Roadside cameras to catch drivers using their mobile phones

quote:

Originally posted by andy c:
Van

I'll look up at work re the prosecution guidelines re use of hand signals... I seriously thought their use in motor cars was not being taught, and will seek out the info why I got that impression.

However it seems on this occ my info was wrong - apologies.

andy c!

Andy no problem, I have to plead ignorance on this one, it was only when you mentioned that the hand signals were not being taught that I looked up the info on the internet, the page I pasted did have 2002 at the bottom, maybe it has changed since? but I would hope that any public information is updated regularly? anyway no probs.

My take is that cars should be built such that mobile phones don't work in them when they are moving. Some sort of interference device to just kill the signals to the phone.

Simple.

Just left to the genius's to invent it now.
Jag

I use Bluetooth. Such devices are not necessary if people act responsibly. Such interference would probably be harmful to health.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4796264.stm

A classic case of the defence of mechanical defect...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4796264.stm

I'm slightly puzzled as to why he never thought to turn off the ignition?

Or he could have just braked a bit harder.

Another case worth looking at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4805112.stm

quote:

I am anti camera because they are used as a financial tool, that is fact.

Indeed. For those who think the issue is with the law itself and not the method of enforcement, think again. The two are inextricably linked in that speed limits imposed often reflect the revenue raising potential above and beyond the appropriacy of any speed limit imposed.

Examples:

1) Recently I raised the issue of dangerous crossroads on the A449, a 70mph limit dual carriageway between Wolverhampton and Penkridge.They've finally decided to address the problem by putting traffic lights in. (Personally I'd have prefered that they just close off the central reservation, forcing the handful of drivers who cross each day to go to the next roundabout a mile in either direction, but still...)

While the roadworks are in place they've imposed a 30mph speed limit for a mile with a buffer zone of 50mph for the remaining half mile either side of this 2-mile stretch between the two roundabouts. The limit is as low as 30 simply because nobody (and I mean nobody - else any compliant driver would force everyone else to follow at the same speed) takes any notice. The flow of dense traffic runs through at about 40mph allowing the scamera van to rake in 60 quid every other second...

Tasha was caught by it today in traffic. I was luckier yesterday as I was travelling in the opposite direction at the same 40 mph as everbody else.

This cynical revenue raising makes me so mad that I'd like to throw a molatov cocktail through the van's windows. Obviously I won't take the law into my own hands is such a direct fashion...

2) The scam is also in operation on the A51 between Rugeley and Lichfield where the 30mph limit extends beyond the actual roadworks section to the other end of a short dual carriageway (otherwise 70mph limit) on which there are no roadworks in progress.

If the mobile scameras didn't exist, these temporary limits would both be higher (40 or 50 mph) and cover a much shorter distance.

Steve G,

justice would seem to have been done there, then?

Steve T,
You need to continue to be specific as you have been in the examples above - being generalistic does not help the anti-camera lobbys argument...

andy c!

I fear that neither does being specific. This government doesn't like the middle classes and thrives not on their votes but on their cash.

Until folks stop voting as they would for the colours of their favourite football team, nothing will change. The number of folks who state they'll always vote labour no matter what is really scary.

Priceless absolutely priceless.

Mick,

I'd like you to elaborate...

Steve,

My point it that, without the detail of why a certain camera etc is only there for revenue purposes, you have no chance of getting a balanced point accross.

I.E. I know of several sites in Notts whereby camer'as have been put there because of speed related crashes, and as a result of them being there crashes have come down. Sure the options could have included altering road layouts etc, but there are always options are there not, including whether to speed or not?

andy c!

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Toy:
[QUOTE]

Examples:

1) Recently I raised the issue of dangerous crossroads on the A449, a 70mph limit dual carriageway between Wolverhampton and Penkridge.They've finally decided to address the problem by putting traffic lights in. (Personally I'd have prefered that they just close off the central reservation, forcing the handful of drivers who cross each day to go to the next roundabout a mile in either direction, but still...)

While the roadworks are in place they've imposed a 30mph speed limit for a mile with a buffer zone of 50mph for the remaining half mile either side of this 2-mile stretch between the two roundabouts. The limit is as low as 30 simply because nobody (and I mean nobody - else any compliant driver would force everyone else to follow at the same speed) takes any notice. The flow of dense traffic runs through at about 40mph allowing the scamera van to rake in 60 quid every other second...

Tasha was caught by it today in traffic.

I travelled that route last week from Wolverhampton to Stafford: the temporary speed limits are clearly signposted. I complied with them (even though they are ridiculously low). No drivers behind expressed any audible or visual signs of discontent.

The fact is that if you are stupid enough to ignore speed limits where there is an obvious likelihood of there being enforcement cameras, you deserve what you get. Call it a scam if you like, I call it stupidity.

On the A60 between Arnold and Mansfield, the speed limit is usually 50mph. There are roadworks there with a temporary restriction to 30mph.

I travelled thru there yesterday evening, with no roadworks taking place, and the 30mph signs still left out. Remember that temporary works have to apply (To the Highways authority I think?) for temporary restrictions, and as such they have to be careful when to leave them on/take them off.

andy c!

I can't believe some of these posts. One of my friends works in the roads department of one of the companies that does the repairs to roads.

I believe he said that roughly 6 guys are killed a year by people speeding through road works.

Roy.

Roy,

it didn't happen to you, tho, so that make's everything ok!(If you get my drift)

There is obviously a 99.9% stupidity rating through these roadworks then (with Nigel making up the other 0.1%).

THe A51 and A449 roadworks are both for improving safety along these stretches. I note that the costs are being funded entirely by the drivers using them in the form of £60 road tolls aka "speeding fines."

The scamera vans themselves are located somewhere along the rediculous extended buffer zone (well away from any workmen) where drivers are more likely to disregard the limits imposed.

quote:

There is obviously a 99.9% stupidity rating through these roadworks then (with Nigel making up the other 0.1%).

ah - but this is your opinion - it don't make someone else stupid just 'cos they agree with said signing - it's just a differing of opinion, that's all.

The A60 roadworks speed limit for me could have been changed on a daily basis depending upon when the works are actually taking place. Problem with that is humans are nothing if not creatures of habit.

regards

andy c!

The stupidity rating is the percentage of drivers stupid enough to ignore the signs.

Doh!

Soz - gotya now!

andy c!

Mr Toy

You are demonstrating that you are a barrack room lawyer.

You waffle for England and yet you convince no one other than yourself.

Regards

Mick

I think you are very much out of touch and mistaken there, Mick.

I don't think the thousands of drivers who have been ensnared by that scamera van will be impressed either.

As for the barrack room lawyer bit, read the thread again of the same title.

I'm neither a soldier nor a schoolchild.

None of us here are either soldiers (from the ranks) or schoolchildren.