quite right, grab something out the glove compartment, and take that ever so "vital" phone call.

It would be interesting to know how many accidents occured whilst the driver was being distracted.

I agree with you that bad driving is a major problem. And unfortunately no GATSO can detect this.

 

[Mercedes Lady]

and not forgetting the druggies behind the wheel too!

I think the authorities have defiintely got it wrong by putting too much emphasis on speed.

 

[Flip]

Here is a site intended to test reaction times...

http://www.roadlincs.com/CONTENT/STAYINGALIVE/default.asp?Call=Content&ID=414#

The maps make sobering reading too...