Speed Cameras Debate Archive. Old Postings from 2003

Chris Aubrey
Speed cameras in their current usage are an absolute abomination of the law, and are simply used as a cash generator. The fact of the matter is that speed used correctly in the right circumstances is not dangerous - it is when it is used in the wrong conditions or in the wrong place that it becomes dangerous. The use of speed cameras to monitor certain stretches of road would be acceptable if the speed limits were raised, and if there was some way of varying the speed limit according to road conditions. It is entirely possible for a vehicle to travel safely at 100mph on a relatively empty stretch of motorway in good weather, but that same speed would be ludicrous in heavy traffic under severe weather conditions. What there needs to be is a sensible approach to the speed issue and not the heavy handed approach that we currently get. The country is slowly being brought to a standstill as the state tries to eliminate all the risks involved with driving a vehicle - soon we will be driving along with someone walking in front of us waving a red flag again.

Jon
It may be of interest to some that the annual UK death rate for road traffic accidents has started to rise for the first time since records began. Both 2002 and 2003 show this. Significantly, the increase in deaths of children has dramatically risen. It is also interesting to note that the Police have noticed a steady increase in the number of accidents which involve a rear end collision with evidence of no or very late braking prior to the crash. It is also well know amongst certain circles that the human brain requires a certain level of risk before its owner functions at sufficient alertness to be safe driving a car. Significantly, recent experiments have shown that the optimum speed for full alertness is 112 mph. Obviously, someone unused to that speed would be unable to adequately deal with the rush of information, but a driver is far safer when driving at a speed comfortable to themselves rather than a low speed artificially imposed. This is why the Italian government have increased speeds…to maintain alertness, and it is why recent experiments where road signage has been removed from urban areas has resulted in a 50% drop in accidents…. It’s simple really…People rely on signs, cameras, car safety devices, and blind faith in their ‘driving within the limit’ attitudes…and stop concentrating. There are two things that cause accidents…Lack of consideration, and lack of concentration. Oh…one more thing. The speed limit in the United Kingdom on ALL unrestricted roads except motorways AND dual carriageways is 60 mph…..it was 50mph for a few years during the ‘70’s, and it is now 60mph again…and has been for about 20 years. On Motorways and dual carriageways it is of course 70 mph. The next time I drive past some idiot driving at 45 to 50 on a clear stretch of ‘A’ road who decides to ‘flash’ me as I pass…It is YOU who may be ‘failing to make good progress on her Majesties Highway’ mate…Read the Highway code for the first time in 40 years…. it’s in colour now and everything Oh yeah…one more…er…more thing. Speeding is not a criminal offence. It is a civil offence. You are not a criminal if you get caught speeding and get convicted. It does not go on any CRO (Criminal Record Office form)…so you can still be a Royal Footman if you so desire…..Failing to pay a speeding fine (or any other court imposed penalty) IS however a criminal offence…you have been warned…..!

Colin
Cameras-The most effective way to reduce speeding a great idea. Please fit more. How about one in Great Bridgeford.

Andrew Cope
As I travel from Cellarhead to Manchester on a daily basis, I use the A520 all the time. Yes I do travel over the speed limit at times but I leave home at 6.30 in the morning and as long as the road is dry and clear I see no problems at all in doing so. Speed cameras are not the answer to accidents SPEED is not usually the factor that causes accidents - it simply makes them more fatal - accidents are caused by dangerous driving. We rarely see police checks for bald tyres etc any more!. Over the summer there were several FATAL accidents just short of Macclesfield areound Fools Nook - an area where there are speed cameras installed - I may be wrong but from the look of all of these accidents it was careless or dangerous driving that causes these deaths ! Wake up people of Wetley Rocks - speed cameras wont help road safety in the area - maybe on road parking of residents vehicles on bends is part of the problem !

Sally-Ann Owen
Speed cameras are only put in to raise money - most are not in positions where there is a road safety issue. It would be much better to have police on the raod fining dangerous & reckless drivers - including those who won't move out of the middle or fast lane on motorways - and those who drive too slowly!

Matt Cartlidge
Why it is bad driving and not speeding that cause accidents? Speeding IS bad driving! Having a "threshold" where you can go "so many" MPH over the speed limit is such a lame excuse for speeding. If the limit was higher, people would still do 4,5,6 (or whatever) MPH above anyway. If you're a GOOD driver you don't need to loop at the speedometer 100% of the time - you KNOW when you're going too fast and should slow down. It's not a target, it's a limit - even the limit is too high at times, it depends on the situation. NO EXCUSES.

Steve
Pull the bloody things down!

Chas
Speed cameras are a simplistic means of tackling the issue of road safety. They divert attention from the real issues of incompetance, lack of concentration and downright bad/dangerous driving (none of which can easily be caught on camera. We now need to concentrate more on our speedometer reading than on road conditions, in case, going a few miles over the limit over for a few yards earns "extra road tax" deductions and, worse still possible loss of licence. What a nonsense. Get traffic police out there catching dangerous drivers

Wallace
A guy I know was done for doing 34, yes 34, in a 30 limit. 3 points and a £60 fine. If you can't afford to go 4 miles per hour over the speed limit then you'll need to look at your speedo far more than you're looking at the road, AND THAT IS DANGEROUS. If the police are intent on raking money in then I think for minor indiscretions (say, up to 10mph over the speed limit) there should be a fine only and no points. Otherwise if you are unlucky enough to get caught 4 times at 34mph you'll lose your licence, maybe your job? And yet you are a perfectly safe driver.

Richard
Whilst driving into Madeley they had a sighn that will flash 30 at you if you are doing over the speed limet. shouly this is cheeper than a camra and is a deterant.

Richard
These are ment to be SAFTY Camras sited at black spots but why on erath are they sited on a staight road that is never had an accident?? Well its becouse they just there to catch inocent drivers and to make money (TAX). yes we do speed as times but most of the time we are cought just over the speed limet. This is unfair.discreshon should be used.

adriank
70.9? the manufacturers for specification for laser devices is +/- 1 mph so you can argue you were doing 69.7 mph quite legitimately. APPEAL You have to win. Adrian

Matthew A-M
I believe that in some cases the speed cameras actually cause the 'accidents' as people slam on their brakes so they don't get a ticket! Speed camera's are getting ridiculous, i agree in 'black spots' they should be used, but there is a stretch near Meir that has no less than 5 cameras within half a mile, this is just plain ridiculous! It's a waste of money that could be spent on education or NHS or getting the unemployed into jobs! I have driven over 30,000 miles in the 2 1/2 years i've been driving and not once got a ticket, because I don't see the 'need for speed' admittedly sometimes it's nice to know you can get places quickly but it's much safer to just stay with the rules and enjoy the scenery! (oh and btw i'm 20! so no comments about age or anything!)

ian
You can be driving drunk,uninsured,faulty car,on the pavement,wrong side of road BUT go over the limit and you are done ... No need to look where you are going just look at your speedo and look for cameras !! When I win the lottery I am on the first plane out of here ..

Nick
I was caught on the A51 / A518 juction in august, and i realise this is an accident blackspot and can understand why these mobile vans are place there, however, driving today i saw a mobile van on the A449, just before the M54 junction, looking up the road back into the 60mph zone. There was no visable danger to me in this area, obviously there is the large motorway round-a-bout, but it is all clearly marked, OTHER THAN the speed limit which drops from 60 to 40mph with very little warning. In my opinion that particular location is just earning the police money. Camera's are fine in area's of risk, i.e. near schools, in residential area's or in accident blackspots etc, NOT in low risk area's. The people affected most are those who have to drive for a living, especially through area's the do not know!

Jerry D
I have no issue with cameras if they are sited where exceeding the speed limit is dangerous: e.g. residential streets, outside schools and parks. Unfortunately too many cameras are placed for revenue generation, most of the cameras on the A34 dual-carriageway Newcastle to Stafford being a good local example. To those who suggest "just stick to the limit", two main issues: 1. An *appropriate* speed on a road depends on many factors and may be above or below a posted speed limit. e.g. Weather, time of day, direction of travel, vehicle ability etc. Is 70mph on a dry, empty motorway in broad daylight really unsafe in a modern, well maintained car? 2. Too many limits seem to be set for arbitary/political/PR reasons, rather than for safety. Witness the 30mph limit on three-lane Etruria Rd (near Festival Park) which has no pedestrians, the recently reduced 60-40mph limit on A34 North of Newcastle, 40mph on A53 at Seabridge. Traffic cops can factor in allowances for both of these issues, plus have the added benefit of being able to tackle the other causes of accidents such as tail-gating, drink-driving, careless/dangerous driving, unsafe vehicles etc. Unfortunately they seem to be a dying breed, seemingly replaced by (considerably cheaper) cameras that fail to address any of these problems. I read recently that the proportion of accidents involving drink-drivers is increasing, presumably because people know how unlikely it is to be stopped. The same goes no doubt holds for drivers with no license and/or MOT. I believe far too much emphasis is placed on exceeding speed limits and far too little on the other factors: Even if you believe the government's "one third of accidents caused by speeding" claim, which I don't, what is being done about the other *two-thirds*? Personally I probably exceed speed limits at some point in almost every journey I drive, though I believe I rarely drive at *inappropriate* speeds. Just before the cries of "reckless" start flying, answer the same question honestly yourself. Then consider that I drive 20-30k miles a year and have had no accidents or convictions in 16 years of driving (touches wood). Can you say the same?

Ash
wot a con they arent speed cameras they are there to make money

Hannah
I've recently had a speeding fine on A34 (Stone Rd) & 3 points. I was travelling at 39mph & was made to believe it was a 30 zone. looking thru the net today i've just discovered that its a 40 zone. What shall i do now as i've already paid the fine & accepted the points?

John Cunningham
Cameras are a cynical rip off which is shown by there positioning to catch the unwary, not the dangerous.Innapropriate speed is dangerous not speed itself. All cameras do is make me contemptous of the police who appear as legalised robbers, who can always find time to hound a motorist but never time for Burglaries/Muggings/Yobbishness etc.

Freddie from Cannock
I thought in this country you were innocent until proven guilty ? If the photo from the speed camera does not show your face... how can this be proof that you were in fact driving the vehicle ? If the vehicle is use by several people, who gets the ticket ? If someone has put your number plate on there vehicle so they do not get a ticket, how is this proven ? All in all, a picture of a car and number plate going above the speed limit is NOT enough evidence to convict you in a court of law. Surely it is in fact the government who are breaking the law by inforcing this !

Steve
In reply to Mr Paul bentley if someone is tailgating you DON'T BRAKE be really cunning see how awake they are by dropping down two gears and letting the clutch up. You don't half slow down rapidly and the look on people faces when your brake lights don't ccme on and you shed about 20mph in a matter of seconds is a joy! Make sure you have got a towbar fitted so there car is damaged and yours is fine! Also in reply to someone else i own a modified car yet still pay £2000 for insurance on a 1.2 L Punto. Never had an accident/ points hopefully never will 4 years NCB and still because i'm 21 evry year Mr Insurance slips me his !

Steve
Speed Cameras! Where do i start! 1.You are from rural areas like myself and venture into the city, its difficult enough to drive in cities, finding where you are going, changing lanes etc and then flash flash £60 and three points! 2.People who tend to agree with speed cameras don't actually drive or have never been caught doing 70.9 on the motorway. Yes i was given a speeding ticket for this! Now who says people in modified cars don't get singled out! 3.Speeding isn't a massive crime! Wouldn't our resources be spent better on catching rapists and murderers than people who speed? Yes i know the argument well you could be a murderer if you speed. But then you 'could' be a murderer if you dropped a bannana skin on the floor and someone slipped on it! Same difference you still broke the law by dropping the rubbish! 4. Finally i DO agree with speed cameras in areas where they are needed! eg outside schools, accident blackspots, etc however when they just get erected on roads where there hasn't been an accident in years just to get some money for the Pork its a disgrace. well thats my 2 cents.

garry - Little haywood
Within 1 mile on the A51 (Colwich to the Wolseley arms pub) there are 4 speed cameras - yet on the A513 Stafford to Colwich road there are none. This is a very high risk road with several fatalities of late (plus countless deer casualties every year). Take 2 off the A51 at colwich and put them at Shugborough and Weetmans bridge if you want to bring down the numbers of accidents.

Sharon Ann Rowley
THINK ! WHEN YOU CROSS EVERY ROAD. STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN. IF You are a driver of ANY vehicle. KEEP YOUR EYES on THE ROAD, WATCH THE COLOUR of THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS. RED, AMBER, AND GREEN. BUT MOST IMPORTANT THINK ABOUT OTHERS. OR YOU May NEED SOME HELP. PAIN LASTS A LIFETIME. I CAMPAIGN FOR ROAD SAFETY. NOT JUST TODAY BUT 365 days a year. BECAUSE I cross roads, drive a car and most IMPORTANTLY I have been a RTA victim & a survivor.

john harvey
WEtley Rocks to Cellarhead, is most urgent for speed cameras,ref. the accidents

tony
Whatever happened to the Green Cross Code? Why should motorists take all the blame - What about inconsiderate predestrian's who just step onto the road without any care for themselves or motorists. Stop - Look - Listen

Phil.
In reply to Warren's message. SPEED DOES KILL. Poor driving skills do cause accidents but its the speed of the vehicle/vehicles at the time of the accident that is biggest factor between some one being killed or just suffering injury. There are thousands of people out there who have lost loved ones who would still be here if the speed limit had been adered to. Their are cases where the speeding motorist was not the cause of the accident but their speed was the cause of the death. Every speed limit has been set to suit the type of road/hazzards in that area so exeeding these limits equates to POOR DRIVING SKILLS.

ALE
come on lets have something done in the Meir Tunnel area this place is deadly .You go to L/Pool and use those Tunnel.s you will not find much speeding in those areas

David L WATTS
From Eccleshall to the M6 Junction 15 on the A519 there are NO speed limits, NO cameras, MANY accidents , a number of DEATHS. Weekends become a race track as everybody knows it is a speed limit/camera free zone.

Ron Dorricott
Bradbury Lane on the way from Pye Green to Hednesford at the common view area is in desperate need of a camera. Drivers speed over the brow of the hill at high speeds and at all times of day and night. i have had a daughter run over just off the brow of the hill. Occasionally we have mobile speed traps set by police, but we need something more permanant. Thanks for listening Ron..

Paul B
I have just been nicked for 39 in 30 usual points etc, I did not know the town I was driving in and the camera was on a corner! I feel gutted I am now a criminal !!!!

Sharon
I agree with speed camera's and personally I don't think you should inform people where the mobile unit is??

Ian
I agree with having speed cameras but I think £60 and 3 points is too harsh.

phil d
one last this .. dont know why i get up in the morning no more .. as the hole thing of life seems to be about money ..these speed cameras make a lot of it.. but always a but .. where dose it all go .. not to the police im told .. must go to them £5000 tolet seat's what this goverment buy's and what a lot use that dose us good old working brit's .. the police need money to police not swindle the poor old motorest :-( ..

phil d
well this info aint much good as one of the van's a mile away at this moment in time 23/10/2003 at 8:46pm and im in stoke ..

G A Jackson
the A.53 from market drayton comm. 30mph@ loggerheads after 9pm(21.00)most vehicles doing over 60mph.please take a look at this location.

Chris Davison
Is there any need for a speed limit OUTSIDE a built up area? Inside such an area, enforcement by a visible police presence would have a better overall effect on total driving standards (I am assuming the the earlier letter purportiong to be from a Mr Sole is a spoof that you haven't spotted yet !)

John O
Before the speed camera: Motorist drives past supposed danger spot at 40mph looking at road. With speed Cameras: Motorist drives up until nearly at speed camera...brakes and stares at spedo until speed is just less than 30 and then returns his view to the road... Yeah...far safer (smirk :) Prime minister...what do you want to do with the extra half a billion this year?

John
First a few points: In reply to Albert (right at the bottom)who says that the answer is to hide the cameras again...No. If the government's aim is to slow people down as they claim....making them hihly visible is the best way of doing this. However I believe that this country's preoccupation with speed is ridiculous. Yes some people recklessly speed and should be punished, but cameras also catch people on empty motorways at 3.30 in the morning doing 90mph who are perfectly safe. A far greater danger on the roads is people who look at their passengers when they talk to them...or people who try to drive at 70 with their mobile phones (or Hot Coffee) on the motorway.....or the old granny I saw last week who drove two foot onto the kerb when she went round a bend....or people who jump red lights...etc etc. My gripe with cameras is they have no intelligence and it often seems to be joe public getting caught, rather than the true criminals who are driving under the influence in an untaxed, uninsured car!

Graham Steele
Could you provide the same feature for Preston Lancs?

Deano
I think that speed cameras are a joke. I reckon that the speed limit of 30 mph is to low. Paying for road tax and insurance is enough. I think this is another way for the government to earn more money from us.

Mike Hidrew
Re-MARK LOVE (see above) So you pay £1800 car insurance do you? The (a) You must be off your head and (b)I don't care how much mileage you do it must be cheaper to get a taxi and tell him to go fast, all in comfort. So your car is worth less than £1000 is it, I should'nt bother me lad See above re Taxi's. Now then OAP's doing 30mph, really, i've gdriven all sorts of vehicles from tank transporters to go-carts over 40 years and half a million miles and can say with honesty I've never ever seen anybody (out of town) doing 30mph! Car modified eh? serves you right, why mod a banger? Do you want to go fast? Faster than the speed limits? Why? I checked years ago the difference over 60 miles flat out and leisurely (ie 60 where allowed) diff? 5 mins. You'll grow out of it, and for all our sakes, soon. We all did it but learnt our lessons -- "OLD FOGEY"

Bazza
It is, of course, true that speed is a factor in 100% of road accidents. If we did not move our cars, bikes, trucks, buses etc there would be no collisions. Those who claim that speed causes accidents miss the point entirely. It is bad attitudes and bad driving, which may or may not include inappropriately high, or low, speeds that can sensibly be blamed for road accidents. I think, for example, that the fairly common practice of accellerating on amber to beat a red light displays the kind of selfish, insensitive and aggressive attitude that is the real cause of most of the grief on the roads. I would rather see cameras and fines for this and other recordable examples of bad driving than speeding. The higher the speed the worse the results of the accident but it is bad driving that causes the collision in the first place. To concentrate almost exclusively on speed just because it is cheap and easy to measure it is a cop out and will be ineffective ultimately.

Warren
Anybody who thinks speed kills obviously does not understand the first thing about the subject in question. The cause of 90% of accidents is becasuse of poor driving skills. If you don't understand the first statement, you won't really understand the second. Don't worry, go back to driving the middle lane of the motorway and think about it...

Sean Green
OK, some facts. 93% of accidents are not caused by speeding. In fact the number one cause is SMIDSY... sorry mate I didn't see you. Speed cameras do not correct this number one cause of accidents. Education does. There are headline grabbing stats about the evil of speeding but I suggest those who quote the stats actually read the reports of source as I have spent three years doing. They prove beyond doubt that speeding is rarely a cause of accidents and that speed cameras rarely make any difference. Lets just get that straight first. Logically, therefore, this leaves me with the only conclusion remaining, speed cameras are revenue earners. Fact. Secondly, the law clearly states that a citizens right to silence can ONLY be removed during a state of war or extreme national emergency. The Police and authorities know this and have consistantly abused our right to silence. It is time the British people stood up and reclaimed there right to silence, irrespective of the cause, speeding or otherwise. Its time to stop this liberty creep now, otherwise what powers will the state claim for itself next? Finally those running these schemes know the above to be true. Its time our so called public servents tendered there resignations as it is not acceptable for them to contine in office when they have knowingly deceived us just to keep the vocal far left motorist hating minority happy.

Kondor
I dont get it, I mean, who at one time or another hasnt gone over the speed limit? Do the police pull everyone they see speeding? The simple fact is that these things are pretty usfull if used correctly. But the present situation is they are a joke, last year speeding fines total was over 900,000,000. is it any supprise? They really need to put these in accident black spots and stop fobbing us off that it isnt about money. The way it is going pretty soon they will be rendered usless by people using there brains and slowing the fine system down. Stupid people. I wonder how you lot feel about Radar detectors? you know, those devices that tell you when these "accident blackspots" are comming up.

Keith Rowley
Being an OAP myself, I can wholeheartedly agree with Andrew's Comments. From what you have said in your comment Mark Love, it is your own fault that your insurance is so high. You have the option to Mod your car or not and it is the likes of me, fellow OAP's keeping your insurance so low!!!!! For instance, should you have the freedom to do the speed you so desire, you would crash, write off your car and have to pay yet more on your insurance. Do us all a favor and catch the bus in the future then you won't have so much road rage being behind OAP's like me!

Andrew Hickerman
Mr Mark Love. Perhaps your car insurance of £1800 per year is justified, it seems that you moaning about oap drivers doing 30mph might just be saving some poor soul their life if they have the unfortunate experience of meeting you on some straight piece of road. Heaven forbid if you need to tackle a bend at high speed. it,s complete ******* idiots like you that push insurance premiums up in the first place.

GARY JONES
THE MOTORISTS ARE AWARE AND KNNOW WHERE THEY ARE,SO ON APPOACH THEY ARE SPEEDING THEN DRAG THE VEHICLES BRAKES.THERE IS NO CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS, JUST SPEED UNTIL CAMERA IS VISABLE AND DRAGG THE BRAKES ,, YOU CAN TELL WHEN A CAMERA IS CLOSE 2 U AS THE SPEEDING VEHICLES SHOWING BRAKE LIGHTS AT LAST MINITE THE AMOUNT OF RUBBER MARKS LEADING UP 2 THE SPEED CAMERA IS MORE NOTICEABLE,THE PASSING POINTS WHICH ENABLE U 2 SLOW DOWN AND GIVEWAY ARE MUCH BETTER, IT SLOWS THE TRAFFIC DOWN AND U GIVEWAY UV SEEN THEM THEIR TARMAC PADS IN THE ROAD AND GIVEWAY BOLLARDS PRESENT AS APPOACH 2 SANKEYS CORNER BURNTWOOD

Wayne
I agree with the consensus that speed cameras are in general not placed where they're needed: schools, minor roads, black spots. I see a LOT of people speeding on such roads on my way to work and not one of them stopped for the act of say, doing twice the speed limit or overtaking round a blind bend. Cameras don't pick this up. Nor do they pick up the attitude of such people when remonstrated; violent, obnoxious behavior and intimidation is part of their psychological makeup and this has been the case for many years. What cameras do pick up, are situations where it is easy to break laws that have not changed since the sixties; why do they place them so prominently on carriage ways? Why? Because the local council and the government knows that such indirect tax never has to be accounted for and can easily be pumped into propping up such institutions as 'Welcome to Britain Johnny Foreigner Ltd.' If speed cameras were placed where they are actually needed people would not have a problem with them. You are far more likely to be seriously injured on a minor road than you ever are on a dual carriage way due to the constantly changing nature of that Road. But at the end of the day, we must remember that this is the British Government we're dealing with; allowing people to live a healthy, tax-free and prosperous lifestyle was never part of its mission statement..

Mark Love
I am disgusted in the way motorists are treated by the police and the goverment. i have to pay £1800 yes £1800 for car insurance for a car valued at under £1000. and i cannot drive over a speed bump at more than 5mph due to my car being modified. and why are there speed camera's at every straight bit of road and i'm sick of being stuck behind some oap crawling along at 30mph. yes sometimes speed might kill. but i believe its the people who cant drive and people who arn't concentrating who cause the accidents not speed.

Martin
We keep being told that speed cameras can only be put in locations where there have been numerous fatal accidents. How many camera places are there in Staffordshire where there have never been a fatal accident? We are told that cameras can't be put in Wetley Rocks as it doesn't meet the criteria yet there have been 3 fatals recently. They are only put in for one thing and that is to make money.

tom
as i have said in my previous comment still stands but i think the biggest arguement the general public have got is that they seem to put camera,s in places where the only danger is to wild life.if the public just stop and think a bit, if it was one of their family who was knocked down and killed,what would their reaction to camera,s be then i honestly think that haveing to look for camera,s that the driver is then focussed on the activity around i think one of the main problems is that every-one in the world seem,s to be in a mad rush.at the end of the day will people only listen when its too late think about it.

jr
Have read thro the cmaera/bumps postings with interest. Is it to much to hope for a police and /or council comment/

Mavin Johnson aka Stavros Papadopolous
A few months ago I received a letter informing me that I had set off a speed camera and handing me a £60 and three points. However a friend of mine from Greece was driving at the time. I informed the police of this, however my friend has never heard anything from them. Now if my friend had burgled a house or killed someone they would surely chase that up with the Greek authorities to get justice, inspite of the costs. The fact that they dropped the matter pretty much proves that they are only in it for the money. The fact that they never chased him up and that they accepted my word that I was driving makes me far less worried about speed cameras.

tom
speed cameras are put there for a reason like it or not the control of speeds on our roads to day is somthing of a concern but until some other deterrent is thought of every-body will have to abide by what ever system we have in operation. i don,t like the camera,s like every-one else. at the end of the day don't forget these cameras catch normally any-one with-out consideration for others so until another device comes out and can do a better job... tuff!

craig jones
WHY OH WHY are all the speeders business men in there flash company cars ?????? as if they dont have anything better to do ...

Alan Fogarty
Please telll me cos I really do not understand, are mobile cameras legal where thyet are operated from the rear of a van which is usually facing you as on comming traffic, where the camera is located in the rear of the van where you can not see the camera until you have passed the van. There are no signs to say that this is a speed detection unit or no markings at all on the van. I thought that all such detection vans and cameras and personnel had to be clearly identified (as regulations state) ?????

Dave
The reason for having speed bumps in a 30mph zone is to keep the traffic at 30mph. Most of the time if you hit the bumps at 30mph, you're going to smash you're suspension. If you have to slow down to go over the bump, you have to speed up again afterwards, in other words, where is the point? All they do is ruin your suspension and increase fuel consumpion.

David
Years ago if your where stopped by the police, it was down to common sense if the driver was dangerous or had a problem complying with the law, and in some cases a ticking off, and a tail between your legs would suffice, but now you are an instant criminal in a blink of an eye. Could you imagine the same tactic being applied to Murders or muggers..."We may have evidence of you killing someine, could you please fill in this form and hand yourself in to the nearest police station..." . Bring back the traffic police and lets get rid of these tax earners now. The motorist needs a voice!

brendan murray
get rid of all the cameras and speed bumps, as was stated earlier, the cameras are just another way for the government to collect revenues to feed their insatiable appetite. Government should be there to guarantee our inalienable rights to life liberty and PROPERTY (John Locke) it is such a shame that we have allowed ourselves to be put under this bondage, dont you think??

Colin H
I think they should actually site some cameras along the main chase road. The advisory 40 limit there to protect the deer, whilst respected by many, is blatantly ignored. There are an alamrming number of deer killed by speeding motorists who forget they too could risk serious injury. At least make that 40 compulsory! I have been overtaken there by people doing in excess of at least 70mph, only to end up behind them at the lights for Rugely - so much for getting there quicker!

George Goodall
Get out of bed 5 minutes earlier and observe the limit even in between cameras

REG
What's the big issue? If you don't break the law then why should these cameras bother you?

terry
hey, did you know that if you get speed trapped at silly time and place, a letter can get you off the hook. Also, you can lead them a merry dance with the form they send you. Refer to an un named family member or a named driver with no fixed abode or driving license

Mat Lear
Speed cameras are to me nothing more than a stealth tax for the government to make money. Speed causes accidents yes. But so does bad driving, drink & drugs driving, bad sight, poor road conditions, distractions from stupid bystanders, and do you see the government clamping down on any of these? Of course not, cause they can't make money from them! Aren't you making enough money from the motorist already? And the government wants TOLLS on our roads? Get lost Tony, and take your damn speed cameras with you.

Pete A
While i can'nt say i like speed camera's anything is preferable to the growing menace of SPEED BUMPS i would like to see a stop to this growing menace at the end of some run of speed bumps i feel really wound upand sea sick!! mobile speed camera's in place of speed bumps would much better, i would like to see a lobby group set up to ban for ever speed bumps!!!!!

teddyboy
the use of these cameras is a necessary evil, as the lunatics passing me on any road need controlling, and no, i am not trying to say that i never exceed the limit,but only in places and at a time when the camera should, with any sense, be turned off.

Zanx
Money is central to the war on drivers, why else would there be cameras on dual carriageways with no entrance, no exit and no lay by? We seem to have lost our Joi de vie!

Les Alden
Yes, I agree that exceeding the limit is breaking the law but what everyone really wants is less casualties. The problem I have is stats show that most (93%) accidents happen below the speed limit. No matter how many cameras you have, they can't tackle the 93% (= 3000 deaths a year). Only officers on the road and driver education can bite into that. For instance 50% of collisions between cars and children happen when the car is going backwards. Anyone ever seen anything on the tele about that? No. Cameras are mainly for producing income and justifying cuts in traffic police - not road safety.

C. O. Jones
How often are speed limits reviewed for their relevance? Allthough they seem to be comming down, Italy has recently raised its national speed limit to reduce accidents. The roads are overpoliced when the resources would be better spent fighting crime. Victims or burglers, muggers and thiefs see little help from the police and the real criminals are given extremely low sentences. It's all a money spinner, for the Government to pay for legal aid for people who should be locked up.

Keith Walker
So, wonder how many more people they will have to kill before they give up on speed cameras. Remember that when they got rid of the traffic division of the police and decided to rely on cameras they managed to achieve a 30% increase in the number of deaths.

El Gordo
If cameras were sited only as the law now allows, i.e. in accident blackspots, and sites where people are vulnerable (i.e. near schools) then I don't think anyone would have cause for complaint. However, the police and government are alienating themselves from the general public by siting them where traffic volume is greatest and road quality/safety adequate to encourage higher speeds. This increases the numbers caught and raises the government extra money, and in some forces the police keep some too, hence the proliferation of civilian/police partnership speed camera teams in big white vans. The unfortunate effect of their revenue-raising capabilities can be seen in Nottinghamshire and Essex where the traffic units have been abolished and so the numbers of untaxed, uninsured, unlicensed drivers actually being stopped has decreased - as have the numbers of unroadworthy cars, badly driven cars, road-rage driving incidents, and the amount of discourteous driving (such as fog-lights constantly on, intentionally blocking other people's progress through pettiness, and the dangerous act of blocking a filtering motorcyclist is on the rise too. Cameras do nothing to pick this up and police it. Nor can they administer CPR to an accident victim. Finally, did you know the highway code hasn't been updated since the late 60's in relation to stopping distances? However, cars and motorbikes have been constantly developing and can now stop in less than half the distance noted in the highway code, so to suggest people speeding means they will stop in X-feet instead of Y-feet based on the highway code figures, and as a result will kill people is poor use of information. Yes, it takes longer to stop from 40mph than 30mph, but you'll still stop within the highway code figures for 30mph.

Mike
I'm amazed at the way people bleat about the speed cameras and the way they reckon their civil liberties are infringed. If any of us exceed the speed limit, then we're breaking the law, so it's down to us all to make the choice. Stealing a pack of sweets from the supermarket is theft in exactly the same way as stealing a bottle of whisky - likewise whether you're five or fifteen mph over the limit, you're fair gane to the law enforcers.

Ale
If you are speeding then your vehicle is controlling you. If you keep to the speed limits then you are controlling your vehicle It is as simple as that

Stuart
The problem here is that you are making a criminals out of people who, in most cases are law abiding. I really cannot see why it is such a huge issue to a few mph over the limit. No limits on the german motorways and fewer accidents. What does that say. Speed has become a police obsession. Quick rewards for little work. Pathetic

Jason
Us boyracers need some where to go to test our cars out, anyone any suggestions, prefably places wihtout speed cameras

John Williams
There is supposed to be a 40 MPH speed limit going through the Meir Tunnel. Am I the only one to observe this speed? What happened to the speed checks?

xxx
Julie, try driving over the speed bumps diagonally, bit of a pain, but it does give you more clearance. I struggle a lot with my Jaguar clearing bumps and this is one way to do it. There is also a legal height / width for bumps. If the ones by you are too big, make the council pay for your exhaust.

R Williams
You have two choices when motoring in britain today, if you are totally 'road legal', then this MUST extend to your speed. On the other hand, if you dont give a toss for highway legality (vehicle registration, licencing, insurance, testing Tax etc., then why worry about speed cameras, they will never find you anyway! No, only the legitimate need be concerned.....as usual!

poppet jones-rye
Please put speed cameras on the d-road many times i have been overtakenwith cars going very fast when i was going at 70pm

Debbie Denning
speed cameras are a vital thing in preventing dangerous driving

Antony Forst
Having recently been caught by a camera in Dividy Road, for being 10mph over the 30 limit; I'm really annoyed! I know that ther has to be a limit, but I've driven past the said camera loads of times, and never been caught at 40mph i'm sure. Is this fair? I now think that its just a way of collecting money for the police.

David Gibson
Speed camera's are a good deterrant in the right situation but there are many sites awash with the things now and when you are looking out for cameras and watching your speedo you are not watching the road. There are sites where the cameras are not bringing in enough revenue and the speed limit has been reduced to increase this for no reason. No wonder the driving, and other members of the public view the police with distrust and contempt. Ask anyone who drives down a road with speed humps where they are looking as they drive, it will not be on the pavements for pedestrians. Traffic calming begins with education not punishment and the police are very badly educated in that department and have have the 'jobsworth' attitude from the top down.

j.mellor
i think the police concentrate too much on motorists because it`s soley for the reason that it`s self financing

tony h
Why on earth is there a 30mph speed limit on the dual carriageway between Festival flyover and MFI roundabout? Totally pathetic.

Jon
Shouldn't GATSO speed cameras that are monitoring both sides of the road have a yellow band on both the back and front of the camera body? Many of these 'unmarked' GATSO's are very difficult to see at this time of the year when summer rain lowers overhanging foliage from trees. In this situation the GATSO is almost invisible even to most eagle- eyed motorist.

Ian h
Whilst agreeing with speed reduction in built-up areas, why have cameras on non-pedestrianised roads eg parts of the A34, M6 etc? Recently released figures show we have the safest motorways in the world - no arguement for the safety campaigners- despite having 30 million vehicles on one of the smallest road networks in Europe. Also a camera taking your picture doing 140mph may stop you later with a ban but surely you should be stopped at the time by a patrol.In addition, I would agree that some of the police tactics alienate motorists as there is clearly a component of revenue raising - pity the police took such disinterest on the three times my car has been broken into yet quite happily `do` you for being 1mph over the limit!!

A Snail
Why are the speed limits not painted on the actual cameras so that there is no comfusion as to the speed limit where the camera is sited?

Ron
Speed does not kill; lack of attention to the road and surroundings and other road users kill. What, in law, is the basis for speed humps? if a road is posted as a 30mph limit (maximum) and they want to slow traffic down - housing estate or near a school - why not post the speed limit as 20 mph. Cameras generate income to be used for more cameras and not the police force in general. Why not concentrate more on drives not paying attention to the road, e.g. using maps, mobile phones, turning around to shout at the kids, brushing hair, applying make-up etc. These probably cause more accidents than speed alone. Let us be fair to all drivers and apply common sense (sadly lacking these days). Operation of cameras for speed alone at 2:30 in the morning is not common sense.

Tony
I think speed cameras for revenue are a great idea. It is perfectly reasonable for those unable to control themselves in a civilised society to be penalised in some way, and financially is as good a way as any. People hate paying taxes, but taxes pay for police and other services. I say, let those who want to speed pay extra for their desire (but it should be a far bigger amount than today's £40-£50...more like £200). And the cameras should be linked together on a system which measures your average speed between the two points to prevent people from slowing down only for the current 'spot-check'. Ask yourselves how you would feel if you lost your partner or a member of your family hit by a speeding motorist. And if that speeding motorist is YOU...just think!

Dave
Thank goodness I don't live in speed camera/bump Britain anymore. The zeal of the speed bump and camera fans beggars belief. Self righteous and serminising Volvo drivers all. Most roads before I left last year were virtually impassable to normal (ie. non-4x4) traffic. I'm sure Mr Macadams original idea was that roads enable vehicles to get from one place to another in reasonable comfort. Here in my new country there are speed bumps - but they are low so as not to damage cars and are placed only where there is a need. This is in stark contrast to what seems to be the mechanism in Britian where whinging zealots get to put inappropriate tank traps in roads near their houses. I'm sure this is to enable them to enjoy the spectacle of watching from behind their twitching curtains the anguish and discomfort of people trying to get to and from work to pay their taxes to pay the people behind the twitching curtains their pension or dole. Any dissent concerning these montrosities is met with "but it's for safety - think of the kids" and you can't make any argument that wouldn't sound like you're an unconcerned monster against that blank cheque of an excuse.

Mr R. Sole
Speed cameras are there for the safety of everyone. If you do not obey the letter of the law then you will be punished. It's simple, the message is drive slow and accidents will stop.

eddy atkins
i agree to some extent on speed camera's but driving through Endon and such places at 4-30am at 30mph is a joke, surly there should be some sort of time restriction at such places

Bob Arnold
dangerous driving and not being aware are definately the main reasons for accidents. Although, undoubtably, the faster you go the more likelyhood of a serious injury in an impact, there are too many people driving without care or consideration. Those driving like idiots only get their comeuppance if they pass through a camera over the speed limit.More drug test and alcohol tests please. It would also be progress if noisy cars were stopped and checked.I am told that motorcyclists are regularly and uneccessarily stopped in some areas.

Martin
The French have a wonderful way of making people think about their speed. At places where fatal accidents have occured in the past, black wooden "people" (one per death) are staked at the roadside. It certainly touched me and made me slow down when I saw one! Sometimes at accident blackspots there were several 'souls' within the space of a couple of hundred metres....

A Price
I have always been an advocate of speed limiting, especially in residential areas. I do think that cameras MUST under all circumstances be accompanied by very good signage .

keith
In April I recieved a prosecution notice from Lancashire Police for apparantly doing 35 m.p.h. in a 30 zone ( by a mobile camera,although they will not show me the evidence to support this) I for one agree that speeding needs to be stopped, but surely some common sense should be used.Are the police trying to alienate themselves by prosecuting decent people and the real culprits always seem to get away. I have tried to talk to someone in authority as to why a person can be prosecuted when in their own mind they have done nothing wrong. Surely this is a human rights issue. If someone has an answer i would like to know.

d.tomkins
I have noticed that the roads that have speed cameras or mobile cameras usually are difficult to ascertain just what the speed limit is.Surely it would be cheaper to provide clear indications of the speed limits so that law abiding citizens can obey the limits.

Jill Painter
Could I suggest that speed cameras are installed along Orbital Way/ The Orbital in Cannock? Friday night like a race track!

Steve Szulc
While driving in Germany a few years ago I came across a very good idea for slowing traffic down on the approach to schools and other areas. Radar controlled traffic lights were situated before the school and set to change to red when vehicles approached above the speed limit. Because drivers were inconvenienced by having to stop for these lights most observed the limits. Although this has the effect of slowing traffic and improving safety, it costs but does not generate any income, and I would suggest that most local councils would not be interested.

Phil
The problems are always pointed towards the vehicles speed, no one ever sugest that pedestrians cause a lot of the problems, crossing within 20 metres of a crossing facility ( which cost thousands of pounds) there is a Law I hope that forbids Jay Walking as well as the Law for Excess speed. A34 Doule c?way shopuld have a parking ban on it, the cars are always there which causes a bottle neck. This country is becoming polution alwaer but we seem to be causing most by not letting the traffic flow.

Jim Muir
I have paid £60 and gained 3 points for travelling at 52 mph on a duel carriageway. My fault, I didn't register the 40 mph sign. I think that the measures taken to reduce speed are some of the best steps in public safety we have ever introduced. Just look at the decline in deaths and serious injuries that has resulted. If we didn't drive over the limit we wouldn't need the controls.

Mike Meldrum
I honestly think that the police realise that crime has got out of control to such an extent that they (we did years ago!) have given up trying to control it and are taking the line of least resistance, i.e. us poor motorists

Paul Bentley
I drive from stoke to stafford every day and am constantly amazed by the number of dangerous drivers on the roads.Speed is just one factor.Agressive driving, driving too close to the car in front, reckless overtaking, these all contribute to the accident rate and speed cameras do nothing to help control this.People need to be constantly reminded about the consequences of such dangerous driving habits either through t.v.,radio or roadside signs.These people don't seem to realise that they are putting both their own and many innocent lives at risk for the sake of gaining a few minutes on the journey time.I agree with Leon Wells when he says that the cameras are justified in certain places but these mobile vans will not make the roads safer!

Mrs E Ridge
we really need some sort of speed camera's or speed humps on Congleton Road Mow Cop, at the junction with Sands road.. We are afraid to come out of our drive most days because the cars etc, seem to appear out of nowhere.

Bill
Why do the police spend so much time and money on speed cameras instead of investigating burglaries, muggings etc.? And are we really expected to believe the speed limit is set perfectly for every yard of road - sometimes 30 mph's too fast, sometimes it's too slow. Speed bumps also slow down emergency vehicles - is that what we really want? Time to end the anti-speed mania!

Leon Wells
I believe that speed cameras could be justified in certain places. For example outside schools (there is one outside Endon High School Stoke) However the current mobile speed camera locations can only be descibed as revenue cameras. Placing a camera van on the A51 at the end of the 40 Zone Dual carrige in weston, just before you enter the National Speed limit bears no relevance to safety, there are no pedestrians around for miles and its a dual carrige way, if they placed the camera on the other side near the bad junction that would make more sense.

steve miles
It's obvious to me that the police concentrate on cameras because they raise income. Why do i say this? I have cycled to work along the A34 for several years. There are now cameras and a reduced (70 down to 60) speed limit. For a cyclist this road is definitely more dangerous that several years ago. Why? More traffic. Also roundabouts have been altered or built without any regard for cyclists safety. There are no cycle lanes on my route and elsewhere the cycle lanes are a joke. As a car driver as well, I am totally unimpressed by 'safety' initiatives.

Zoe Simmonds
Milton Grove on Highfields in Stafford would benefit from some form of traffic management as this road is the link from Sundown Drive to Tennyson Road and cars travel down there at ridiculous speeds! Perhaps speed cameras are the answer here as there are enough speed bumps over Highfields and Western Downs already.

Albert Perry
Drivers quickly become aware of the locations of speed cameras, and you get the situation of them slowing down for the camera, and speeding away as quickly as possible until the next one. I firmly support the aim of reducing road accidents and deaths caused by speeding, but to achieve this it is necessary to hide the camera deterrents - not to advertise them.

julie parton
I'd rather have speed cameras than the over sized speed bumps springing up all over Cannock. They have reduced the speed limit to 10mph for everyone except vans and 4x4's. Since 4 were placed on my route to work and despite creeping over them at 10mph I've had to have a new cat and the exhaust is sounding awful again ... why should I have to pay for others recklessness? And no I've never had points deducted from my licence nor had to make an insurance claim and been found at fault in 22 years of driving!