Monbiot on speed cameras and the real war
in [UK Drivers]
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From: GT on 29 Jul 2010 08:59 "Adrian" <toomany2cvs(a)gmail.com> wrote in message news:8bdbpoFrouU4(a)mid.individual.net... > "GT" <a(a)b.c> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying: > >> The drink drive limit is a certain number of mg per litre of blood. If >> you are over the limit, then you are booked, pointed and fined. Why is >> the speed limit considered less rigid? Is it because most people >> consider it to be too low? Is it that most people don't notice that they >> are speeding? If the speed limit was increased from 30 to 33, then >> everyone booked who broke it by even 1mph, would there be an outcry? If >> the limit is 30, then why is 32 considered OK? Why have a limit? >> Discuss?!! ;-) > > It is a damn sight easier to unwittingly exceed the speed limit than it > is to exceed the drink-drive limit, and strict obedience of the speed > limit distracts attention from other - more important - aspects of safe > driving. Oh I don't know about the unwittingly part - I think its much easier to look at a speedo needle and decide if it is too close to the 30mph mark than try to work out how many half pints at 3.5% can you have before you will record an 'over the limit' reading 1 hour and 43 minutes after drinking the first sip? If you are very concerned about the 30mph limit, then that needle should never go near the 30 mark. If you are concerned about the drink driving limit, then the that mouth should never go near the alcohol!
From: Adrian on 29 Jul 2010 09:25 Chelsea Tractor Man <mr.c.tractor(a)hotmail.co.uk> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying: >>> if you drive normally and carefully through a city street (in a way >>> that would not invite prosecution) and a child runs out from behind a >>> car right in front of you, or an idiot cyclist jumps the lights, your >>> speed will determine if he lives or dies. For that reason we have low >>> speed limits as a *safety* measure in towns. >> Do you need a number in a ring to tell you that? > many people do need it And yet we've all - including you - already agreed that the speed limit may very well be considerably higher than a safe and appropriate speed, and therefore the ability to judge that appropriate speed without reference to the limit is a core competence for any driver. > but my point was the speed limit *is* a safety measure. I know it is. But you just don't seem to be able to support that point with any rational and accurate arguments. You always come back to "Because it is".
From: Adrian on 29 Jul 2010 09:26 Chelsea Tractor Man <mr.c.tractor(a)hotmail.co.uk> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying: >> It is a damn sight easier to unwittingly exceed the speed limit than it >> is to exceed the drink-drive limit, and strict obedience of the speed >> limit distracts attention from other - more important - aspects of safe >> driving. > not really, you can fail morning after. Every time I've had enough to drink that it may be an issue, I've been very well aware of the fact in the morning.
From: Adrian on 29 Jul 2010 09:27 Chelsea Tractor Man <mr.c.tractor(a)hotmail.co.uk> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying: >>> May at 250 wasnt driving carelessly or dangerously, if he did it on a >>> motorway it would be the *speed* that was the danger >> So you'd expect him to be on the receiving end of an SP50 if tugged, >> would you? > no, the speed alone would be judged dangerous driving So he wouldn't actually be being prosecuted for any offence directly relating to or even referencing the prevailing speed limit, then?
From: Matt B on 29 Jul 2010 09:31
On 29/07/2010 14:19, Chelsea Tractor Man wrote: > On Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:54:48 +0100, Matt B wrote: > >> I suspect that it would be more cost effective that attempting to >> calculate the appropriate speed limit, and enforce it, for every mile of >> suburban road. > > We already calculated a reasonable speed limit, I now see most people > pretty much keeping to it because od cameras and public opinion. No, they are a compromise - and don't work. There are still 2000+ fatalities on our roads each year. It's not safe to drive past a busy school at chucking-out time at 30 mph (or even at 20 mph), yet it happens and is perfectly legal. Recent DfT stats show that 48% of cars and 51% of light vans break the 30 mph speed limit by 5 mph or more. Experiences in Brighton show that simple road design changes can virtually eliminate road serious casualties and reduce traffic speeds dramatically. -- Matt B |