Welcome to Wales :o(

Personally, prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the helicopter presence was the sole, directly influential factor that meant a fatal accident didn't happen (ie, no helicopter around & someone would of died), and then I agree, yes, it's worth every single penny.

If that can't be proven, surely the money could go on more traffic cops instead.

Note: prove beyond all reasonable doubt (just as the legal system has to for alleged criminals).

Only an armchair scientist but I don't think it's actually possible to prove the cause of a non-event (ie. something not happening). Semantics aside, the thankfully small (relatively) number of fatalities mean it's highly unlikely that anyone will ever be able to prove a statistically significant inverse correlation between police helicopter use and motorcycle fatalities. That said, I think most will sign up to the general principle that speed limits (and by implication, their enforcement) probably saves a fair few lives.

It's all a question of the degree to which things are taken. I'm willing to bet that every single poster on this board has broken the speed limit by however much at least once in their lives. Most of us probably break it, if only accidentally by a little every single day. Should we all march into the nearest police station, own up and insist on being charged?

So I want to live in a country (not that I live in the country in question!) that enforces speed limits? Yes, I do, as I generally believe in the principle that speed limits are a good idea. Do I want to live in a country that will have me hauled away every time I go 41 mph in a 40 zone, or will stick ridiculous 50mph limits on perfectly safe (and gloriously curvy) country roads? Nope, not to keen on that idea.

Despite the horribly sarcastic and condesending attitude that so many coppers seem to have (where do they learn that?), I'd much rather be pulled by a traffic cop than by a camera. At least with a traffic cop you've got a chance (however remote) of having the "yes sonny you were doing 75 in a 60, but you weren't riding like a muppet and you're not tanked up on lager so I'm going to let you off with a warning" (happened to me once!)

Originally Posted by MiniMatt

Despite the horribly sarcastic and condesending attitude that so many coppers seem to have (where do they learn that?), I'd much rather be pulled by a traffic cop than by a camera. At least with a traffic cop you've got a chance (however remote) of having the "yes sonny you were doing 75 in a 60, but you weren't riding like a muppet and you're not tanked up on lager so I'm going to let you off with a warning" (happened to me once!)

I've actually had that proven Hands up, I was doing 75 in a 50 (dual carriageway, no turn off's, practically a motorway). I also undertook a car at this speed. Just so happens it was an unmarked police car He never bothered stopping me, just flashed his blue lights, pulled along side me, and gave me a stern talking to whilst we were moving. You won't find a camera doing that!

Also, since this thread is about Wales (and specifically North Wales). I have a Scorpion (road legal) Oval SS can, baffle removed. Came off the above dual carriageway to a roundabout (told you it was practically a motorway), quick look right, car coming but I have time, drop a gear & fist full of revs to beat it. Look left, oh bugger that's a V70 in full livery Please don't pull me, please don't pull me... Nope, didn't batter an eyelid

Originally Posted by BluePete

Just remember everyone, the average cost of a fatal road traffic collision is one million pounds.

I will certainly remember that. You couldn't be an absolute darling and provide the source of that cost though could you please?

Otherwise I will remember it as a load of made up cobblers.

Originally Posted by Baph

didn't batter an eyelid

Mmm, battered eyelids, sounds like a North Walian delicacy...

[Bluepete]

Just what I know from dealing with, so far, three fatalities. Sarcasm, not very clever when discussing peoples lives now is it?

[Bluepete]

Oh, and this;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_r...ash/467266.stm

Originally Posted by BluePete

Oh, and this;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_r...ash/467266.stm

That doesn't say how much it costs to deal with a fatality, it says how much it's worth spending on preventing a fatality from happening. Not the same thing.

I also think it's worth pointing out that putting a price on a life is perfectly acceptable.

[Bluepete]

You have that prerogative, or, your tuppence worth.

Originally Posted by BluePete

You have that prerogative, or, your tuppence worth.

I'm afraid to say it's a cold hard fact.

Originally Posted by BluePete

Just what I know from dealing with, so far, three fatalities. Sarcasm, not very clever when discussing peoples lives now is it?

So you've dealt with 3 fatalaties and seen the bills for 1 million quid each time? Or they've added up to 3 million total?

With all due respect to you and Professor Evans (an economist and statistician) that number is a scientifically arrived at wild bloody guess and if it is deducted from the local police force budget as you claim I will eat my tall hat.

And so you know, when I'm being sarcastic I do this