Average speed cameras for UK roads!

[tdi]

Average speed cameras that track drivers over long distances are to be rolled out across the country to replace Gatsos, it has been reported. Currently the cameras – dubbed 'yellow vultures' – are used where road works are taking place, but ministers now plan to use them in accident black spots, in residential areas and on motorways. The Home Office is expected to grant approval for the technology in January and it would open the floodgates for the cameras to be used nationwide. The cameras work in pairs and can monitor traffic for up to six miles. They calculate the average speed of vehicles and eliminate the possibility of slowing down to pass a camera.
The AA claims that the cameras could jeopardise safety by forcing drivers to tailgate each other as they adhere to the strict limit. Paul Watters, head of road safety policy, said that half of motorway traffic exceeds the 70mph limit, meaning every other driver will receive a fine.
A spokesman for the Association of British Drivers said average speed cameras could cause more accidents than they prevented: 'You will get a load of people staring at their speedometers instead of concentrating on what’s going on around them.’ Captain Gatso, of Motorists Against Detection, added: ‘This will not reduce deaths on the roads. It’s all about money.’


http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=18667

funny, I don't remember voting for this.. silly me thinking we lived in a democracy.

[GommeInc]

Won't solve a damn thing. Why can't we follow the dutch and just have speed signs which go green AND show what speed you are doing (when you go pass them) and red when you're speeding. They work :/ What I despise about speed cameras, is that they make the average driver appear as a murderer, even though no-one has been hit by the car. Punishing people for going 33mph in a 30mph is making someone out to be a murderer when they're only driving a tiny bit fast. As a driver, I keep to the speed limit to the best of my ability. If someone is speeding off infront of me, I really don't care unless they cause an accident. If someone is doing 10mph more than they should be, that should be fine and there isn't an increased risk of an accident, only more damage if there is one, but that is afterall only really allowed in quiet areas of a built up area/motorway. Busy areas like a village centre, town centre probably should have drivers keep to the speed limit plus the 10%.

[tdi]

it's stupid, people will be glued to their speedos instead of looking at the roads, accidents on motorways and the like are not as frequent as in other roads as they're smooth, long and wide, and there's usually no pedestrians, unlike say country roads and towns etc.

[FlyingJesus]

Everyone on motorways moves at like 80mph+, this is just gonna bring up congestion which they'll then charge us for anyway lol. Also Captain Gatso is a damn cool name would you not agree

[Judge Judy]

i'm sure captain gatso was/is the head of north wales police

erm anyway I think this is a stupid idea. theyd probably get more money speeding if it happens

isnt there a few of them average speed checks on ring road of manchester

[GommeInc]

In a way, I like the idea. But I think the average speed cameras should be used as a way to prove someone was dangerously driving before they cause an accident. As in, if there is no accident, the cameras are useless, but if there is an accident, then they could use the cameras to prove that the driver was bad. At least use them when a driver has done bad, not when a driver hasn't caused any problems.

[Judge Judy]

Now you say that it does have a pro in using them. I realised drivers could avoid getting caught if you kind of tailgate another car so then they won't be able to see the number plate.

[GommeInc]

Now you say that it does have a pro in using them. I realised drivers could avoid getting caught if you kind of tailgate another car so then they won't be able to see the number plate.
Don't they view tax discs aswell or am I think of the different motorway camera? Some even view the back number plates too, aswell as the front ones, but that's only on some occasions.

[Judge Judy]

I didn't know they did Tax Disks, but if they did then they're genius' :P

[GommeInc]

I didn't know they did Tax Disks, but if they did then they're genius' :P
Lol they do :P There's a tax disc camera on a long stretch of road in the nearby town. Loads of people are getting caught by it.

[tdi]

Don't they view tax discs aswell or am I think of the different motorway camera? Some even view the back number plates too, aswell as the front ones, but that's only on some occasions.
the ANPR vans can get info on tax, insurance, mot etc by capturing the numberplate which is linked to the DVLA.

[GommeInc]

the ANPR vans can get info on tax, insurance, mot etc by capturing the numberplate which is linked to the DVLA.
Hmmm, might be what I am thinking of, but the one nearby is used specifically for out of date tax discs. It's a fixed camera :) It may do other things, but I've only seen and heard people moan about their tax discs :P

[wolfsburg]

Hmmm, might be what I am thinking of, but the one nearby is used specifically for out of date tax discs. It's a fixed camera :) It may do other things, but I've only seen and heard people moan about their tax discs :P
afaik there's no camera specifically designed for reading tax discs, it would just read the reg plate and check it on the database, no tax = unpleasant letter through the postbox.

[Mathew]

'You will get a load of people staring at their speedometers instead of concentrating on what’s going on around them.’ Captain Gatso, of Motorists Against Detection, added: ‘This will not reduce deaths on the roads. It’s all about money.’
Wow. This guy is good. +rep to Gatso. :)

Stabbings, bombings, pollution and world hunger. The government are still worried about speeding traffic.

Crazy.

[GommeInc]

afaik there's no camera specifically designed for reading tax discs, it would just read the reg plate and check it on the database, no tax = unpleasant letter through the postbox.
I corrected myself with that post, saying that's probably what I mean. But it's purpose is to find out of date tax discs through the number plate, and nothing else e.g. speed check, insurance, MOT etc.

Isn't there a county in the UK somewhere that doesn't have ANY speed cameras? Or is it a major town? One of the two though, the MP for the area removed all of them saying it's all about money and not about saving lives.

[wolfsburg]

I corrected myself with that post, saying that's probably what I mean. But it's purpose is to find out of date tax discs through the number plate, and nothing else e.g. speed check, insurance, MOT etc.

Isn't there a county in the UK somewhere that doesn't have ANY speed cameras? Or is it a major town? One of the two though, the MP for the area removed all of them saying it's all about money and not about saving lives.
iirc it's swindon.