Fast on the heels of the number of speeding tickets rocketing comes this one. I've been telling the media that the mad mullah in North Wales is a first class idiot. Speed cameras DO NOT make the roads safer. Even the government's own statistics prove this.
However, more traffic police on the roads do make the roads safer. Sadly, the cost money while cameras earn money. Go figgure why we don't see more traffic cops on our roads.
It's a crazy situtaion it really is.
Story is from the Western Mail
Serious road accidents rise despite measures
A WELSH police force that prides itself on its firm approach to road safety and traffic policing has seen the numbers of people seriously injured in collisions rocket by almost a third.
The numbers of people seriously injured on North Wales’ roads between April and December of last year was 345, compared with 268 over the same period in 2007 – an increase of 29%.
The figures on fatalities in North Wales have fluctuated very little, with one person less being killed over the same period in 2008 than in 2007.
Politicians and motoring organisations yesterday said the serious injury statistics show the force’s reliance on speed cameras as a major weapon in its road safety arsenal is flawed. They called for a change of approach with more police officers patrolling roads to spot errant drivers instead of what they regard as a preoccupation with cameras.
Conservative AM Mark Isherwood said North Wales Police – headed by the so-called “Mad Mullah of the Traffic Taliban”, Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom – has issued more speeding fines per head of population than any other UK force. Fines rose eight-fold in less than a decade between 1997 and 2005, while during the same period police in Gwent reported a fall from 5,263 to just 506.
North Wales AM Mr Isherwood said focusing very heavily on speed can be “unsafe and inappropriate”.
“These statistics reinforce the need for a proportionate and intelligent approach to motoring laws rather than a one size fits all policy. The policy has lost public confidence and alienated a lot of people who have otherwise never been in trouble with the law and have looked to the police as trusted public servants.”
The Association of British Drivers (ABD) said the numbers of seriously injured people have risen while traffic levels have fallen due to the recession.
Department for Transport (DfT) figures showed a 2.2% decrease between July and September of 2008 in traffic levels. This followed a 0.5% decrease between April and June.
Friday 30 January 2009
NUMBER OF SPEEDING TICKETS ROCKETS
You don't need to me to tell me that this story comes as no surprise. At least some politicians are beginning to ask why we have so many cameras.
Read this from the Daily Express:
SPEEDING fines and prosecutions in Britain have increased sevenfold and the number of speed cameras has rocketed, according to latest figures.
Speed camera offences rose from 262,000 in 1996 to 1,865,000 in 2006 and Tory MP Mark Field says it is time that the “pendulum turned back to the long-suffering motorist”.
There are at least 3,500 more cameras than in 2000 and the MP for Westminster called yesterday for an end to their “excessive use” and the “overzealous penalising of drivers”.
Mr Field obtained the speed camera figures under the Freedom of Information Act, revealing that in 2000 there were 2,000 cameras on the roads but by 2006 this had shot up to 5,500.
Despite the massive increase in fines, roads are still blighted by dangerous drivers, and according to the MP disqualifying motorists has turned into little more than a game.
He said: “The use of speed cameras transformed the disqualification system into one of Russian roulette.”
The chaos on the UK’s roads is further compounded by a lack of traffic police, according to motoring organisations, with the number of officers on duty having fallen by 20 per cent in a decade.
Read this from the Daily Express:
SPEEDING fines and prosecutions in Britain have increased sevenfold and the number of speed cameras has rocketed, according to latest figures.
Speed camera offences rose from 262,000 in 1996 to 1,865,000 in 2006 and Tory MP Mark Field says it is time that the “pendulum turned back to the long-suffering motorist”.
There are at least 3,500 more cameras than in 2000 and the MP for Westminster called yesterday for an end to their “excessive use” and the “overzealous penalising of drivers”.
Mr Field obtained the speed camera figures under the Freedom of Information Act, revealing that in 2000 there were 2,000 cameras on the roads but by 2006 this had shot up to 5,500.
Despite the massive increase in fines, roads are still blighted by dangerous drivers, and according to the MP disqualifying motorists has turned into little more than a game.
He said: “The use of speed cameras transformed the disqualification system into one of Russian roulette.”
The chaos on the UK’s roads is further compounded by a lack of traffic police, according to motoring organisations, with the number of officers on duty having fallen by 20 per cent in a decade.
Thursday 29 January 2009
Motorists - brace yourselves!
So the country is skint and, according to the IMF, needs to raise £20billion in taxes - or make the same amount in savings.
Well, as the most taxed nation in Europe I'm hoping against hope that it's the tax cuts route wee Gordon takes.
If not the only route open is to milk motorists. Again.
On top of this has anyone noticed how bad the roads are getting? Supposedly one fifth of road tax actually goes into repairing the roads. I don't think so. The roads are literally crumbling under our feet. The damages claim for pothole damage must be huge.
We have the roads of a second or third world country - not ones which represent the world's fourth richest country.
The whole Labour government is a shambles. And the end can't come soon enough but I fear we may be lumbered with these losers for another two years.
Well, as the most taxed nation in Europe I'm hoping against hope that it's the tax cuts route wee Gordon takes.
If not the only route open is to milk motorists. Again.
On top of this has anyone noticed how bad the roads are getting? Supposedly one fifth of road tax actually goes into repairing the roads. I don't think so. The roads are literally crumbling under our feet. The damages claim for pothole damage must be huge.
We have the roads of a second or third world country - not ones which represent the world's fourth richest country.
The whole Labour government is a shambles. And the end can't come soon enough but I fear we may be lumbered with these losers for another two years.
Monday 26 January 2009
Losing a passport - classic 'mission creep'
News that Zanu Labour is planning to hit dads who don't pay maintenance for their children is a prime example of mission creep.
It's also littered with loads of pitfalls. The main one being it isn't a judge who decides whether the errant dad loses his driving licence and/or passport. It's a civil servant. Would you trust the cretins who man the government's turkey army?
No, me neither.
But the big worry is that when this becomes law I will lay money now that there's a clause which enables the government to hit drivers for other issues.
Drove too fast in a built up area? Bang goes your licence and passport.
Not paid a speeding fine? Bang goes your licence and passport.
Late paying your road tax? Bang goes your licence and passport.
Honestly, this shower only think in draconian terms. I highlighted at the time of the introduction of the Terrorism Act that there was no definition of terrorism or a terrorist. It could include someone damaging a speed camera, for instance.
And that's why people who try to get their children into schools are being hit with the Terrorism Act. It's barmy.
The country is already a police state and here we are cranking up authoritarian powers. It's beyond belief.
It's also littered with loads of pitfalls. The main one being it isn't a judge who decides whether the errant dad loses his driving licence and/or passport. It's a civil servant. Would you trust the cretins who man the government's turkey army?
No, me neither.
But the big worry is that when this becomes law I will lay money now that there's a clause which enables the government to hit drivers for other issues.
Drove too fast in a built up area? Bang goes your licence and passport.
Not paid a speeding fine? Bang goes your licence and passport.
Late paying your road tax? Bang goes your licence and passport.
Honestly, this shower only think in draconian terms. I highlighted at the time of the introduction of the Terrorism Act that there was no definition of terrorism or a terrorist. It could include someone damaging a speed camera, for instance.
And that's why people who try to get their children into schools are being hit with the Terrorism Act. It's barmy.
The country is already a police state and here we are cranking up authoritarian powers. It's beyond belief.
Tuesday 20 January 2009
Well done Dale
This story in today's Daily Telegraph just underlines the first rule of dealing with speed cameras - always, always contest your ticket.
The authorities make so many mistakes it's unbelievable. Don't just rollover and take a fine and points if you don't agree with it
This young fella knew the ticket had to be wrong and spent a fortune proving the principal. I'm hoping he isn't expecting an apology because these people never apologies for being wrong.
They don't like it when people exercise their legal rights and contest speeding tickets.
If the authorities concerned listened and stopped being so arrogant about their infallibility then may be we could get somewhere.
But then, as I keep saying, the public/police relationship has now broken down to such a degree that I don't think it will ever return. That's down to Zanu Labour and the speed cameras victimising ordinary, law-abiding people into being criminals.
This is the story:
Speed case dropped after driver proves old car won't reach 98mph
A motorist accused of speeding at 98mph succeeded in getting the case against him dropped after spending £1,200 to prove that his 14-year-old car could only reach 85mph.
Read more:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4290679/Speed-case-dropped-after-driver-proves-old-car-wont-reach-98mph.html
The authorities make so many mistakes it's unbelievable. Don't just rollover and take a fine and points if you don't agree with it
This young fella knew the ticket had to be wrong and spent a fortune proving the principal. I'm hoping he isn't expecting an apology because these people never apologies for being wrong.
They don't like it when people exercise their legal rights and contest speeding tickets.
If the authorities concerned listened and stopped being so arrogant about their infallibility then may be we could get somewhere.
But then, as I keep saying, the public/police relationship has now broken down to such a degree that I don't think it will ever return. That's down to Zanu Labour and the speed cameras victimising ordinary, law-abiding people into being criminals.
This is the story:
Speed case dropped after driver proves old car won't reach 98mph
A motorist accused of speeding at 98mph succeeded in getting the case against him dropped after spending £1,200 to prove that his 14-year-old car could only reach 85mph.
Read more:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4290679/Speed-case-dropped-after-driver-proves-old-car-wont-reach-98mph.html
Friday 16 January 2009
Cop not banned because he had a row with his wife
Dunno about you but I don't the magistrates would wear this excuse with me.
Like I say: road safety should be for us all. Those who wear a (police) uniform should be held accountable and not be above the law.
Well done to the lads who stuck one one him. Shame about the inconsistent 'justice' system we have in this country.
I doubt the officer concerned will do the decent thing and resign?
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/01/15/cop-caught-speeding-at-105mph-escapes-ban-because-of-row-with-wife-86908-21042124/
Cop caught speeding at 105mph escapes ban - because of row with wife
A COP caught driving at 105mph was spared a ban yesterday after a sheriff heard he was angry with his wife at the time of the offence.
Grampian Police constable Alan Bothwell was clocked by colleagues from the Central Scotland force as he roared north on the M9 near Stirling.
The courts routinely ban speeders who do more than 100mph unless they have an exceptional excuse.
But Stirling sheriff Paul Arthurson gave Bothwell a £600 fine and six points on his licence after the cop's lawyer told him about his client's marriage troubles and depression.
Solicitor John McLeod said Bothwell was living with his mum in Glasgow when he was caught speeding on September 25 last year.
After a row on the phone with his wife, who was living in Aberdeenshire, the 37-year-old officer got into his Vauxhall Astra Sxi and set off for the north-east. Mr McLeod said Bothwell was upset and "in an enraged mood" following the argument and allowed his speed to creep up.
Like I say: road safety should be for us all. Those who wear a (police) uniform should be held accountable and not be above the law.
Well done to the lads who stuck one one him. Shame about the inconsistent 'justice' system we have in this country.
I doubt the officer concerned will do the decent thing and resign?
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/01/15/cop-caught-speeding-at-105mph-escapes-ban-because-of-row-with-wife-86908-21042124/
Cop caught speeding at 105mph escapes ban - because of row with wife
A COP caught driving at 105mph was spared a ban yesterday after a sheriff heard he was angry with his wife at the time of the offence.
Grampian Police constable Alan Bothwell was clocked by colleagues from the Central Scotland force as he roared north on the M9 near Stirling.
The courts routinely ban speeders who do more than 100mph unless they have an exceptional excuse.
But Stirling sheriff Paul Arthurson gave Bothwell a £600 fine and six points on his licence after the cop's lawyer told him about his client's marriage troubles and depression.
Solicitor John McLeod said Bothwell was living with his mum in Glasgow when he was caught speeding on September 25 last year.
After a row on the phone with his wife, who was living in Aberdeenshire, the 37-year-old officer got into his Vauxhall Astra Sxi and set off for the north-east. Mr McLeod said Bothwell was upset and "in an enraged mood" following the argument and allowed his speed to creep up.
Thursday 15 January 2009
Police take down facebook page
Another nail in the coffin of free speech? Another example of the thin-skinned police stepping on any criticism? I'm really at the stage where I believe the police just do not care whether they get public support anymore. Much like Germany in the 30s.
Anyway, I liked what this fella posted on to another motoring site:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1116322/Po...
Suffolk Police had to get Facebook to shut down a site dedicated to a Traffic Warden who had become a nightmare and was making peoples lives and businesses a misery, even resorting to creeping around in the dead of night to garner inteligence.
Some the locals set up a page to slag him off, but due to it's popularity and the fact that some of his customers or angry victims were so rude about him, the spoilsports that the Police are these days had to get involved!
They may have classed as a hate crime, I guess, good for the stats?
His name is John Woodgate, he has a beard and hes now a PCSO, so watch out BIB he might book you as well, to keep his hand in.
What happened to free speech, opionions, beliefs, I thought the internet was not Policed or censored, although have read that it's best not to host stuff in the UK or US as they have agreements with each other and ISP's delete or keep records of things, Phillipines is good I hear?
Anyway, I liked what this fella posted on to another motoring site:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1116322/Po...
Suffolk Police had to get Facebook to shut down a site dedicated to a Traffic Warden who had become a nightmare and was making peoples lives and businesses a misery, even resorting to creeping around in the dead of night to garner inteligence.
Some the locals set up a page to slag him off, but due to it's popularity and the fact that some of his customers or angry victims were so rude about him, the spoilsports that the Police are these days had to get involved!
They may have classed as a hate crime, I guess, good for the stats?
His name is John Woodgate, he has a beard and hes now a PCSO, so watch out BIB he might book you as well, to keep his hand in.
What happened to free speech, opionions, beliefs, I thought the internet was not Policed or censored, although have read that it's best not to host stuff in the UK or US as they have agreements with each other and ISP's delete or keep records of things, Phillipines is good I hear?
Tuesday 13 January 2009
Tony Blair - an apology
It's been brought to my attention that I regularly have a crack at Tony Blair and the fact his nose has been stuck in the money trough since he left office.
I have mistakenly claimed that he has earned £12million while the country he left in tatters goes down the plug hole and our armed forces are currently in two war zones (one a failed campaign and the other one we don't know why we are there) and losing decent personnel most days.
He has, in fact, earned £15million (source: The Times) in the two years he has been gone so my apologies for misleading you.
CG
captaingatso.net
I have mistakenly claimed that he has earned £12million while the country he left in tatters goes down the plug hole and our armed forces are currently in two war zones (one a failed campaign and the other one we don't know why we are there) and losing decent personnel most days.
He has, in fact, earned £15million (source: The Times) in the two years he has been gone so my apologies for misleading you.
CG
captaingatso.net
Speeding - one law for all of us?
You would think that all things being equal, a speeding arrest would lead to a ban. Sadly not. Here are a few examples dredged up this week. Read these and tell me the law treats us all as equals.
Speeding ban for Scots Labour MP
THE Labour MP for Falkirk, Eric Joyce, has been banned from driving for six months after speeding on the M9.Mr Joyce, 47, who is private secretary to the Business Secretary, John Hutton, pleaded guilty by letter this week at Falkirk District Court to driving at 81mph on the motorway near Bo'ness, West Lothian, on 4 April.
]
And then....
Plaid MP Elfyn Llwyd gets 28-day ban for speeding
PLAID Cymru parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd was banned from driving for 28 days yesterday after being accused of travelling at 101 mph.
Mr Llwyd, 57, MP for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy and a barrister, was also ordered to pay £675 in fines and costs by magistrates at Caernarfon.
He admitted speeding in his Mercedes car in a 60mph limit zone on the A487 near the Cross Foxes south of Dolgellau.
And then...
Obafemi Martins escapes driving ban
Road safety campaigners were furious today after Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins was not banned from driving having been caught doing 106mph in his Porsche.
Martins was clocked breaking the 70mph speed limit while on the way to the airport.
Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard yesterday the former Inter Milan player put his foot down because he was concerned he was going to miss a flight to see his sick son in Italy last May.
He was fined £550 and ordered to pay £400 costs and had six points put on his licence.
The 24-year-old Nigerian international was given credit for his unblemished driving record and his guilty plea by District Judge Stephen Earl.
It's not just me is it? There is something very wrong here. I'm not one to point an accusing finger but someone has done very well in court this week.
And on another note, a regular blog reader has sent me this...
Police chief gets speeding fine
The head of Tayside police has apologised after being caught speeding on a hazardous stretch of the A9.
Chief Constable Kevin Mathieson was travelling at 72mph in a 60mph zone near Kingussie last September.
He accepted responsibility for the offence and was fined £60 and received three penalty points on his licence.
I'm struck here about how good the top cop is to cough up and admit it - and well done to the copper who caught him and gave him the ticket. However, being a copper we only get to find out about this speeding offence after it came to light through a Freedom of Information Request made by a newspaper.
I'll leave you to make your own judgement here.
Captain Gatso
captaingatso.net
Speeding ban for Scots Labour MP
THE Labour MP for Falkirk, Eric Joyce, has been banned from driving for six months after speeding on the M9.Mr Joyce, 47, who is private secretary to the Business Secretary, John Hutton, pleaded guilty by letter this week at Falkirk District Court to driving at 81mph on the motorway near Bo'ness, West Lothian, on 4 April.
]
And then....
Plaid MP Elfyn Llwyd gets 28-day ban for speeding
PLAID Cymru parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd was banned from driving for 28 days yesterday after being accused of travelling at 101 mph.
Mr Llwyd, 57, MP for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy and a barrister, was also ordered to pay £675 in fines and costs by magistrates at Caernarfon.
He admitted speeding in his Mercedes car in a 60mph limit zone on the A487 near the Cross Foxes south of Dolgellau.
And then...
Obafemi Martins escapes driving ban
Road safety campaigners were furious today after Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins was not banned from driving having been caught doing 106mph in his Porsche.
Martins was clocked breaking the 70mph speed limit while on the way to the airport.
Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard yesterday the former Inter Milan player put his foot down because he was concerned he was going to miss a flight to see his sick son in Italy last May.
He was fined £550 and ordered to pay £400 costs and had six points put on his licence.
The 24-year-old Nigerian international was given credit for his unblemished driving record and his guilty plea by District Judge Stephen Earl.
It's not just me is it? There is something very wrong here. I'm not one to point an accusing finger but someone has done very well in court this week.
And on another note, a regular blog reader has sent me this...
Police chief gets speeding fine
The head of Tayside police has apologised after being caught speeding on a hazardous stretch of the A9.
Chief Constable Kevin Mathieson was travelling at 72mph in a 60mph zone near Kingussie last September.
He accepted responsibility for the offence and was fined £60 and received three penalty points on his licence.
I'm struck here about how good the top cop is to cough up and admit it - and well done to the copper who caught him and gave him the ticket. However, being a copper we only get to find out about this speeding offence after it came to light through a Freedom of Information Request made by a newspaper.
I'll leave you to make your own judgement here.
Captain Gatso
captaingatso.net
Monday 12 January 2009
Drivers' false address costs millions
This is today's splash story in the Metro - and I must say that I think it's fantastic.
If you don't want to be monitored this is a straight-forward way of dealing with speeding and congestion charge tickets. As I have said in previous posts it is fairly straight forward to register your vehicle in France.
And perfectly legal.
In the story I confess to being registered at an address in Scotland. Though I live in London.
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Drivers_false_address_con_costs_millions&in_article_id=471842&in_page_id=34
Thousands of motorists are dodging fines by registering their cars at shadow addresses, costing the country millions of pounds in lost revenue.
The drivers flout the law with impunity by telling the licensing authorities their vehicle is at another location and then ignoring all requests and court orders to pay fines.
With no onus on the true resident at the 'care of' address to say where the registered owner lives, police and local authorities can rarely be bothered to chase them.
Metropolitan Police Authority member Jenny Jones said the deception was costing millions of pounds in lost revenue for London alone.
She added: 'They are getting away with murder. They can cause crashes and cause real problems and we cannot catch them.'
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency allows motorists to register their vehicles with 'care of' addresses, which might include a 'friend, doctor, hotel or hostel'.
The scheme was introduced to help people such as travellers who might not be able to provide a permanent address.
But some have cottoned on to the loophole as a way to avoid parking fines, congestion fees and even fines for speeding and other motoring offences.
Some Britons also use the ruse of registering their cars at their second home abroad. Up to 700,000 penalties issued every year to foreign- registered vehicles go uncollected.
Notorious anti-speed camera campaigner Captain Gatso claimed he offered an address in Chelmsford where 'hundreds of motorists have registered their cars'.
He said: 'I have been doing this for many years as have thousands of motorists in the UK. I have three vehicles registered with a friend in Scotland and I live in London.
'I never pay the congestion charge or fines. Everything goes in the bin except the tax disc. Police can't be bothered to track down people who don't register at their home.'
The DVLA said it had to accept details it was given at face value.
But it added: 'It is an offence to knowingly give false or misleading declarations and information.'
Ms Jones added: 'It is down to police to follow this through. Far too many forces seem to give up.'
If you don't want to be monitored this is a straight-forward way of dealing with speeding and congestion charge tickets. As I have said in previous posts it is fairly straight forward to register your vehicle in France.
And perfectly legal.
In the story I confess to being registered at an address in Scotland. Though I live in London.
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Drivers_false_address_con_costs_millions&in_article_id=471842&in_page_id=34
Thousands of motorists are dodging fines by registering their cars at shadow addresses, costing the country millions of pounds in lost revenue.
The drivers flout the law with impunity by telling the licensing authorities their vehicle is at another location and then ignoring all requests and court orders to pay fines.
With no onus on the true resident at the 'care of' address to say where the registered owner lives, police and local authorities can rarely be bothered to chase them.
Metropolitan Police Authority member Jenny Jones said the deception was costing millions of pounds in lost revenue for London alone.
She added: 'They are getting away with murder. They can cause crashes and cause real problems and we cannot catch them.'
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency allows motorists to register their vehicles with 'care of' addresses, which might include a 'friend, doctor, hotel or hostel'.
The scheme was introduced to help people such as travellers who might not be able to provide a permanent address.
But some have cottoned on to the loophole as a way to avoid parking fines, congestion fees and even fines for speeding and other motoring offences.
Some Britons also use the ruse of registering their cars at their second home abroad. Up to 700,000 penalties issued every year to foreign- registered vehicles go uncollected.
Notorious anti-speed camera campaigner Captain Gatso claimed he offered an address in Chelmsford where 'hundreds of motorists have registered their cars'.
He said: 'I have been doing this for many years as have thousands of motorists in the UK. I have three vehicles registered with a friend in Scotland and I live in London.
'I never pay the congestion charge or fines. Everything goes in the bin except the tax disc. Police can't be bothered to track down people who don't register at their home.'
The DVLA said it had to accept details it was given at face value.
But it added: 'It is an offence to knowingly give false or misleading declarations and information.'
Ms Jones added: 'It is down to police to follow this through. Far too many forces seem to give up.'
Thursday 8 January 2009
Celebs won't learn
It's all happening today - boxer Frank Bruno gets banned for driving at twice the limit (that's 53mph in a 30mph zone).
And the lovely Jordan gets off a speeding charge on a technicality (she didn't tell police who was driving. Good girl).
Also, England and Gloucester rugby player Mike Tindall has been banned from driving for three years.
If people in the public eye can't concentrate on the rules of the road, then what hope for the rest of us?
And then today I hear that London Mayor Boris Johnson got a £60 congestion charge fine before Christmas - and he paid it! What a clown.
But the biggest clown is still Gordon Brown. The Daily Telegraph reveals today that this colossal idiot lost £4.7billion when he sold our gold at rock bottom prices. He is no more an economic genious than I am. And I would prefer having Jordan running the country's finances than Brown or Darling.
That's nearly £5billion - how many 'schools 'n' hospitals' is that for hard working families, then Gordon?
Pip, pip!
captaingatso.net
And the lovely Jordan gets off a speeding charge on a technicality (she didn't tell police who was driving. Good girl).
Also, England and Gloucester rugby player Mike Tindall has been banned from driving for three years.
If people in the public eye can't concentrate on the rules of the road, then what hope for the rest of us?
And then today I hear that London Mayor Boris Johnson got a £60 congestion charge fine before Christmas - and he paid it! What a clown.
But the biggest clown is still Gordon Brown. The Daily Telegraph reveals today that this colossal idiot lost £4.7billion when he sold our gold at rock bottom prices. He is no more an economic genious than I am. And I would prefer having Jordan running the country's finances than Brown or Darling.
That's nearly £5billion - how many 'schools 'n' hospitals' is that for hard working families, then Gordon?
Pip, pip!
captaingatso.net
Wednesday 7 January 2009
Blunkett's Bobbies 'solve less than one crime every four years'
I must admit that I laughed out loud when I read this.
Police Community Support Officers solve less than one crime every four years, according to official figures.
A poll of police forces also showed that PCSOs handed out just one fine every eight months.
Dubbed 'Hobby Bobbies' or 'Blunkett's Bobbies' after the Home Secretary who introduced them, PCSOs were intended to be a reassuring presence on the streets, and are able to issue fixed penalty notices for low-level crimes including public disorder and anti-social behaviour.
Several of the forces who provided figures to a Freedom of Information request - in Gwent, Bedfordshire and Leicestershire - admitted that their PCSOs failed to detect a single crime in the year.
I have been saying since they were introduced thatt hese plastic coppers would not be a patch on the real cops patrolling our streets. Despite Zanu Labour's best intentions they just haven't succeeded. But will we see the end of them??
* To everyone who has been in touch about forign drivers escaping punishment for not paying speeding fines etc. Fair play I say. I recommend that everyone registers their vehicle in France - it's not beyond the realms of possibility. And, believe me (!!), it's a lot easier to do than you think.
So I'm pleased to hear that a fair proportion of those ducking speed fines aren't actually 'foreigners'. But they are in fact fed-up, decent people playing the game to evade losing their livelihoods or face paying what is an extra unfair tax for Wee Gordon.
This is what 11 years of Zanu Labour rule has led to. Be honest, how many are considering this or would do it if it was very easy? Before this bunch of clowns came in no-one would have considered breaking or dodging any laws. But then again we had respect for the police and judges back then too.
Police Community Support Officers solve less than one crime every four years, according to official figures.
A poll of police forces also showed that PCSOs handed out just one fine every eight months.
Dubbed 'Hobby Bobbies' or 'Blunkett's Bobbies' after the Home Secretary who introduced them, PCSOs were intended to be a reassuring presence on the streets, and are able to issue fixed penalty notices for low-level crimes including public disorder and anti-social behaviour.
Several of the forces who provided figures to a Freedom of Information request - in Gwent, Bedfordshire and Leicestershire - admitted that their PCSOs failed to detect a single crime in the year.
I have been saying since they were introduced thatt hese plastic coppers would not be a patch on the real cops patrolling our streets. Despite Zanu Labour's best intentions they just haven't succeeded. But will we see the end of them??
* To everyone who has been in touch about forign drivers escaping punishment for not paying speeding fines etc. Fair play I say. I recommend that everyone registers their vehicle in France - it's not beyond the realms of possibility. And, believe me (!!), it's a lot easier to do than you think.
So I'm pleased to hear that a fair proportion of those ducking speed fines aren't actually 'foreigners'. But they are in fact fed-up, decent people playing the game to evade losing their livelihoods or face paying what is an extra unfair tax for Wee Gordon.
This is what 11 years of Zanu Labour rule has led to. Be honest, how many are considering this or would do it if it was very easy? Before this bunch of clowns came in no-one would have considered breaking or dodging any laws. But then again we had respect for the police and judges back then too.
AA (!) proposal to take cars off drunks
Here at MAD we are all for making the roads safer (despite what many of our critics would claim) so we salute the proposal from the Automobile Association.
They want to see the cars taken from persistent drink drivers.
We think that's a very good idea. Sadly, speed cameras can't spot drunks - only police in vehicles can do that.
So let's bring in this proposal for the sake of road safety (are you listening speed camera partnerships?) and at the same time enforce it properly with more officers patrolling our roads to ensure these idiots are actually caught, banned and stopped from driving again.
Sorted!
They want to see the cars taken from persistent drink drivers.
We think that's a very good idea. Sadly, speed cameras can't spot drunks - only police in vehicles can do that.
So let's bring in this proposal for the sake of road safety (are you listening speed camera partnerships?) and at the same time enforce it properly with more officers patrolling our roads to ensure these idiots are actually caught, banned and stopped from driving again.
Sorted!
Tuesday 6 January 2009
Here's a quick round-up
I've been 'occupied' for a few days and didn't have time to update this blog so here, in no particular order, is my take on a few things.
* The Middle East crisis. Nice to see that the Middle East envoy due to make everything better didn't actually get there until Israel invaded. So well done to Tony Blair who wouldn't interrupt his holiday even though he is the 'special envoy'. Let's not forget that because of his lies, men and women are still dying in an illegal war; in another war no-one understands why we are there and the country is on its arse. Never mind, Tony has earned well over £12million since leaving office.
* The M11 speed camera. Until it was pointed out to me I hadn't realised that this thing is racking up speeding 'fines' of around £30,ooo every 24 hours. That's around 500 drivers a day. Or about £1million a month. Err do the authorities not think it's time to look at signage and how the road is laid out or do we want them to rack up the cash.
* Oh and I could could bang on about people wanting us to take the Euro because of the economy. We don't need to go cap in hand to the Eurozone. They need us. We are still a net contributor to the loony EU gravytrain so we should throw our weight around a bit more. (And can anyone in favour of taking the Euro please explain to me why we have to give our gold reserves over to Germany for the privilege?).
* The Middle East crisis. Nice to see that the Middle East envoy due to make everything better didn't actually get there until Israel invaded. So well done to Tony Blair who wouldn't interrupt his holiday even though he is the 'special envoy'. Let's not forget that because of his lies, men and women are still dying in an illegal war; in another war no-one understands why we are there and the country is on its arse. Never mind, Tony has earned well over £12million since leaving office.
* The M11 speed camera. Until it was pointed out to me I hadn't realised that this thing is racking up speeding 'fines' of around £30,ooo every 24 hours. That's around 500 drivers a day. Or about £1million a month. Err do the authorities not think it's time to look at signage and how the road is laid out or do we want them to rack up the cash.
* Oh and I could could bang on about people wanting us to take the Euro because of the economy. We don't need to go cap in hand to the Eurozone. They need us. We are still a net contributor to the loony EU gravytrain so we should throw our weight around a bit more. (And can anyone in favour of taking the Euro please explain to me why we have to give our gold reserves over to Germany for the privilege?).
Wee Gordon's pouting costs taxpayers dearly
Nice to read that the great idea of moving Cabinet meetings around the country wasn't as slick as we had imagined.
Firstly, it's been done to boost Gordon's image but, sadly, the trip to Leeds last year cost around £200,000 with policing costing £138,000.
The first one in Birmingham cost around £62,000 says Gordon but he didn't add in the coppers' costs.
The next one is in Liverpool on Thursday so hopefully they might work out who is paying the police bill - and hopefully it's not the council taxpayers.
This is a political gimmick and we shouldn't have to be saddled with any costs.
No-one cares about the Cabinet. They are all remote and self-serving so trying to change peoples' opinions won't do a lot for them.
Firstly, it's been done to boost Gordon's image but, sadly, the trip to Leeds last year cost around £200,000 with policing costing £138,000.
The first one in Birmingham cost around £62,000 says Gordon but he didn't add in the coppers' costs.
The next one is in Liverpool on Thursday so hopefully they might work out who is paying the police bill - and hopefully it's not the council taxpayers.
This is a political gimmick and we shouldn't have to be saddled with any costs.
No-one cares about the Cabinet. They are all remote and self-serving so trying to change peoples' opinions won't do a lot for them.
Monday 5 January 2009
Gatso 'increases accidents'
More people should be questioning the authorities on why they place speed cameras where they do.
They are meant to follow a strict criteria, though many do not.
So here's a Captain Gatso well done to Paul Pearson who tried to get something done about the money-maker on the M11.
Accidents have actually risen since its installation. And, surprise, surprise, the authorities have no plans to take it away.
Hmmm, that's because it's making way too much money.
Here's the story in The Sun: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2093917.ece
ROAD safety chiefs have been slammed after a speed camera INCREASED crashes.
The number of accidents rose by a quarter and casualties almost doubled since the Gatso appeared on a motorway.
Motorists’ campaigner Paul Pearson forced authorities to release the figures under the Freedom of Information Act.
He claimed the camera, on the southbound M11 on the Essex-London border, was putting lives at risk to make money. At the spot, between Junctions 5 and 4, the motorway’s three lanes narrow to two and the speed limit drops from 70mph to 50.
In the five years before the camera was installed in 2001 there were 13 accidents and 14 casualties.
In the five years after it appeared there were 16 crashes and 24 casualties.
Paul, who runs drivers’ website www.penaltychargenotice.co.uk, said: “The figures speak for themselves. That camera is clearly there to make money because the figures show it is not there to prevent accidents. In fact it is doing the opposite.”
Furious Paul has contacted both Essex Police and Under Secretary of State for Transport Jim Fitzpatrick.
But their replies indicated the camera is not considered a problem and will stay.
They are meant to follow a strict criteria, though many do not.
So here's a Captain Gatso well done to Paul Pearson who tried to get something done about the money-maker on the M11.
Accidents have actually risen since its installation. And, surprise, surprise, the authorities have no plans to take it away.
Hmmm, that's because it's making way too much money.
Here's the story in The Sun: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2093917.ece
ROAD safety chiefs have been slammed after a speed camera INCREASED crashes.
The number of accidents rose by a quarter and casualties almost doubled since the Gatso appeared on a motorway.
Motorists’ campaigner Paul Pearson forced authorities to release the figures under the Freedom of Information Act.
He claimed the camera, on the southbound M11 on the Essex-London border, was putting lives at risk to make money. At the spot, between Junctions 5 and 4, the motorway’s three lanes narrow to two and the speed limit drops from 70mph to 50.
In the five years before the camera was installed in 2001 there were 13 accidents and 14 casualties.
In the five years after it appeared there were 16 crashes and 24 casualties.
Paul, who runs drivers’ website www.penaltychargenotice.co.uk, said: “The figures speak for themselves. That camera is clearly there to make money because the figures show it is not there to prevent accidents. In fact it is doing the opposite.”
Furious Paul has contacted both Essex Police and Under Secretary of State for Transport Jim Fitzpatrick.
But their replies indicated the camera is not considered a problem and will stay.
Sunday 4 January 2009
Police set to step up hacking of home PCs
There's a story in today's Sunday Times which underlines the sinister intentions of Zanu Labour and the EU - the hacking of home PCs by the police without a warrant.
Why on earth would they want to do that?
Apparently, the Home Office has quietly adopted a new plan to allow police across Britain routinely to hack into people’s personal computers without a warrant.
The move, which follows a decision by the European Union’s council of ministers in Brussels, has angered civil liberties groups and opposition MPs. They described it as a sinister extension of the surveillance state which drives “a coach and horses” through privacy laws.
The hacking is known as “remote searching”. It allows police or MI5 officers who may be hundreds of miles away to examine covertly the hard drive of someone’s PC at his home, office or hotel room.
Material gathered in this way includes the content of all e-mails, web-browsing habits and instant messaging.
It also means, as I have been flagging up, that Britons can now be arrested for something which isn't a crime here but is in, say, Greece. This is the thin end of a very, very thick wedge.
We are now, officially, living in a police superstate.
Why on earth would they want to do that?
Apparently, the Home Office has quietly adopted a new plan to allow police across Britain routinely to hack into people’s personal computers without a warrant.
The move, which follows a decision by the European Union’s council of ministers in Brussels, has angered civil liberties groups and opposition MPs. They described it as a sinister extension of the surveillance state which drives “a coach and horses” through privacy laws.
The hacking is known as “remote searching”. It allows police or MI5 officers who may be hundreds of miles away to examine covertly the hard drive of someone’s PC at his home, office or hotel room.
Material gathered in this way includes the content of all e-mails, web-browsing habits and instant messaging.
It also means, as I have been flagging up, that Britons can now be arrested for something which isn't a crime here but is in, say, Greece. This is the thin end of a very, very thick wedge.
We are now, officially, living in a police superstate.
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