speeding offenders

[dot.hawkes]

Something has been bugging me now for a few weeks, on the way into work on Chorley Rd past the Boars Head at standish, there is an electronic speed warning sign, it's temporary I think and flashes your speed at you as you approach, green if you are going 30 or under then red if u go above.
I have noticed that alot of drivers seem oblivious to it as they are flashed red on approaching it.
Today for instance, the car travelling in front of me accelerated after it flashed 48 at it and was at 50+ as it drove past it.
is there any way this sort of driver is being actually spotted? If I witness this sort of driving, could i take their number and report them? I drive at 30 miles an hour when that is the speed limit, i caught up to this looney at the top on the roundabout, and so he gained nothing.

[sddsddean]

You could report it if you want dot, but the Police can't prosecute on your say so as i) you have no approved recording equipment and ii) its basically your word against theirs. Having said that, when I was working on the roads about 15 years ago, I saw a car almost run someone over on a pedestrian crossing within our roadworks section. I reported it, as I got the reg no. no problem, but got the make of car wrong, though right colour. When the cops went to knock on the guys door he admitted it! All he had to do was deny it and he would have been OK. As it was, it went to court, he didn't turn up, I was the only witness, he got �60 fine and lost his licence for a month!

[dot.hawkes]

WOW you're my kind of hero I would feel so pleased if i could do that! I cannot tell you how many idiots i see speeding at way over 30mph, and how many times I catch them up at the next set of lights!!! I do get annoyed about it as it is absolutelt pointless, but also because they seem to have this opinion that anyone driving within the speed limit is someone to be imimidated and jostled off the road, these sort of drivers think they are invincible and above the law. Is it a bravado thing that makes them not want to be seen as wimps for driving at 30mph?

[sddsddean]

There are obviously lots of factors and we could sit here all night going over them. I think a lot of the problem is the car itself and peoples perception. Cars nowadays are so 'advanced' that even at 70 mph, they are quite quiet, so there is no 'noise' of speed. Most cars nowadays, if you are in top gear, will coast along above 30mph and everyone seems to have the idea that they MUST be in top gear, no matter what road they're on. I quite often drive in a 30 in 3rd and the engine is still doing only 2000rpm or so. Then you have the 'it can't happen to me and I'm a good driver' syndrome. People will say they are no good at cooking, decorating, gardening, sport etc, but have you ever heard anyone say they are a below average driver? These people who make the news because they passed their test at the 35th go really get me! Driving is a skill and if you haven't passed after, say, 5 tests I think you should not be allowed to drive. Would you fancy going on holiday in an aircraft if you knew the pilot took 35 goes to get his licence? Sorry, I seem to have wandered a bit off topic here, but being a professional driver, it amazes me the things people get up to in a car and how they seem totally unaware of what they have done 'wrong'.