Topic ID 3387
Was there again this quiet Sunday morning.. catching the poor sods who are caught out by the steep gradient of the hill which creeps their speed over 30 with no physical intention to accelerate. Yes there is a school at the location and if it were operated during the week at suitable times then I would have absolutely no beef with Hertfordshire Police. The forms/risk assessment/tasking dockets which justify probable overtime funding of this operation most likely had 'school' and 'children' written all over them. Fair enough.... I wonder if it would be the case if it were highlighted that they didn't intend to target the vulnerable times of the pedestrians but the vulnerable times of the motorist! Or have i just missed them during the week[?]
Reply ID 49066
It’s built up; accept that there are places where variable speed limits dependent on school day/non-school may be appropriate. But if you can't be arse’d to move down a gear or so to meet the speed limit (shouldn’t even need to touch the brakes on a manual) then you are not really even a half decent driver. In fact you (and not necessarily you Ritchie) are a lazy one who probably causes accidents because you are only behind the wheel of a car & not actually driving it.......... There are plenty of roads in Hertford where a 20 or even 15 limit should be installed? Welly St for example. And yes I do speed, so a tad of hypocrisy here, but only on good clear roads according to the conditions & never within a 50 or less limit (well OK apart from St Evenage.... maybe)
Reply ID 49068
Are they not meant to have signs warning about the cameras?
Reply ID 49072
Richie, wakey wakey! It's Monday 11th February.
Reply ID 49074
Point accepted CP. It just frustrates me that the whole thing seems geared towards profit making as opposed to its primary objective which should be road safety. Ewoowar, i think you'll find one hidden in the shrubbery at the bottom of the hill for traffic going up but i've yet to find one for traffic going down. James, at no point did i claim today wasn't Monday. Your point is?
Reply ID 49075
quote:Do you mean yesterday?
Originally posted by Richie
Was there again this quiet Sunday morning..
Reply ID 49076
quote:I have to say I’ve got dire suspicions over the profit making bit. My one & only ticket (that will amaze those that know me!) was on the A1 near Sandy (somewhat before the Sandy 50 zone) when i was clocked at 71 in what had always been a 70 area . The week before they made it 60, put (I somewhat later found out illegal) small 60 signs up. And I got nicked.[}:)] Which I suppose is fair enough but... Paid up, didn’t even make a fuss when the illegality of the signs was pointed out to me in the pub by a Herts Traffic Cop, but at the same time found out that Beds/Northants have a lot of previous in hitting cars by various nefarious schemes i.e. changing speed limits on roads on pretexts that are dodgy in the extreme. In short it certainly appears to be a money making scam. Maybe these are notorious black spot areas… but I travel a lot on these roads & ironically the A14, for instance still has the highest speeds where there are, & have always been, accidents almost daily .. & guess what, many of these are in Cambs . I don’t think I came across any accidents in the, later speed reduced, areas around Kettering (& I commuted there regularly for well over a year) . It’s a consistency thing. It’s all along way from Gallows Hill. In short; drive to the road & its conditions….. & whichever county you are in.
Originally posted by Richie
Point accepted CP. It just frustrates me that the whole thing seems geared towards profit making as opposed to its primary objective which should be road safety.
Reply ID 49080
quote:Here we go again....... I use the term 'This Sunday', to refer to the closest one, in the same context as if during the week I was planning for 'this weekend' referring to the one coming. I apologise if this is at odds with a true grasp of the english language. anything constructive?
Originally posted by Stevequote:Do you mean yesterday?
Originally posted by Richie
Was there again this quiet Sunday morning..
Reply ID 49082
There's nothing to stop you asking the 'public servant' what his intentions are?
Reply ID 49083
To get back on the track - wish they would put the thing at the bottom of London Road coming towards the Bluecoats roundabout. Not before 9.00am obviously as it would just be a chance for a good laugh as you queued to get to it. But any time after 9.00am...
Reply ID 49084
quote:A reply without the attitude would have been sufficient
Originally posted by Richiequote:Here we go again....... I use the term 'This Sunday', to refer to the closest one, in the same context as if during the week I was planning for 'this weekend' referring to the one coming. I apologise if this is at odds with a true grasp of the english language. anything constructive?
Originally posted by Stevequote:Do you mean yesterday?
Originally posted by Richie
Was there again this quiet Sunday morning..
Reply ID 49101
quote:No then!
Originally posted by Stevequote:A reply without the attitude would have been sufficient
Originally posted by Richiequote:Here we go again....... I use the term 'This Sunday', to refer to the closest one, in the same context as if during the week I was planning for 'this weekend' referring to the one coming. I apologise if this is at odds with a true grasp of the english language. anything constructive?
Originally posted by Stevequote:Do you mean yesterday?
Originally posted by Richie
Was there again this quiet Sunday morning..
Reply ID 49168
Good that the police are maximising revenue in choosing the time/location to catch the most speeders: its making the law breakers subsidise the law abiders which is surely a good thing. I know they won't do it but would like to see no speed camera warning signs at all... perhaps people would slow down at all speed restricted areas rather than one with a camera sign and we'd all be a bit safer!
Reply ID 49179
.... and double the fines and double the points on the morons they catch as well!
Reply ID 49213
quote:So its not about choosing the time/location which best ensures safety and protection of the public?
Originally posted by spooky
Good that the police are maximising revenue in choosing the time/location to catch the most speeders: its making the law breakers subsidise the law abiders which is surely a good thing.
Reply ID 49232
quote:Yes, of course it is. However, the proceeds from Fixed Penalties go towards self-financing for more cameras - especially the Truvelo Forward Looking cameras. The sooner they are rolled out the better. [;)]
Originally posted by Richiequote:So its not about choosing the time/location which best ensures safety and protection of the public?
Originally posted by spooky
Good that the police are maximising revenue in choosing the time/location to catch the most speeders: its making the law breakers subsidise the law abiders which is surely a good thing.
Reply ID 49236
Okay, I understand that, but why do we not see the camera during the week and at school times? Why only on Sunday mornings? Is it ever located anywhere else?
Reply ID 49237
quote:its on the hill today (Saturday)
Originally posted by Richie
Okay, I understand that, but why do we not see the camera during the week and at school times? Why only on Sunday mornings? Is it ever located anywhere else?
Reply ID 49238
quote:Put your questions to:- claire.hall[at]hertscc.gov.uk Claire is the contact in The Safety Camera Partnership at Herts County Council. I'm sure forum users would be interested if you posted her reply. Edited by Admin to prevent harvesting of email address by spammers
Originally posted by Richie
Okay, I understand that, but why do we not see the camera during the week and at school times? Why only on Sunday mornings? Is it ever located anywhere else?
Reply ID 49250
If you look on the Herts Safety Camera Website, they even post where the mobile units are going to be in advance. [url]http://www.hertsdirect.org/envroads/roadstrans/rsu/driving/safetycameras[/url] If you observe speed limits you won't get a ticket, and as Herts is one of the most leaniant authorities, to get a ticket you are probbaly well over the threashold. The sooner people stop bleating about speed cameras and drive to the road conditions and within the limit the better.
Reply ID 49256
quote:.... and 'hold their hands up' like grown-ups when they're caught by a camera - instead of whinging and claiming they don't know who the driver was!
Originally posted by Hato
If you look on the Herts Safety Camera Website, they even post where the mobile units are going to be in advance. [url]http://www.hertsdirect.org/envroads/roadstrans/rsu/driving/safetycameras[/url] If you observe speed limits you won't get a ticket, and as Herts is one of the most leaniant authorities, to get a ticket you are probbaly well over the threashold. The sooner people stop bleating about speed cameras and drive to the road conditions and within the limit the better.
Reply ID 49260
Quite so. Driving at over 30mph in a built up area is plain criminal, steep gradient or not. If a driver doesn't know how to control their vehicle then they shouldn't be allowed on the road. And how ridiculous letting people know in advance where moblie cameras are going to be. Hmmmph! It's Sunday afternoon and now I'm all cross.
Reply ID 49264
quote:Except that in many cases the road conditions safely allow a much greater speed than stipulated by the signs and on such roads one often finds speed cameras [:(!]
Originally posted by Hato The sooner people stop bleating about speed cameras and drive to the road conditions and within the limit the better.
Reply ID 49266
quote:Erm.... I didn't realise that driving in excess of the speed limit on a public highway was a 'criminal' offence? If it is then I would suggest that every one of us that drives is a criminal. Even if it is as a result of an infrequent and very minor indiscretion? This thread was not meant as a speed camera bashing session, it merely questions whether or not the Police put this resource to best use with the emphasis on road safety. I agree with you Leo, it appears not.
Originally posted by dennismoore
Quite so. Driving at over 30mph in a built up area is plain criminal
Reply ID 49270
quote:Who is suggesting that in many cases the road conditions safely allow a much greater speed? You? [:0]
Originally posted by Leo Densian
[quote] Except that in many cases the road conditions safely allow a much greater speed than stipulated by the signs and on such roads one often finds speed cameras [:(!]
Reply ID 49274
quote:Yes - and and I'll give you an example. Martins Way in Stevenage (from the roundabout near Lister Hospital heading up towards Pin Green) is a dead straight dual carriageway all the way with footpaths/cycle tracks many metres away from the road and safety barriers along it. Footbridges allow safe pedestrian crossing if required. That stretch was national speed limit for years but a couple of years ago the powers that be in their wisdom decreed 40 mph is now the limit - oh, and watch out for the odd mobile speed camera that in addition makes an appearance too. Its b***ocks.
Originally posted by Moulder
[quote]Originally posted by Leo Densian
[quote] Who is suggesting that in many cases the road conditions safely allow a much greater speed? You? [:0]
Reply ID 49276
Do you know why the limit on that particular stretch of road was reduced to 40 mph?
Reply ID 49277
Other than £££, no
Reply ID 49282
Speed limits should be set at the maximum safe speed for the whole of the road. The problem is that there is so much publicity about sticking to the speed limit that is what people do - stick to it - even when that is too fast. Then the Mercury (or some other body) come along and claim that the road is dangerous and the speed limit should be reduced because that bend has caused accidents. Result - 40MPH speed limit Then to add insult to injury - speed cameras are added to make sure that you don't exceed the limit on the straight bit where 60MPH is perfectly safe. Drivers get frustrated and flash flash £60 + 3 points plus £100 for your insurance company for the next 5 years.
Reply ID 49333
You have summed up this discussion. Speed Cameras like parking fines are to gain revenue. If you guys think it is to improve safety on the roads, then you really are niave.[:(!][:(!][:(!]
quote:
Originally posted by Leo Densian
Other than £££, no
Reply ID 50399
quote:Summed up this discussion? Far from it! Would you like to accuse bereaved families who have lost loved ones to speeding drivers of niavity?
Originally posted by Wrapper
You have summed up this discussion. Speed Cameras like parking fines are to gain revenue. If you guys think it is to improve safety on the roads, then you really are niave.[:(!][:(!][:(!]quote:
Originally posted by Leo Densian
Other than £££, no
Reply ID 50407
I thought it was now an accepted fact that speed cameras are specifically positioned at danger points (eg schools and known black spots). They are no longer referred to as speed traps because they are not trying to trap you. The intention behind being able to buy sophisticated GPS machines that alert you when approaching a speed camera is because they want us to slow down in the danger spots. The only reason a fine is involved is to make the speeding idiots sit up and take notice - oh and it is a costly legal expense as well.
Reply ID 50420
quote:Less a case of naivity than perceived suspicious financial motives and the whole inconsistency of the thing. Another example then - you can drive down Broadhall Way in Stevenage (ie. a straight pice of dual carriageway with separated footpaths and cycle track) at 45mph and risk a ticket from the mobile speed van. You can drive at 60mph down the lane from Watton at Stone station to Datchworth quite legally. Which is the more dangerous action though?
Originally posted by Moulderquote:Summed up this discussion? Far from it! Would you like to accuse bereaved families who have lost loved ones to speeding drivers of niavity?
Originally posted by Wrapper
You have summed up this discussion. Speed Cameras like parking fines are to gain revenue. If you guys think it is to improve safety on the roads, then you really are niave.[:(!][:(!][:(!]quote:
Originally posted by Leo Densian
Other than £££, no
Reply ID 50438
Now you have summed up this discussion with the word 'perceived'. There have been 2 fatal or serious injury accidents in Broadhall Way - the link below will give you the facts:- http://www.hertsdirect.org/envroads/roadstrans/rsu/driving/safetycameras/hertscams/cambytown/504 I have no facts regarding the lane between Watton at Stone and Datchworth - have you?
Reply ID 50447
Speed cameras do have their place on the roads and a big yellow speed camera before a hazard is a good way of making most motorists check their speed slow down and hopefully think about the hazard ahead. The A414 heading towards Harlow is a good example of a well positioned speed camera.