Safe Speed Forums

Thought I would post this here as I have not seen a post about it on these fora.

On PH someone has posted a link to an article in the Salisbury Journal which to my mind shows Wiltshire admitting that it is for profit and not for safety.

Am I reading too much in to this based on the snippet below?



Cheers

Paul

edited to add here is the link to the original post (you need to be registered to see it)

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... 3&f=10&h=0

No you're not misreading it.

A major decision (in this case, to increase the intensity of operations) is being made 100% on financial grounds. Road Safety is not even a factor in the decision.

If it looks like a business and is run like a business, then it IS a business.

The fact that they feel the need to "recoup" fines money THAT WAS NEVER LAWFULLY THEIRS just makes it worse.

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“For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong.” - H. L. Mencken

Incidentally, the SCP handbook says nothing of the sort about increasing enforcement to avoid any shortfall. All it says is that the partnership will be responsible for making up any shoftfall if there isn't the funds to pay operational costs.

Weasel words.

The fact that the only way a SCP can raise revenue is through enforcement is of course the big conflict of interest that we've talked about until we are blue in the face......

So let me get this right. Swindon and Wiltshire SCP are going to increase enforcement to cover shortfalls, yet they can still afford to buy new vehicles?! I was driving home last week and saw a man (all dressed in black) stood in a layby by a tripod next to what looked like a brand new 4X4.

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

I've been spreading this story around a bit today.

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

Obviously everyone at the scamarai will be doing their best to convert NIPS to COFPs to cash and consequently how must time will they have for those who don't just roll over and pay the fine.

Sounds like a good time to

1 Ask for copies of photos and not be fobbed of with a refusal or invitation to view them at the station.

2 Consider the PACE defence advised by PePiPoo http://pepipoo.com/NewForums2/viewtopic.php?t=2846

3 Alternatively sign the NIP but ignore the COFP and plead guilty by post (per PePiPoo - same fine but another £35 costs - worth it to stop it going to the scamarai). They may not have the resources to take all cases to court.



Also a good time to monitor Wiltshire's use of cameras for complience with ACPO guidelines and report failures. Any failure stops them from collecting their £60's

Operational Case Budget 2004/05 Statement of Account still subject to audit. Will be published on receipt

Partnership Costs To be published
Annual Income 2004/2005 To be published
Number of COFPNs Every 6 months - request in writing

It seams to be taking some time to find the accounts at Wiltshire...

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Speed limit sign radio interview. TV Snap Unhappy
“It has never been the rule in this country – I hope it never will be - that suspected criminal offences must automatically be the subject of prosecution” He added that there should be a prosecution: “wherever it appears that the offence or the circumstances of its commission is or are of such a character that a prosecution in respect thereof is required in the public interest”
This approach has been endorsed by Attorney General ever since 1951. CPS Code

Surely the question we should be asking is their enforcement is anything to do with safety, as they will claim, why did they not enforce at this higher level before they faced a shortfall?

Quite. Translation: They are stuffed.

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

Can't they take it out of last years coffers then.

They made a nett profit, oops sorry, surplus, of £1,121,676 in 03/04

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If you're right, did your heels in
If you're wrong, admit it!

Sink the scameraships
Give us back our Police Force

How can this really be publicised?

These are pretty powerful bullets

I have a tame ferret working on it.

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

We don't want your money* we don't want your licence, we just want you to slow doen and save lives

*except during periods when the partnership is facing deficit, your statutory rights remain unaffected.