View Full Version : Speed Gun Vigilantes
Just coming back from my lunch break and saw on the side of the road 3 hi-viz wearing busybodies measuring everyone's speed as they go past.
One of them had a speed gun, one had a clip board and the third had a video camera.
The road that they were doing this on is preety busy and there are 4 or 5 junctions in a small area so it is a place where sticking to the speed limit at 1.30 on a Thursday lunchtime is probably a good idea. Although I am not aware there has ever been an accidident there.
The sight did make me very angy though, even though these people mean well and could potentially prevent an accident I don't agree with what they are doing. They are like the school swat who runs to the teacher and tells.
Anyway do these people have any way of prosecuting you if they do manage to record you speeding? If they present there findings to the police is it sufficient evidence for a prosecution? Do the police even care?
Roberrrrt
24-02-11, 01:59 PM
I wonder whether they might have been doing a traffic survey?
I know that sometimes the Highways dept. require a traffic survey if you're wanting to create a new access into a development on particularly busy/tricky roads...
Haha, if so I apologise for all the nasty things I called them under my breath lol
timwilky
24-02-11, 02:07 PM
Some plod do issue speed guns to vigilante groups
They cannot prosecute you, plod is likely to write a letter to you saying your speed is causing concern, Stop being a naughty boy.
If you think about it, plods interest should be to reduce speed not prosecute speeders. Therefore they get their work done for free
454697819
24-02-11, 02:13 PM
id welcome them to our village, fecking numpties not grasping that 30 is 30 for a reason, even in a built up area, I hope they hit a dear to 60 and they get the **** point...
metalangel
24-02-11, 02:16 PM
Haven't seen any around here, though I do see a camera bike (with proper operator) sometimes. TBH you'd probably to well to find out who these do-gooders are and post some dog turds through their letter box.
They often report their findings to police and you get a letter like timmy says.
They do annoy me though in the same way they annoy you Lenny.
Oi numbers blokey person... perhaps a bit far I'd say.
So really they are wasting their time and police time as well.
Good work
My Mum had one of those letters - it just says to watch your speed and it can be taken further if you keep repeat offending. Not sure how that works though.
CheGuevara
24-02-11, 03:05 PM
If people aren't speeding in their neighbourhood, then surely they wouldn't have a reason to be stood their. If you are speeding and fail to notice a group of people wearing high-vis vests and aiming a radar gun at you then you're getting off lightly with a letter instead of a ticket for your carelessness (not directed specifically at the OP).
I've seen them around here in 30mph residential areas. Doesn't cause me any fuss as I'm not speeding in front of their homes. I know it's a problem in these particular spots though, and if I lived right there I'd probably also do what I legally could to try and slow people down.
Can't see how it's a waste of police time either. Presumably if there's enough residents complaining then the police would otherwise have to allocate officers and a car to sit there issuing tickets until the problem was resolved. If it's effective in the least then the only time they might be wasting is their own.
Next there will be complaining that Neighbourhood Watch are time-wasting vigilantes for wanting to keep their neighbourhoods safe. People should be commended for making the effort, rather than turning a blind eye, waiting for the state to do something about it, and whinging about how bad things are getting.
metalangel
24-02-11, 03:08 PM
There's a bit of a difference between keeping an eye out for suspicious pikeys sizing up your neighbour's house, and going all Victor Meldrew shopping your neighbours to the cops.
Chavs go SCREAMING up the street outside my house but I still wouldn't want some self-righteous retiree out there.
CheGuevara
24-02-11, 03:24 PM
There's a bit of a difference between keeping an eye out for suspicious pikeys sizing up your neighbour's house, and going all Victor Meldrew shopping your neighbours to the cops.
Chavs go SCREAMING up the street outside my house but I still wouldn't want some self-righteous retiree out there.
If it stopped the speeding chavs (who hopefully are not your neighbours) I'd buy the old guy a pint for getting the job done and not costing me anything in taxes :)
BTW - I had to look up Victor Meldrew on wiki. It says "In the final episode... Meldrew is killed after being hit by a car." Ironic choice of examples.
metalangel
24-02-11, 03:28 PM
Nothing stops chavs. When the warning letter arrives, they won't know what it says because they can't read.
CheGuevara
24-02-11, 03:33 PM
Nothing stops chavs. When the warning letter arrives, they won't know what it says because they can't read.
Hahaha fair point :D
it seems reasonable to me , but then im in the 35+ age group...for all those in 35 and under , you prolly think the world is mine to have fun in inclluding all roads no matter where they are ....my new website will adress this v problem - how to make people Calm Down in Town ! :cool:
oh good name for a website :)
454697819
24-02-11, 03:41 PM
They often report their findings to police and you get a letter like timmy says.
They do annoy me though in the same way they annoy you Lenny.
Oi numbers blokey person... perhaps a bit far I'd say.
why,
You don't like them, I like them,
at the end of the day if your not speeding you have nothing to worry about?
My point is valid, just because my village is rural and doesn't look as busy as a town street they think its ok to drive at speed through there because its rural, however there are lots of children etc who use the paths which is the entire point of the 30mph limit.
If they speed through at 60 and hit a deer at leasts its one less dear and not a child, maybe it would drive home the point of speeding rurally isn't as safe as they think..
I said it was a little harsh in the respect that you sounded like you were wanting someone to smash into a deer at 60, which imo isn't a very nice thing.
454697819
24-02-11, 03:46 PM
I said it was a little harsh in the respect that you sounded like you were wanting someone to smash into a deer at 60, which imo isn't a very nice thing.
doh
no, not at one person i'm not that mean, close but not quite :D
hardhat_harry
24-02-11, 03:52 PM
As falling down stairs and falling off ladders kills far more people than speeding motorists I think these do-gooders should stand around ladders with safety harnesses and nets.
CheGuevara
24-02-11, 04:03 PM
As falling down stairs and falling off ladders kills far more people than speeding motorists I think these do-gooders should stand around ladders with safety harnesses and nets.
I'm guessing you're just kidding about the number of deaths by ladder falls, but I had to look it up for myself as I wasn't sure (and would have been amazed if it were true). According to this: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg402.pdf
"A third of all reported fall-from-height incidents involve ladders and stepladders – on average this accounts for 14 deaths and 1200 major injuries to workers each year."
benji106
24-02-11, 04:05 PM
"A third of all reported fall-from-height incidents involve ladders and stepladders – on average this accounts for 14 deaths and 1200 major injuries to workers each year."
Im guessing that doesnt include people who died falling off ladders at home though.
yorkie_chris
24-02-11, 04:14 PM
Yes they are indeed a bunch of muppets, I don't think they accomplish much of anything.
That said I've nowt against enforcing 30mph limits in rural villages. number of times I've seen it riding in Wales where you'd pass some C**T doing 45mph in the NSL and then he'd pass you again when in a village and you'd slowed to 30. Only to have to get back past when through the village and you were doing (ahem) 60mph again.
CheGuevara
24-02-11, 04:15 PM
Im guessing that doesnt include people who died falling off ladders at home though.
Surely there aren't thousands of DIYers falling to their deaths from ladders each year?
Roberrrrt
24-02-11, 04:18 PM
Yes they are indeed a bunch of muppets, I don't think they accomplish much of anything.
That said I've nowt against enforcing 30mph limits in rural villages. number of times I've seen it riding in Wales where you'd pass some C**T doing 45mph in the NSL and then he'd pass you again when in a village and you'd slowed to 30. Only to have to get back past when through the village and you were doing (ahem) 60mph again.
I've got a mate that keeps doing that - he's garbage out on the open road, but then he'll come past when im sticking to 30 in a village - keep telling him where he's going wrong but something's not clicking.
As Owenski will tell ya though, he's perhaps not all there...
the_lone_wolf
24-02-11, 04:18 PM
If people aren't speeding in their neighbourhood, then surely they wouldn't have a reason to be stood their.
It doesn't mean people actually speed
Having worked closely with council highways departments the usual conclusion to this kind of thing is that people moan about "non-residents" speeding through the village/street
You send the pensioners out for an afternoon and they get a bunch of numberplates that turn out to be locals, during a proper speed survey 99.9% of cars will be adhering to the limit unless it's a ridiculous example like a 30mph dual carriageway.
It's just busybodies thinking they can police the roads because they have a misguided perception of people's speed
They go freaking nuts if you wheelie past them though...
Under the limit of course...;)
yorkie_chris
24-02-11, 04:22 PM
I've got a mate that keeps doing that - he's garbage out on the open road, but then he'll come past when im sticking to 30 in a village - keep telling him where he's going wrong but something's not clicking.
As Owenski will tell ya though, he's perhaps not all there...
The sensible way is to stop riding with him.
The other way is to make sure that when you get past him again you do it in such a way that he soils himself.
Roberrrrt
24-02-11, 04:24 PM
do it in such a way that he soils himself.
Affirmative :mrgreen:
Specialone
24-02-11, 05:24 PM
I seen something a while ago, they got some volunteers to estimate speeds of cars and bikes.
Cars and bikes with louder exhausts were perceived to be going a lot quicker by pretty much all the people taking part, when in fact the speeds were the same as quieter cars and bikes.
So, what old duffers perceive as motorists speeding through their villages might be just people hovering around the speed limit but sound like they are going faster than they are.
Obviously some don't care and just do whatever speed they like but I'm sure some peoples speed is misinterpreted.
I seen something a while ago, they got some volunteers to estimate speeds of cars and bikes.
Cars and bikes with louder exhausts were perceived to be going a lot quicker by pretty much all the people taking part, when in fact the speeds were the same as quieter cars and bikes.
So, what old duffers perceive as motorists speeding through their villages might be just people hovering around the speed limit but sound like they are going faster than they are.
Obviously some don't care and just do whatever speed they like but I'm sure some peoples speed is misinterpreted.
I know what you mean, I had someone waving at me to slow down on my street when i was doing an indicated 25, so more like 20, but I was in 1st gear with the baffle out so prob sounded like I was going faster.
we had a big problem with speeders outside some schools in our area. we have also had a few new 'time and a half' crossings installed near the schools. i witnessed one incident where some stupid bint was stopped at the crossing seen her daughter and started waving at her while at the same time she started to go threw the red light almost knocking down the crossing patrol person, he had to jump out the way or he would have been in hospital. there have been murmurous occasions where people 'presume' the lights have changed and just gone while there have been kids about to cross.
so those supposed vigilantes were called to gather information at said trouble spots and guess what yup thats right it has almost put a stop to it. well done to those so called 'vigilantes'.
one thing i cant stand is people speeding in built up areas first thing in the morning. THERE ARE TIRED KIDS ABOUT. what makes me laugh is that a lot of the people doing the speeding are parents taking their kids to school.
the people who are caught should be made to attend a 'safe driving' course and have to pay it out their own pocket. then and maybe then they might think twice about doing it again.
yes we all speed at times but there really is no excuse at times when kids are going/coming to/from school. so what if your journey takes 5-10 mins longer it may well just save a life.
i witnessed one incident where some stupid bint was stopped at the crossing seen her daughter and started waving at her while at the same time she started to go threw the red light almost knocking down the crossing patrol person
That is driving without due care and attention not speeding.
and that is why those so called vigilantes were instructed to monitor in the first place but while doing so also discovered the amount of speeders as well.
they were positioned at the lights taking down details of all the people who went threw the red light and believe me there were a fair few and all because people 'expected' the lights to change after a given time and never even bothered to check if the light was green. yes its not speeding but due care and attention but the point is those so called vigilantes put an almost complete stop to it within a week.
so here here for the old busybody brigade.
Ok fair enough. How did they put a stop to it?
fizzwheel
24-02-11, 06:36 PM
I've seen a few of these groups now, particularly on one busy road near to me.
I think its a residents group fedup of people speeding on the road, One night they were their with a couple of Police Officers and a marked patrol car, being shown how to work the equipment. Thought it was a good idea, the road is big and wide and I've been buzzed by cars hammering along that bit of road on my push bike.
I dont actually have a problem with it. I'd rather a friendly warning letter than 3 points and a £60 fine.
The last lost pointed the gun at me when I was on my pushbike. I had a good chuckle about that. Especially as I wasnt far off 30mph when I went by them :smt040
haven't the foggiest m8. but its certainly done the trick.
Haven't managed to read all the replies as it won't load page two for some reason on my phone and prov won't even post this...
However, I did see on the local news a while back that this was supported by the police and that is where they get their guns from, but all they were doing is noting down number plates of speeders and the police would then send a letter to the 'criminals' telling them off. There is no fine and no points involved, just a letter.
I support this rather than getting 3 points... Keeps the old people busy at least!
As falling down stairs and falling off ladders kills far more people than speeding motorists I think these do-gooders should stand around ladders with safety harnesses and nets.
Errr, this is pretty much exactly what they do on building sites now...
I remember on a site induction a while ago being told that most fatal falls from "height" are from around ladder height, as you go higher up you start being more careful as you worry more about the consequences of a fall...
Back on topic - I guess most of the people that they zap at a speed greater than the posted limit would probably welcome an inconsequential letter, rather than a fine and points from the cops, so at least it's free :)
I've seen a few of these groups now, particularly on one busy road near to me.
I think its a residents group fedup of people speeding on the road, One night they were their with a couple of Police Officers and a marked patrol car, being shown how to work the equipment. Thought it was a good idea, the road is big and wide and I've been buzzed by cars hammering along that bit of road on my push bike.
I dont actually have a problem with it. I'd rather a friendly warning letter than 3 points and a £60 fine.
The last lost pointed the gun at me when I was on my pushbike. I had a good chuckle about that. Especially as I wasnt far off 30mph when I went by them :smt040
This is exactly what it is, saw it on my local news a while back.
Oh man tapatalk is crap now I look an idiot as I pretty much double posted as the first didn't show up!
I'll get my coat...
seedy100
24-02-11, 07:47 PM
"BIG SOCIETY" in action.
I would anticipate that the next step will be to give them the power to issue fines or "Big Society fixed penelty notices".
Then you will find them popping round to have a cup of tea nad confiscate your vehicles because your obviously a "Big Antisocial Speeder".
Look at this again in ten years.
If I am wrong, and you can find me, I'll buy you a pint.
metalangel
24-02-11, 07:50 PM
"BIG SOCIETY" in action.
I would anticipate that the next step will be to give them the power to issue fines or "Big Society fixed penelty notices".
Then you will find them popping round to have a cup of tea nad confiscate your vehicles because your obviously a "Big Antisocial Speeder".
Then they have you sent to the 'Big Gulag' for a 'big sentence' breaking 'big rocks' and we're in Communist China.
"BIG SOCIETY" in action.
I would anticipate that the next step will be to give them the power to issue fines or "Big Society fixed penelty notices".
Then you will find them popping round to have a cup of tea nad confiscate your vehicles because your obviously a "Big Antisocial Speeder".
Look at this again in ten years.
If I am wrong, and you can find me, I'll buy you a pint.
I think you are right and I'm surprised it hasn't happened already, or has it? Like the private clampers?
Perhaps this could be a good money maker for me... IT WAS MY IDEA!!!!
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