Safe Speed Forums

From http://www.manchester.gov.uk/news/2006/mar/speed.htm on VAS



Another glowing example of how the speed on the number is the safe limit.

Further on he says..





EDIT: they are talking about the Watchman camera, which is not type-approved, and is linked to a SID/VAS - if the SID/VAS is activated the camera will take a photograph of you when you pass it, and the details are sent to the police who send you a letter (not a NIP). Tameside in Manchester use these all over the place (green and black cameras) instead of conventional speed cameras.

Just emailed them this:

Having just had my attention drawn to your recent press release and the comments attributed to your Cllr. Swannick, I felt obliged to contact you.

I don't think I'm alone in finding his comments at variance with the actual needs in respect of improved road safety. By implication his comments may be taken by less experienced drivers as confirmation that safe driving may be achieved merely by keeping rigidly to a set speed limit, rather than by using certain skills to avoid accidents. Keeping strictly to the speed limits may indeed address the 5% to 7% of all accidents which are caused by vehicles exceeding the speed limit (Official TRL Figures), but will do absolutely nothing whatsoever to address the other 93% to 95% of all accident causation. 'Motorists who speed and are reckless and careless with other peoples safety' are stated to be those who will be caught by the cameras. That is entirely incorrect. The cameras will only detect those who exceed the speed limit. Whether that speed is also reckless and careless is not something a camera can decide as it has no brain and can make no judgement, unlike a 'proper' police officer. More manned police patrols are what is needed to detect the real cause of accidents - BAD DRIVING!.

However, in this speed-camera obsessed society in which we live it is no surprise to find otherwise responsible members of councils spouting such meaningless 'spin' for the consumption of ordinary members of the public. Maybe they think it makes them look as though they are doing something. Obsession with speed-limit compliance to the detriment of real road safety initiatives will, in the longer term, cause lives to be lost unnecessarily and this, surely, is to be avoided at all costs.

Is it possible for this to be accepted and acknowleged? One might just hope so, although with the cash returns these cameras can generate it's highly unlikely.


Wonder if any reply will be forthcoming. I'll post it if it does.

Excellent response.

Incidentally, do you have the official source for the 5-7% claim you make?

_________________
Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety