Speeding is Bullshit

[vifferman]

I once heard thee most stupid comment I have ever heard with regards to speed cameras. It's from the UK, and I remember it word for word, just becuase it was so fukin stupid;

'The elder drivers are more likely to get a speeding ticket from a camera as they aren't often quick enough to look in their rear view mirror...'

since when has looking in the mirror got you off a ticket from a camera? fukin

Instead of just measuring your speed and flashing you at one camera as our ones do, the UK ones measure your speed between two points, so that's quite correct. After noticing you've gone past a Gatso, you can slow down before you get to the second one.

[TygerTung]

Yeah I notice that it's strange that the speed camera vans are put in places where there is likely people to be speeding, ie 7 o clock in the morning on long straights, rather than in places where there is often accidents?

Whats up with that?

[Ixion]

Yeah I notice that it's strange that the speed camera vans are put in places where there is likely people to be speeding, ie 7 o clock in the morning on long straights, rather than in places where there is often accidents?

Whats up with that?

Cos at the places where there are accidents MOST people are careful, cos they realise it is dangerous. Those that are not careful, of course, crash. Most people travelling slowly, therefore , less revenue.

What is the point of having a speed camera placed where it will not maximise returns ?

[bugjuice]

Instead of just measuring your speed and flashing you at one camera as our ones do, the UK ones measure your speed between two points, so that's quite correct. After noticing you've gone past a Gatso, you can slow down before you get to the second one.

If you re-read what you wrote, you put the same thing, but different! They both work pretty the same, mesuring the time over a set gap, and the gap isn't that big, so by the time you notice it, it's way to late anyway..

[TygerTung]

Cos at the places where there are accidents MOST people are careful, cos they realise it is dangerous. Those that are not careful, of course, crash. Most people travelling slowly, therefore , less revenue.

What is the point of having a speed camera placed where it will not maximise returns ?

I feel that speed camera's should be about road safety, not just gathering revenue for bloody polititions free lunches!

[Lou Girardin]

Instead of just measuring your speed and flashing you at one camera as our ones do, the UK ones measure your speed between two points, so that's quite correct. After noticing you've gone past a Gatso, you can slow down before you get to the second one.

On the TOP GEAR demo, the one Gatso flashed twice. That's why, at over 172 mph, they can't get a speed check. You're out of range.
Are you thinking of VASCAR?

[Drew]

Seems to me, that site is just a bit of a rant session. We allready know what they are saying, but we live in a society where minority rules. Speed cameras are obviously a revenew gathering device, Highway snakes have a quota to fill, and we all play right in to there hands, by continueing to offend.
Look at it this way, in order for us to have a problem with them, we must have broken the law by speeding, (weather or not the speed limit is realistic in this day, is irrelevent,) ergo, we have no right to stand up and bitch about them.
Don't get me wrong, I hate all fuckin highway snakes, and would burn down every speed camera I could, (given half the chance), But the law says I'm a criminal, for speeding. What-ya-gonna-do?
p.s.
If any KB's happen to be a filthy highway snake, "ha ha, you didn't have what it takes, to become a real cop!"

[Lou Girardin]

S

If any KB's happen to be a filthy highway snake, "ha ha, you didn't have what it takes, to become a real cop!"

They have to be "real cops" first. You don't go straight into traffic.
Maybe if a law is so widely flouted, it's a bad law.

[scumdog]

They have to be "real cops" first. You don't go straight into traffic.
Maybe if a law is so widely flouted, it's a bad law.

Too true Lou, you have to have what it takes to become STU/HP.

And agree to a certain extent with you second comment too, - but it's still law..

[eliot-ness]

Speeding must be the cause of more rants than any other subject in motorcycling but I wonder how many people realise how far back the problem goes. Looked up a few facts. (stuff all else to do at 2.30am)
1896. The law that demanded all powered vehicles must be preceded by a man carying a red flag was repealed. Speed limit increased to 12 mph. Bikers complained they had only to push their bikes to get a ticket.. Police were accused of being over keen.
1905 limit increased to 20mph. Bikers and car drivers testing their vehicles posted watchers to warn when police were around. (Police still had pushbikes). Later, a group of motorists formed a paid group of watchers in the form of cyclists who toured the back roads acting as lookouts. Within months of forming the group became known as the AA. and a motorcycle combination joined the ranks. Soon more motorcyclists joined and the familiar wave to warn of police presence was started. Police complained to parliament about this action, so, to avoid prosecution, the AA only waved when police weren't around. No law against not waving. This warning continued until the 60s when the AA changed to minivans.
In 1921 the police got their first pursuit bikes. By 1928 the 'flying squad' were using unmarked vehicles. Speeding prosecutions required two officers. One to check the speed, the other as a witness. Soon after the Hendon police driving school was formed.

Working from memory now. 1955 to 1960 open roads were unlimited (U.K.) Oil shortages saw the introduction of blanket speed limits, max. 60mph. This was soon followed by a temporary 50mph imit. Accidents, particularly nose to tail and overtaking increased. This prompted a no overtaking law. Double lines were painted on all roads. Overtaking was only allowed where they left a gap. More accidents, more prosecutions for dangerous driving. Politicians began to realise there was money to be made. All previous laws pertaining to speeding were dropped. Police now only needed one man per car and a charge of dangerous driving could be brought if no speeding evidence was availlable. In the mid 60s the first speed cameras made an appearance. At first, warning signs were erected in areas where they were in operation. These were soon dropped and the current war against speedsters began.
At no time has it been proved that speed was a major factor in the majority of accidents. The reverse has often been the case. Huge nose to tail accidents on the motorways of the UK and Europe are usually the result of traffic being restricted to one speed, i.e. 16 wheeler trucks. Ferraris, Morris Minors etc all travelling at the posted limit with no allowance for vehicle age or performance. A recipe for disaster, but unlimited potential for the revenue collectors.
Now, despite all the safety factors built into modern machines, we are stuck with the same speed limits as we had 40 years ago. Fatalities are still rising, and as usual bikers and motorists are getting the blame. Politicians will never admit they got it wrong. More acccidents will lead to more restrictions and heavier penalties and police will have to enforce more ridiculous laws. Being on the front line, they get the backlash.. Some may be over enthusiastic but the vast majority are doing a thankless job that I for one wouldn't want.

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Depression is anger without enthusiasm

[Drew]

I would quote you elliot ness, but that would take up another page. You are right about the cops only enforcing law they had no part in inventing, but do they have to be such asses about it, I will quote the last cop that pulled me over. "Restricted liscence eh? In that case, (chuckle chuckle,) 113kph is 42kph over the limit, not 13 as I was going to site you for." Now is that something, a civil servent, just doing his jos would say, or a deliberate attempt to piss me off. After he said that, without thinking, I told him he was a "filthy snake cunt, just being an asshole," to which he made no attempt to refute.
I am only trying to point out, They need not be so vindictive, if they are only doing what they have to. And in my experience, it is the majority that are this way.