Cameras are bad 'cos they don't work, ie: they don't contribute to overall road safety. I'm sure we can all come up with an example of where a camera has reduced accidents, but for every one that has there are ten that haven't.
Gatso's, Truvelo, etc - slow traffic down for 100 yds. Anyone who gets caught generally deserves the ticket for lack of observation rather than speeding itself.
Camera van's - slow down those who know it's often there for a short stretch of road, and catch everyone else unaware's, except those who never, never break a speed limit. I know people who have been caught by them for a minor speeding offence, even though that's the worst offence they have ever or are ever likely to commit. I even know a taxi driver in his late 60's who adheres to the limits rigidly as he needs his license to work and that's just the way he drives anyway, but has made a simple mistake with a newly imposed speed limit and got a ticket.
Helicopters - same as camera vans, just a lot more bloody expensive and IMO using a helicopter for that purpose is a massive waste of taxpayers money. In my mind it's as bad as MP's cheating on expenses.
Average Speed Camera's - WEYHEY! Finally a camera that works and slows everybody down over the full length of the stretch of road they are implemented on, and 'cos it slows everyone down the camera issues no tickets and generates no revenue, and contributes to improving road safety. I'd be pretty p'eed off if they were implemented everywhere, but not because I have to do the speed limit, but because it then becomes mindless enforcement and a big brother type issue, but implemented where there is a need along with a realistic speed limit and suddenly I'm applauding the people I pay my taxes to.
Variable speed limits - As average speed camera's with a bit of intelligent queueing theory built in that results in better traffic flow and shorter journey times for me, applause again!
All of the above - you can be 14yr old, drunk, on drugs, on a phone, in a stolen car with no MOT, whilst carrying a dead body in the passenger seat, and so long as your not speeding the camera will let you cruise on by.
Police man jumping out of a bus shelter with a speed gun, and pulling people in before writing a ticket to every speeding motorist 'cos that's what he's instructed to do - see camera vans, but at least they'll catch drunk drivers too.
Police man in any scenario, allowed to make his own judgement about the conditions and the speed - Excellent, applause again
, but haven't heard or experienced that for too many years now.
And thats just the opinion of a lowly citizen, just in case any of those who I pay my taxes to are interested, or happen to be reading.....
