Speed cameras switched off (Bristol,Bath,Somerest)

sorn21 · 1 Apr 2011 at 15:26

Morba said:
They also mention them on local radio iirc.

Hassle! I'd just rather know where they are.
Don't get me wrong, I hate them both, but the fixed ones, for me, are the lesser of the two evils as they are easily spotted and they tend to stay there!!

Westyfield2 said:
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/cameralert.php

Yeah, but it's 60 bloody pence!!

MikeHunt79 · 1 Apr 2011 at 15:29

n1blo said:
Yeah, but it's 60 bloody pence!!

Well if it saves you £60 then it's paid for itself 100 times over...

sorn21 · 1 Apr 2011 at 15:38

MikeHunt79 said:
Well if it saves you £60 then it's paid for itself 100 times over...

True, but for that 60p I could buy myself a bag of crisps, and that gives me satisfaction NOW! Not in a few months time

loltim · 1 Apr 2011 at 15:48

InvaderGIR said:
And you deserve the punishment for doing so, so saying 'omg they fine you if you cross after a milisecond' is a bit silly.

I was pointing out that going through a set of lights that have been red for a micro second is probably not going to cause an accident, because the opposite set of lights will also still be red for a second or two. I never pointed out it was ok, nor did I say I've ever done it.

Morba · 1 Apr 2011 at 15:49

all that will do is tell you common sites for them, not where they actually are.
If you know you are going for a spirited drive then a check of the website (hell something must be quick to set up to email you, which you can then pickup from your phone) is an easy and safe step

Mon · 1 Apr 2011 at 15:50

I'm against both Fixed and mobile, but they are turning off 54 Fixed cameras and 38 red light camera.
Yes they will be operating mobile units although they have 6 units and have to cover over 107 location...
You know the mobile units will be doing 9-5

I remember a few years ago when speed cameras were less common Avon and Somerset used to have a mailing list on the locations they would be in the next month, it certainly was very useful

Morba · 1 Apr 2011 at 16:09

Tim said:
because the opposite set of lights will also still be red for a second or two.

Not true. Many around here change to red+yellow at the same time as the opposite ones go red.
People are revving up and moving as soon as they know the light is about to go red to stop other traffic.

loltim · 1 Apr 2011 at 16:12

Morba said:
Not true. Many around here change to red+yellow at the same time as the opposite ones go red.
People are revving up and moving as soon as they know the light is about to go red to stop other traffic.

Then the timing needs adjusting. Sounds dangerous.

Morba · 1 Apr 2011 at 16:13

Tim said:
Then the timing needs adjusting. Sounds dangerous.

Timing is fine, peoples thoughts about driving through red lights need adjusting

loltim · 1 Apr 2011 at 16:14

Morba said:
Timing is fine, peoples thoughts about driving through red lights need adjusting

You are right. Maybe we should implement this fine timing with rail road crossings.

Mon · 1 Apr 2011 at 17:36

I'm all for Red light cameras although the money on cameras could be used to be set-up to improve the sequences and timing of lights.

This is especially noticeable at night when you wait ages at a red light with no other cars in sight.

TS7 · 1 Apr 2011 at 17:41

n1blo said:
You *can* check it, but that means checking the website every morning, which is another thing I could live without!

Something I've discovered recently is that they can set up anywhere they like without informing the public on the website. I was always under the impression that mobile speed camera zones had to be marked with signs and also be notified on the website of the dates they shall be appearing. However this is not the case. In places which the neighbourhoods etc have got together and complained that there are speeding motorists on a particular stretch of road they're allowed to.

In addition you are advised that speed cameras may be in use on several sites across the County that are subject to complaints being received by the Police about speeding traffic. Due to the ad hoc nature of these complaints it is impossible to publish this activity in advance. This work is permitted within the project guidelines and the conspicuity criteria allowing the use of cameras is met.

The real pain are mobile speed cameras, fixed ones are clearly signed posted and aren't the most difficult thing to miss.

kippermitten · 1 Apr 2011 at 17:44

Tim said:
Yeah but they're probably mainly catching people trying to sneak through a micro second after it turns red, therefore possibly not saving THAT many accidents, and just bringing in £££££?

I doubt many people go through when it's been on red longer than 2-3 seconds.

Thats just so stupidly wrong. I see, everyday, at least 3 to 4 cars(not even going to mention ******* cyclists) that barrel through red lights when the others have gone green. Forget red light cameras, automatic snipers, its the best way and will increase the strength of the gene pool.

loltim · 1 Apr 2011 at 17:45

kippermitten said:
Thats just so stupidly wrong. I see, everyday, at least 3 to 4 cars(not even going to mention ******* cyclists) that barrel through red lights when the others have gone green. Forget red light cameras, automatic snipers, its the best way and will increase the strength of the gene pool.

Do you live in London? I genuinelly don't see it often. I see amber gamblers, but never people going through red.

MikeHunt79 · 1 Apr 2011 at 18:28

Tim said:
Do you live in London? I genuinelly don't see it often. I see amber gamblers, but never people going through red.

I've seen quite a few drivers run a red light that's just changed, mostly in and around Bristol. It seems to be mostly van drivers and taxi's but not always...

loltim · 1 Apr 2011 at 18:31

MikeHunt79 said:
I've seen quite a few drivers run a red light that's just changed, mostly in and around Bristol. It seems to be mostly van drivers and taxi's but not always...

Yeah, I'm talking about going through when it's blatantly red, and has been for 2-3 seconds.

Al Vallario · 1 Apr 2011 at 20:50

Mr Jack said:
So since switch off there were 2 more accidents, involving 15 more slight injuries, and no more serious deaths or fatalities compared to the previous six months. I dunno, that doesn't look like it's anything other than random variation.

The statistics are more than a little disingenuous.

Especially because 5 of the serious injuries and 12 of the minor injuries were when a single double-decker bus overturned on the M40 in December: BBC News: Oxford Tube coach overturns on M40 injuring many.

Nothing to do with speed, a passenger grabbed hold of the steering wheel and overturned it.