Police can put speed cameras wherever they want

[AB Asks]

Police will have the power to put speed cameras where they want - even on roads that have no history of accidents. It is hoped that the new scheme will catch drivers who slow down at camera sites and then speed up again once passing. It is also hoped that a sense of uncertainty will be created in driver's minds with the thought that they could be prosecuted at anytime in anyplace. What do you think? Will this slow you down? Or this is a great way to squeeze a few more pounds out of motorists?

[Reverandfunk]

Squeeze more money. Is there any evidence that speed cameras reduce accidents? On a road by me accidents have increased since putting one up.

[Oneeyedvic]

Don't know about the evidence - most people can prove the statistics either way.

That said, if you follow the speed limit, you won't suffer the consequences.

And, yes I do speed, but if I get caught, it is my own fault.

[Joe_the_Lion]

Police cars, both marked and unmarked can be anywhere as can the Aircraft speed detectors. Makes no odds if you ask me.

[kwicky]

I think it is all a government plot to get a huge proportion of drivers off the road. They realise Gallileo is a dead duck and therefore will be unable to track motorists by satellite. Don't they realise when people lose their licences by getting too many points they will have many more untaxed and more importantly uninsured vehicles on the road. I think the left hand is unaware of what the right hand is doing and we need some joined up thinking.

[Matheous]

I know this has been said before......why aren't the police as efficient when it comes to catching yobs-gangs-burglars etc. etc....? The motorist is on a plate for them....!

[Toureman]

Nothing new about that, they have always put them where they want.

[wired]

As Matheous indicated, it's less to do with roads and speed it has more to do with statistics and ease upholding the law. This government has passed over 700 new laws but who is enforcing the old ones let alone the new?
More time and effort was spent on the banning of fox hunting while the human population takes back seat,just look at the NSPCC adverts.
It wont make any difference where the police have cameras, some of us will get caught and on our busy roads we have to drive more to the conditions than the speed limits. rant,rant,rant.

[alijangra]

If you speed, you deserve to be punished. Im not saying I never speed but it is never intentional. Never mind squeezing pounds out of motorists, how about trying to save lives? Maybe a stint working in A+E observing the aftermath off RTAs might make people wise up.

[LeMarchand]

On a road by me accidents have increased since putting one up.

Is this not because the people who are driving at way over the speed limit are suddenly braking when they see the camera?

[Hammer Head]

I happen to think that there are not enough speed cameras. The current system is flawed however. If the penalty for speeding was to be penalty points only and no fine, it would immediately refute the argument of those who say that it is all about making money.

I am no expert but I think accruing 12 points leads to loss of your license. If 7 points were given for a speeding conviction then you would get one chance but not two.

The minimum ban would be 1 year with extra being given depending on the circumstances, e.g. if the driver was driving dangerously or was involved in an accident due to excessive speed.

[Le Chat]

The cameras can go up anywhere but the regular route users will quickly learn and the sharp break/slowing down/speeding up process will continue. As with many of the cameras it is the driver unfamiliar with the stretch of road who will be caught out.....so having the cameras 'where they want' will not make that much difference apart from playing the percentage game. I hate the damn things. When I see one I just feel a kind of 'oppessed' feeling, although I am not a particular speeder.
In one week my husband was caught on camera doing 35 (boy racer) and attended a course for speeding drivers rather than get points and was also stopped by police and cautioned for driving too slowly on another day!!!!!!!!!!!!