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Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
http://www.x404.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=8964		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  pcernie [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
Quote:
Jeremy Clarkson can start pressing his itchy accelerator pedal back to the metal - the new LibCon Government isn't going to fund more speed cameras.

It's acknowledging the suspicion that the devices are being used as revenue generators, and is encouraging local councils to “use other methods and effective safety measures” to handle road safety.

Mike Penning, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, said. "The Government will not provide any more money to local authorities for new fixed speed cameras. If authorities want to put up new fixed cameras, they are free to do so using their own resources.

“There are now three times as many speed cameras in this country as there were in 2000, and the public must be confident that speed cameras are there for road safety, not as a cash cow. Under this Government, they will be."

He even questioned speeding's contribution to traffic accidents. “I know that speed has been part of the reason for many road traffic accidents, but not the sole reason for them. The growth of speed cameras has been so great that the public are concerned."


http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/18/speed_cameras/
Author:  Amnesia10 [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 7:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
I have seen some cameras in places that are simply there to raise money. It makes sense but lets see how quickly this is abandoned when they need to raise more money.
Author:  Nick [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
It's a pretty well known fact that speed cameras don't make any money, and actually cost the taxpayer.

Perhaps there are individual profitable cameras, but as a whole they cost money to run.
Author:  jonbwfc [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
Nick wrote:
It's a pretty well known fact that speed cameras don't make any money, and actually cost the taxpayer.
Perhaps there are individual profitable cameras, but as a whole they cost money to run.

It's quite hard to find an objective source of information but clicky suggests that some years they make a profit, some years they cost money. If you think about it, the public pays either way.

The problem in recent years apparently is a massive increase in vandalism - the number of cameras being wrecked/burned has rocketed and replacing them is very expensive. The issue to me seems obvious - no item of law is sustainable against the will of the majority of people who would be subject to it. If the majority don't want speed cameras - and the rise in vandalism suggests that opposition is growing - then society will find ways to rid itself of them, that's just the way organic systems like that work. Be it by overt action (i.e. vandalism) or by voting for people who say they will get rid of them.

The major point I've always considered is that the number of accidents does not vary in proportion to the number of speed cameras i.e. more speed cameras does not mean less accidents.
Author:  forquare1 [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 12:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
How many deaths have occurred on the M4 in the space of 45 miles in the last five years?

The stretch of road between Aber and Carmarthen (~45 miles) has, apparently, had seven deaths in the last five years and yet there are no speed cameras! The road is bendy with plenty of blind corners and hidden dips as well as being mainly national limit. People who know the road go (at least) national limit down them. You only want someone to think they know the road and you've got yourself a possible fatality...
Author:  finlay666 [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 3:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
forquare1 wrote:
How many deaths have occurred on the M4 in the space of 45 miles in the last five years?

The stretch of road between Aber and Carmarthen (~45 miles) has, apparently, had seven deaths in the last five years and yet there are no speed cameras! The road is bendy with plenty of blind corners and hidden dips as well as being mainly national limit. People who know the road go (at least) national limit down them. You only want someone to think they know the road and you've got yourself a possible fatality...


I do object to them on motorways purely because of the volume of traffic in areas without heavy congestion/roadworks.

I agree with the average speed cameras on road works and the adjustable speed ones in areas of heavy congestion such as around Birmingham to keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely though
Author:  Amnesia10 [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 8:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
But the problem is that they will not stick to those areas. The motorways are considerably safer than the average road even with the much higher average speeds. I would have thought that eliminating the speed cameras on motorways will have little impact on safety. The average speed ones through road works are there to really protect the construction workers, and should stay. Though why not have adjustable speeds through areas with road works.
Author:  rustybucket [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
Personally I'd rather see tailgating cameras.

If you're going to try to get people for something, it might as well be the thing that irritates me the most.
Author:  forquare1 [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
finlay666 wrote:
I agree with the average speed cameras on road works and the adjustable speed ones in areas of heavy congestion such as around Birmingham to keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely though


+1
Author:  Amnesia10 [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
rustybucket wrote:
Personally I'd rather see tailgating cameras.

If you're going to try to get people for something, it might as well be the thing that irritates me the most.

Why not just more cop cars on the roads to catch them and mobile phone users? Or is that too simple?
Author:  belchingmatt [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
rustybucket wrote:
Personally I'd rather see tailgating cameras.

If you're going to try to get people for something, it might as well be the thing that irritates me the most.


Add a 50p per use of the horn charge. You won't mind paying it for times when you have to use it, and just think of that revenue from idiots who don't understand that it is for emergencies only. ;)
Author:  Nick [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Speed cameras slide out of LibCon budget
I use my horn for road-rage on a semi regular basis.

I wouldn't be happy if I had to pay for the privilege of getting pissed off! :lol:
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