Speed Vigilantes
Discussion
Read this in today's Glasgow Herald Motoring Supplement. Don't know if this new or not.
"Police in Cambridgeshire have trained a group of villagers to use a radar speed gun in an attempt to deter speeding motorists. Six volunteers in Fowlmere will use the gun for up to four hours a day. They will note speeds and registrations and alert police. There will be no prosecution, but police will send warning letters."
There is no evidence other than their word. Better not fall out with your neighbour if you live in this vicinity!
"Police in Cambridgeshire have trained a group of villagers to use a radar speed gun in an attempt to deter speeding motorists. Six volunteers in Fowlmere will use the gun for up to four hours a day. They will note speeds and registrations and alert police. There will be no prosecution, but police will send warning letters."
There is no evidence other than their word. Better not fall out with your neighbour if you live in this vicinity!
Any of these miserable old gits better make sure they never commit any kind of motoring offence, there tyres are OK, tax up to date, lights not broken/smashed with a maglite, etc.
'Cos it would be a real shame if all those type of things were constantly being checked by other law abiding members of the community.
Though a 999 call stating that some nutter was waiving a gun at passing cars could be amusing
Cheers, Phil
'Cos it would be a real shame if all those type of things were constantly being checked by other law abiding members of the community.
Though a 999 call stating that some nutter was waiving a gun at passing cars could be amusing
Cheers, Phil
From what I've seen these schemes go on in 30 residential zones. If you speed in 30 zones then you're just asking to get a ticket and your also pissing off the residents. By all means speed outside of residential area but the reason schemes like this exist is because of the lack of respect people have for speed limits past peoples houses. If people didn't speed in 30s then you have a lot less of this sort of stuff going on so instead of getting all pissy about your rights to drive as fast as you like how about having some respect for these people's rights to keep where they live a safe place who don't share your enthusiasm for driving like a w*nker in towns and villages?
And even if *you* don't speed in villages there are absolutely loads of people who do. I love driving as fast as humanly possible but I'd still like where I live to be safe for me reversing out of my drive and not having some twat drive into the side of me or flashing their lights and mouthing off at me simply because they are driving well outside the safe limit for the area and it hadn't occured to them that someone around the corner might be coming out of their drive.
Frankly if you do drive like a dick in residential areas then you deserve to be banned and the fact that you'll get a warning letter is letting you off *way* too lightly in my opinion.
>> Edited by mhibbins on Friday 5th July 14:41
And even if *you* don't speed in villages there are absolutely loads of people who do. I love driving as fast as humanly possible but I'd still like where I live to be safe for me reversing out of my drive and not having some twat drive into the side of me or flashing their lights and mouthing off at me simply because they are driving well outside the safe limit for the area and it hadn't occured to them that someone around the corner might be coming out of their drive.
Frankly if you do drive like a dick in residential areas then you deserve to be banned and the fact that you'll get a warning letter is letting you off *way* too lightly in my opinion.
>> Edited by mhibbins on Friday 5th July 14:41
Agree it does seem inappropriate to arm a bunch of potato pickers with police equipment but I do believe there is a need to try new things to reduce the speed of some drivers through villages.
Round here where I live there are well used race tracks trhough the villages, frequented by drink drivers who know the police can't cover them. There's no pavements on these roads and there are cyclists, walkers and horses. Whether or not the cyclists etc should be there at all, bearing in mind the risks, is one thing. But the fact is they are and some exuberant motorists pile rounds the country lanes and rediculous speeds. Accidents are guaranteed.
Its a crap idea but 10 out of 10 for trying to be a bit creative with the limited resources available.
Round here where I live there are well used race tracks trhough the villages, frequented by drink drivers who know the police can't cover them. There's no pavements on these roads and there are cyclists, walkers and horses. Whether or not the cyclists etc should be there at all, bearing in mind the risks, is one thing. But the fact is they are and some exuberant motorists pile rounds the country lanes and rediculous speeds. Accidents are guaranteed.
Its a crap idea but 10 out of 10 for trying to be a bit creative with the limited resources available.
Looks like several others beat me too it!! I have a Chimaera 500 and have ridden motorbikes at over 150 mph but there are times and places for it.
30 mph limits are there for a reason ,i.e. blind corners, schools, sideroads, pubs, clubs etc.
On open roads, clear visibility, go for it! (IMHO). Treat getting stopped for speeding as an occupational hazard. If you get done, don't drip about it - YOU BROKE THE LAW!
HOWEVER, if its one of those villages where the limit is still 60, and I know they exist, then perhaps the residents would be better campaiging for a lower limit!
I would be concerned if anybody were prosecuted on a residents' say so, but a warning letter seems appropriate
30 mph limits are there for a reason ,i.e. blind corners, schools, sideroads, pubs, clubs etc.
On open roads, clear visibility, go for it! (IMHO). Treat getting stopped for speeding as an occupational hazard. If you get done, don't drip about it - YOU BROKE THE LAW!
HOWEVER, if its one of those villages where the limit is still 60, and I know they exist, then perhaps the residents would be better campaiging for a lower limit!
I would be concerned if anybody were prosecuted on a residents' say so, but a warning letter seems appropriate
I agree. Been a biker myself and like to travel fairly quickly. My parents live on the route to a well known bike meeting point which is a 40 limit. The speeds at which some of the bikes go past are ridiculous.
Some common sense is needed, but not judged by old biffers who's idea of fast is a stanna on the way down stairs.
>> Edited by Basil Brush on Friday 5th July 16:44
Some common sense is needed, but not judged by old biffers who's idea of fast is a stanna on the way down stairs.
>> Edited by Basil Brush on Friday 5th July 16:44
Couldn't agree more with you, M.Hibbins, about going through sleepy hamlets, etc, at sub 30 MPH speeds. It really pees me off when the Sunday afternoon trilby brigade impede one's progress along snaking B-roads at a thoroughly beligerent 50 miles an hour, only to then carry on at said rate through Wickley Dell. I blame Anne Robinson.
Then again, whilst Ian says we should effectively accept 'fair cops' as occupational hazards I don't entirely agree - I'm probably a little extreme in my views on the subject but on open roads (with no perceptible humanity) even being done for high speed (I'll leave that to your interpretations!) seems churlish. Some years ago, I was piloting an acquintance's Bentley RT along a stretch of motorawy at a thoroughly decent lick (it was a rare dry summer's day, at 2.30 in the A.M) when an unmarked Rover 800 coupe appeared from nowhere, blue lights and all that. We were way beyond points, if you comprende, so my arse was on the verge of giving up the ghost - and then the most wonderful thing: the officer pulled along side (I had sheepishly let aerodynamic inefficieny drag things down to something approaching what the highway code of 1422 recommends [is it that modern?]) - I was crapping it, quite frankly - and he gave me the thumbs up and sped off! Bloody marvellous - he must have been from the sweeny school of '70s style, beer and fags and guv style thumpings - but what a top notch reaction.
It was pointed out to me the following day that the Bentley - a little like Astons, Bristols and Jags - confers on it's driver an hereditary speeding peerage which is what some classy officers still respect: after all, it could always have been their g'vnor they'd pulled had they been so mean spirited. It was a moment of pure Terry Thomas, a characteristic we British should be allowed to flaunt if the motor has that certain, je ne sais quois. Common sense, everybody, in short measure these PC-days.
Then again, whilst Ian says we should effectively accept 'fair cops' as occupational hazards I don't entirely agree - I'm probably a little extreme in my views on the subject but on open roads (with no perceptible humanity) even being done for high speed (I'll leave that to your interpretations!) seems churlish. Some years ago, I was piloting an acquintance's Bentley RT along a stretch of motorawy at a thoroughly decent lick (it was a rare dry summer's day, at 2.30 in the A.M) when an unmarked Rover 800 coupe appeared from nowhere, blue lights and all that. We were way beyond points, if you comprende, so my arse was on the verge of giving up the ghost - and then the most wonderful thing: the officer pulled along side (I had sheepishly let aerodynamic inefficieny drag things down to something approaching what the highway code of 1422 recommends [is it that modern?]) - I was crapping it, quite frankly - and he gave me the thumbs up and sped off! Bloody marvellous - he must have been from the sweeny school of '70s style, beer and fags and guv style thumpings - but what a top notch reaction.
It was pointed out to me the following day that the Bentley - a little like Astons, Bristols and Jags - confers on it's driver an hereditary speeding peerage which is what some classy officers still respect: after all, it could always have been their g'vnor they'd pulled had they been so mean spirited. It was a moment of pure Terry Thomas, a characteristic we British should be allowed to flaunt if the motor has that certain, je ne sais quois. Common sense, everybody, in short measure these PC-days.
Fully agree with the coments about 30MPH zones and respecting the more vunerable road users in these areas.
As I Live in Cambridgeshire I saw that the local vigilantes group was on the local TV recently. It seems to have split the village in question in 2 cos some residents think that the group are going too far.
Typically also it seems the village next to mine has an anti-speed promotion going and a lot of these "residents" have stickers in their cars telling passing motorists to slow down. As soon as they get to my village though a high proportion of these "sticker numpties" speed up and break the 30 and 40 limits that are posted.
Mike
As I Live in Cambridgeshire I saw that the local vigilantes group was on the local TV recently. It seems to have split the village in question in 2 cos some residents think that the group are going too far.
Typically also it seems the village next to mine has an anti-speed promotion going and a lot of these "residents" have stickers in their cars telling passing motorists to slow down. As soon as they get to my village though a high proportion of these "sticker numpties" speed up and break the 30 and 40 limits that are posted.
Mike
I remember a story a long while ago about a Chief plod some where harking on about speeding in a 30 etc. One of the daily page 3 types got their hands on a radar camera thingy and clocked him at 40 or so down his street. When told of this the reply was you are not qualified so it doesn't count.
Or is there sommit in me tea.
Or is there sommit in me tea.
In our village the main 'drag' is broken by a 90 degree bend on which there sits a roundabout. In our bit there is a school, a church, and the village centre and the old paper shop. In the other bit there is bugger all except a big wide road and loads of houses either side.
Guess which half got the full treatment from the local council with signs plastered everywhere saying SPEED KILLS etc. The other bastard half! If anything they go just as fast through our bit if not quicker.
Ridiculous
Guess which half got the full treatment from the local council with signs plastered everywhere saying SPEED KILLS etc. The other bastard half! If anything they go just as fast through our bit if not quicker.
Ridiculous
'Hereditary speeding peerage'?!
Is that what all those arrogant b*****ds in Mercs, Audis and now even VWs get when they buy a piece of Teutonia? If not, why have I NEVER seen any of them get nicked or warp speed in the outside lane, phone glued to ear, weather atrocious?
Why is there never a Constable around when you want one?
Oh, and 'Derestrictor'.... excellent post! Not that these yoofs would know who Terry-Thomas was anyway.
I recall a story from bygone years involving two gentleman, each driving in a 'press-on' fashion.
As one of them rounds a bend, that he took on the wrong side of the road, he encountered the other vehicle, fortunately on HIS wrong side of the road! They both stopped and got out, shook hands wordlessly and drove off..... :-) Top hole, what?
W.
Is that what all those arrogant b*****ds in Mercs, Audis and now even VWs get when they buy a piece of Teutonia? If not, why have I NEVER seen any of them get nicked or warp speed in the outside lane, phone glued to ear, weather atrocious?
Why is there never a Constable around when you want one?
Oh, and 'Derestrictor'.... excellent post! Not that these yoofs would know who Terry-Thomas was anyway.
I recall a story from bygone years involving two gentleman, each driving in a 'press-on' fashion.
As one of them rounds a bend, that he took on the wrong side of the road, he encountered the other vehicle, fortunately on HIS wrong side of the road! They both stopped and got out, shook hands wordlessly and drove off..... :-) Top hole, what?
W.
I live in Cambridgeshire and saw this on the local news, the old boy they showed with gun stood there attempting to point it at cars but he was so shaky I think he'd struggle to get a proper reading.
They couldn't issue fines, they took registrations and then the police sent warning letters out, but they did say they would look harder at repeat offenders (whatever that means)
They couldn't issue fines, they took registrations and then the police sent warning letters out, but they did say they would look harder at repeat offenders (whatever that means)
Let's just clear something up:
30mph zones used to the there for a good reason.
Today, with the parish counsils and so forth extending the 30mph zones well out of their village and in some cases joining up with the next village's 30mph zone, we see an unpopulated (inter-urban) stretch of clear road and see no reason for 30mph road, so we speed up. Then when we get to the village itself, the speed limit is appropriate, however we do not observe it because we've been in a stupid 30mph zone for the last 4 miles and why the hell would the next mile be any different.
If they want us to slow down where appropriate, don't slow us down where it's not appropriate.
Treat the motorist with respect and they'll treat your judicious use of speed limits with respect. Make speed limits farcical and they'll eventually be respected by no-one, because Maurice McOvaltine will die one day and smart arses like me will be the senior generation. Then who'll provide de facto speed limit enforcement in a Morris Ital with a furry steering wheel cover? It bloody well won't be me. (M@H and Philshort maybe though
)
>> Edited by CarZee on Monday 8th July 11:11
30mph zones used to the there for a good reason.
Today, with the parish counsils and so forth extending the 30mph zones well out of their village and in some cases joining up with the next village's 30mph zone, we see an unpopulated (inter-urban) stretch of clear road and see no reason for 30mph road, so we speed up. Then when we get to the village itself, the speed limit is appropriate, however we do not observe it because we've been in a stupid 30mph zone for the last 4 miles and why the hell would the next mile be any different.
If they want us to slow down where appropriate, don't slow us down where it's not appropriate.
Treat the motorist with respect and they'll treat your judicious use of speed limits with respect. Make speed limits farcical and they'll eventually be respected by no-one, because Maurice McOvaltine will die one day and smart arses like me will be the senior generation. Then who'll provide de facto speed limit enforcement in a Morris Ital with a furry steering wheel cover? It bloody well won't be me. (M@H and Philshort maybe though
) >> Edited by CarZee on Monday 8th July 11:11
You're a gent, Wedg1e!
I know what you mean about the seeming un-nickability of the 'Tuetonia brigade.' (Mind you, I think this also applies to our Gallic brethren viz a vis the seemingly radar-invisible Pug 406...)
I remember being in my Cerby a couple of years ago when an Audi S3 boy thought he knew what testicles were; having given the young scrapper a quick taste of uncatalysed exhaust gases my speed was, as they say, in the 'matron's going to give you a damn good thrashing department' zone, when I felt that the lesson was sufficient. Unfortunately, plebo-rep thought otherwise and kept it planted to suitably stellar velocities. I wanted to drop a cog and fry the upstart but my respect for the motorway traffic density and my wife's look of 'we really should be in a sensible car' persauded me the game was up. But as you say, the swines! (It's all a lack of respect you know.)
I know what you mean about the seeming un-nickability of the 'Tuetonia brigade.' (Mind you, I think this also applies to our Gallic brethren viz a vis the seemingly radar-invisible Pug 406...)
I remember being in my Cerby a couple of years ago when an Audi S3 boy thought he knew what testicles were; having given the young scrapper a quick taste of uncatalysed exhaust gases my speed was, as they say, in the 'matron's going to give you a damn good thrashing department' zone, when I felt that the lesson was sufficient. Unfortunately, plebo-rep thought otherwise and kept it planted to suitably stellar velocities. I wanted to drop a cog and fry the upstart but my respect for the motorway traffic density and my wife's look of 'we really should be in a sensible car' persauded me the game was up. But as you say, the swines! (It's all a lack of respect you know.)
Slight tangent, but in the Terry Thomas vein.
Grandfather knew Stirling Moss (he is a bloke that can drive a car, for those not familiar), Grandpa and Mr Moss go for sunday blat (1950s, so v little traffic etc, must've been blissfull!!), Grandpa following realises that Mr Moss's cars' brake light are not working. Grandpa has tremendous trouble keeping up and is soon some way behind.
Long straight - sees the Healey, however humpback bridge approaching with blind summit, invisible Tractor with hay cart short distance from bridge, sure enough Mr Moss's brake lights do indeed work (though from what grandpa recollects they came on middair!!) - he just hadn't been using them...
Days before 30 eh? Jumpers for goalposts...
Grandfather knew Stirling Moss (he is a bloke that can drive a car, for those not familiar), Grandpa and Mr Moss go for sunday blat (1950s, so v little traffic etc, must've been blissfull!!), Grandpa following realises that Mr Moss's cars' brake light are not working. Grandpa has tremendous trouble keeping up and is soon some way behind.
Long straight - sees the Healey, however humpback bridge approaching with blind summit, invisible Tractor with hay cart short distance from bridge, sure enough Mr Moss's brake lights do indeed work (though from what grandpa recollects they came on middair!!) - he just hadn't been using them...
Days before 30 eh? Jumpers for goalposts...
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