Police Like speed Cameras But....

Today, the belief that speed is more than a contributory factor in most accidents can only be held by those with vested interests. Common sense suggests that if any one or more of the following few is going on then sooner or later there will be an accident’: inattention/distraction, disregard for others and aggression, risk taking, impatience, incompetence and stupidity. Speed? Not really. Clearly, that might affect damage/injury, so there may be an effect, certainly, but the cause? Not speed.

Some say there is no difference between a camera and a live officer. However, I’d choose the latter any day. You can converse with him/her, even if the conclusion is: "you’re nicked". A serious ticking off (even with a fine) may do some good. It is a far more positive event and could leave you (irritated but) with a feeling that the prospective fine payment has been earned and justified. But a speed camera is a dead-head. Being a tin-can copper, it only sees things on the road in black and white. But it is capable of initiating a rather de-humanising experience: you cannot, in all honesty, talk to it(!), and it doesn’t listen, anyway; you cannot explain; and it cannot choose to give you a metaphorical clip round the ear and send you on your way; stealthily, it nicks you regardless, 10mph or 1mph too fast. All this is compounded by the machined missive which arrives later from the so-called ‘Safety Unit’ - as if the speed was THE safety issue. See above, it was not.

And, because there is such a preponderance of cameras, those who are caught making innocent mistakes are treated like hardened criminals, as if that was a choice which they had made. Even those who make no mistakes are treated as if they are about to (in the case of CCTV, particularly). Naturally, most of us leave home in the morning with lawful intention. However, riding/driving requires such focussed concentration these days that it is all too easy to miss a vital sign. And then, to make matters worse, your insurance company gets all upset too. Electronics has a role, but cameras are not the way forward.

As to the money, the advent and blossoming of speed cameras must be like a gift of ever-increasing plenty; and the proportionate public hatred of them ought not to be simply brushed aside. Bureaucracies, from the top to the tiny, are hungry for cash; they want more and with some fervour they guard it and spend it. They will not give up this one without a fight. The thing is, we really do value our officers, so when all is said and done, blame the politicians!

Some say that cameras are a necessary evil in our society which we must put up with. However, an evil is never something that we should put up with. It is best rooted out in all its forms, where at all possible. . In its speed and CCTV versions, the camera effects a form of oppression and is certainly evil. Will no-one rid us of this turbulent beast?

And what about those one million-odd people (I understand) who bother neither to road tax nor insure? I reckon that they are happily motoring around making fools of the rest of us, knowing exactly what they can expect: peace of mind; and the knock on the door? Never.

Dear Sir
SPEED CAMERA - Feedback
"Fair cop, Gov.!". How often have I heard that in a TV ‘Cop’ series? Now, I am just the same as the criminals there portrayed - no different. However, I am guilty only by making a mistake (I know, we all say that, you’ll say); just a momentary lack of concentration on legal speed requirements - from traffic lights to camera, no distance; and not through a lack of safe driving, I assure you. The dead hand of the machine was waiting to clutch my shoulder and hurt me. It doesn’t want an explanation. That is its way. Flash and fine. Next please! Then, our insurance company gets all upset too. It’s a rolling downward spiral of a kind. Most unsettling, I assure you of that also. Hmm, most unsettling. Oh, Lapse! She has no heart, no thought, no forgiveness!

As I recall, it was quiet on the roads so no risk of a collision. No pedestrians around: no-one at risk from my "excess" speed. Your cameras stand just after a set of lights. Nice one. Silly situation to get myself into though. Must do better. But for the cohorts who lurk, another triumph. Snap, your done. "Criminal!" An alternative, far more effective and helpful, and far less offensive, is the flashing sign: "30 mph - reduce speed!" (No income then though and I nearly forgot that!).
I do not speed deliberately. And my car has cruise control which also serves to help keep me driving legally. It has been 30 years since my previous such ‘event’ (that one involved policemen). I am facing my eighth decade not too far away and I must hope that that is without fear and trepidation of a repeat. But what ever the effort, ‘tis a forlorn hope for everyone, I suspect.
‘Not Applicable’ of course to the 20% riding around with neither insurance nor tax. They are safe at least from a Camera Unit, and a lot else, I dare say. How ludicrous is that? I am proud to be in the 80%.
Please spend my £60 pounds on those road users who truly deserve your wrath - those referred to above who are ‘not bovvered’. Never should waste time replying to this. It is just that a goodly number of your ‘customers’ need your help somehow lest you lose us. A timely reminder is all we needed.
Yours faithfully


To: The Chief Constable
"Safety" Camera Unit