I have a personal grudge against speed cameras. I agree that places such as schools, etc do need to protect people from idiots driving too fast, but some cameras are just not necessary.
The town I live in now has a maximum 40mph everywhere, you cannot exceed 40mph anywhere even on the main dual carriageway that used to have a national speed limit on it, one kid got run over on it and now it's the drivers who suffer. Never mind the kid who shouldn't have been there in the first place??
Now the mobile camera vans are out in force, I find myself constantly driving while looking at my speedo, how safe is that? I felt safer looking where I was going!
I bought myself a Radar Detector to help me. I don't want to speed everywhere, but I don't want to get caught out either. Often my speed will drift to 45 or 50, this device just gives me a few seconds to check my speed before I go past a camera. I am a good and law abiding driver so why should I get in trouble/fined for drifting slightly over the limit? What about drivers with no tax/insurance? Or people driving while drunk or on drugs? These people are much more dangerous so shouldn't the police spend more time and effort targeting these people???
After finding the two sites shown below I am more convinced than ever!!!! So called 'speeding' is targeted because it's an easy way to make money. Please read the police letter on the first website below. Don't even get me started on the craziness of speed bumps, lane closures, etc, etc. We had a few 3 lane dual carriageways here, one lane has been removed!!! Why? Who knows? It just creates bigger jams in rush hour? Here's something for you to try. Anyone with a half decent car, try driving at exactly 30mph and then do an emergency stop. See how far you travel before stopping. I have tried this in a number of cars, you will be surprised to find that you stop in 1 - 2 car lengths!!!! Not quite what the adverts on TV and the highway code will have you believe.
Anyway, I have said enough, the two web sites shown above say it all for me and probably do a better job. Lets all play fair with speed, lower it near schools, hospitals, etc, etc. But be fair and lets at least have increased limits on motorways and other main road.
After all, it isn't 'Speed' that kills, it's the inappropriate use of speed in the wrong places that causes problems. |
