| Author | Message | ||
     Rocketman |
From MCN's web site. http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults /mcn/2007/October/october8-14/oct0907policesuspend useofalllaserspeedgunsandbanofficersfromexceeding1 00mph/ Rocket | ||
| Phatkidwit1eye |
Maybe the filth will once again go back to stopping crime, instead of being revenue collectors with a badge. | ||
| Aeholton |
Anyone know the details on the court case? Just wondering what kind of case would cause an all out ban on laser radar detectors.  (Message edited by aeholton on October 09, 2007) | ||
| Midknyte |
I don't see this as 100% good news. No exacerbated high speed chases, but... The trend now is to instead install radar cameras all over the place and ticket by wire. I prefer the discretion of another human being in whether the conditions warrent or require a ticket. It ain't all black & white. | ||
| Mikej |
"the filth "  I'm curious about the case details as well. I've also wondered about the safety of these devices? Are they safe to look at directly when activated? Are they dangerous to one's eyes? I probably get pinged 3-12+ times a day with radar and/or laser guns due to where I ride and drive on a daily basis, wonder how long until I go blind..... | ||
| Cataract2 |
They use infrared from my understanding. So I don't think you have anything to worry about to my knowledge. I also agree. I prefer a human to those damn cameras. They start going up here and I'll be looking into some devices to defeat them. | ||
| Rocketman |
For now I see what tiny bit of info we have, ie the short email sent to Kent police officers, as pretty ambiguous. Laser guns are used by mobile camera units fixed inside police vehicles. Laser units are used on fixed tripods on stationary police motorcycles. Whether or not this email specifically relates to hand held laser guns is unknown to us it seems. Then the email goes on to say "No further FPN's {fixed penalty notices} or summons to be issued", could relate to all speed enforcement except that by fixed camera sites. One thing is clear though. Speed enforcement is changing constantly in the UK. Mostly it's against the motorist, but this period of respite, if that's what it is, won't last. Something more sinister lurks, and I believe it will come with satellite tracking used for road pricing. Then your journey will be known, and the time it took you to conduct it. It's only a matter of time, maybe a few years yet, but that time will come when you're convicted for speeding because your average journey time was quicker than the speed limits for the roads travelled allowed. We're doomed!!!!  Rocket | ||
| Midknyte |
They start going up here and I'll be looking into some devices to defeat them Save your scheming for evasion then because you'll not have much luck in killing the machines http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/netherland s-vandal-proof-speed-camera.htm | ||
| Rocketman |
Reportedly they're coming to the UK any time soon. Rocket | ||
| Buellshyter |
Then your journey will be known, and the time it took you to conduct it. It's only a matter of time, maybe a few years yet, but that time will come when you're convicted for speeding because your average journey time was quicker than the speed limits for the roads travelled allowed. I heard of a case here in the States whereby a rental car company assessed a fine to a driver of one of it's vehicles because it was ascertained, by GPS data, that he/she had been speeding. | ||
| Rocketman |
Unbelievable! I read there are three counties in the UK that are involved in vehicle tracking tests right now. For some reason the powers that be chose motorcycles rather than cars as their test vehicles. A microchip is located inside the number plate. The microchip talks to beacons placed along the roadside. The vehicles journey is known. Big brother, road pricing, speeding fines. It ain't like the old days! Scary stuff. Rocket | ||
| Slaughter |
Now perhaps you might be able to explain to one or two of your brethren there in England WHY it might be that we colonials are so (apparently justifiably) paranoid? | ||
| Rocketman |
Now perhaps you might be able to explain to one or two of your brethren there in England WHY it might be that we colonials are so (apparently justifiably) paranoid? You got me there. You're (Americans?) paranoid about what - speed enforcement? Or are you trying to goad me into some other argument now I've returned to BadWeB? If the latter, forget it. I'm not interested. Rocket | ||
| Diablobrian |
I think that he was referring to the opinion that Americans are really nervous about anything that infringes on their freedoms. This attitude, especially as it pertains to things like second amendment rights (firearm ownership) being incrementally eroded has been termed "paranoid" by some of your countrymen Rocket. I think he was alluding to the slow tightening of control on your roads being a close parallel thus justifying our fears to your countrymen. But I could be wrong | ||
| Slaughter |
Brian got it about right. Many of us guard our privacy and freedoms pretty zealously and are perceived as paranoid. (Slaughter reaches for the tinfoil hat now) | ||
| Rocketman |
Ah then in that case Slaughter, I apologise. Please understand, I'm sick of not being liked by some on BadWeB who I've known for a long time, just because I'm competent at arguing through a keyboard. That and my anti-Buell commentary too. Not a good way to keep or make friends. I dunno. Let's just say that Blake gave me a reality check, and I'm sure I needed it. This is the more easy going Rocket. Less confrontational if you like, lol.  As for the 'paranoid' comment. I'm not familiar with it over this side in the context you mention. That said, it's hard to fight the corridors of power in this country after the way Thatcher dealt with the Miners (Strike) and the Poll Tax marchers. In fact, as a nation we all seem to have become sheep. Well, nearly all. Years ago vigorous advertising against drink driving succeeded in making a nation see it as a disgusting and dangerous thing to do. No doubt it is, but it's only twenty years or so ago when one of the most common phrases in TV beer commercials would be "one for the road"? Today the target is speeding motorists. If a nation as a whole can be made to drive at normal pace, no matter how low the speed limit becomes, their frustration of having to form an orderly slow moving line is subconsciously called upon when anyone tries to overtake and move ahead, no matter if it's safe to do so. Because the person(s) you're overtaking fear for speed cops or mobile cameras, and because you dare to ignore the speed limit posted - unlike those you're passing, then a barrage of abuse and flashing headlights will be in your rear view mirror, guaranteed. Narrowing dual carriageways into single file lane, or placing double white lines for miles and miles on two way roads has become an effective weapon of the government. Even in wide open rural areas with little traffic, this new form of road layout is happening all over the UK. Its purpose is to make the motorist conform by brow beating them with what could best be described as common sense. It is getting to the point now where overtaking is fast becoming a crime in itself. So the agenda is, turn is all into sheep. It's easy to do. Just make you the sensible caring careful motorist by applauding your sensible road manner and patience, and those in a hurry overtaking or speeding, make them the idiots. Once done they'll be less of us campaigning against speed cameras or speed humps or single file lanes and no crossing lines etc etc. I guess the irony is, this is the power of the people. France looks good though. I think that's where I'll retire to one day. At least it's an age old tradition to revolt against ones government in France. A practice that still continues to this day. Happy travels! Rocket | ||
| Ryker77 |
This months issue of Car&Driver has a long article about traffic cops not really enforcing saftey or the law. But are just out to generate REVENUE. Many city government do studies to determine if the revenue a new officer can generate justifies the hiring of new officers. Some governments annex the city limits to include the local nearby highway for no other reason than to have access to speeding tickets. One city was even reported as to have a bonus program for the cops. Every ticket over # per shift would result in an extra hour of overtime PAY! These actions alter the officers ability to enforce all saftey laws and only care about getting easy high dollar traffic tickets. The cop can write several speeding tickets in the same amount of time it takes to deal with a DUI stop and chances are the DUI person will get lawyer to fight the case. It is much easier to BLACKMAIL the general public. If speeding is so illegal - Then why is the Honda Insight Americans highest miles per gallon car (70+mpg) sold with the abilty to travel at over 110mph? I can only think of a few cars that are governed to 85mph which is still 15mph over the highest legal limit in America. | ||
| Rocketman |
Well, this year has seen a change in where the revenue collected from fixed and mobile speed cameras goes, and the change has had a dramatic effect on speed enforcement. In the UK, until this year revenue has been kept by the local authorities running the 'safety camera partnerships' (local police force). This revenue has been used to prop up, in most counties at least, severely underfunded police forces. This year revenue from 'safety camera partnerships' has been directed to central government. This has led to police forces from nearly all counties showing a significant percentage drop in the use of their mobile camera vehicles. Makes you wonder whether safety or revenue is foremost on the agenda. I think we all know the answer. But I reckon in time it will come down to tracking systems. Be they GPS or roadside beacon and chip type. Eventually speed cameras will become obsolete and police officers need never hold a laser gun again. That's the simplicity of it. Leave from point A and arrive at point B in too soon a time and you're nicked by sophisticated electronics and the summons will drop in your mail box without ever having graced a human hand! Rocket | ||
| Ryker77 |
A good portion of the big rigs in America allready keep track of everything. Average speed, max speed, number of times you came to close to the car infront or was to close to a side wall... This is for saftey and cheaper insurance, so I don't mind that. Just don't like the government creating and enforcing laws as another tax method. We had the Boston Tea party becuase of the unfair tax/revenue system. www.ronpaul2008.com | ||
| Oldog |
Makes you wonder whether safety or revenue is foremost on the agenda. I think we all know the answer. But I reckon in time it will come down to tracking systems. Be they GPS or roadside beacon and chip type. Eventually speed cameras will become obsolete and police officers need never hold a laser gun again. That's the simplicity of it. Leave from point A and arrive at point B in too soon a time and you're nicked by sophisticated electronics and the summons will drop in your mail box without ever having graced a human hand! To True Big Brother is watching its off to the "mini love" for me | ||
| Midknyte |
In the UK, until this year revenue has been kept by the local authorities Here in the good ol US of A, the cameras are maintained & operated by [non-LEO] third parties who get a large (upwards of 30%) cut of the fines. Corruption and revenue scheming is not just a possiblity, it's part of the design from the start. |
