Ill considered to say the least. Not condoning it but some people will become so incensed that it is likely violence will ensue --- "anyone remember the case of the planning officer shot and killed a few years ago"--- and for which act Joe Public had a sneaking admiration i suspect. Enough said i think.
Steven - 3 years ago
We cannot, CANNOT let this happen. There are a lot of violent people out there. What if one of these violent people drives by their neighbour pointing a speed gun at them? What happens is that the police get MORE work to do because said violent person has gone round to their neighbours house and battered them because they caught them speeding! I'm not saying everyone would do this but come on, is it hard to imagine? We need to leave catching speeders up to the police! It's far too risky for the "Samaritans". I'm glad my girlfriend is soon going to have the chance to leave this country because I honestly cannot stand it anymore and I will be leaving with her! I think in 10 years time it will be like the setting from "V for Vendetta" MADNESS!
Irv Swerve - 3 years ago
I'd love to have one of these speed guns to get the odd idiot who guns down my quiet residential road at 50mph. I think we should also get a cash bonus when they are convicted-say 10% of the fine!
I know some of the speed limits are ridiculous but I have noticed that due to drivers frustration on the main roads there is definite tendency for us to use the back streets as a rally course.
Christopher Garner (AKA Grumpy Old Git) - 3 years ago
I'm a senior citizen, a motorist with a couple of million miles under my belt and a keen motorcyclist currently taking my advanced motorcycling test. There is an interesting fact that should be recognised, drawn from some research done a few years ago which is that on any stretch of road at a given time 80% of the drivers travel at a speed that is safe for the road and conditions at that time. Often that speed is in excess of an arbitary speed limit that may have been set by those motivated by political considerations rather than road safety. I DO NOT condone breaking the speed limit, but believe that all limits should be reviewed and set by competent and qualified persons from motoring organisations and road safety groups without reference to political considerations. Facts to take into account should include but not be limited to, improvements in vehicular design, road surfaces, population density, visibility, footway widths, road widths, type of area (urban/city centre/rural). This may mean that in some areas limits could be raised, in others drastically lowered. But they shouls ALL be reviewed from time to time.
Most people are far more likely to obey regulations and laws that can be seen to be reasonable, sensible and fair to all.
I apologise for errors in spelling and grammar!
Yoda - 3 years ago
Most confusing is the grammar, puctuation and syntax here I see. The spelling also poor is I find and diabolical is the typing sometimes. I think the Dark Side some of you are crossing to now. May the Force be with you...or not! Nick Nick
Beano - 3 years ago
Strange is it not? The very same people in our village who are against more mobile phone masts, in case they fry their kids' brains, are quite prepared to aim a higher intensity energy beam at someone else.
In vain do we explain that the closer the masts are together the less energy each need radiate, and that their obduracy forces someone living near the existing mast to accept a site operating with a 1.5 mile range.
Fortunately their toy guns cannot be used to enforce any penalty thanks to the Data Protection Act which prevents them publishing a linked name and number plate even if they know it.
Nigel - 3 years ago
The idea of speed watch groups is fine in a manner where all they do is monitor speeds of vehicles using the main road through their village and then commenting on it to the local council, but to arm them with the hand held speed gun is totally rediculous as many of these groups are made up with people who are in the twilight years of life and have nothing better to do with their time, if it happens expect a great deal of people being banned because some old person who isn't steady on their feet and may have minimum control of their arms, the gun moves and hey presto your doing five to ten miles an hour than your speedometer is actually saying.
jim - 3 years ago
why are they called safty cameras I dive a coach for a living and every time someone see a seed camra they hit the brakes and slow right down many is the time I have seen this happen not only is this dangerus but also supid as I have seen a few crashes due to this fact they are only there as a form of legal highway robbery they donot prevent accidents but cause them the man who invented them should have been shot as he is resposiable for a lot of accidents due to his invention
Anth Fletcher - 3 years ago
Yet another money grabbing idea! So, the only people who will use these traps are people with more time on their hands than sense. This means, bitter pensioners who will try their damndest to outdo each other once 'Murder she wrote' finishes. The thought of thousands of Jessica fletchers or 'younger' dick van dykes running around with laser guns would be funny if it wasn't so true!! There's a credit crunch on and the first thing the government does is try and bleed more money out of you.. Get more police on the streets instead!! Another thing, where is all the money going that is collected from these fines? Police pension perhaps? or police compensation?
Keith Clarke - 3 years ago
I firmly believe that the law of the land should be enforced by the POLICE. They are trained not only to use the necessary equipment but are also trained to used tact and judgement when enforcing the law. Vigilanty groups of village speed trappers will inevitably lead to confrontation with, as usual, inocent motorists paying the price. We already pay far to much in fines etc imposed by goons who hide behind cameras on every street corner. Its about time motoists rights to defend themselves (as is the case in every other situation when you break the law) were given greater priority.
WE AS MOTORIST MUST STAND UP AGAINST LAZY POLICE FORCES WHO WANT ANYBODY BUT THEMSELVES TO DO THEIR JOB.
steve B - 3 years ago
Well here we go then. I would love to opperate one of these speed radar guns. I'd face at the so called do-gooders who seem to think it's ok for them to speed but nobody else should. I maybe able to wear a bright yellow jacket and pick on the unemployed in my area, then maybe I could buy a peaked cap & print some of my own parking tickets. Hey, lets not stop there... I will be able to arrest the local bully and apprehend him until he confesses to all the crime in my area. Maybe I could convince the Chief Constable of my County to invite me to give speeches at his next Council meeting. He might throw in a full blown uniform. Maybe then I can get hold of a tazer gun and zap a few law breakers.... Just think.. no paper work, totally exempt from the law... bring it on... I want this job.
Ken - 3 years ago
Remember Hungerford
I thought it was a lunatic on the rampage with a pistol
I therefore put my foot down.
Could you blame me for getting confused by these clowns??
Hugh Prewett - 3 years ago
Personally, and it is just a quick point, driving is just common sense which unfortunately some driver haven't got . The word (if) and it means a lot, if every driver adhered to the the speed limits,life would be less stressful for everyone around. Yes there are a few who drive with a glass of water on the bonnet for fear of spilling it but these are few and far between. I cringe when I hear this phrase" educate and lessons must be learned"but in this case I think more education is needed in driving skills than the banging on about the THE HIGHWAY CODE. EDUCATION!EDUCATION! EDUCATION! COMMON SENSE!COMMON SENSE! COMMON SENSE!
I.N. - 3 years ago
"Watch out your neighbour is out to get you", the Government would say "sounds like Russia, doesn't it?". This is a dangerous development by a Government enamoured by an equaly incompetent Police. Whatever happened to "love thy neighbour" it was said for a reason ignore it at your peril.
Matt Bannan - 3 years ago
Richard Keighley is right on the money. The only time I speed is to get past/around/away from idiots who don't have any right to be behind a wheel. Toughen the driving test, raise the driving age, and get some perspective on this absolute fanaticism about speed!
Will - 3 years ago
The police are just shooting themselves in the foot here by letting "do gooders" do their work for them - how many assault charges etc are going to be made against these old farts in anoraks?? I think members of the public arent going to be very happy with them if they get caught doing 33 in a 30 zone, and therefor earning themselves a 60 quid bill and 3 points on their licence. This results in more work for the police, sorting out actual crimes. They havent thought this through...
Simon - 3 years ago
I think these schemes are terrific! In fact, I propose we wholeheartedly embrace them by setting one up right outside the house of every chief constable and MP that supports the scheme. Of course, like all untrained volunteers, may accidentally get some extra high readings, but hey ho....;)
john maginnis - 3 years ago
It sucks, its just a way to generate money, I have seen these people out on the roadside and there were two of them, 1 man 65yrs+ and a woman 70+ and she was shoing him who to point it at. Can you imagine the court case when they show the photo evidence we will hae to sit through all their bloody holiday snaps first.
david - 3 years ago
people asked to inform on fellow citizens smacks of the stasi or life in the third reich.
Bev Foster - 3 years ago
Wanted vigelanties with clubs, shotguns, any blunt weapon to seach out burgulars, thugs, muggers, pickpockets.rapists, murders.
Police sponsed, to wipe crime off their books.
I wonder how this would go down, (where do you draw the line.)
I am wating for a Knock on my door. Hallo Hallo Hallo And what do you think your up to then, Arrested?
I think its ridiculous just bloody drive to the guidlines given!!!!
Peter - 3 years ago
I agree with M. Thatcher - though ashamed to admit these days to once having been a police office for nigh on 30 years and one who served in all branches including traffic from the level of constable to superintendent. Law enforcement is not a job for amateurs particularly where technical equiment is used for the purpose of eventual punishment or embarrassment of alleged offenders. The modern police have little public respect mainly due to their own attitudes though too often these arise from the policies of the current group of chief officers driven by their home office mentors and those politicians who direct them.
chivso - 3 years ago
we've hit our peak as a species we are now de-evolving,ever one is turning on each other,your all dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooomed taxed vat,ed and fined to death.ruled by foreigners,governed by imbeciles,policed by hypcrites! oh well happy days.
sc - 3 years ago
Nany state strikes again
Anne Palmer - 3 years ago
I do not like people that break the speed limit, and I certainly do not like cars behind me trying to hurry me along either, when I am obeying the speed limit. But neither do I like a Government that tries to get volunteers to do other people's jobs, thus preventing some-one from earning a wage in these dire times. So called do-gooders or Community Police.
There are enough people at each others throats now without this kind of thing proposed. Not only would I like the police to do their own job, I would like to see more police. I would also like to have a Government that is prepared to do the job we voted for them to do and that is actually Govern. Failing that, would they like such as ME doing their job voluntarily?
Lee Gallacher - 3 years ago
This certainly is not a wind up. Earlier this year in Farnborough there was a group of, how do i say it, coffin dodgers, (1 actually looked like he had cerebal palsey too) together with a hobbie bobby doing exactly this.
I stopped to ask what they were doing, (So I knew of any plans to reduce speed limit in the village) they explained and showed me. They showed one car doing 37MPH but the thing was they were right in front of those signs that flash up reminding you to do 30 if your doing above 30, which I knew worked because when I passed it it flashed up and I was doing 34. The thing is when they showed me this car was doing 37 it never flashed. I discussed this with the hobby bobby and the coffin dodgers got quite defensive and the discussion got quite heated. We agreed to disagree. A week later I got a letter from the police advising me, (Not charging me or fining me) that I had been caught by this group doing 37mph. Interesting seeing I had noted my speed when the sign flashed up and the speed on the unit of the vehicle they pointed was also 37MPH without the sign flashing up.
I fear that this could lead to a large number of undisputed fines for people actually obeying the law or an increase in violence against those unable to defend themselves by aggrieved innocent motorists.
What happens if you contest this in court, surely the vigilante force, police force and the government do not have a leg to stand on, this could end up costing the taxpayer in the long run!
John Havenhand - 3 years ago
I generally support any action to empower the community and prefer this approach to the reliance on a bureacratic, centrally driven Police Force - (which allows little discretion for the ordinary policeman) and can't in any event, do the job. However, in most cases, this initiative will not lead to community empowerment, but rather the empowerment of a minority of non motoring or anti motoring zealots who would wish to impose their silly and simplistic thinking on the vast majority of motorists.
Let's be totally truthful and recognise that the vast masjority of drivers break the law and exceed the speed limit routinely - primarily because their judgement (we are increasingly not allowed to have real responsiblity and use our own judgement) tells them it is perfectly safe to do so. They - the vast majority of motorists - are right.
I too want to reduce accidents on the road - but this is not the way to do it. Instead we should prosecute those plainly guilty of stupid, reckless and dangerous driving eg (too close, overtaking on bends, excessive speeding when it is genuinely unsafe so to do, not making allowance for the poor weather etc).
People are losing their licences today, not because they are dangerous, or reckless but becasue they have technically infringed a series of very dubious speed limiting targets. This initiative will not improve safety significantly - but will make criminals of many of us. It will also help undermine the rapidly decreasing respect that many of us already have for the law.
Zebedee - 3 years ago
Ian Walsh has just about got it right. This country needs the reset button pressing - the trouble is, there is no reset button to press and the whole damn place has fallen into the toilet. When I see comments left by people like Roy Taylor, I just groan - stupid, ill thought-out ramblings are only made worse by inept grammar.
Gilson Chapple - 3 years ago
I dont agree with ANY speed cameras. The fact that I am looking out for them is in itself a danger. My eyes are constantly looking up at poles where camers might be. I am looking for other speed cameras too. In fact I reckon that I am a danger to the other road users because I am not paying sufficiently enough attention to keeping my eye on the mirrors and stupid drivers.
As for this latest idea.....it is a load of *****!!!!!
Cameras make me ANGRY and angry drivers are are a danger! By the way, I live in a village where the local garage sell high speed sports cars. If they sell one, the first thing they do is take it on the road which leads past my house to test it. Its nothing to see them speed past my place at 80 miles an hour plus....which is just the other side of a 40 mile an hour limit.
EmmGee - 3 years ago
So everyone can blag a wrongdooer ehh? So I suggest we go and shoot ourselves a turkey for Christmas, namely 'a banker'. This is Vigilante policing. What is sickening is it those old retirees whom have nothing better to do than infiltrate others lives with their petty meddling. They really ought to think about giving something more positive back to the community and those in real hardship.
Ryan Cairns - 3 years ago
ridiculas basicly if u read inbetween lings the law is trying to print oyt a new methode in makeing money eg raod tax eg mots eg penalty points increase from 3 to 6 if caught drifting over speed limit plus £120 fine as well any one who supports this in comunity speed traps should be put in the gas chambers and die
wayne - 3 years ago
im one of the brain dead muppets that thinks its a bad idea,why have these so called do gooders have so much time on there hands , what are they, elderly people or unemployed. if unemployed then go join the police force.if elderly then they sit outside in the cold,when they moan about being cold inside ,cause they cannot afford the heating. and who is going to check these speed guns every morning to make sure they are working properly, which as i believe they have to be,when has the government ever came up with a good idea , how many cutbacks have our police force had to deal with, thats it for now just being one of those muppets as described in some ones comment earlier . yea right.
Jock - 3 years ago
"At 3,500 deaths per year, Britain has one of the lowest traffic-related fatality rates per capita and per kilometre travelled of any industrialised nation. The total number of casualties from traffic accidents is currently about 300,000 per year". These statistics are why the authorities pay so much attention to the motorist. You wouldn't be happy if it were murder or burglary that caused them. However I don't agree with vigilantes for a combination of the reasons given above. PS don't give me all the rubbish about how good it is to drive in other countries. I do it and it isn't any better where traffic density is high like here.
M. Thatcher - 3 years ago
If this go ahead in the uk I think a lot of people involved in it will find that some people on the receiving end of their affords will turn against them in a violent way (Road Rage in a different form). Do this at your own risk, but don't say you were not warned.
Let the police do their job, they get paid far too much for it as it is so why do it for them. I was in the police force 20+ years ago and the police today are overpaid and lazy. Make a call to the police and three hrs later (If you are lucky) they turn up, then they don't want to work to find the people who committed the crime. They just fill in a form and give you a crime number and they will say that they are late because they are overstretched. Rubbish there are more police per head of population now then there were when I was in, and we did a better job. I don't bother to call them now, wast of time.
If the locals start speed checks in my village the local copper will spend all his time drinking tea in the local library the real problem is where I live is people parking right across the pavement when they have a garage and long drive,police get you fingers out and do a job to help the pedestrians not the goverment coffers
dud - 3 years ago
Some people are saying stupid things on here.
David - 3 years ago
This is almost cetainly a breach of data protection laws and contravenes the European human rights act, ie the right to privacy.For such actions to to be legal they must be initiated by authorised persons ie police or local authotities.
Any driver suffering loss or damage as a result of prosecutions following the actions of civilians would probable have the right to sue the civilins in question.
John - 3 years ago
What next? Do we go back to the days when a man with a red flag walked ahead of every car on the road? I guess it would help the government with the rising unemployment figures.
I am so sick of this country that I once loved and I can't wait to get out for good!
Under what Authority do they operate and why are they permitted to capture data on a private motorist in contravention of the DPA, when all users of CCTV or similar equipment must be registered if they capture images in an area which is considered Public.
Also how can the police accept this 'evidence of an offence' when it has not been verified, and have the individual units been regularly calibrated.
I would very much doubt that.
Advisory Signs as are often seen outside a School or other 'at risk' places are a good idea, but the idea of Pensioner (and I am one so no ageism claims please) holding a speed gun or similar and then being able to download the information is an invasion of our privacy.
Finally, of course, we motorists could claim it is against our Yuman Rytes.
Personally I keep to the speed required, as I once heard when in Australia, Drivers have to remember that ** mph is a LIMIT - NOT a target!!
Pete - 3 years ago
The problem is that I miss the signs(various sizes, not always consistent and de-restrictions can be anywhere) , as I am busy watching for potential problems and incidents from traffic and pedestrians.
In Brussels there are numerous Radar speed feedback signs and few Traps.
What we need is a system to provide continuous electronic notification of the current speed limit and a warning light / speed limit indicator to be visible on dashboard or HUD.
CPS warnings do not always agree with the road and are difficult to monitor.
A simple Green / Amber / Red system, highly visible and requiring the local constabulary to maintain correct speed limits per location, would remove the innocent errors.
Idiots who want to drive at 90 through town, can take their chances, but those of us who want to be safe and law-abiding, but believe it is better to watch the road than to watch the speedometer will have a method to avoid the predatory traps.
Rich - 3 years ago
I find the general comments here very interesting with only2 people putting a posative view on the scheme. obviously it is a rediculious idea these camaras are very difacult to use and police are trained in how to use them. Surly no convictions will be upheld by a court anyway.
However the most interesting is the few people who have commented on the appaling driving in this country it is this that is causing the deaths on our roads not drifting over the speed limit by say 10% to 15% I have driven in a number of countries and it is a breath of fresh air compared to being on the UK's roads which i now find abhorant.
Dennis Vobes - 3 years ago
We are all too familiar with police failing to respond to emergency calls for assistance because they are too busy but to pass over a responsibility they are specially trained for to members of the public who may have their own agendas is ludicrous. A much better suggestion and one which would achieve almost universal support would be to scrap all speed cameras (fixed and mobile) except in areas of special risk such as close to schools and road repairs.
Grumpy - 3 years ago
Parked my car for ten minutes in a permit zone, Banged to rights!
Hit 85 m.p.h. on a dual carriageway on a bright sunny day, Banged to rights!
Parked in a meter zone ten minutes over time, Banged to rights!
Hit 55 m.p.h. in a coned area at 4.30 a.m. when no one working or other car on the road, Banged to rights!
Had my house burgled three times in last eighteen months, police have made no progress to date!
Had my car broken into and £1500 of golf kit stolen, police did not even bother to turn out.
I seem to remember a saying about getting your priorities right.
Barry Ellis - 3 years ago
Part time Near police officers part time community support officers part time Speed Patrols Full time Theives Full Time Drink Drivers Full Time People with no Insurance etc etc if the RURAL Villagers are operating in a twisty windy dangerous road ok fair enough .BUT knowing people as i do there will be a look how many we got syndrome and i feel Road Safety will go out the window with all THOSE Power MAD types setting up on wide roads far from any built up area as usual what next guns for farmers to shoot people whe trespass gangs to enforce road tax mad i know BUT WHAT NEXT
Pete - 3 years ago
I think it's a bloody dangerous & ridiculous idea which should be left to the Police or suitably trained "outsiders"
RT - 3 years ago
YET ANOTHER HEAD IN THE CLOUDS IDEA THAT WILL BE OPEN TO ABUSE WETHER INTENTIONAL OR NOT AND PROBALLY POORLY ADMINISTERED BY BLINKERED DO GOODERS WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY. SURELY THE MONEY COULD BE MORE WISELY SPENT IN THESE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE "LACKING" THIS THAT OR THE OTHER. AND WHAT OF THE MONIES RAISED? WILL THAT BE SPENT ON TRANSPORT? I THINK NOT......
William Tapley - 3 years ago
I would love to set one up in my road. Since taking out the speed humps, we get motorists, at ALL times of day doing up to 60 mph. Considering there's a school a few doors away and a park opposite, there are kids, dogs and pedestrians everywhere. The actual limit is 20mph, yet neither the Police nor Southwark Council have any interest in doing anything 'preventative' until someone gets killed. So far, we have had one smashed up car, at least one pensioner a foot from death and several dogs nearly squashed. There have been several kids in near misses, including my 2 year old...yet it will take someone's death to make the 'authorities' pull their collectively lazy fingers out.
So, in this instance, I would LOVE to scare the living daylights out of these appalling drivers and make them pay for their unbelievably bad driving. You cannot reason with these people, so you need to hit them somewhere that won't get you jailed for assault - and that's in the wallet.
That said, it must be stressed that inappropriate speed is only one small factor in the Bad Driving Catalogue, and these Community Speed Watch groups will not be looking at anything other than the rather simple-to-measure factor of speed.
We need INTELLIGENT driving monitoring, not just speeding tickets. Cameras are not intelligent, so they will never solve the problem.
I don't think any politician has the wit to understand that.
Chris Townrow - 3 years ago
All this will do is bring more hate and violence towards these so called do gooders and seriously split communities, let the police do the job they are paid, much to much to do.
The revolution is not far away now!
Surj - 3 years ago
Just bear in mind that the offence of "obstructing a Police Office in the execution of his duty" does not apply to civilian operators of speed monitoring equipment and precedent has been set for this.
szegerely - 3 years ago
Don't go faster than the speed limit.
These guys won't get you fined, you ill get a letter. When you get the letter it will remind you to slow down. So for gods sake slow down.
You cause less danger, use less fuel, make people fear the roads less. Remember les than 15 % of the population have a driving licence, it is really selfish of you that think you can chase around our roads in your cars at high speed so that those that want to use other means do so in fear. simply slow down, you muppets
jj - 3 years ago
the governments of this country over the years called the Russians for the way they treated people the KGB is a kinder garden to the government of this country people were proud to be British now the most exported thing in this country is us leaving in droves because of the nanny state looking 4 more ways to take the money we earn in new forms of tax fines the rich get richer the poor get poorer
the government think we are all on £50 k a year like all them toss pots
bring on a revolution as long as the speed cameras are there it wont pick up momentum TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX VAT VAT VAT FINE FINE FINE all small words that make the government a HUGE fortune
Ade - 3 years ago
It is not right that the goverment is using such tactics to catch drivers as there is a much better solution to the speeding problem they wont use, instead of spending money on speed traps and personell to use them why not insist that each car is modified so it can only do the speed limit instead, the technology is out there and most modern cars have the facitility in a dorment state and for those who bypass the system the punisment should be harsh. lets keep speed where it should be on the race track.
mike - 3 years ago
I have been caught by the vigilantes, and I was given a warning by the local police inspector by post, that I was now on their radar, and to watch out. I actually find the thought of the civilian population,informing on each other rather distressing, this is how hitler started in germany in the late thirties.
We pay a lot of taxes for our Police forces and it should be down to them to enforce our laws.
I've heard some stupid ideas in my time, but this is just the best one yet. As well as paying for the police service, they want us to help them do the job we pay THEM to do...I don't think so, fuds, get out there and fight REAL crime instead of bleeding the "easy target" motorist dry.
As for these groups operating "community speed traps", that will open a whole can of worms that some numptie in the force hasn't thought about. More coffers for the lousy government we have and US doing the police forces job. Safety camera partnership, safety camera farce more like.
Less of the stupid ideas and more work...and the force wonders why there's apathy towards them these days.
Two words for you guys and one of them is "off"
D Tweedy - 3 years ago
Just laughing out loud at Rob Taylors comments.
What a small minded, sloth like Knobhead.
Get a life or go and hibernate for the next 50 years.
Simple simon is a genius compared to you.
Trevor - 3 years ago
I remember as a young boy my Father explaining why friends from the Eastern bloc spoke in whispers....so that neighbours couldn't report them to the secret police if they critised the system....it's coming...be warned.
paul bosman - 3 years ago
wnother bloody stupid money raising way to yet again attack the motorist. my idea to raise revenue is to attack the bloody drunks in this horrible country and make them pay for the nhs patching them up on weekends. get it right and stop attacking the honest hard working people in this country attack the lossers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris - 3 years ago
My village used to have one of these groups. I had the speedgun pointed at me one day, even though they knew who I was and even though I was well within the 40mph limit. When I challenged the culprit, all I got was "oh well, we knew it was you, but we are supposed to do it anyway". In other words, if I'd been doing 41mph the buggars would have logged me as a dangerous driver. The village now has an "inner" 20mph limit, but this rises to 40mph on the outer fringes; there are speed-reminder flasher plates and a "slow down" one......they actually work pretty well, although of course they don't deter the real bozos.
Vigilante groups are the LAST thing we want; Britain is already heading towards becoming a police-state, so let's not make it any worse. Presumably the idea is to force millions of people to give up driving altogether, due to fear of being targeted by village cohorts. The resulting drop in road tax revenues and other unforeseen issues might cause a change of thinking.
Ian Walsh - 3 years ago
Absolutely Ridiculous. Let me tell you in no uncertain terms that if I get 'caught' by one of these 'nimby groups' they'd wish they hadn't got up that day or in fact any other for that matter (no specifics of course)... I am one of the many and ever growing number people in this country now so incensed by this country and it's peoples attitudes to 'shafting' each other. In 'civilised' countries people stick together and fight against oppressive governments. What the hell are we doing to each other? I think we need to press the reset button on this country and SOON!. What happens when everyone is banned and no-one can go to work? The measly £100 fine will not go far towards the £30K a year that a family can then draw off the goverment (er, tax payer - er, the rest of us left driving). By the way I have no points on my license just in case anyone thinks I have anything but a legitimate opinion. I am just so damned sick of this country and especially its general populous, and yes it may well be time for me to leave...
marco - 3 years ago
If you Guys out there have the number of these wonderful upstanding citizens that have time on their hands can you pass on my details. We have lost in excess of 100K as a result of theft from our yard over the past 9 years maybe they can sit in my yard at weekends and do some real crime fighting, the old bill aren't interested.
There is a band of these British Taliban gangs in Norfolk, they huddle around their speed camera, generally on sunny mornings, with their clip boards and cups of Coco; I suppose it gets the boring old retired farts out of bed in the morning.
I only hope when I get old I still have an interest in fast cars , birds and beer; failing that shoot me.
Sue - 3 years ago
Have no fear....these people will be easily spotted: Anoraks, woolly hats, self-important expressions and a pen and clipboard to go with the laser gun.
They are likely to be heard spouting their 'daily count' at the Sunday morning service as they offer prayers up for the sinners and tut loudly and officiously.
I would not like my 'little dahling' run over or damaged by an unthinking motorist any more than the next caring parent....but we all know these kind of activities just draw out the marginally insane!
Richard Keighley - 3 years ago
Yes I agree with Roy about too many brain dead people.
These must be the same people who drive around with indicators that never work or maybe they are the people who haven't a clue who has right of way at mini roundabouts, perhaps they are the morons who drive at 60MPH in the number 3 lane on motorways or maybe they are the idiots/do-gooders that drive around between 20 to 30 MPH no matter what the speed limit for the road is.
This government and its revenue collectors are trying to have us believe that speed equals danger and death so therefore this entitles them to spend millions of taxpayers money on speed cameras. For our own safety? Do me a favour, please!!
In my opinion this money would be far better spent by training people to drive CORRECTLY as more accidents are caused by bad driving within set speed limits than any other single factor.
Setting up groups of this nature will only make motoring even more dangerous as drivers will be looking for villagers leaping out from behind trees with radar or laser guns rather than concentrating on their driving.
Incidently these would be the same guns that even the police have difficulty in using properly. I'm sure the ensuing court fiasco's will be hilarious.
I also believe I can spot the Muppet's
Robert - 3 years ago
How stupid are things going to get !!!
There is more safety value in teaching people to drive capably
tworyeay - 3 years ago
There are enough cases arguing that the cameras are incorrectly used, who is going to monitor the vigilates???????
Far too much emphasis on speed and not on correct use of the roads. I see dangerous driving everyday but few police around. Sorry, but the police have lost too much respect from the population, not only motorists but people affected by vandalism, robberies etc.
Concerned Motorist - 3 years ago
This is VERY worrying. How much Police power is going to be given over to non-uniformed, non-organised individuals? Yes, help the Police. But don't DO their job for them! This is the thin edge of a very dangerous wedge. You have been warned!
Grumpy Oldfart - 3 years ago
Is this really true or just another media wind up? Has anybody actually been brought before the courts and convicted as a result of vigilante actions like these?
Paul - 3 years ago
Road safety has nothing to do with it - raising revenue is everything. If you are caught speeding, for the first time, you are still fined and given three penalty points. If you burgle my house or are caught shoplifting and it is a first offence you are let off with a caution. Nuff said !!
We are told if you hit a pedestrian at 40mph there is an 80% chance they will die, yet if you hit one at 30mph there is an 80% chance they will live. If pedestrians stayed off the road there is a 100% chance that they will live to a ripe old age. We need more road safety education ( remember the green cross code) and a little less persecution of motorists.
col - 3 years ago
The lunatics Have taken over the asylum !!
A. Non - 3 years ago
Lee has the right idea although I would go as far as to say this will definitely lead to reprisals against the "do-gooders" FFS leave it to the police!
tony sullivan - 3 years ago
Give speed traps to yokels are they mad we are talking about people who would kill you if your turnips win first prize at the local fair what next competitions to see who gets the most convictions ? speeding is a serious threat on our roads leave it to the police the professionals .
Roy Taylor - 3 years ago
yes I think it is a good thing there are to many brain dead people that cannot read the speed signs or are to incompetent to drive at the speed recommended I my self would ban the idiots on the first incident as the have not the brain or the consideration needed the be on the road and as for the Muppets that think this scheme is daft its probably them that have not the ability to abide by the laws and rules
Lee Millward - 3 years ago
This will could lead to reprisals and even worse violence towards these so called do-gooders and there families, totally rediculous idea.
karl lewis - 3 years ago
we have one near us. they look like bloody commandos trying to blend in with the trees in someones front garden. but funny side is even some of the locals pre warn you
Ray goddard - 3 years ago
Yet another ridicules idea from a bleed the country dry government ( if it moves Tax it policy )
Ill considered to say the least. Not condoning it but some people will become so incensed that it is likely violence will ensue --- "anyone remember the case of the planning officer shot and killed a few years ago"--- and for which act Joe Public had a sneaking admiration i suspect. Enough said i think.
We cannot, CANNOT let this happen. There are a lot of violent people out there. What if one of these violent people drives by their neighbour pointing a speed gun at them? What happens is that the police get MORE work to do because said violent person has gone round to their neighbours house and battered them because they caught them speeding! I'm not saying everyone would do this but come on, is it hard to imagine? We need to leave catching speeders up to the police! It's far too risky for the "Samaritans". I'm glad my girlfriend is soon going to have the chance to leave this country because I honestly cannot stand it anymore and I will be leaving with her! I think in 10 years time it will be like the setting from "V for Vendetta" MADNESS!
I'd love to have one of these speed guns to get the odd idiot who guns down my quiet residential road at 50mph. I think we should also get a cash bonus when they are convicted-say 10% of the fine!
I know some of the speed limits are ridiculous but I have noticed that due to drivers frustration on the main roads there is definite tendency for us to use the back streets as a rally course.
I'm a senior citizen, a motorist with a couple of million miles under my belt and a keen motorcyclist currently taking my advanced motorcycling test. There is an interesting fact that should be recognised, drawn from some research done a few years ago which is that on any stretch of road at a given time 80% of the drivers travel at a speed that is safe for the road and conditions at that time. Often that speed is in excess of an arbitary speed limit that may have been set by those motivated by political considerations rather than road safety. I DO NOT condone breaking the speed limit, but believe that all limits should be reviewed and set by competent and qualified persons from motoring organisations and road safety groups without reference to political considerations. Facts to take into account should include but not be limited to, improvements in vehicular design, road surfaces, population density, visibility, footway widths, road widths, type of area (urban/city centre/rural). This may mean that in some areas limits could be raised, in others drastically lowered. But they shouls ALL be reviewed from time to time.
Most people are far more likely to obey regulations and laws that can be seen to be reasonable, sensible and fair to all.
I apologise for errors in spelling and grammar!
Most confusing is the grammar, puctuation and syntax here I see. The spelling also poor is I find and diabolical is the typing sometimes. I think the Dark Side some of you are crossing to now. May the Force be with you...or not! Nick Nick
Strange is it not? The very same people in our village who are against more mobile phone masts, in case they fry their kids' brains, are quite prepared to aim a higher intensity energy beam at someone else.
In vain do we explain that the closer the masts are together the less energy each need radiate, and that their obduracy forces someone living near the existing mast to accept a site operating with a 1.5 mile range.
Fortunately their toy guns cannot be used to enforce any penalty thanks to the Data Protection Act which prevents them publishing a linked name and number plate even if they know it.
The idea of speed watch groups is fine in a manner where all they do is monitor speeds of vehicles using the main road through their village and then commenting on it to the local council, but to arm them with the hand held speed gun is totally rediculous as many of these groups are made up with people who are in the twilight years of life and have nothing better to do with their time, if it happens expect a great deal of people being banned because some old person who isn't steady on their feet and may have minimum control of their arms, the gun moves and hey presto your doing five to ten miles an hour than your speedometer is actually saying.
why are they called safty cameras I dive a coach for a living and every time someone see a seed camra they hit the brakes and slow right down many is the time I have seen this happen not only is this dangerus but also supid as I have seen a few crashes due to this fact they are only there as a form of legal highway robbery they donot prevent accidents but cause them the man who invented them should have been shot as he is resposiable for a lot of accidents due to his invention
Yet another money grabbing idea! So, the only people who will use these traps are people with more time on their hands than sense. This means, bitter pensioners who will try their damndest to outdo each other once 'Murder she wrote' finishes. The thought of thousands of Jessica fletchers or 'younger' dick van dykes running around with laser guns would be funny if it wasn't so true!! There's a credit crunch on and the first thing the government does is try and bleed more money out of you.. Get more police on the streets instead!! Another thing, where is all the money going that is collected from these fines? Police pension perhaps? or police compensation?
I firmly believe that the law of the land should be enforced by the POLICE. They are trained not only to use the necessary equipment but are also trained to used tact and judgement when enforcing the law. Vigilanty groups of village speed trappers will inevitably lead to confrontation with, as usual, inocent motorists paying the price. We already pay far to much in fines etc imposed by goons who hide behind cameras on every street corner. Its about time motoists rights to defend themselves (as is the case in every other situation when you break the law) were given greater priority.
WE AS MOTORIST MUST STAND UP AGAINST LAZY POLICE FORCES WHO WANT ANYBODY BUT THEMSELVES TO DO THEIR JOB.
Well here we go then. I would love to opperate one of these speed radar guns. I'd face at the so called do-gooders who seem to think it's ok for them to speed but nobody else should. I maybe able to wear a bright yellow jacket and pick on the unemployed in my area, then maybe I could buy a peaked cap & print some of my own parking tickets. Hey, lets not stop there... I will be able to arrest the local bully and apprehend him until he confesses to all the crime in my area. Maybe I could convince the Chief Constable of my County to invite me to give speeches at his next Council meeting. He might throw in a full blown uniform. Maybe then I can get hold of a tazer gun and zap a few law breakers.... Just think.. no paper work, totally exempt from the law... bring it on... I want this job.
Remember Hungerford
I thought it was a lunatic on the rampage with a pistol
I therefore put my foot down.
Could you blame me for getting confused by these clowns??
Personally, and it is just a quick point, driving is just common sense which unfortunately some driver haven't got . The word (if) and it means a lot, if every driver adhered to the the speed limits,life would be less stressful for everyone around. Yes there are a few who drive with a glass of water on the bonnet for fear of spilling it but these are few and far between. I cringe when I hear this phrase" educate and lessons must be learned"but in this case I think more education is needed in driving skills than the banging on about the THE HIGHWAY CODE. EDUCATION!EDUCATION! EDUCATION! COMMON SENSE!COMMON SENSE! COMMON SENSE!
"Watch out your neighbour is out to get you", the Government would say "sounds like Russia, doesn't it?". This is a dangerous development by a Government enamoured by an equaly incompetent Police. Whatever happened to "love thy neighbour" it was said for a reason ignore it at your peril.
Richard Keighley is right on the money. The only time I speed is to get past/around/away from idiots who don't have any right to be behind a wheel. Toughen the driving test, raise the driving age, and get some perspective on this absolute fanaticism about speed!
The police are just shooting themselves in the foot here by letting "do gooders" do their work for them - how many assault charges etc are going to be made against these old farts in anoraks?? I think members of the public arent going to be very happy with them if they get caught doing 33 in a 30 zone, and therefor earning themselves a 60 quid bill and 3 points on their licence. This results in more work for the police, sorting out actual crimes. They havent thought this through...
I think these schemes are terrific! In fact, I propose we wholeheartedly embrace them by setting one up right outside the house of every chief constable and MP that supports the scheme. Of course, like all untrained volunteers, may accidentally get some extra high readings, but hey ho....;)
It sucks, its just a way to generate money, I have seen these people out on the roadside and there were two of them, 1 man 65yrs+ and a woman 70+ and she was shoing him who to point it at. Can you imagine the court case when they show the photo evidence we will hae to sit through all their bloody holiday snaps first.
people asked to inform on fellow citizens smacks of the stasi or life in the third reich.
Wanted vigelanties with clubs, shotguns, any blunt weapon to seach out burgulars, thugs, muggers, pickpockets.rapists, murders.
Police sponsed, to wipe crime off their books.
I wonder how this would go down, (where do you draw the line.)
I am wating for a Knock on my door. Hallo Hallo Hallo And what do you think your up to then, Arrested?
Would be OK if only targeted police drivers
JUST DRIVE TO THE NATIONAL SPEED LIMIT GIVEN DUMBO'S!!!
I think its ridiculous just bloody drive to the guidlines given!!!!
I agree with M. Thatcher - though ashamed to admit these days to once having been a police office for nigh on 30 years and one who served in all branches including traffic from the level of constable to superintendent. Law enforcement is not a job for amateurs particularly where technical equiment is used for the purpose of eventual punishment or embarrassment of alleged offenders. The modern police have little public respect mainly due to their own attitudes though too often these arise from the policies of the current group of chief officers driven by their home office mentors and those politicians who direct them.
we've hit our peak as a species we are now de-evolving,ever one is turning on each other,your all dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooomed taxed vat,ed and fined to death.ruled by foreigners,governed by imbeciles,policed by hypcrites! oh well happy days.
Nany state strikes again
I do not like people that break the speed limit, and I certainly do not like cars behind me trying to hurry me along either, when I am obeying the speed limit. But neither do I like a Government that tries to get volunteers to do other people's jobs, thus preventing some-one from earning a wage in these dire times. So called do-gooders or Community Police.
There are enough people at each others throats now without this kind of thing proposed. Not only would I like the police to do their own job, I would like to see more police. I would also like to have a Government that is prepared to do the job we voted for them to do and that is actually Govern. Failing that, would they like such as ME doing their job voluntarily?
This certainly is not a wind up. Earlier this year in Farnborough there was a group of, how do i say it, coffin dodgers, (1 actually looked like he had cerebal palsey too) together with a hobbie bobby doing exactly this.
I stopped to ask what they were doing, (So I knew of any plans to reduce speed limit in the village) they explained and showed me. They showed one car doing 37MPH but the thing was they were right in front of those signs that flash up reminding you to do 30 if your doing above 30, which I knew worked because when I passed it it flashed up and I was doing 34. The thing is when they showed me this car was doing 37 it never flashed. I discussed this with the hobby bobby and the coffin dodgers got quite defensive and the discussion got quite heated. We agreed to disagree. A week later I got a letter from the police advising me, (Not charging me or fining me) that I had been caught by this group doing 37mph. Interesting seeing I had noted my speed when the sign flashed up and the speed on the unit of the vehicle they pointed was also 37MPH without the sign flashing up.
I fear that this could lead to a large number of undisputed fines for people actually obeying the law or an increase in violence against those unable to defend themselves by aggrieved innocent motorists.
What happens if you contest this in court, surely the vigilante force, police force and the government do not have a leg to stand on, this could end up costing the taxpayer in the long run!
I generally support any action to empower the community and prefer this approach to the reliance on a bureacratic, centrally driven Police Force - (which allows little discretion for the ordinary policeman) and can't in any event, do the job. However, in most cases, this initiative will not lead to community empowerment, but rather the empowerment of a minority of non motoring or anti motoring zealots who would wish to impose their silly and simplistic thinking on the vast majority of motorists.
Let's be totally truthful and recognise that the vast masjority of drivers break the law and exceed the speed limit routinely - primarily because their judgement (we are increasingly not allowed to have real responsiblity and use our own judgement) tells them it is perfectly safe to do so. They - the vast majority of motorists - are right.
I too want to reduce accidents on the road - but this is not the way to do it. Instead we should prosecute those plainly guilty of stupid, reckless and dangerous driving eg (too close, overtaking on bends, excessive speeding when it is genuinely unsafe so to do, not making allowance for the poor weather etc).
People are losing their licences today, not because they are dangerous, or reckless but becasue they have technically infringed a series of very dubious speed limiting targets. This initiative will not improve safety significantly - but will make criminals of many of us. It will also help undermine the rapidly decreasing respect that many of us already have for the law.
Ian Walsh has just about got it right. This country needs the reset button pressing - the trouble is, there is no reset button to press and the whole damn place has fallen into the toilet. When I see comments left by people like Roy Taylor, I just groan - stupid, ill thought-out ramblings are only made worse by inept grammar.
I dont agree with ANY speed cameras. The fact that I am looking out for them is in itself a danger. My eyes are constantly looking up at poles where camers might be. I am looking for other speed cameras too. In fact I reckon that I am a danger to the other road users because I am not paying sufficiently enough attention to keeping my eye on the mirrors and stupid drivers.
As for this latest idea.....it is a load of *****!!!!!
Cameras make me ANGRY and angry drivers are are a danger! By the way, I live in a village where the local garage sell high speed sports cars. If they sell one, the first thing they do is take it on the road which leads past my house to test it. Its nothing to see them speed past my place at 80 miles an hour plus....which is just the other side of a 40 mile an hour limit.
So everyone can blag a wrongdooer ehh? So I suggest we go and shoot ourselves a turkey for Christmas, namely 'a banker'. This is Vigilante policing. What is sickening is it those old retirees whom have nothing better to do than infiltrate others lives with their petty meddling. They really ought to think about giving something more positive back to the community and those in real hardship.
ridiculas basicly if u read inbetween lings the law is trying to print oyt a new methode in makeing money eg raod tax eg mots eg penalty points increase from 3 to 6 if caught drifting over speed limit plus £120 fine as well any one who supports this in comunity speed traps should be put in the gas chambers and die
im one of the brain dead muppets that thinks its a bad idea,why have these so called do gooders have so much time on there hands , what are they, elderly people or unemployed. if unemployed then go join the police force.if elderly then they sit outside in the cold,when they moan about being cold inside ,cause they cannot afford the heating. and who is going to check these speed guns every morning to make sure they are working properly, which as i believe they have to be,when has the government ever came up with a good idea , how many cutbacks have our police force had to deal with, thats it for now just being one of those muppets as described in some ones comment earlier . yea right.
"At 3,500 deaths per year, Britain has one of the lowest traffic-related fatality rates per capita and per kilometre travelled of any industrialised nation. The total number of casualties from traffic accidents is currently about 300,000 per year". These statistics are why the authorities pay so much attention to the motorist. You wouldn't be happy if it were murder or burglary that caused them. However I don't agree with vigilantes for a combination of the reasons given above. PS don't give me all the rubbish about how good it is to drive in other countries. I do it and it isn't any better where traffic density is high like here.
If this go ahead in the uk I think a lot of people involved in it will find that some people on the receiving end of their affords will turn against them in a violent way (Road Rage in a different form). Do this at your own risk, but don't say you were not warned.
Let the police do their job, they get paid far too much for it as it is so why do it for them. I was in the police force 20+ years ago and the police today are overpaid and lazy. Make a call to the police and three hrs later (If you are lucky) they turn up, then they don't want to work to find the people who committed the crime. They just fill in a form and give you a crime number and they will say that they are late because they are overstretched. Rubbish there are more police per head of population now then there were when I was in, and we did a better job. I don't bother to call them now, wast of time.
If the locals start speed checks in my village the local copper will spend all his time drinking tea in the local library the real problem is where I live is people parking right across the pavement when they have a garage and long drive,police get you fingers out and do a job to help the pedestrians not the goverment coffers
Some people are saying stupid things on here.
This is almost cetainly a breach of data protection laws and contravenes the European human rights act, ie the right to privacy.For such actions to to be legal they must be initiated by authorised persons ie police or local authotities.
Any driver suffering loss or damage as a result of prosecutions following the actions of civilians would probable have the right to sue the civilins in question.
What next? Do we go back to the days when a man with a red flag walked ahead of every car on the road? I guess it would help the government with the rising unemployment figures.
I am so sick of this country that I once loved and I can't wait to get out for good!
Under what Authority do they operate and why are they permitted to capture data on a private motorist in contravention of the DPA, when all users of CCTV or similar equipment must be registered if they capture images in an area which is considered Public.
Also how can the police accept this 'evidence of an offence' when it has not been verified, and have the individual units been regularly calibrated.
I would very much doubt that.
Advisory Signs as are often seen outside a School or other 'at risk' places are a good idea, but the idea of Pensioner (and I am one so no ageism claims please) holding a speed gun or similar and then being able to download the information is an invasion of our privacy.
Finally, of course, we motorists could claim it is against our Yuman Rytes.
Personally I keep to the speed required, as I once heard when in Australia, Drivers have to remember that ** mph is a LIMIT - NOT a target!!
The problem is that I miss the signs(various sizes, not always consistent and de-restrictions can be anywhere) , as I am busy watching for potential problems and incidents from traffic and pedestrians.
In Brussels there are numerous Radar speed feedback signs and few Traps.
What we need is a system to provide continuous electronic notification of the current speed limit and a warning light / speed limit indicator to be visible on dashboard or HUD.
CPS warnings do not always agree with the road and are difficult to monitor.
A simple Green / Amber / Red system, highly visible and requiring the local constabulary to maintain correct speed limits per location, would remove the innocent errors.
Idiots who want to drive at 90 through town, can take their chances, but those of us who want to be safe and law-abiding, but believe it is better to watch the road than to watch the speedometer will have a method to avoid the predatory traps.
I find the general comments here very interesting with only2 people putting a posative view on the scheme. obviously it is a rediculious idea these camaras are very difacult to use and police are trained in how to use them. Surly no convictions will be upheld by a court anyway.
However the most interesting is the few people who have commented on the appaling driving in this country it is this that is causing the deaths on our roads not drifting over the speed limit by say 10% to 15% I have driven in a number of countries and it is a breath of fresh air compared to being on the UK's roads which i now find abhorant.
We are all too familiar with police failing to respond to emergency calls for assistance because they are too busy but to pass over a responsibility they are specially trained for to members of the public who may have their own agendas is ludicrous. A much better suggestion and one which would achieve almost universal support would be to scrap all speed cameras (fixed and mobile) except in areas of special risk such as close to schools and road repairs.
Parked my car for ten minutes in a permit zone, Banged to rights!
Hit 85 m.p.h. on a dual carriageway on a bright sunny day, Banged to rights!
Parked in a meter zone ten minutes over time, Banged to rights!
Hit 55 m.p.h. in a coned area at 4.30 a.m. when no one working or other car on the road, Banged to rights!
Had my house burgled three times in last eighteen months, police have made no progress to date!
Had my car broken into and £1500 of golf kit stolen, police did not even bother to turn out.
I seem to remember a saying about getting your priorities right.
Part time Near police officers part time community support officers part time Speed Patrols Full time Theives Full Time Drink Drivers Full Time People with no Insurance etc etc if the RURAL Villagers are operating in a twisty windy dangerous road ok fair enough .BUT knowing people as i do there will be a look how many we got syndrome and i feel Road Safety will go out the window with all THOSE Power MAD types setting up on wide roads far from any built up area as usual what next guns for farmers to shoot people whe trespass gangs to enforce road tax mad i know BUT WHAT NEXT
I think it's a bloody dangerous & ridiculous idea which should be left to the Police or suitably trained "outsiders"
YET ANOTHER HEAD IN THE CLOUDS IDEA THAT WILL BE OPEN TO ABUSE WETHER INTENTIONAL OR NOT AND PROBALLY POORLY ADMINISTERED BY BLINKERED DO GOODERS WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY. SURELY THE MONEY COULD BE MORE WISELY SPENT IN THESE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE "LACKING" THIS THAT OR THE OTHER. AND WHAT OF THE MONIES RAISED? WILL THAT BE SPENT ON TRANSPORT? I THINK NOT......
I would love to set one up in my road. Since taking out the speed humps, we get motorists, at ALL times of day doing up to 60 mph. Considering there's a school a few doors away and a park opposite, there are kids, dogs and pedestrians everywhere. The actual limit is 20mph, yet neither the Police nor Southwark Council have any interest in doing anything 'preventative' until someone gets killed. So far, we have had one smashed up car, at least one pensioner a foot from death and several dogs nearly squashed. There have been several kids in near misses, including my 2 year old...yet it will take someone's death to make the 'authorities' pull their collectively lazy fingers out.
So, in this instance, I would LOVE to scare the living daylights out of these appalling drivers and make them pay for their unbelievably bad driving. You cannot reason with these people, so you need to hit them somewhere that won't get you jailed for assault - and that's in the wallet.
That said, it must be stressed that inappropriate speed is only one small factor in the Bad Driving Catalogue, and these Community Speed Watch groups will not be looking at anything other than the rather simple-to-measure factor of speed.
We need INTELLIGENT driving monitoring, not just speeding tickets. Cameras are not intelligent, so they will never solve the problem.
I don't think any politician has the wit to understand that.
All this will do is bring more hate and violence towards these so called do gooders and seriously split communities, let the police do the job they are paid, much to much to do.
The revolution is not far away now!
Just bear in mind that the offence of "obstructing a Police Office in the execution of his duty" does not apply to civilian operators of speed monitoring equipment and precedent has been set for this.
Don't go faster than the speed limit.
These guys won't get you fined, you ill get a letter. When you get the letter it will remind you to slow down. So for gods sake slow down.
You cause less danger, use less fuel, make people fear the roads less. Remember les than 15 % of the population have a driving licence, it is really selfish of you that think you can chase around our roads in your cars at high speed so that those that want to use other means do so in fear. simply slow down, you muppets
the governments of this country over the years called the Russians for the way they treated people the KGB is a kinder garden to the government of this country people were proud to be British now the most exported thing in this country is us leaving in droves because of the nanny state looking 4 more ways to take the money we earn in new forms of tax fines the rich get richer the poor get poorer
the government think we are all on £50 k a year like all them toss pots
bring on a revolution as long as the speed cameras are there it wont pick up momentum TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX VAT VAT VAT FINE FINE FINE all small words that make the government a HUGE fortune
It is not right that the goverment is using such tactics to catch drivers as there is a much better solution to the speeding problem they wont use, instead of spending money on speed traps and personell to use them why not insist that each car is modified so it can only do the speed limit instead, the technology is out there and most modern cars have the facitility in a dorment state and for those who bypass the system the punisment should be harsh. lets keep speed where it should be on the race track.
I have been caught by the vigilantes, and I was given a warning by the local police inspector by post, that I was now on their radar, and to watch out. I actually find the thought of the civilian population,informing on each other rather distressing, this is how hitler started in germany in the late thirties.
We pay a lot of taxes for our Police forces and it should be down to them to enforce our laws.
I've heard some stupid ideas in my time, but this is just the best one yet. As well as paying for the police service, they want us to help them do the job we pay THEM to do...I don't think so, fuds, get out there and fight REAL crime instead of bleeding the "easy target" motorist dry.
As for these groups operating "community speed traps", that will open a whole can of worms that some numptie in the force hasn't thought about. More coffers for the lousy government we have and US doing the police forces job. Safety camera partnership, safety camera farce more like.
Less of the stupid ideas and more work...and the force wonders why there's apathy towards them these days.
Two words for you guys and one of them is "off"
Just laughing out loud at Rob Taylors comments.
What a small minded, sloth like Knobhead.
Get a life or go and hibernate for the next 50 years.
Simple simon is a genius compared to you.
I remember as a young boy my Father explaining why friends from the Eastern bloc spoke in whispers....so that neighbours couldn't report them to the secret police if they critised the system....it's coming...be warned.
wnother bloody stupid money raising way to yet again attack the motorist. my idea to raise revenue is to attack the bloody drunks in this horrible country and make them pay for the nhs patching them up on weekends. get it right and stop attacking the honest hard working people in this country attack the lossers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My village used to have one of these groups. I had the speedgun pointed at me one day, even though they knew who I was and even though I was well within the 40mph limit. When I challenged the culprit, all I got was "oh well, we knew it was you, but we are supposed to do it anyway". In other words, if I'd been doing 41mph the buggars would have logged me as a dangerous driver. The village now has an "inner" 20mph limit, but this rises to 40mph on the outer fringes; there are speed-reminder flasher plates and a "slow down" one......they actually work pretty well, although of course they don't deter the real bozos.
Vigilante groups are the LAST thing we want; Britain is already heading towards becoming a police-state, so let's not make it any worse. Presumably the idea is to force millions of people to give up driving altogether, due to fear of being targeted by village cohorts. The resulting drop in road tax revenues and other unforeseen issues might cause a change of thinking.
Absolutely Ridiculous. Let me tell you in no uncertain terms that if I get 'caught' by one of these 'nimby groups' they'd wish they hadn't got up that day or in fact any other for that matter (no specifics of course)... I am one of the many and ever growing number people in this country now so incensed by this country and it's peoples attitudes to 'shafting' each other. In 'civilised' countries people stick together and fight against oppressive governments. What the hell are we doing to each other? I think we need to press the reset button on this country and SOON!. What happens when everyone is banned and no-one can go to work? The measly £100 fine will not go far towards the £30K a year that a family can then draw off the goverment (er, tax payer - er, the rest of us left driving). By the way I have no points on my license just in case anyone thinks I have anything but a legitimate opinion. I am just so damned sick of this country and especially its general populous, and yes it may well be time for me to leave...
If you Guys out there have the number of these wonderful upstanding citizens that have time on their hands can you pass on my details. We have lost in excess of 100K as a result of theft from our yard over the past 9 years maybe they can sit in my yard at weekends and do some real crime fighting, the old bill aren't interested.
There is a band of these British Taliban gangs in Norfolk, they huddle around their speed camera, generally on sunny mornings, with their clip boards and cups of Coco; I suppose it gets the boring old retired farts out of bed in the morning.
I only hope when I get old I still have an interest in fast cars , birds and beer; failing that shoot me.
Have no fear....these people will be easily spotted: Anoraks, woolly hats, self-important expressions and a pen and clipboard to go with the laser gun.
They are likely to be heard spouting their 'daily count' at the Sunday morning service as they offer prayers up for the sinners and tut loudly and officiously.
I would not like my 'little dahling' run over or damaged by an unthinking motorist any more than the next caring parent....but we all know these kind of activities just draw out the marginally insane!
Yes I agree with Roy about too many brain dead people.
These must be the same people who drive around with indicators that never work or maybe they are the people who haven't a clue who has right of way at mini roundabouts, perhaps they are the morons who drive at 60MPH in the number 3 lane on motorways or maybe they are the idiots/do-gooders that drive around between 20 to 30 MPH no matter what the speed limit for the road is.
This government and its revenue collectors are trying to have us believe that speed equals danger and death so therefore this entitles them to spend millions of taxpayers money on speed cameras. For our own safety? Do me a favour, please!!
In my opinion this money would be far better spent by training people to drive CORRECTLY as more accidents are caused by bad driving within set speed limits than any other single factor.
Setting up groups of this nature will only make motoring even more dangerous as drivers will be looking for villagers leaping out from behind trees with radar or laser guns rather than concentrating on their driving.
Incidently these would be the same guns that even the police have difficulty in using properly. I'm sure the ensuing court fiasco's will be hilarious.
I also believe I can spot the Muppet's
How stupid are things going to get !!!
There is more safety value in teaching people to drive capably
There are enough cases arguing that the cameras are incorrectly used, who is going to monitor the vigilates???????
Far too much emphasis on speed and not on correct use of the roads. I see dangerous driving everyday but few police around. Sorry, but the police have lost too much respect from the population, not only motorists but people affected by vandalism, robberies etc.
This is VERY worrying. How much Police power is going to be given over to non-uniformed, non-organised individuals? Yes, help the Police. But don't DO their job for them! This is the thin edge of a very dangerous wedge. You have been warned!
Is this really true or just another media wind up? Has anybody actually been brought before the courts and convicted as a result of vigilante actions like these?
Road safety has nothing to do with it - raising revenue is everything. If you are caught speeding, for the first time, you are still fined and given three penalty points. If you burgle my house or are caught shoplifting and it is a first offence you are let off with a caution. Nuff said !!
We are told if you hit a pedestrian at 40mph there is an 80% chance they will die, yet if you hit one at 30mph there is an 80% chance they will live. If pedestrians stayed off the road there is a 100% chance that they will live to a ripe old age. We need more road safety education ( remember the green cross code) and a little less persecution of motorists.
The lunatics Have taken over the asylum !!
Lee has the right idea although I would go as far as to say this will definitely lead to reprisals against the "do-gooders" FFS leave it to the police!
Give speed traps to yokels are they mad we are talking about people who would kill you if your turnips win first prize at the local fair what next competitions to see who gets the most convictions ? speeding is a serious threat on our roads leave it to the police the professionals .
yes I think it is a good thing there are to many brain dead people that cannot read the speed signs or are to incompetent to drive at the speed recommended I my self would ban the idiots on the first incident as the have not the brain or the consideration needed the be on the road and as for the Muppets that think this scheme is daft its probably them that have not the ability to abide by the laws and rules
This will could lead to reprisals and even worse violence towards these so called do-gooders and there families, totally rediculous idea.
we have one near us. they look like bloody commandos trying to blend in with the trees in someones front garden. but funny side is even some of the locals pre warn you
Yet another ridicules idea from a bleed the country dry government ( if it moves Tax it policy )