speed kills ?

[iain.s]

Just having A read of this http://www.publications.parliament.u...57/557ap15.htm

[Liam]

Originally Posted by iain.s

Just having A read of this http://www.publications.parliament.u...57/557ap15.htm

Don't think there's anything in there that anyone with a brain didn't already know. Governments only respond positively to reports that agree with their flawed logic.

[fridgman]

I must say it is quite irritating when you are involved in a car accident and the attending police officers are intent on proving either speed or alcohol involvement. Once that has been disproved they seem to scratch their heads!
I will also agree that attitudes on the roads, from all users, has decayed somewhat and we all seem to cruise along worried about one thing.......where is the next speed trap!
I get the impression that the only perceived way to cut driver error, across the board, is to make them slow down and have more time to think, hence our current methods. But even that doesn't seem to have the desired effect when pedestrians just walk at you and cyclists just choose between road and pavement and fly through red lights. So finally a suggestion of education! Perhaps we could have some enforced rules too?! How many pedestrians and cyclists know that they have their very own section in the highway code?

[The Patrolman]

I don't think many people have died as a result of going fast!

It is generally the rapid decelleration and coming to a halt that kills people!!!!

[makeitfit]

Too early for me to be reading all that, however I will have my say , for what it's worth.
I think part of the problem is that speed traps are really honey traps. They're just revenue earners and as such not respected by joe driver. A classic example of that was the recent switching off of speed cameras in Oxfordshire. There were no more accidents after than before, over a 6 month period. Interestingly though, there was a much higher proportion of drivers "Speeding". This is known as some of the cameras were kept on for statistical points.
Traffic plod have in my eyes lost any respect too. They're often seen blasting around locally without the blues on, or driving on the phone or radio. Drinking and eating while driving etc etc. Fine for them but if one were to eat a chocolate behind the wheel you get nicked
An answer could be to do a second stage driving test. Like the old advanced test for example. So when you pass your first part you then have to do another including motorway and night driving, including specifics like overtaking and skid control.
Insurance companies can help to by having a proper discount that reflects driver skill and penalises bad drivers, not young ones per say.
I've had loads of points over the years and no doubt will continue to do so, for speeding. Though in my eyes it's just bad luck, 'cause I didn't see plod hiding in the hedge. Yet I'm not allowed to go on the speed awareness course.
I've passed advanced driving courses, done skid pan stuff, raced minis for a few years, rally courses etc etc.
Still exceed the speed limit but not in towns.I don't think I drive dangerously so that's the trouble I guess

[lacroupade]

On initial reading its a load of cobbled tosh.

The TRRL at Thatcham has shitloads of facts and stats and we all know how long roads are closed for after fatal RTAs, so its a fallacy to say they don't really understand the numbers. The TRRL by the way came out with a figure of around 7% of all accidents attributable to speed.

The report says 80% of pedestrian accidents are related to action by the pedestrian - it fails to mention that the TRRL found that something like 75% of pedestrians were affected by alcohol....sort of important to leave out don't you think?

I mean why should I drive everywhere at 20mph just because a few fukwits can't stand up and chew gum at the same time? Bollox to them.

As for these speed traps, the FAIR thing to do would be to drop the points system (which just over-penalises drivers and puts cash in the pockets of the insurance companies) and replace with a salary/means-related fine system so that Porker drivers pay £3000 for breaking a speed limit (and have their headlights kicked in for good measure LMAO!)....

Or, just put me in charge for a fortnight.....

[extreme-4x4]

Originally Posted by lacroupade

On initial reading its a load of cobbled tosh.

The TRRL at Thatcham has shitloads of facts and stats and we all know how long roads are closed for after fatal RTAs, so its a fallacy to say they don't really understand the numbers. The TRRL by the way came out with a figure of around 7% of all accidents attributable to speed.

The report says 80% of pedestrian accidents are related to action by the pedestrian - it fails to mention that the TRRL found that something like 75% of pedestrians were affected by alcohol....sort of important to leave out don't you think?

I mean why should I drive everywhere at 20mph just because a few fukwits can't stand up and chew gum at the same time? Bollox to them.

As for these speed traps, the FAIR thing to do would be to drop the points system (which just over-penalises drivers and puts cash in the pockets of the insurance companies) and replace with a salary/means-related fine system so that Porker drivers pay £3000 for breaking a speed limit (and have their headlights kicked in for good measure LMAO!)....

Or, just put me in charge for a fortnight.....

hail paullllllllyyyyyyyyyyy

didnt even read it . but someone mentioned police head scratching after checking for speed or drink ... thats because gov and police use statistics every public body does now . there is no or very little fact finding to anything any more . the world is dependent on box tickers . if they can tick a box then they are qualified to police , judge you or penalise you

for example the bloke or woman who had a drink with there lunch, then has a car crash on the way home from work 3 hours later. will immediately be responsible for the accident . because there is not a box for check to see if the other person is suicidal or having trouble at home or been up all night with sick kids . normal everyday stuff they might have even had to work 24 7 to pay some debts and just over tired .

the point is if you fit the boxes they have then your guilty .... simples


another example.
working tax credits , child benefit now currently the waiting time for a kin simple parent change over is 12 weeks . ok you say .
but dvla wont give you 12 weeks to come up with your road tax money

worse still if its disputed as things often are, having already given them copies of court orders with your initial application they can make you wait a further 12 after they received a response (if they get one ) from the disputer ffs
so you could be looking at 6 months for a gov agency to pay you your family allowance . but you try asking for 6 months , 3 months if you like to sort out the paper work to tax your car .


here is another gem lol

obviously not me adz ..... lol

i know someone a mother who's children lived with there father. as the mother did not have suitable accommodation to have staying contact with her kids . the government offered to house the vagrant mother (free) so she could offer staying contact .

now most people here have the intelligence to know if you was a father and kids lived with mum . you would get sweet fu*ck all help to see your kids let alone have them stay over lol.

box ticking thats what the world is ..... so get back in your box !

[ClanWolf]

Speed is a significant factor in incidents on UK roads less than 15% of the time.

The average speed for an accident on UK motorways is less than 30mph.

The Police driving manual 'Roadcraft' mentions the speed limit twice. But it repeatedly mentions 'driving at an appropriate speed for the conditions'.

The main cause of incidents is driver incompetence - the driver just not understanding the situation, the limits of his vehicle and physics.

We are being taken to the cleaners as 'criminals' on the road to show the public how good the law is (because all the bad people have handy identity plates on their vehicles). Simple populace opium: Demonise something that you can punish with ease.

Going fast may not cause accidents, but it gives you less time to react. Also, as a police officer told me years ago when I had a fast car - "You may be used to it, but other people won't be." - That one piece of advice saved my ass several times.

[rustic]

Originally Posted by The Patrolman

I don't think many people have died as a result of going fast!

It is generally the rapid decelleration and coming to a halt that kills people!!!!

I like your logic.
I've heard of people jumping out of aircraft without a parachute and falling 20,000 feet without a scratch.

It was the last 2 feet that killed them, and anybody can jump 2 feet off a chair without hurting themselves.

[briggie]

i agree with clanwolf on this .

speed is only one of many contributary factors , as is alcohol ,and many other factors too .

if you try and seperate one of the factors , you wont really get a good picture .

i think the common factor is driver incompetance , you can be the safest driver in the world in your mind , but you cannot truely factor in incompetance of other drivers

[4wheel]

I fell asleep just trying to read all that.Perhaps they could have just said that they are not sure if speed kills and that the speed camera's are there to make money.Would have saved a lot of time and paper.