Speed Cameras - A Stealth Tax on Motorists?

neil01 · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 12:20 pm Post subject:

I agree with Crad.

A example of how the idiots still continued to drive dangerously, only slowing down for the cameras, but in such a way as to be an additional danger was given; but this is an example of cameras making the roads more dangerous, and in the example given, certainly not generating any revenue. Yet, it is these 'idiots' which need to be dealt with, something which the cameras fail to do. They will treat someone who has accidentally slipped over the limit (yet who is otherwise driving safely, and who would previously just got a ticking off and told to watch their speed) exactly the same as someone driving dangerously at the same speed. Yet someone who is driving dangerously (but below the speed limit) is ignored.

Rule of law requires the majority of the people to agree with it; the consequences are not pleasant if they do not (poll tax riots is all I have to say). While not suggesting that there will be speed camera riots, we are already seing many of the cameras systematically vandalised - I have even seen one example where the post was cut with explosive cutting tape - leaving the totally severed camera lying next to the stump. How much further does this type of law enforcent have to go before we see the start of real trouble?

The unfortunate fact is that the majority probably want 'dangerous' driving punished; but we have a problem with the current system which assumes that driving at x mph is safe, but x+1 mph is not. I would doubt if any case could be found where this was actually the case, and would go so far as to suggest that if a situaltion were ever found where x+1 mph was in fact dangerous, x mph would also be dangerous.

smarts1968 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 18, 2006 Posts: 1

Definately YES they are a stealth tax!

Positioned outside a business estate at 5.30PM out to catch every worker finishing after a hard days work. Yes there a re a few doing over 40 in a thirty but most are getting done doing 35, 36, 37, 38 in a 30 and there is a constant supply of victims.

On a Saturday night when the young lads (sorry guys) are racing around in old modded cars there is nothing....the reason... there are not many! Though there are not many they are more dangerous, more than say a company director going home at 5.30 doing 36 in a brand new 5 series beamer with 10inch wide tyres, disk all round.

The income from sitting out on a Saturday night would be low compared to 5.30pm outside a business estate as there are a lower number of drivers but as I say they are more dangerous, so my point is.... the government are going for the workers and get more money though its not taking out the more dangerous drivers so not reducing the serious accidents.

The speed cameras are purely a government thing but its all masked by the police who are expected to carry it all out and thus get the blame.

If the police dont book a call in there day to day work and are caught speeding they get done like everyone else. It will be the same for other services, services which are there to help everyone.

This govenrment are two faced.

LongHaul53 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 08, 2006 Posts: 20

No. Speed cameras are not a Stealth Tax. By and large, they are big yellow boxes on tall posts, gaudily painted vans or police vehicles parked in obvious places. In most cases the areas are locally known and have warning signs on the approach. Road safety is not a game, and discussions about whether 37 mph is safe in a 30 mph limit at 'x' hour of the morning are irrelevant. If you only slightly murder someone you are just as guilty. The law, be it right or wrong, is there to be respected, and if you look at the consequences in society in general as a result of a lack of respect for the law you will begin to understand what I mean.
Now........ don't run away with the idea I am generally in favour of speed cameras. Discussions about whether they are for road safety or money-gathering mean nothing, because we all know they are primarily revenue raisers. Used correctly, they are an aid to road safety, but at present they are no more than one more thing to take your attention off the road. I am about to start a new topic entitled "Speed cameras. Just another distraction for the driver?" If you have any views please help the discussion along.

user10664 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 25, 2004 Posts: 58

speed cameras are the best thing in the world if they safe one life on our roads.

however all money raised should go to our hospitals after all its the hospitals that put us back to geather again.
stay safe and slow down PLEASE.

LongHaul53 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 08, 2006 Posts: 20

happysnapper · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 04, 2007 Posts: 2

Without a shaddow of doubt speed cameras are there to generate revenues.

The Stats on accidents are at best split and given the increase in tickets issued it seems unlikly they have much of an effect. The reevenues they generate are obvious to all.

My view is that over the last 5 years or so the roads have become more dangerous. Drivers are less curteous, more impatient and there are ever more signs and cameras we must look out for. Pull up at the pumps - that will be 300%+ in tax thank you, traffic jams get worse, roads get worse, more road works, more delays is it any wonder that driving is more of a chore than ever?

So use the train. Trouble is my journey to work, 45mins (19.5 miles) by car takes 2 hours by train, and thats on a good day. Last time I used the train it took 3 hours there and 2 back. Oh and its more expensive. So would I swap 1.5 hours per day in the car for something between 4 and 6 hours by train. Go figure Evil or Very Mad

The police and the speed cameras are part of the problem not the solution.

Deus · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 9:07 am Post subject:

There are some well thought out replies here, but mine is more reactionary.

The Government should...
Decrease the number of points to 6, this will mean, you get cought twice, you loose your licence.
Put speed camera's on ALL motorway gantries, and have monitoring camera's too. If you are seen driving at speed and or dangerously, then reto-active action should be taken and the video/camera evidence used to prosecute. Also, increase the speed to 80mph on motorways.
Increase jail terms for drivers that kill to the same level as manslaughter ie, ten years.
Increase jail terms for constantly re-offending driver to 5 years.
Also remove driving licences FOR LIFE, and not for 1 month, six months, 12 months, 2 years. GET RID OF THE REALLY BAD DRIVERS ONCE AND FOR ALL.
Reduce speed limits at schools to 20mph and put camera's there.
Increase fines for speeding to £300
Provide free trackdays to anyone who wants to go. 2 per year per person.
Remove licences for Road Rage, FOR LIFE.

My points and thoughts.
By putting real fear into speeding and reckless and dangerous drivers (dangerous or poor drivers) will take away their desire to drive this way, those who just plainly disobey, jail or removal of licences for life will make motoring safer for everyone. People need to drive for many reasons, and driving is more dangerous than ever on increasingly busy roads, but bad driving is rife and punishment is almost trivial. How many times have you read or heard on the news about people being killed and the bad driver got community service or banned for 6 months or even let off because they need to drive for thier job?
The punishment should be much much more severe.
how many times have you seen reckless driving in snow? ice? appalling rain? fog? Punish these people severely, and put fear into those that are border line.

I do honestly beleive that the vast majority of drivers care not only about themselves, but also care for the people around them, they would not be effected by these laws. Only the dangerous drivers would be effected.
I drive a wagon, and as such see some truly frightening driving. I have been to Canada and the USA, and I have seen the respect the public there have for HGV's. If you cut up a wagon, they give you a blast on the airhorn, and they wave/flash lights etc to appologise. If you blast the airhorn here, they are just as likely to hit their brakes when they are just a few feet away from the wagon.

/Rant

	PocketGPS
	Web