RE: FN-FORUM [OT] Radar Detectors (Was: Design Critique)

date posted 25th January 2003 16:06

> I've always maintained that the presence of cameras does more
> to promote erratic driving than anything - so many times I've
> been behind cars that suddenly stamp on their brakes because
> they've seen a camera, even though they're within the speed
> limit! Then there's those people that know where the cameras
> are so they drive way too fast and then stand on the brakes
> at the last minute. This has been proven to be the case in
> recent studies as well.

Very true. This is why, IMHO, in areas that they are justified, the
authorities should install SPECS cameras. The first place I saw these
was Nottingham and it seemed to work. There are digital video cameras
every 1/4 mile or so that monitor your progress over a distance of a
mile or two. If your average speed is above the limit by a margin, you
get a ticket through the post.

Combine that with advance warnings of changes to speed limits and people
have plenty of time to slow down and keep to the limit through the
entire blackspot.

The main problem I have with this is that you end up with people
spending more time concentrating on their spedo and keeping to the limit
than they do looking out for the kid that's about to chase his football
out from between the parked cars.

Perhaps the Mini has a point. That huge spedo in the middle doesn't
take much concentration to check you're within the limit.

Darran.