Speed guns made my commute safer
Simon Mason
http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/3320/002sw.jpg
--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/
JNugent
> Letter in our local rag:
> http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/3320/002sw.jpg
Your letter?
What's that supposed to prove?
Simon Mason
"JNugent" <J...@noparticularplacetogo.com> wrote in message
news:MN6dnXL7Y4AicdjW...@pipex.net...
That a visible police presence not only deters drivers from speeding, but
also alters their behaviour, such as letting cyclists out who want to turn
right, for example. A passive safety camera will deter speeders, but will
not encourage polite behaviour towards other road users.
JNugent
OK.
How does your letter prove that?
I'm not saying you're wrong - just asking how your letter proves your case.
Simon Mason
I have ridden to work along that stretch of road for 10 years, so that
equates to about 2140 times, so I have a pretty good experience of drivers'
habits. If I stick my arm out to turn right then it gets ignored, but on
this occasion, they were falling over themselves to let me out. Why? Because
of the police presence who could see I was signalling to turn right. Of that
there is no doubt.
JNugent
So what are you saying?
That you should have your own personal police escort wherever you go?
Simon Mason
.
>
> So what are you saying?
>
> That you should have your own personal police escort wherever you go?
It was in response to a letter from a driver who contended that it was a
waste of police resource to try and "trap" speeding drivers there as they
should be concentrating on drink drivers and careless drivers. My response
was that they were using the speeding as a way in to pull drivers for a
breath test and their presence also made the road safer from careless
driving. Hopefully, they should do this more often.
mileburner
"Simon Mason" <si...@simonmason.karoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:sd-dnUMX4_N_nNvW...@eclipse.net.uk...
> I have ridden to work along that stretch of road for 10 years, so that
> equates to about 2140 times, so I have a pretty good experience of
> drivers' habits. If I stick my arm out to turn right then it gets ignored,
> but on this occasion, they were falling over themselves to let me out.
> Why? Because of the police presence who could see I was signalling to turn
> right. Of that there is no doubt.
I do a regular right turn on a wide road where the speed of the traffic is
usually increasing. Sticking my arm out is meaningless as virtually every
car will continue to accelerate to overtake. There are only two options 1)
Wait on the left by the kerb until it is clear [1] or 2) PLF and slot into
the 2 second gap between the traffic - then indicate, and even then some of
them still try to overtake on the right.
[1] Not really an option for big boys but I get my kids to do this.
Simon Mason
"mileburner" <mileb...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:hi5229$sei$1...@news.eternal-
> I do a regular right turn on a wide road where the speed of the traffic is
> usually increasing. Sticking my arm out is meaningless as virtually every
> car will continue to accelerate to overtake. There are only two options 1)
> Wait on the left by the kerb until it is clear [1] or 2) PLF and slot into
> the 2 second gap between the traffic - then indicate, and even then some
> of them still try to overtake on the right
Lately, I have been activating my flashing blue rear light when riding along
the final right turn and have found it has had a similar effect to a police
presence and I seem to have been allowed to execute the turn with more
consideration.
The Medway Handyman
Paid for by somebody else of course.
--
Dave - the small piece of 14th century armour used to protect the armpit.
The Medway Handyman
Didn't you know that impersonating a police officer is against the law?
Simon Mason
"The Medway Handyman" <davi...@nospamblueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message >>
>> Lately, I have been activating my flashing blue rear light when
>> riding along the final right turn and have found it has had a similar
>> effect to a police presence and I seem to have been allowed to
>> execute the turn with more consideration.
>
> Didn't you know that impersonating a police officer is against the law?
In what way am I impersonating a police officer? Do I wear any clothing with
Police on it?
No.
The Medway Handyman
"flashing blue light". Do you shout 'nee naw, nee naw' when you switch it
on?
"similar effect to a police presence". Sounds like impersonating a police
officer to me.
Police Act 1996 "doing any act calculated falsely to suggest membership of a
police force" - you can get 6 months for that.
Another criminal cyclist.
JNugent
>
> "JNugent" <J...@noparticularplacetogo.com> wrote in message
> news:2budndl9DvGSl9vW...@pipex.net...
>>
>> So what are you saying?
>>
>> That you should have your own personal police escort wherever you go?
>
> It was in response to a letter from a driver who contended that it was a
> waste of police resource to try and "trap" speeding drivers there as
> they should be concentrating on drink drivers and careless drivers. My
> response was that they were using the speeding as a way in to pull
> drivers for a breath test and their presence also made the road safer
> from careless driving. Hopefully, they should do this more often.
Your point appears to be that while the police are there, it's better for you.
Well, OK. It's a peculiar way of looking at law enforcement, but let that pass.
But you know that they can't be there all the time, and that even on the odd
occasion when they are there, there's a good chance that you won't be. IOW,
you can't benefit from it except by chance, and only for a tiny proportion of
the time.
Even on the basis by which you support the traps, surely you must realise
that it can be only be of very limited value to you?
JNugent
Are you allowed to display a blue flashing light with the intention of
passing off your vehicle as a police vehicle?
Even if there's nothing in the road traffic acts about blue flashing lights
on bikes, intentional deceit to the effect that you are a police officer
would fall foul of the "impersonating a police officer" law.
mileburner
>>
>> That you should have your own personal police escort wherever you go?
>
> Paid for by somebody else of course.
Paid for by speeding, discourteous and dangerous drivers perhaps? Just a
thought :-)
mileburner
> "similar effect to a police presence". Sounds like impersonating a police
> officer to me.
Fortunately Madway (that *was* a typo but I will leave it in anyway) is not
bright enough to become a police officer :-).
mileburner
> Even if there's nothing in the road traffic acts about blue flashing
> lights on bikes, intentional deceit to the effect that you are a police
> officer would fall foul of the "impersonating a police officer" law.
I won't be hiring you as my defence barrister when Medway takes me to the
High Court, sorry!
Mas...@bp.com
>
> Are you allowed to display a blue flashing light with the intention of
> passing off your vehicle as a police vehicle?
>
> Even if there's nothing in the road traffic acts about blue flashing lights
> on bikes, intentional deceit to the effect that you are a police officer
> would fall foul of the "impersonating a police officer" law.
Good - if drivers think I am a police officer, all the better for my
safety.
--
Simon Mason
Mark
This is exactly why we need more traffic police regularly patrolling
the roads.
However I can quote an example where the presence of traffic police
with speed gun make the situation a lot more dangerous.
--
(\__/) M.
(='.'=) Due to the amount of spam posted via googlegroups and
(")_(") their inaction to the problem. I am blocking most articles
posted from there. If you wish your postings to be seen by
everyone you will need use a different method of posting.
[Reply-to address valid until it is spammed.]
Mas...@bp.com
> On Thu, 7 Jan 2010 14:40:24 -0000, "Simon Mason"
>
>
>
>
>
> <si...@simonmason.karoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >"JNugent" <J...@noparticularplacetogo.com> wrote in message
> >news:MN6dnXL7Y4AicdjW...@pipex.net...
> >> Simon Mason wrote:
>
> >>> Letter in our local rag:
> >>>http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/3320/002sw.jpg
>
> >> Your letter?
>
> >> What's that supposed to prove?
>
> >That a visible police presence not only deters drivers from speeding, but
> >also alters their behaviour, such as letting cyclists out who want to turn
> >right, for example. A passive safety camera will deter speeders, but will
> >not encourage polite behaviour towards other road users.
>
> This is exactly why we need more traffic police regularly patrolling
> the roads.
>
> However I can quote an example where the presence of traffic police
> with speed gun make the situation a lot more dangerous.
Maybe due to drivers slamming their brakes on, whether they are
speeding or not?
Why do they do that?
I just drive within the limit and thus don't care if there's a speed
gun behind every bush.
--
Simon Mason
Mark
<Mas...@BP.com> wrote:
>On 8 Jan, 11:02, Mark <i...@dontgetlotsofspamanymore.invalid> wrote:
>> On Thu, 7 Jan 2010 14:40:24 -0000, "Simon Mason"
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> <si...@simonmason.karoo.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> >"JNugent" <J...@noparticularplacetogo.com> wrote in message
>> >news:MN6dnXL7Y4AicdjW...@pipex.net...
>> >> Simon Mason wrote:
>>
>> >>> Letter in our local rag:
>> >>>http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/3320/002sw.jpg
>>
>> >> Your letter?
>>
>> >> What's that supposed to prove?
>>
>> >That a visible police presence not only deters drivers from speeding, but
>> >also alters their behaviour, such as letting cyclists out who want to turn
>> >right, for example. A passive safety camera will deter speeders, but will
>> >not encourage polite behaviour towards other road users.
>>
>> This is exactly why we need more traffic police regularly patrolling
>> the roads. �
>>
>> However I can quote an example where the presence of traffic police
>> with speed gun make the situation a lot more dangerous.
>
>Maybe due to drivers slamming their brakes on, whether they are
>speeding or not?
Not at all.
I was riding on my motorbike with a few of my friends along a country
road one evening. It was starting to get dark and the weather was
bad. We entered a 40mph limit doing less than that. A plod with
speedgun jumped out of a hedge right in front of the lead rider
forcing him to swerve. I can't see how this action helps improve
safety.
JNugent
You *do* say some stupid things, don't you?
Weren't you among those who "observed" that Medway Handyman had uttered a
public declaration of intention to run down a cyclist in his van? Stating an
intention to deceitfully impersonate a police officer might be even more
useful in a prosecution.
JNugent
It's because it feels safer to be *well within* the limit in case of some
error by a clerical officer "processing" speed camera pictures.
> I just drive within the limit and thus don't care if there's a speed
> gun behind every bush.
You have a lot of faith in the judgment of bureaucrats.
In many cases, that might not be misplaced.
mileburner
However, it would drastically reduce the impulse of people like Medway to
drive into a cyclist, thinking they were a copper. Unless they hated police
officers as well as cyclists. And thinking about it, there probably are some
places full of chavvy scum who *do* think like that.
Blue lights might not be such a good idea after all. A large hand held "D"
lock might be better for some inner city journeys.
Mas...@bp.com
Dear oh dear. Premeditated murder as against someone who wears a £6
blue l.e.d.?
Do get a sense of proportion.
--
Simon Mason
Mas...@bp.com
> > Why do they do that?
>
> It's because it feels safer to be *well within* the limit in case of some
> error by a clerical officer "processing" speed camera pictures.
If you read my letter again - my work mate was pulled in for doing 46
mph and let off.
Seems pretty lenient to me, if anything.
--
Simon Mason
The Medway Handyman
> Mas...@BP.com wrote:
>> On 7 Jan, 23:34, JNugent <J...@noparticularplacetogo.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Are you allowed to display a blue flashing light with the intention
>>> of passing off your vehicle as a police vehicle?
>>>
>>> Even if there's nothing in the road traffic acts about blue
>>> flashing lights on bikes, intentional deceit to the effect that you
>>> are a police officer would fall foul of the "impersonating a police
>>> officer" law.
>>
>> Good - if drivers think I am a police officer, all the better for my
>> safety.
>
> You *do* say some stupid things, don't you?
>
> Weren't you among those who "observed" that Medway Handyman had
> uttered a public declaration of intention to run down a cyclist in
> his van?
I did no such thing.
>Stating an intention to deceitfully impersonate a police
> officer might be even more useful in a prosecution.
The Medway Handyman
Get one yourself, I've never declared my intent to run down a cyclist.
Mas...@bp.com
<davidl...@nospamblueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
> JNugent wrote:
> > Mas...@BP.com wrote:
> >> On 7 Jan, 23:34, JNugent <J...@noparticularplacetogo.com> wrote:
>
> >>> Are you allowed to display a blue flashing light with the intention
> >>> of passing off your vehicle as a police vehicle?
>
> >>> Even if there's nothing in the road traffic acts about blue
> >>> flashing lights on bikes, intentional deceit to the effect that you
> >>> are a police officer would fall foul of the "impersonating a police
> >>> officer" law.
>
> >> Good - if drivers think I am a police officer, all the better for my
> >> safety.
>
> > You *do* say some stupid things, don't you?
>
> > Weren't you among those who "observed" that Medway Handyman had
> > uttered a public declaration of intention to run down a cyclist in
> > his van?
>
> I did no such thing.
You did say that "the only good cyclist is a dead cyclist", so no
doubt you would be happy to see another driver kill one and do the
dirty work for you.
--
Simon Mason
JNugent
> JNugent wrote:
>> Mas...@BP.com wrote:
>>> On 7 Jan, 23:34, JNugent <J...@noparticularplacetogo.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Are you allowed to display a blue flashing light with the intention
>>>> of passing off your vehicle as a police vehicle?
>>>>
>>>> Even if there's nothing in the road traffic acts about blue
>>>> flashing lights on bikes, intentional deceit to the effect that you
>>>> are a police officer would fall foul of the "impersonating a police
>>>> officer" law.
>>> Good - if drivers think I am a police officer, all the better for my
>>> safety.
>> You *do* say some stupid things, don't you?
>>
>> Weren't you among those who "observed" that Medway Handyman had
>> uttered a public declaration of intention to run down a cyclist in
>> his van?
>
> I did no such thing.
I didn't say you had.
I said that others had said you had.
The Medway Handyman
Since you are a complete idiot Simple Simon. you wouldn't know the
difference between an opinion and a declaration of intent.
The Medway Handyman
I didn't say you didn't :-)
>
> I said that others had said you had.
Correct.
Mas...@bp.com
>
> - Show quoted text -
How odd. You are happy at the sight of a dead cyclist, but don't like
to harm them yourself.
--
Simon Mason
JNugent
> How odd. You are happy at the sight of a dead cyclist, but don't like
> to harm them yourself.
A couple of weeks ago, I was very happy at the sight of a dead turkey. But I
could never harm one myself.
JNugent
> JNugent <J...@noparticularplacetogo.com> wrote:
>>> Why do they do that?
[ie, brake for speed traps]
>> It's because it feels safer to be *well within* the limit in case of some
>> error by a clerical officer "processing" speed camera pictures.
> If you read my letter again - my work mate was pulled in for doing 46
> mph and let off.
> Seems pretty lenient to me, if anything.
I was talking about "them", not about your workmate.
Sir Jeremy
> "JNugent" <J...@noparticularplacetogo.com> wrote in message
>
> >>> Simon Mason wrote:
>
> >>>> Letter in our local rag:
> >>>>http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/3320/002sw.jpg
>
> >>> Your letter?
>
> >>> What's that supposed to prove?
>
> >> That a visible police presence not only deters drivers from speeding, but
> >> also alters their behaviour, such as letting cyclists out who want to
> >> turn right, for example. A passive safety camera will deter speeders, but
> >> will not encourage polite behaviour towards other road users.
>
>
> > How does your letter prove that?
>
> > I'm not saying you're wrong - just asking how your letter proves your
> > case.
>
> I have ridden to work along that stretch of road for 10 years, so that
> equates to about 2140 times, so I have a pretty good experience of drivers'
> habits. If I stick my arm out to turn right then it gets ignored, but on
> this occasion, they were falling over themselves to let me out. Why? Because
> of the police presence who could see I was signalling to turn right. Of that
> there is no doubt.
>
> --
> Simon Masonhttp://www.simonmason.karoo.net/- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Are you sure you should be on the road if you can't turn right safely
after ten years practice?
You'd be better off on the bus.
NB please don't drive a car if you're that inept
Mas...@bp.com
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Are you sure you should be on the road if you can't turn right safely
> after ten years practice?
> You'd be better off on the bus.
>
> - Show quoted text -
Too late.
I driven about 400,000 miles and in 20 different countries.
--
Simon Mason