"David from Oz" wrote in message
oups.com...
There was an item on driving offence cameras (e.g. box junction
offences, red light offences, right turn offences, bus lane offences
etc), as following successful trials in London they are now being
rolled out nationally. Paul from Safe Speed (a regular poster on this
group) was interviewed and argued against such measures stating his
view that that they did not *prevent * such offences, merely *punished*
but did not reduce the number of offices. He also disputed figures from
London that had shown congestion had been reduced by their
introduction. He said the figures could be interpreted in different
ways.

Well Paul I disagree with your argument. I think that in the trail
area they have made drivers think twice about stopping in box
junctions, red-light running, illegal turns and driving in bus lanes.
Since my box junction offence fine (from the North Circular documented
on these groups) I have been extra vigilant to ensure I do not commit
further offences. Furthermore when I visited some friends in Muswell
Hill (a number who had also received fines) they all admitted they had
committed offences and said that they were all extra careful when
driving around Haringey now as this council had put in a significant
number of cameras in the area, and people were aware of the fines and
being more careful.

This is my opinion only, but in my experience offence cameras do make
people think more carefully about their driving, and drive more
carefully. I can't understand the argument that says this is not the
case. Paul: Perhaps you can explain how the figures that show reduced
congestion since the introduction of such cameras can be interpreted to
not show reduced congestion.

I have an open mind and am genuinely interested to understand.

David


Well, my opinion, for what it's worth, is that I wouldn't have any problems
with automated cameras being used to fine everyone for any offence, as long
as it is done with common sense and some correlation to the extent of the
resulting problem.

It could all be done so well. Unfortunately, as has been demonstrated with
automated speed enforcement, the moment a potential to make automatic income
from any kind of trivial offence is realised, it is exploited to the full
for income purposes only.

There is never any reason to block a box junction, but I'm afraid on the
success I've seen so far about automated camera prosecutions, I'd have to
say, no matter how unnecessary and stupid blocking a junction is, stick you
box junction cameras up your a*s

So, I think Paul is doing a great job, in highlighting the stupidity
implemented by the "authorities". As always, the correct answer is somewhere
between.