Why does no-one listen to Motorists Against Detection? We told people years ago - even when Auto Express reported on the expansion of these schemes that making the roads 20mph doesn't work.
Because our views are unpalatable doesn't make us wrong.
There has to be an open and honest debate about bringing down the accident figures.
I say this is an easy process - and you only need to do things.
1. Put more police on the roads.
2. Improve driver education.
This is what today's Telegraph is saying:
Controversial 20mph speed limits in residential streets may not bring any significant improvement in road safety, a report published by the Department for Transport has found.
The number of people killed or seriously injured on affected roads actually went up, not down, after the limit was lowered claiming that they will cut the toll of deaths on the road.
However, an analysis of the UK's first city-wide scheme - in which the limit was lowered from 30mph to 20mph on all residential streets in Portsmouth, at a cost of £500,000 - found that it has not brought any significant reduction in the number of accidents.
Paul Watters, head of public affairs at the AA, said: "By just whacking up signs everywhere you are not going to change things dramatically.
"We support targeted and tailored 20mph zones where they are really needed, not a blanket implementation across a whole city.
"Sometimes the limits can be problematic because bus journey times are affected, and also there is an impact for delivery firms and everyone else driving in the city."
Read more
We despair! Stop taxing and harrassing motorists if you want road safety to improve. Focus on what made the UK's road the safest in the world - before the introduction of speed cameras and 20mph zones.
Captain Gatso
The Motorists Friend
Showing posts with label motorists against detection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motorists against detection. Show all posts
Monday, 4 October 2010
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Speed cameras to slow you down?
I was quoted in the Evening Standard yesterday for my view on speed cameras to govern 20mph zones.
This is a long-running issue and my thoughts are two-fold.
Firstly, 20mph zones bring a variety of issues for road safety (and not all good). The roads should be self-governing anyway since various traffic calming measures are introduced.
Secondly, I'm really worried about TFL's 'mission creep'. It starts out with security cameras and then become an ANPR network. These 20mph cameras will come in and then they are monitoring who was where, doing what and for how long. In addition, it's a cinch to bring in road tolling with this kind of network.
We don't want tolls but Boris and the TFL might have different ideas.
Here's what I said:
The campaigner known as “Captain Gatso”, from Motorists Against Detection, said: “Twenty and 30mph zones should already be self-policing because of traffic-calming measures. Average speed cameras are just another idea to keep the gravy train running for TfL.”
Read the Evening Standard story.
Captain Gatso
The Motorists Friend
speedaholics.com
This is a long-running issue and my thoughts are two-fold.
Firstly, 20mph zones bring a variety of issues for road safety (and not all good). The roads should be self-governing anyway since various traffic calming measures are introduced.
Secondly, I'm really worried about TFL's 'mission creep'. It starts out with security cameras and then become an ANPR network. These 20mph cameras will come in and then they are monitoring who was where, doing what and for how long. In addition, it's a cinch to bring in road tolling with this kind of network.
We don't want tolls but Boris and the TFL might have different ideas.
Here's what I said:
The campaigner known as “Captain Gatso”, from Motorists Against Detection, said: “Twenty and 30mph zones should already be self-policing because of traffic-calming measures. Average speed cameras are just another idea to keep the gravy train running for TfL.”
Read the Evening Standard story.
Captain Gatso
The Motorists Friend
speedaholics.com
Sunday, 25 July 2010
The Coalition Govt - we salute you!
News over the weekend that Govt spending cuts will see roadside cameras switrched off is good news for ALL motorists.
Let's see the end of speed camera partnerships (forget the word 'safety' in their titles because they aren't interested in road safety) and then return to the days when the UK had the safest roads in the world.
Is that too much to ask for?
Here's how Sky News tell the story:
Thousands of speed cameras could be switched off after the Government slashed cash for road safety by 40%
According to The Sunday Times, the first county likely to abandon the devices is Oxfordshire, which may shut down its 79 cameras as early as next week.
Other counties could do the same, with camera networks in Devon and Cornwall, Somerset and Northamptonshire also under review, the paper said.
About 6,000 speed cameras across the UK cost motorists an estimated £100m in fines a year. Oxfordshire's network raised more than £1m in 2009.
But the money goes to the Treasury despite local authorities complaining they should be able to keep the proceeds for spending on road safety.
The reduction in Government cash for road safety has prompted Oxfordshire officials to recommend a £600,000 cut in Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership funding.
The body, which operates the county's fixed speed cameras, has reportedly said it will no longer be able to afford them, if funding is slashed.
All the cameras will be switched off if county councillors ratify the cutback on Tuesday, the Times continued.
The reviews of camera networks follow a Government decision to claw back £38m from English local authorities' 2010-11 £95m road safety budget.
Road safety minister Mike Penning told the paper: "In the coalition agreement, the Government made clear it would end central funding for fixed speed cameras.
"This is another example of this government delivering on its pledge to end the war on the motorist.
"I would hope that councils will use the funds available to put in place new measures to tackle road safety problems."
Road safety charity Brake's Ellen Booth feared Oxfordshire's decision could prompt other councils to scrap speed cameras.
She was quoted as saying: "We're incredibly concerned in case this is more than an isolated incident. That would be a disaster for road safety and the public."
NO THIS WOULD NOT BE A DISASTER.
Motorists Against Detection wants to see more police on the roads to enforce the laws of the land AND an increase in driver education.
This really is a time for celebration!
Captain Gatso
The Motorists' Friend
Let's see the end of speed camera partnerships (forget the word 'safety' in their titles because they aren't interested in road safety) and then return to the days when the UK had the safest roads in the world.
Is that too much to ask for?
Here's how Sky News tell the story:
Thousands of speed cameras could be switched off after the Government slashed cash for road safety by 40%
According to The Sunday Times, the first county likely to abandon the devices is Oxfordshire, which may shut down its 79 cameras as early as next week.
Other counties could do the same, with camera networks in Devon and Cornwall, Somerset and Northamptonshire also under review, the paper said.
About 6,000 speed cameras across the UK cost motorists an estimated £100m in fines a year. Oxfordshire's network raised more than £1m in 2009.
But the money goes to the Treasury despite local authorities complaining they should be able to keep the proceeds for spending on road safety.
The reduction in Government cash for road safety has prompted Oxfordshire officials to recommend a £600,000 cut in Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership funding.
The body, which operates the county's fixed speed cameras, has reportedly said it will no longer be able to afford them, if funding is slashed.
All the cameras will be switched off if county councillors ratify the cutback on Tuesday, the Times continued.
The reviews of camera networks follow a Government decision to claw back £38m from English local authorities' 2010-11 £95m road safety budget.
Road safety minister Mike Penning told the paper: "In the coalition agreement, the Government made clear it would end central funding for fixed speed cameras.
"This is another example of this government delivering on its pledge to end the war on the motorist.
"I would hope that councils will use the funds available to put in place new measures to tackle road safety problems."
Road safety charity Brake's Ellen Booth feared Oxfordshire's decision could prompt other councils to scrap speed cameras.
She was quoted as saying: "We're incredibly concerned in case this is more than an isolated incident. That would be a disaster for road safety and the public."
NO THIS WOULD NOT BE A DISASTER.
Motorists Against Detection wants to see more police on the roads to enforce the laws of the land AND an increase in driver education.
This really is a time for celebration!
Captain Gatso
The Motorists' Friend
Friday, 14 May 2010
War on motorists to end
It's the news that everyone here at Motorists Against Detection have been waiting for - the new Govt will end the war on motorists.
No more cash for speed cameras is great news; and now they need to disband the camera partnerships and their 'jobs for the boys' mentality.
The UK had the safest roads in the world until Nu Liebore took office.
Perhaps we can go back to those days and stop trying to fleece the motorists to fund barmy schemes.
Captain Gatso
The Motorists Friend
NEW Transport Secretary Philip Hammond vowed to "end the war on motorists" yesterday.
He promised there would be no tolls on existing roads, no more government funding for speed cameras, and consultation on a "stabiliser" mechanism to bring down fuel duty when petrol prices rise.
Mr Hammond said: "Motoring has to get greener, but the car is not going to go away."
Read more of The Sun story.
No more cash for speed cameras is great news; and now they need to disband the camera partnerships and their 'jobs for the boys' mentality.
The UK had the safest roads in the world until Nu Liebore took office.
Perhaps we can go back to those days and stop trying to fleece the motorists to fund barmy schemes.
Captain Gatso
The Motorists Friend
NEW Transport Secretary Philip Hammond vowed to "end the war on motorists" yesterday.
He promised there would be no tolls on existing roads, no more government funding for speed cameras, and consultation on a "stabiliser" mechanism to bring down fuel duty when petrol prices rise.
Mr Hammond said: "Motoring has to get greener, but the car is not going to go away."
Read more of The Sun story.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
And they're off!
So the election starts. We will be watching what's in it for the long-suffering motorists and comment here.
Motorists Against Detection will also be unveiling our very own election manifesto shortly.
Anyone concerned with how politicians have been kicking us over the past 13 years will be interested to hear what we are calling for.
As a powerful but underrepresented voice we can work together to ensure that the political parties take note of us.
Captain Gatso
The Motorists Friend
PS I saw a garage yesterday with petrol at £1.24 a litre - and there's still no protests or riots. What has happened to us?
Motorists Against Detection will also be unveiling our very own election manifesto shortly.
Anyone concerned with how politicians have been kicking us over the past 13 years will be interested to hear what we are calling for.
As a powerful but underrepresented voice we can work together to ensure that the political parties take note of us.
Captain Gatso
The Motorists Friend
PS I saw a garage yesterday with petrol at £1.24 a litre - and there's still no protests or riots. What has happened to us?
Monday, 28 December 2009
Happy Xmas from the Speed Camera Partnerships
Well, not really a happy Xmas - or a happy new year - come to that after they have been told to reveal how much speed cameras earn.
This will underline what I have been sayig for years that speed cameras were never about safety. If that was the case they would be outside schools and hospitals and high streets. But no, the authorities had to raise cash for their silly schemes. (Speed is a factor in less than 5% of accidents - Govt figures).
Anyway enjoy this great story in today's Sun.... (With quotes from me!)
SPEED cameras were condemned as mere money makers last night after cops were ordered to reveal the huge sums raised.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2785613/Bonanza-gatso-hauls-exposed.html#ixzz0azbrcrRN
This will underline what I have been sayig for years that speed cameras were never about safety. If that was the case they would be outside schools and hospitals and high streets. But no, the authorities had to raise cash for their silly schemes. (Speed is a factor in less than 5% of accidents - Govt figures).
Anyway enjoy this great story in today's Sun.... (With quotes from me!)
SPEED cameras were condemned as mere money makers last night after cops were ordered to reveal the huge sums raised.
England's busiest Gatso at the bottom of the M11 outside London raked in an estimated �2.3MILLION in five years as it flashed 38,243 drivers breaking the 50mph limit.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2785613/Bonanza-gatso-hauls-exposed.html#ixzz0azbrcrRN
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Panorama - What Ever Happened to People Power?
I've said it before and I'll say it again - the police, aided and abetted by Zanu Labour, are not interested in democracy and free speech.
They don't want people to speak up and defend their rights (try contesting a wrongly issued parking or speeding ticket and fell the full force of this depravity).
So it's hats off to BBC's Panorama programme for their sterling effort: What Ever Happened to People Power?
Mainly because it used professional, older people to illustrate a point.
It's not young radicals that the police are targeting. It's ordinary law-abiding, hard working people who they can't stand.
They invent reasons to stop and harrass people, keep evidence they shouldn't even have, prevent people from protesting (because that's like soooo dangerous) and enforce a blanket 'everyone is guilty until we say otherwise approach'.
Here at MAD we have been trying to point out that the Police's approach to combatting 'speeding' has worsened the public-police relationship.
From the Panorama programme (watch it here) the police really are their own worst enemies.
I fear though that the damage is done. The police won't give their (mainly illegal) powers no matter who is in charge.
Welcome to Police State Britain! (Good work Blair and Brown, by the way, This should go on your tombstone along with the illegal wars, super high taxation, unlimited immigration......)
Captain Gatso
The Motorists Friend
They don't want people to speak up and defend their rights (try contesting a wrongly issued parking or speeding ticket and fell the full force of this depravity).
So it's hats off to BBC's Panorama programme for their sterling effort: What Ever Happened to People Power?
Mainly because it used professional, older people to illustrate a point.
It's not young radicals that the police are targeting. It's ordinary law-abiding, hard working people who they can't stand.
They invent reasons to stop and harrass people, keep evidence they shouldn't even have, prevent people from protesting (because that's like soooo dangerous) and enforce a blanket 'everyone is guilty until we say otherwise approach'.
Here at MAD we have been trying to point out that the Police's approach to combatting 'speeding' has worsened the public-police relationship.
From the Panorama programme (watch it here) the police really are their own worst enemies.
I fear though that the damage is done. The police won't give their (mainly illegal) powers no matter who is in charge.
Welcome to Police State Britain! (Good work Blair and Brown, by the way, This should go on your tombstone along with the illegal wars, super high taxation, unlimited immigration......)
Captain Gatso
The Motorists Friend
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