Why do we need them? (Speed Cameras and Speed Limits)

Member Name: IanPaterson

Product:	Speed Cameras and Speed Limits
Date:	25/09/00 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Keeps idiots under control

Disadvantages: Only slow down to pass cameras

The law states that speed cameras can ONLY be erected in areas that have high accident and fatality rates caused by speeding motorists. That is completely fair in my book. If the speed limit is 30 mph, then do 30 mph.

Speed limits. for example the national speed limit on a single carriageway road is 60 mph. Because it is 60 mph it does not mean it is safe to do so, it also does not mean that you HAVE TO DO 60 mph does it? I think not.

I take a country and main road route to work every day. Every day, I get overtaken on corners, nearly collide with lunatics on the wrong side of the road, have someone 1" off my back bumper all the way. I don't drive like a snail, I stick to speed limits. I do 30mph in a 30mph zone and do 60mph on roads if I think it is safe to do so. Even at 60mph I have idiots tailgating me on winding country roads.

The problem I think is everyone is in such a damned hurry to get somewhere. What is the hurry? If you are late, leave earlier then! If you have left late, please don't try and kill me on your suicide speed trip to work, alright?

Why are we all in such a hurry these days? All these 'time saving' speed trips. What are you doing with all that saved time? Fighting global warming? Visiting elderly housebound people? Helping out at your local hospice for terminally ill kids? Hmmm.

Here is an experiment for you. If you drive like a psycopath to work in the mornings, do your normal death trip and precisely time the journey and note how much fuel you have used. Another day, leave five minutes earlier and stick to speed limits, be considerate to other road users and precisely time your journey again. I bet you it will take no more than five minutes longer and you will arrive feeling happier and healthier at the same time having used 30% less fuel. Why not do that every day?

Cars these days are high powered and a lot faster than 10 years ago. Because it
does 150mph does not make it safe for you or anyone else. At 150mph it will take you nearly one and a half football pitches to safely (without locking wheels) bring your car to a stop. Can you see a small child clearly from that distance? You had better be quick, you will cover that far in under four seconds! Air bags and ABS are only rated at under 60mph to contribute to saving the drivers life. Did you know that?

You never know, your kids might run across the road in front of my car one day in a 30 zone. What speed would you want me to be doing? 50? 40? I will be doing 30mph so your kids have a very high chance of surviving with no permanent injuries. If my kids run across the road, what speed will you be doing?

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