Safe Speed Forums

I see that logic and common sense have no place in the new "fairer" penalties for speeding
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3616422.stm

2 points applies up to 39 mph in a 30 limit, which means that the higher penalty is applied at 40, 133.33% of the limit. This is in urban areas with children, pedestrians, cyclists, oncoming traffic, parked cars, side roads, roundabouts etc.

On a motorway, the safest roads, the threshold is 83 mph, which is 118.57% of the limit. If the ratio was the same at that for the 30 limit (and if anything I think it should be lower in the most dangerous environment), the higher penalties would come in at 93 mph on a motorway.

How much sense does that make?

I hadn't noticed that. You'd think it would be more the other way round. Oh well, it's not like logic and sense has ever had that much to do with it.

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein

When this originally aired - topgear were saying it was to replace the ACPO 10% +2 guidelines which essentially means this is a zero tollerance to speeding.

If it does mean 2 points at 31, (or even 71) mph, then surely we'll see a lot more than 3M people a year prosecuted. It will also mean far more bans.

I'd like to see scameras have a cut off where they cannot pocket any more cash over and above a quoter, to try to get us back to near 300k people a year prosecuted. This way they'll focus their efforts on the fastest drivers, not the easy pickings.

I don't see anything in the consultation document that suggests the existing ACPO guidelines will be modified.

The tables in the document quote no minimum figures, as the guidelines are purely that, not law. 31 in a 30 has always been an absolute offence for which the police may, at their discretion, prosecute you.

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

So it'll still be OK to travel at 69mph along a dual carriageway in the fog?

This could be a financial 'home run' for the SCPs.

It appears that many more people are fighting 3 points and £60 than in the past. Sites like pepipoo.com are seeing to that.

Drop the penalty to 2 points and £40 and suddenly it seems that little bit easier to just pay up and shut up. Less queues at the magistrates' courts!

Just catch more people to make up for the £20 per conviction reduction and Hey Presto! More revenue, less hassle.

You have to take your hat off to them, it's a brilliant strategy.


Dave

And ... two offences could lose you your licence

45 in a 30
94 in a 70

equals 12 points and no licence. I have certainly done the second safely many times, and even the first where there are stupid 30 limits. There is one near me where there is a Gatso on a dual carriageway just after a change from 40 to 30 mph limit. Everyone always slows and then speeds up again. This is worse than before, make no mistake. They are escalating an already failed and stupid policy.

Tis indeed another exercise in spin. The numpties will swallow it - until they lose their licences.. more quickly than present ...

What they will do - of course - is lower even speed limits to get more people copped....

As you say - escalating an already failed and stupid policy..

Of course, providing you are driving a company car or Renault Megane Scenic

(Runs to hide from inevitable accusations of stereotyping)

If they're hell bent on changing the current system, how about this proposal...

Currently, with the totting up system if you're caught 4 times, you're banned. That's a total fixed penalty income of £240 assuming 3pts + £60.

Therefore, 1pt should be a £20 fine and 2pts should be a £40 fine, that way, they make no more money from you.

Additionally, apply these new sliding scales to the class of road.

Restricted roads (streetlamps, 30mph, no repeaters), start at 3pts but can be more if the speed is exceeded by 20mph.

Un-restricted roads ie. 40mph+, dual carriageways and NSL roads, start at a 2pt penalty > 20mph above limit carries higher penalties.

Motorway penalties start at 1pt with the same escalation applying.

That means that the roads (restricted roads) were exceeding an appropriate speed could be more dangerous carry much higher potential penalties. Leave the 10%+2mph in place.

Motorways, were exceeding the posted limit is rarely dangerous carry the smallest penalty and would help high milage drivers by giving 12 chances to hone their camera spotting skills.


Does this make too much sense?