AB poll 71% no points?

[R1Geezer]

So is speeding really a problem? or have we just learnt how to get away with it? I am included in the 0 points by the way, I've been riding/driving like mother Theresa lately!

[carrust]

Same here R1. Been driving over 30yrs without a blemish on my licence...I have to open the sunroof so I can get my halo in the car:-)

[craft1948]

same as carrust...........but how I've never been caught speeding must be down to pure luck. I don't think they have many speed cameras around York.

[New Judge]

About 55% of the UK population holds a driving licence. With a headcount of about 61m, this means about 33.5m licensed drivers.

The latest figures I can find (Sep 2008) show that a little over 5m (15%) of these had penalty points of some sort, leaving 85% without. So the AB poll is a little adrift from reality.

Not all of those with points, of course, will have been convicted of speeding. However, when opinion-type polls are taken, often more than 60% of drivers admit to speeding regularly suggesting that the conviction rate (which cannot be more than 15% of drivers, and is almost certainly less) is quite low.

If any other law (say theft or burglary) was broken with such impunity that up to 60% of the population admitted to it and up to 15% of the population were convicted of it there would be understandable and rightful outrage.

So why is speeding viewed so differently?

[carrust]

Speeding is viewed differently, because most drivers break the speed limit, & in 99 cases out of a 100 it doesn't do anyone any harm.

[R1Geezer]

Thanks Judge. To answer your question, historically when 60% of people ignore a law it is generally because it's a bad law and needs changing!

[New Judge]

So the current law on speed limits is a bad one, then, Geezer?

Or are the methods of enforcement the cause of concern?

I can't quite get to grips with your logic concerning harm, carrust. In 100% of cases simply carrying a knife or a gun causes no harm (unless the offender is unfortunate enough to fall over and stab or shoot himself) but those activities are nonetheless illegal. It�s a type of preventive medicine aimed at reducing a clearly identified risk.

[R1Geezer]

tongue in cheek judge! The law is correct, i think we have all become a bit cynical since the advent of gatsos etc that have no discretion. For example my last SP30 was for doing 38 in a 30 at half past 8 on Sunday! Ok technically an offence but no copper would do you for that.

[gouldc]

I've always argued this with the speeding point - speed does not necessarily cause accidents, poor driving skills does. Holding my hands up, the last accident I had, I was only doing 20mph when I hit a motorcyclist how was in my blind spot filtering through heavy traffic (no injuries luckily enough) - the one time I DON'T check over my shoulder.

Whilst not condoning it, I rarely stick to the speed limit (except where the conditions clearly do not allow it, nor should anyone speed).

There was a speed camera on the M4 near me that was positioned just after a junction where it goes from 50 to 70 (in the 50 zone). From day one all that occurred was increased congestion and accidents. It's since been removed, traffic flows freely, and I've not seen an accident since. People are more concerned with checking their speedo's than the road ahead. Equally, I fail to understand why that particular stretch is 50 compared to the remainder of the M4 in that area - it's no different.

Personally, I'd be all for speed camera's outside schools, and in actual accident blackspots, not just where the police feel people break the limit and can get more revenue out of it. However, all speed cameras do is cause you to slow down, and then speed up once you're past it - they do little in the real world

[TWR]

Something on the same lines as what you have asked, Speed!! it's a matter of judgment, is it right to see HG Vs travelling at 56MPH? the hold ups they cause because some pillock in an office was late for their tea! Having been on HG Vs for the last 38yrs + with no bother on the motorways until some Pratt in Brussels decided to enforce the limit how many HG Vs have you seen bunched up? how many times have you been behind a HGV trying to overtake another doing one MPH slower than the overtaking HGV, its crazy even the police do not like it, regards the speed, in the right place, the right area.

[bednobs]

the poll on here does not give any room for qualification of the answer though - how many of those 70 odd percent have previously had points that have run out and now drivemore carefully? - for example even though i have 3 points actually on my liscence i ticked none because they have run ut now, therefore i have none

[sara3]

me too. I had 3 points but they're also long gone.

[tamborine]

Been driving since 1962 and got 6 points in last 2y for speeding......4 & 5 mph over! Too many speed cameras in stupid places. Travesty of justice!

[sad old git]

I thought that there was a small leeway on max speed limits although be it an unwritten rule.For instance you could travel at 30 mph plus 10% plus 2mph giving you a max of 35mph and still be legal ,50 mph to 57mph and so on. I believe this was brought in ( I say again unwritten rule) because of the small inaccuracy of car speedometers. I also believe it is left up to the discretion of the police/camera involved. Whether this rule would stand up in court I don't know. Any thoughts on the issue? S.A.G.

[Ice.Maiden]

I don't know about this. I passed my test on the first attempt when I was 17, and in 13 years of driving, the only accident I've ever had was when I reversed into our gate post - and once when some bird flew in front of me. I have no points on my licence, and I DO drive carefully, because a) I often have my children with me, and b) the roads round here are narrow and winding, so I'd be an idiot not to drive slowly. Anywhere else, I stay within the permitted speed limit, although it's a shame sometimes, because I have a car that can do....xxx miles an hour, but having been a passenger in a vehicle that had a blow-out at 100mph, I can tell you that it puts you off!