Speed traps

Retrogamer

Breaking the speed limit isn't always dangerous and maintaining the speed limit isn't always safe.

deaston

Retrogamer wrote: »

Breaking the speed limit isn't always dangerous and maintaining the speed limit isn't always safe.

But breaking the speed limit is always illegal (assuming you're not a police officer on an emergency call).

But I agree that maintaining the speed limit isn't always safe - I often drop below it depending on the road conditions.

facade

I've just been reading an article that says that the roads in the West Midlands are the most dangerous in the country, with more KSI's than any other area, and we are the smallest in surface area too.
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport-news/2017/04/12/west-midlands-has-most-dangerous-roads-in-the-country/

However, it appears that most accidents happen on roads with a 30 limit, and least on roads with a 40 limit, so the obvious conclusion is to raise all 30 limits to 40


(However, I suspect that as virtually every inch of road in the West Midlands is 30 or less, and with only about 5 miles of 40 in the whole county, there might be another explanation )

bigadaj

Whilst safety is a consideration I don't see anything wrong with speeding fines being used to raise revenue.

A tax on people who consider their time to be so important that they run the risk of a fine, and points, to save typically seconds and seldom more than minutes.

Also primarily focused on their too stupid to be able to spot teh form of detection, so fundamentally those who are probably more dangerous in any case.

AndyMc.....

deaston wrote: »

But breaking the speed limit is always illegal (assuming you're not a police officer on an emergency call).

But I agree that maintaining the speed limit isn't always safe - I often drop below it depending on the road conditions.

He said it isn't always dangerous not legal.

It also doesn't need to be an emergency for the police to break the limit.

Retrogamer

Indeed. It's because so many people see "Speeding" as synonymous to "driving dangerously"

deaston

AndyMc..... wrote: »

He said it isn't always dangerous not legal.

"Breaking the speed limit isn't always dangerous" sounded like a justification for speeding to me. So I was simply pointing out that, dangerous or otherwise, it's always illegal. The speed limit isn't optional.

I've heard many times people talk indignantly about getting a speeding ticket when it was "late and the road was empty", or when there "wasn't actually anyone working on the roadworks" etc etc.

But it doesn't matter - speeding is illegal. I just wish more people got caught and the punishments were more severe. I get overtaken far too often, and I certainly don't drive slowly.

BeenThroughItAll

deaston wrote: »

That's great for you, but not really fair for all us law-abiding citizens. That sounds like a reward/incentive for breaking the law.

Like people who use their mobile at the wheel or hog the middle lane. The chances of being caught and fined are miniscule, so why do I bother using motorway lanes correctly and waiting until I've finished my journey before sending a text?

I recently saw one of those police shows where a guy was pulled over for having an illegal plate. The voiceover informed the audience that he could receive a £5k fine and have the plate confiscated.

The driver admitted he had altered it, knew it was illegal, said he'd been stopped before and had no intention of changing it. The PC argued with him for ages and in the end let him go with the warning that she'd inform the DVLA.

So much for punishment.

I will just point out I resent your conflating my carelessness in breaking a speed limit and getting, rightly, fined with a general propensity for lawlessness.

I don't make a habit of deliberately speeding, nor do I use my phone whilst driving, nor do I use illegal number plates, nor do I commit armed robberies, rapes, or murders.

Aylesbury_Duck

deaston wrote: »

I've heard many times people talk indignantly about getting a speeding ticket when it was "late and the road was empty", or when there "wasn't actually anyone working on the roadworks" etc etc.

Or, as in this case, it was "busy after a hot day !", which is one of the lamest bits of self-justification I've come across.

deaston

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

I will just point out I resent your conflating my carelessness in breaking a speed limit and getting, rightly, fined with a general propensity for lawlessness.

I don't make a habit of deliberately speeding, nor do I use my phone whilst driving, nor do I use illegal number plates, nor do I commit armed robberies, rapes, or murders.

I resent people who ignore the speed limit - even those who don't "make a habit" out of it.

The important thing is you got caught and fined.