Why traffic police are a GOOD thing

[Bob]

So why is it that most times - but sadly (?) not all - when I see someone driving a bit weirdly, they're talking on their cellphone? And yet "The Powers That Be" (Feckin Eedjits That Shouldn't Be. more like) have decreed that there is insufficient evidence that cellphones are a traffic hazard to ban their use while driving? Saw an example just this morning - some twat parked acorss two lanes to turn left, and I was wondering why, till I saw he was driving one-handed and a cellphone stuck in the side of his head. AND he wasn't wearing a tinfoil hat, so the poor bastid was obiously suffering from Irradiated Brain Syndrome.

The UK/English (for those of you that get upset by the term 'UK') authorities banned the use of mobile phones whilst driving from 1st December 2003. It is permissable to use a mobile if you have a hands-free set in place.

For them to do this, the Department of Transport had to put together a consultation document, which I beleive was handled by the Transport Research Laboratory- their website is at http://www.trl.co.uk/ -hopefully you can find something useful here to send to your local/national representative.

[spudchucka]

So who does like speed cameras then?

The Govt & LTSA are about the only folks that think they are a great idea.

I still maintain however that you must be driving with your eyes shut to get snapped by one in NZ.

[spudchucka]

It wont be long before use of cell phones in cars is banned, however if you crashed and was texting at the time you would find yourself charged with careless use at the minimum.

[Lou Girardin]

If I had to choose, I'll have speed cameras over the new robot cops. At least you don't lose your licence with camera tickets.
And isn't it funny, seeing all the revelations of speeding cops lately. Bullshit Castle (Police HQ) obviously thinks it will impress the public to see cops getting booked.
But I think the public reaction is one of two types;
Some people will think that all cops treat the speed limits with contempt and a few are unlucky enough to get caught.
Others will say, how can we keep to the limits at all times when even the bloody cops can't.

[spudchucka]

But I think the public reaction is one of two types;
Some people will think that all cops treat the speed limits with contempt and a few are unlucky enough to get caught.
Others will say, how can we keep to the limits at all times when even the bloody cops can't.

Most people have more in their lives to actually not give a shit, unlike yourself.

[scumdog]

But I think the public reaction is one of two types;
Some people will think that all cops treat the speed limits with contempt and a few are unlucky enough to get caught.
Others will say, how can we keep to the limits at all times when even the bloody cops can't.

'Course there's a third lot that don't give a toss, - and there are more cops out there than a lot of people realise that have got speeding ticket and been caught on the speed camersa that take it on the chin, pay up and say nothing, yes kiddies, we all screw up now and again - and I ain't forgot that ticket I got in '87 mutter mutter....... :disapint:

[idb]

Aaargh, I can't stand it ....I have to rant!!!
The only people that get punished are the honest ones that pay up, how many times do you read about pricks who get their $9,000 worth of fines written off or tossers who are up for their 5th DIC or disqualified driving charge? How does that happen!!!?
How can they say that speed is the biggest problem and then fine you the same for 112ks if you are driving a shitbox 1950 Vanguard along the Devil's Staircase or a Hayabusa along the Canterbury Plains? How can it be that a 2004 vehicle is no more able to negotiate any road at 115km/h than one built in 1940?
They've taken all discretion from the hands of cops and now if I see one when I'm riding or driving my first reaction is 'fuck', a check of the speedo and relief that I made it past - not gratitude that he was on the road making it safe for me and others. I'm afraid that I see cops as another hazard to be negotiated.
I bet I'm not the only one and it can't be good for police force/public relations.
I could go on and on and on..........don't get me started!

[cycosis]

All late model bikes are made to go fast,bikes in general are made to go fast,thats why we ride them,well thats why i do.If i wanted to sit in traffic and be a slowby i would buy a car.Certain roads are made for going fast so i save it for them but only because track days are very rare and far away and dont cater for everybody.Any good rider knows when and when not to speed.I live to ride and aint letting the philf spoil my fun just cause they say its wrong!

[cycosis]

cops as another hazard to be negotiated.

I agree fully!Fuck them and their army!

[Bob]

If I had to choose, I'll have speed cameras over the new robot cops. At least you don't lose your licence with camera tickets.

Really? You can over here. If you are clocked at 30mph over the limit, it is an instant ban.

There is a 10/15% margin of error built into the speed the camera will react, to allow for analogue clocks being inaccurate. But there are chief constables that have called for Zero Tolerance... most amusingly, one of the ones that wanted to get rid of the leeway was caught going too fast. His defence? The speedo must have been reading wrong! Oddly, I believe he dropped his "Zero Tolerance" campaign!

One of the motoring shows (Top Gear - I think you get it over there) ran a test - in a car, but the same thing applies to all vehicles - to see how accurate analogue clocks are. They fitted the car with the most accurate speedo kit on the market and compared the results with the car's own clock.

Interesting reading. At slow speeds, the car's own clock tended to over-read, but as the pace was upped, the clock went the other way and under-read. Up at what the car's clock said was 70, it was anything up to 80 or 85.

[scumdog]

Aaargh, I can't stand it ....I have to rant!!!

How can it be that a 2004 vehicle is no more able to negotiate any road at 115km/h than one built in 1940?
I'm afraid that I see cops as another hazard to be negotiated.
I could go on and on and on..........don't get me started!

Because the 2004 vehicle is more than likely being driven by the fuck-witted progeny of equally fuck-witted parents that in natural systems would have been killed off, - only safer cars had stopped them being killed off when they screwed up their driving - natural selection has been thwarted by safer cars.
Said progeny would very likely be out of their depth guiding a side-show go-cart around the fenced circuit.

Come to think of it, cops have probably stopped a certain amount of natural selection be forcing people to drive at a speed and in a manner that they can cope with without killing themselves off!!!

[spudchucka]

I could go on and on and on..........don't get me started!

Yeah, likewise!

[spudchucka]

I agree fully!Fuck them and their army!

Good on ya Mr 19 posts.

[SPman]

Come to think of it, cops have probably stopped a certain amount of natural selection be forcing people to drive at a speed and in a manner that they can cope with without killing themselves off!!!

Passive eugenics - thats what I like to see.

[Lou Girardin]

I'm not doubting that what you say is correct bob. But having had dozens of speedos checked, I've always found them to increasingly over-read.
The electronic speedo on my Bandit consistantly shows 5% fast.