Gatzos, Radar traps and detectors.

Have today driven 200 odd miles back from Cornwall where yesterday we put the boat back in (see, it is a boaty thread).
Two Points:-

1) On the A30 we all slowed down to 60 at the speed cameras, and then instantly accelerated back to the 80 we were doing before. How many people have been killed avoiding someone who slowed down suddenly because of a speed camera?

2) I used to daily commute 40 miles each way up and down the M5. It was very noticeable that the standard of driving was much worse on a Friday night in the summer, as drivers who hadn't been on the motorway since their last summer holiday hogged the middle lane, tailgated, pulled out without looking and/or indicating, etc.

60, 70, 80 are all arbitrary limits. 80 on the (fairly quiet) A30 this morning was perfectly safe as long as everyone is aware that there are people doing that speed - and most of us were (diong that speed, and aware). Its the idiots that are the problem - whether its boy racers or old gits. When sailing you watch the other boats to ensure they don't do anything irrational, against colregs, or that will compromise safety, and it is the same on the roads, albeit at a quicker pace.

But then, on motorways, if everybody drove at the same speed, wouldn't it be safer? Isn't it all about relative speed?

A whole new topic.....
 
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In our hypothetical case, one is going to slow, one is going too fast.


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I agree.

btw I've put the coppercoat on. Pics to follow shortly...
 
Do you show the same disregard for the ColRegs as you appear to do for speed restrictions? What other laws do you break? Which do you obey? What gives you the right to choose which to obey and which to ignore?
 
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What gives you the right to choose which to obey and which to ignore?


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So you have never broken the speed limit then? Never driven without a seat belt? Never answered your mobile whilst having the engine running? Never parked on a yellow/double yellow line? Pulled into a box junction when your exit wasn't clear? Ever not given way to a bus? Flashed your head lights other than as a warning? Sounded you horn after dusk when it wasn't as a warning? Driven knowing one of your lights wasn't working. Sat in the overtaking lanes when the inside lane was clear. etc etc.....

Don't believe you /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
No, I'm not saying I'm perfect - I doubt if any of us are - but I do try to drive well and do not deliberately break the law. I see the blatant disregard of the law which was being described as unacceptable behaviour. The justice system appears to agree with me: a small amount over the limit gets you 3 points and a small fine (£60?) with no prosecution if it's paid promptly; 80mph in a 60 limit is likely to attract a visit to the local court, between 3 and 6 points and a fine of several hundred pounds.
 
Don't mix up the law, safety and this governments extra £180m in taxation through arbitary motoring fines.

When I see cameras situated in dangerous positions instead of where the road is clear and straight I will start to consider that safety MAY be an issue.

I have done approx 40k mls per year for the last 20 yrs. I am currently using a motorcycle for 25k of them - now that is an aid to safety as you are fully aware of the consequences of bad driving in the likely injuries you will get.
 
"It's the idiots that are the problem" ??? maybe just maybe that's why speed limits are in effect so we can make allowances for these "idiots" - slow down please, it's better to be late in this world than early into the next.
 
Sorry we may have to agree to disagree on this one.

Its bad driving which may be sometimes combined with inappropriate speed that causes accidents. Bad road design and inadequate road spending also contribute but the recent trend to punish anyone speeding on whatever road in whatever conditions is merely the agencies trying to justify their revenue raising tatics.

With modern cars, ABS etc 70mph is a silly limit on an empty motorway. Carving through conjested traffic, quickly swapping lanes at 50mph on the same motorway will cause an accident. Providing common sense is applied by the Police I don't think many would object to sensible limits.
 
I agree; anyone who breaks the law is a criminal and deserves punishment. Sadly, some motorists feel they are above the law, probably due to the sense of isolatation engendered by the hermetical fuselage inwhich they are cocooned. My driver is under strict instructions not exceed the speed limit - but I still give him hell if I'm late! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
What it must be like to be you and perfect.

Can you honetly say you have never done any of the following

So you have never broken the speed limit then? Never driven without a seat belt? Never answered your mobile whilst having the engine running? Never parked on a yellow/double yellow line? Pulled into a box junction when your exit wasn't clear? Ever not given way to a bus? Flashed your head lights other than as a warning? Sounded you horn after dusk when it wasn't as a warning? Driven knowing one of your lights wasn't working. Sat in the overtaking lanes when the inside lane was clear. etc etc.....
 
Returning this thread to the original question...Yes I have a Snooper S4 Neo (sure it has been superceded by now) and I’m very happy with it. It’s a laser and GPS combined Unit. I also bought the optional radar detector but now never use it as I got too many false positives in towns where every shop with automatic doors caused it to bleep. As someone else said, choose one of the better makes which allow you to download updated GPS coordinates. Mine allows me to choose how far ahead of any camera I want the warning (ie 50 - 350 yards IIRC?), and loads of other useful user-options.

I genuinely don’t use it to enable me to speed without being caught, but to ensure I don’t do so by mistake. One of the most useful things is being able to set a warning message to occur at whatever speed limit you choose. So you can ensure you don’t accidentally go over the particular limit as the “nice lady in the black box” tells you in calm tones to “slow down, you’re speeding” when you creep above your chosen threshold. I imagine lots of more upmarket cars probably have this feature now anyway...a bit like cruise control. It also tells you when you’re going past the camera gantries which measure average speed, and when you have got through the last set.

Not sure how far the legislation has got with these devices but they’re planning on banning laser detectors although GPS ones will be OK. So it might be worth making sure if you buy one with both, that you can disable the laser part should the ban happen. Unfortunately I can’t do this with mine so the whole thing will be illegal in due course...ggrrrrr!!!

Living in London, I wouldn’t be without it. Just my tuppence worth.

Vanilla
 
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