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Post by dhglawdavid on Dec 30, 2003 17:22:07 GMT 1
Having recently been fined £60 and docked 3 points for driving marginally above the limit on the A55 dual carriageway near Chester (that damn place always seems to upset me) in perfect visibility and road conditions by virtue of being clocked by one of those sneaky mobile patrols, I am more than interested in the Conservative's idea re fines and no points being a more suitable punishment in such situations. However, one thing has always baffled me. Despite numerous speed camera signs being placed around Shropshire, I have NEVER seen a camera anywhere in the county despite having been round most of it at some time. Can someone enlighten me on this?
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Post by Pilch on Dec 30, 2003 17:40:53 GMT 1
there is one at ketley
it had to be replaced once as someone cut it in half ;D
its strategically placed as if often catches drivers speeding to get the hell out of the place ;D
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Post by daz rsix on Dec 30, 2003 19:29:12 GMT 1
yep theres one at Ketley, its where i live and i never drive that way as i dont trust that camera, ull be flashed for a 1mph over the limit
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Post by Bridgnorthshrew on Dec 30, 2003 19:47:22 GMT 1
You have my sympathy, I got collared on the A5 comming back from the Tamworth game...an all round forgetfull day it has to be said. 53 in a 40, bugger!! Thought I was in a 50 (yeah I know I would have still been 3mph over and risking it) but I just wasn't thinking straight after that performance. It's certainly changed me now though, so I'll apologise now if you get stuck behind me on the way to any of Towns remaining away games. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2003 19:56:52 GMT 1
Most of the County speed traps are mobile i.e. the cops set them up and then move on to another spot. The Shropshire Star has details of the roads that are targetted each week, on a Monday I think.
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Post by ROGER on Dec 30, 2003 22:28:47 GMT 1
We are very lucky here in Shropshire to have to suffer just the one fixed GATSO camera at Bennetts Bank in Telford. Those of you who are familiar with the Wolverhampton and Staffordshire area in general must be familiar with the machines. The journey to Tamworth the other week (as testified by another poster) took me past loads of the bloody things.The difficulty is knowing the speed limit at each machine. If you dont take note, or if the relevant speed limits vary within a short distance then its quite likely that you will become a victim.The A454 from Wolves to Bridgnorth is heavily congested with these cameras.
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Post by harmerhillshrew on Dec 30, 2003 22:33:08 GMT 1
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Post by JLShrew on Dec 30, 2003 22:34:09 GMT 1
Another clever 'Con' trick, you can break the law as long as much as you like when you are wealthy.
Having seen the damage a car can make to a child at approx 20mph I personally agree with speed camera's but I would wouldn't I as i'm a goody goody and don't speed.
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Post by Bilbo on Dec 30, 2003 22:43:32 GMT 1
Though i can see where your coming from JL_Shrew, the trouble with speed camera's is people slow down when they get to them and then speed up again. I see it time and time again at Telford. All they do is make money for the local authorities and don't really prevent people from speeding.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2003 22:48:16 GMT 1
Another clever 'Con' trick, you can break the law as long as much as you like when you are wealthy. Having seen the damage a car can make to a child at approx 20mph I personally agree with speed camera's but I would wouldn't I as i'm a goody goody and don't speed. Personally JL_Shrew I think you're quite a way off the mark with your post. The Tory party's suggestion is that fixed penalty fines should be for motorway speeding which is not excessive and the like. However they have also suggested TOUGHER penalties such as 5, rather than 3, points if a motorist is caught speeding by a school etc.
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Post by JLShrew on Dec 30, 2003 22:49:43 GMT 1
Agreed fixed camera's are a joke, I would rather they were hidden, in Shrewsbury we have loads of camera signs but they aren't fixed camera's yet.., the traffic has slowed a lot on the Monkmoor road for example, because no one knows when the camera is going to be there.
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Post by GATSO on Dec 30, 2003 22:55:48 GMT 1
Thats not true though, because if you drive around sherwsbury regularly you get to know where the mobile unit parks on the various roads - and it often sticks out like a sore thumb. As for the 'Con'servative idea to not endorse people's licences if caught for (not excessive) speeding as per tonights shrop star - cynical votewinner perhaps?
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Post by JLShrew on Dec 30, 2003 23:02:27 GMT 1
Ant the kid I saw knocked over was in a normal everyday street, no school shop's etc and it was 30 mph area the motorist was not breaking the law, so no the 'cons' little gimmick is not good enough if they want to mess then they will have to change the laws full stop if you are caught driving above the speed limit you are breaking the law, thats it no argument, a child knocked down outside a school or outside my house makes no difference, the whole speed thing need looking at ie; residential reduced to 15mph etc, no matter how much you teach a child not to run into the road etc they will. so how do you decide what is worth what points its will get too complicated. Perhaps if the fines were put up to say £100 for the first £250 the second and the third £500 and 6 points it starts to read like a recipe.
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Post by harmerhillshrew on Dec 30, 2003 23:09:53 GMT 1
Just to say Mrs JL you have posted more sense in 11 posts than your husband has in 700 plus posts. ;D Im off to bed
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2003 23:10:21 GMT 1
Ant the kid I saw knocked over was in a normal everyday street, no school shop's etc and it was 30 mph area the motorist was not breaking the law, so no the 'cons' little gimmick is not good enough if they want to mess then they will have to change the laws full stop if you are caught driving above the speed limit you are breaking the law, thats it no argument, a child knocked down outside a school or outside my house makes no difference, the whole speed thing need looking at ie; residential reduced to 15mph etc, no matter how much you teach a child not to run into the road etc they will. But what has this got to do with today's story and your slating of the Tory party? Nothing - if anything the suggestion by the Tory party would make things safer around schools and residential areas due to handing out harsher penalties for speeding in such areas.
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Post by harmerhillshrew on Dec 30, 2003 23:12:48 GMT 1
Might not go to bed. I like a good row
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Post by JLShrew on Dec 30, 2003 23:30:02 GMT 1
Yep Myself and quite a few Meole residents are just a touch fed up with our local 'Cons' who do as most but, not all other 'cons' do provide for the well off. Including agreeing to my face about NM and use of GM then Vote against at the last meeting.
This points v ££ is a vote catcher and nothing else, I would back anyone who came in with a really got easily enforced anti speed rules changing idea.
You only just reaslised Andrew who has the 'sense' in this house ;D ;D
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Post by ProfessorPatPending on Dec 30, 2003 23:50:38 GMT 1
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Post by theoldcodger on Dec 30, 2003 23:57:33 GMT 1
The speed cameras aren't run by the police but by some outfit set up to operate them and collect the fines. It's supposed to free up police resources and keep the roads safer. A conventional police speed trap might use policemen but it would also pick up speeding drivers with no tax or insurance, over the limit and in unsafe vehicles, making the roads much more safer. How do the penaties for some of these offences compare with those for being caught by a speed camera?
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Post by skipwithrob on Dec 31, 2003 0:39:16 GMT 1
Reducing speed limits to 15mph IMO is a joke.
Could the problem be that drivers are doing something else as they drive, like putting a tape in the machine, opening a packet of crisps, looking for a posession or texting on a phone?
As for the cameras, well how are they usefull when they are hidden behind trees???
AsWhat about speed limits for different times in the day? For instance there aren't going to be any children coming out of a school at midnight? My brother was done for speeding, he drove through a village (and thus 40mph speed zone) at 70mph at 2.30am! Some will argue that he was still breaking the speed limit, but who in their right mind is going to be going to school/ crossing the road to get tothe shops at 2.30am in the morning??? NO-ONE thats who.
The problem with this idea is that I can see people warming to it, which is the last thing I want people in shrewsbury to do, vote more anti STFC people into power.
Rant over.
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Post by goindownthewylecop on Dec 31, 2003 0:47:42 GMT 1
Our problem is that various govt departments didnt realise/care until recently that Shropshire has no cameras.
When they realised they quickly put a camera at Bennetts bank, which they believed they could defend if people objected.
It made 'them' (govt/police - whoever you believe) a load of cash and continues to. Us laid back motorists were easy fodder and paid for tons of tickets.
So now its a great idea - pepper Shrewsbury, Telford with cameras and rip us off totally, as if the council tax isnt enough!!!
Its a disgrace and only raises revenue - no link to safer roads as far as I'm concerned, just that its taken a while for this 'technology' to reach us in the sticks!
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mattsnapper currently BANNED
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Post by mattsnapper currently BANNED on Dec 31, 2003 2:49:19 GMT 1
oh my favourite subject !!
Im currently banned from driving forclocking up 12 points.. last one was going down hill on a duel carriage way doing 83 in a 70.
The magistrates and people who make the laws in this country dont have a clue. In Germany everyone drives at 130+ on the autobahn but are BETTER drivers because of it.
Im sorry to argue this, but if I was in power Id make motorways 90mph and roads in villages and in built up areas around schools at 20mph. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR DRIVING FAST NEAR WHERE THERE IS LOTS OF PEOPLE... but on a modern open road.. go as fast as you like.
For the record I got £535 fine and 28 day ban but that was after 25 mins in the witness box against a very tough prosecutor who wanted me banned for 6 months.
The road I was caught at has raked in £15M in the past 18 months... end of story. If a cop car blue lights me I have no problem... but some guy with no police, advanced driving or speed driving qualifications getting me with a gun Im dead against.
Roll on the revolution
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Post by Pilch on Dec 31, 2003 3:09:11 GMT 1
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Post by Blues in Crewe on Dec 31, 2003 3:17:19 GMT 1
lol
Its the motorcycle police that zap everyone over here and very good at it they are to regularly see them (and bikes) hidden behind walls and round corners at bottom of hills ;D when u do get caught over here though for anything from driving, tax evasion to drug trafficking you get your name, conviction and penalty and sometimes address printed in the paper - guess they think public naming and shaming will be a deterrant (unless you have enough money of course)
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Post by Pilch on Dec 31, 2003 9:51:09 GMT 1
i thought the coppers all drove Triumph Roadsters in jersey
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Post by Exkeeper on Dec 31, 2003 12:21:15 GMT 1
Surely, recent events have proved, that you should NEVER trust any Tory politician, let alone vote for one!
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Post by jamo on Dec 31, 2003 14:01:59 GMT 1
Whilst we're talking of speed cameras. All those driving to Northwich tomorrow take extra care when you travel on the A556(from Sandiways junction all the way to Northwich). I travel this road regularly and its littered with cameras, both static and mobile.You can bet your life that the local Dibble will have plenty of patrols about knowing that a large volume of traffic wiill be heading from Shropshire.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2003 14:48:55 GMT 1
Agree with Matt on this one. Be careful where there are people but on the motorways I think the speed limit should be increased to 85 maybe 90mph.
A lot of the time the rules are made by people who don't drive.
Yes it's a tradegy when a child is knocked down crossing the road etc... but sometimes we need to look at other forms of protection. We need more pedestrian crossings etc... Saying that from the age of about 5 I'd had it drilled into my head from my parents never to cross the road on my own, maybe the green cross code needs to be taught better in schools?
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Post by JLShrew on Dec 31, 2003 16:20:09 GMT 1
I agree with Matt, the whole speed restriction thing in this country needs a completle over haul, Working from the motorway's down, where I live there is mostly only one lane for traffic because of cars parked at the roadside, this is unavoidable, so a 15-20 mph speed limit would be perfect, for young and old a like. motorways are mostly driven at 90-100 mph so perhaps the limit should be around that.
Don't know if lifting restrictions at night is a good idea, depends if its non occupied roads etc, then of course it would be a licence for all the 'boy-racers' to go and do their thing, so no maybe not..
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2003 18:18:08 GMT 1
I just think that the money and resources being placed into catching the "generally law abiding" citizens of this country would be better used catching drink drivers, tax evaders, people with dodgy cars (not MOT'ed) or no insurance, a camera is very good at telling if a guy is doing 35 in a 30 zone, however can it breathalize someone who has had 5 pints doing 30 in a 30 zone, which in my opinion is more of a menace to socity than the geezer doing 35. but hey that does not generate income, and may indeed stop the copper from reading the Sun newspaper.......all on 15 quid per hour..... or how about catching the t**t who raped the 70 year old granny in stirchley.....oh sorry that does not generaye income either does it........not a subject i feel strong about??
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