speed cameras

[Mordack]

Actually nevermind, I was gonna try and explain it all but its by farrrr to complex to even work out where to begin. If you like Mordack I'll try over PM to explain my view to you?

Be warned I have no idea where to begin explaining it so it might sound a lil convoluted.

EDIT: Sorry I know this sounds a lot like KMA's 'do your own research' but its just that i'm not happy with how I explain it to myself as its sooo ass-backwards.

If you want. I'm fairly sure I'm right about speed cameras, though. On-the-spot speeding fines from police may be different, but the revenue from non-moving speed cameras goes directly to the government.

[MEZZANINE]

are speed cameras on our roads as a way for council s to make money?

i belive so as they are inafective at slowing traffic down because once youve passed the 10 or so meters they cover you instantly speed up and they are placed in positions were speed limits are to low

I agree, I know all the speed camera's in my area, so I know when to slow, and when to drive at a normal speed.

I think these not only generate income for local councils, they are also a product of the 'nanny state', which assumes the public have no common sense.

Yes I drive over speed limit, I also drive under the speed limit sometimes, why ? Because I am an intelligent experienced driver who is quite capable of judging the road, weather and hazards for myself.

I also hate speedbumps, they cause your to slow down and speed up burning more fuel, cause damage to tyres and suspension and like speed camera's they distract drivers from the things they should be paying attention to like other cars, pedestrians, etc

[Mister Sandman]

When is it right to brake the a just law?

If you are caught speeding, you deserve a fine, by camera or by police....


I love speed cameras.

[[KMA]Avenger]

i hear they love you to...whens the big day?

seriously, i can understand that you love the concept of safety, as in, they make you slow down in residential areas and in the vicinity of schools...the problem is, they are not located in the places they would do the most good or provide any kind of safety.

so what good or safety do they provide?! absolutely none...except to line the pockets of the company's that run and service the cameras, not forgetting the Govt as well.


it would be best if you posted with some semblance of thought in your posts

[Mister Sandman]

as they say, every K over is a killer...

[[KMA]Avenger]

did you you even read my last post or do you take pride in speaking dumb?


we talking about "speed camera's and their practicality, not how fast is to fast!!!

if you want to debate/discuss the speed, limit then make a topic and show what you've got!

[Mister Sandman]

Well, i decided a stupid response most befitted your answer...

seriously, i can understand that you love the concept of safety, as in, they make you slow down in residential areas and in the vicinity of schools...the problem is, they are not located in the places they would do the most good or provide any kind of safety.

I do say, I know about where 90% of all the speed cameras are in the south of my city....

Looking at it, they are in logical places.....
There are some at schools, most main roads, the place where they most needed.

You have made a sweeping comment, with no substantial evidence.

so what good or safety do they provide?! absolutely none...except to line the pockets of the company's that run and service the cameras, not forgetting the Govt as well.

If you speed, you get fined... again, lose licence points, repeated offences losing licence for 6 to over 18months.

You can make that comment about most checks and balance (yes a funny pun) that is put in-place for the safety of the citizens.

Not to forget the experiences that idiots on the road cause...
I.E there was a barrier to stop cars who sped off the motor way and if perchance happened to stuff up abit loose control and go into a valley.
One driver, very recently, idiot, police have confirmed that he was speeding off the ramp down and lost control, and smashed his car though the ramp nose dving into the valley.

Now, the government pays for the barrier.

and that is help supplemented by speeding fines....

So what do you want, remove the fines, and then.... increase taxes....

so equally punish everyone for few who are idiotic?


Now, im not saying that you are a bad driver, or your bad if you speed... you may be very good at driving and be able to take speed with correct reaction time...
however, it isnt a personal thing.... the average driver must be taken into consideration....

and looking at licensing regulations, they are loose, however, in Aus getting stricter and abit pointless.


Although traffic offensives dont always classify as criminal charges in Australia, (very good system), law is to be upheld, though

discouragement in breaking them, fines ect...,
encouragements in keeping them, cheaper insurance...


the argument or reasoning that the gov is out to get only money, is BS....
if they wanted money, they can raise taxes.... not hard for a gov to get money....

[[KMA]Avenger]

we dont seem to be on the same page since you OBVIOUSLY live down under and i am in the UK.

in the UK they are only located where people speed the most, that's on main roads through town and on the motor ways.
so as far as the UK is concerned, they are only there to generate money since MANY schools are located in residential areas where there are no cameras whatsoever.

that might not be the case for Aus but its certainly the case for the UK...

just so you know where i stand on this matter, if the UK Govt said right now "we are going to remove the cameras from the motorways where they serve no good at all and place then in and around areas of schools and residences, and also remove the speed humps from those areas because they do not slow people down." i would be all in favour of that, speaking as a father of 3 school aged boys.


PS, with regards to "stupid" or incompetent drivers, i've held a drivers licence from the age of 17 and i've never had an accident, i have come close to quite a few through no fault of my own and have witnessed a few accidents, but thats because people are taught how to operate a car, instead of being taught common driving sense.
i was lucky enough to have an "old skool" instructor who drummed it into me from the 1st minute of my very first driving lesson "ALWAYS CHECK YOUR MIRRORS!!!".
that advice made me more aware of other drivers and driving conditions and has helped me avoid a number of collisions due to other drivers not having a clue.

[Thade]

KMA: you said you ignored various tickets given by police and whatnot? I dont' know how it is in UK but here in US if you don't pay the fine from a ticket (regardless of type) they either revoke your license, thus you get another ticket if caught driving on suspend (or possible fun time down at the local jail depending on how often this has occurred) and you can also get your car towed and impounded when either caught for some new driving offense or caught parked illegally. It sounds to me as though your system in the UK has a bark but no bite...always an ineffective set-up. As to agreeing to pay such fines...well once again in US not sure on UK. You enter into a legal agreement once you accept your driver's license. You agree to such things as: paying fines, agree to appear to court summons for traffic violations, and agreeing to submit to sobriety test (breathalizer). Failure to comply with any of those things can result in suspension and revocation of said license, thus leaving you unable to get to work due to the abysmal state of public transportation in 99% of the US.

As to the original topic of speed cameras. Hmm...well if properly placed and calibrated I suppose they are okay however lawyers will of course still be able to get a paying customer out of the fine and points. So the people who profit the most are the lawyers...go figure.

The one that bugs me more is the traffic light cam for red light violations...they don't work properly. Sending a person a ticket regardless of where their back tires are at the time the light turns from yellow to red (if your rear tires are past the white line while the light is yellow you are considered within the intersection and thus an impediment to traffic and should proceed through the intersection - again in US (FL)).

[[KMA]Avenger]

the system has plenty of bite. i think what happened with regards to the fine is that, the fines come under "victimless crime", which basically means that if there is no victim how can there be a crime.

or the more likely reason is contract law, since i never once got in touch with these people regardless of the letters and threats they sent me, i never entered into a contract with them (an agreement to pay the fines) and as such they could do nothing to me. if i had made an agreement to pay and then broken that agreement its then that the courts can get involved....i think.

[Kit-Fox]

I think KMA might be referring to a NIP (Notice of Intent to Prosecute {or similar meaning})

You can ignore NIPs but you cannot ignore a fine posted to you as a result of passing through a camera. If you do the next time you are stopped by the police you licence can be confiscated & your car siezed.

[[KMA]Avenger]

to be honest, i'm not sure why they stopped chasing me. i am only guessing as to why they threatened me with nearly £1000 worth of fines and court fees for the 2 fines combined....i'm just glad they did

[HonoredSLayer]

no they probably think your a terrorist and just monitor everythnig you do for the slightest change in character.

and yes speed cameras should go everywhere i believe.
it is for safety.
but i do see the point where what is the use in having them near schools.
only an idiot would go over the speed limit in a school zone. and that is what a license is all about. a little card that says you are not an idiot on the road. (mostly)

[[KMA]Avenger]

no they probably think your a terrorist and just monitor everythnig you do for the slightest change in character.

and yes speed cameras should go everywhere i believe.
it is for safety.
but i do see the point where what is the use in having them near schools.
only an idiot would go over the speed limit in a school zone. and that is what a license is all about. a little card that says you are not an idiot on the road. (mostly)

i think your from the good ol USofA if i'm mistaken mate, if so, then you should appreciate this quote more than most:

"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."
Benjamin Franklin


you people who support the general use of cameras, be it for traffic control or otherwise should grow up and stop expecting the Govt to look after you. its because we act like kids and not grown ups that Govts do the crap they do and get away with it!

[HonoredSLayer]

so you are alright if there were no cameras around your house and someone came in and stole everything you own. just saying.

what if you work at a store.
the cashiers are on camera so they don't attempt to steal money. without them they would make so many pocket withdrawals there pockets would be too full.

i would prefer to have a physical big brother watching over me be it for a good or bad reason.
this not only makes me paranoid about trying anything bad but it stops those tendencies from taking over. (like breaking things or beating people up.