Monbiot on speed cameras and the real war
in [UK Drivers]
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From: Matt B on 31 Jul 2010 10:54 On 31/07/2010 15:45, Nick Finnigan wrote: > Matt B wrote: >> >> What do you think would happen to traffic speeds and casualty rates if >> car drivers didn't assume (and weren't given) right of way over all >> traffic emerging from each and every side road and driveway or over >> all pedestrians and cyclists who wanted to cross as they drove along a >> road? >> >> What do you think would happen to traffic speeds and casualty rates >> if, as well as what I said above, kerbs were removed and the >> carriageway and footway were merged, and pedestrians, cyclists and >> motorists could and did use any part of it for travelling and for >> stopping to pass the time of day with each other and if children were >> encouraged to play on it and locals were encouraged to decorate it >> with flower beds, works of art, flower planters, benches etc? > > I live in a traditionally built British house on a traditionally built > road which has no footway and no kerbs and never has had any. The nearby > junctions do not have any signs nor markings to indicate priority. Nor > do the bus stops have any signs nor markings. It does have a > non-traditional 30mph speed limit, and non-traditional encouragement of > flower beds etc. > > Traffic speeds are exactly the same as in a modern British street. > Casualty rates are so low anywhere that there is no significant variation. That demonstrates the point I was getting at then. Do you think much would change if there wasn't a speed limit there? -- Matt B
From: GT on 31 Jul 2010 11:50 "Chelsea Tractor Man" <mr.c.tractor(a)hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message news:1g6rhma3m9rwo.zsjqy6pbxt4$.dlg(a)40tude.net... > On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:50:23 +0100, GT wrote: > >>> Because the only way that a driver could make absolutely certain that he >>> never exceeded a speed limit by even 1 mph would be for that driver to >>> consistently drive at several mph *below* the limit. >> >> So, just like every other limit in UK law. Why is the speed limit >> different? > > because you are in a dynamic situation and 30 or whatever is only > approximate to what is safe anyway. But alcohol affects people differently, just as speed and safety and that limit is not flexible - why not? Its the same argument as the speed limit - why not enforce the speed limit properly, allowing only for enforcing equipments' tolerances. 31mph is 1mph over the limit just as an extra mg in the blood is over the alcohol limit. I personally don't see a difference. No need to reply - we know your stance, this is just my opinion.
From: Nick Finnigan on 31 Jul 2010 12:08 Matt B wrote: > On 31/07/2010 15:45, Nick Finnigan wrote: >> >> Traffic speeds are exactly the same as in a modern British street. >> Casualty rates are so low anywhere that there is no significant >> variation. > > That demonstrates the point I was getting at then. You seemed to be implying that traffic speeds at junctions would be slower, and casualty rates lower, with no kerbs / markings. > Do you think much would change if there wasn't a speed limit there? No.
From: Matt B on 31 Jul 2010 12:36 On 31/07/2010 17:08, Nick Finnigan wrote: > Matt B wrote: >> On 31/07/2010 15:45, Nick Finnigan wrote: >>> >>> Traffic speeds are exactly the same as in a modern British street. >>> Casualty rates are so low anywhere that there is no significant >>> variation. >> >> That demonstrates the point I was getting at then. > > You seemed to be implying that traffic speeds at junctions would be > slower, and casualty rates lower, with no kerbs / markings. Yes, at any given location, if they were there before. They'd probably be higher in your street if such "safety" devices were now added. >> Do you think much would change if there wasn't a speed limit there? > > No. Exactly. -- Matt B
From: JNugent on 31 Jul 2010 12:58
Chelsea Tractor Man wrote: > JNugent wrote: >>> But >>> those that could were causing the problem with cars clocked up to 150mph >>> and drivers trying to race the new high speed train along the M1. I >>> seem to recall unofficial races being held up the M1 to Watford Gap and >>> back. >> Envy. > the politicians were envious? Playing up to it. |