Safe Speed Forums

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/ ... 66,00.html

Mailbag: Letters

CAMERA MANIA:

James Luckhurst’s article last week (Hello, who’s in charge of this bloody motorway?) prompted me to wonder whether there is a connection between matrix signs and the variable speed limit cameras on the M25. If there is a connection and the variable speed signs display the wrong limit because of faulty sensors, drivers who have been, or are to be, prosecuted in such circumstances may have a right of appeal.

In my view the police service is being driven down a policy route that does too little to catch dangerous drivers, fails to target persistent offenders and is unduly influenced by speed. The gradual reduction in the number of traffic officers and the focus of the service being set on violent and street crime fails to recognise that there are more deaths and life-changing injuries caused by road accidents than murder and serious assault.

What is needed is fewer speed cameras, more traffic police and a proper recognition of the skill and importance of their work. These are my personal views and not those of the service.

Phil Flower, Detective Chief Superintendent, Metropolitan police

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

Thats his hopes of further promotion out the window.

I've always wondered how a court would treat the following:

I couldn't see the sign. - The early ones were difficult to read in bright sun shine
The no limit displayed - Often bits of the limit are missing our out completely as the LEDs fail.

The wrong speed was shown - how do they prove otherwise?

A temporary sign took precedence - I've seen many maintenance NSL signs below a Variable 40 limit. signs should be read left to right top down, so would the NSL take priority?

but more importantly - I don't think the cameras have been working since the markings wore out about 18 months ago.