Boris Johnson attacks Road Camera Barrage
Discussion
LocalRag said:
Call to reform existing speed camera regime
Henley MP Boris Johnson has attacked Government plans which he claims could see motorists in Oxfordshire facing "a barrage of new fines".
Whitehall is proposing to install hundreds of new traffic cameras which, Mr. Johnson says, will increase the anger of millions of motorists over fines generated from poorly located speed cameras.
He fears that cameras placed at junctions will lead to drivers who stop in yellow box junctions being fined up to £100. Mr. Johnson also criticises plans to give traffic wardens power to fine motorists, and the proposed £80 fine for drivers who do not renew their tax disc, even if their car is off the road.
"We all want our roads to be safer and reduce the instances of dangerous and irresponsible driving," Mr. Johnson said, "But there is growing public concern that, as with speed cameras, these new fines are merely a way of raising money from Oxfordshire's already heavily taxed motorists.
"If anything, we should be reforming the existing regime of speed cameras. There needs to be an independent audit of existing speed cameras across the country so that they are placed only at genuine accident black spots, and local speed limits should reflect the danger of the road - such as 20mph near schools."
"The most dangerous roads should see penalty points being raised from three to four or five, and any revenue from fines should be tightly ring-fenced solely for improving road safety."
The Henley Standard. January 16th 2004
Boris said said:
"The most dangerous roads should see penalty points being raised from three to four or five, and any revenue from fines should be tightly ring-fenced solely for improving road safety."
The Henley Standard. January 16th 2004
How about someone sits down and actually works out WHY the road is dangerous, then does something about it? Extra points won't do anything to make the road physically safer. What good is a five point speeding penalty 14 days after you've just run someone over?
Buffalo said:
Granted its not perfect, but he's closer to the right track than most of these MP halfwits....
did you see him on "have I got news for you"? talk about halfwit, the huy hasnt got a clue whats going on around him. funny pish take of him tho. split my sides laughing
mind you, hes on our side, so can't argue with that.
>> Edited by stooz on Friday 23 January 11:11
hornet said:
How about someone sits down and actually works out WHY the road is dangerous, then does something about it? Extra points won't do anything to make the road physically safer. What good is a five point speeding penalty 14 days after you've just run someone over?
And that my friends is the nub of the matter, nuff said
stooz said:
did you see him on "have I got news for you"? talk about halfwit, the huy hasnt got a clue whats going on around him.
Halfwit?
Boris Johnson was born in New York on 19th June 1964 to Stanley Patrick Johnson and Charlotte Johnson. He was educated at Eton College, and Balliol College, Oxford, studying BA literae humaniores. Showing early signs of political vocation, he was president of the student union. After working as a management consultant, he became a trainee reporter for The Times and the Wolverhampton Express and Star (87-88). He joined the Daily Telegraph in 1987, as leader and feature writer, and soon graduating to become EC correspondent (1989-94). Continuing with his rapid Telegraph success, be served as assistant editor (94-99) but soon went also to the Spectator as political columnist (94-95) and from 1994-95. He advanced to assistant editor and political columnist for the Telegraph, holding the position from 1995 to 1999, when he was appointed editor of the Spectator. In 2000 he became Member of Parliament for Henley-upon-Thames, displacing the outgoing Heseltine, and is a backbencher at that.
You don't get there by being dumb!
Personally, I have a lot of time for Boris. He is one of the most genuine politicians out there, and speaks a lot of sense.
Anyway, the points made about designing out danger are very valid. I am getting sick of Hampshire County Councils "Safety on the Cheap" program of so-called road improvement. For example - the road from Botley through to Bishops Waltham. Used to be a national. That was fine - you just had to appreciate, as any intelligent driver would, that it was not safe to actually DO 60, the entire length of it. A few years back, a big section was dropped to a 50. Well, OK, there is a school on a side road off the main road, there is housing with pavements, fair enough thinks me.
Now...
they have dropped almost all of it to a 30 mph. And stuck a few bits of different coloured tarmac here and there and a few extra signs and the like. This is plain stupid. It is quite simply not a 30 mph road. There is not camera yet, but watch this space.
Instead of analysing where the accidents occur, and undertaking to engineer the problem out, by, for example, road widening, installing lighting at the bad junctions, sorting out the awful cambers to parts of the road, straightening out a few bends etc.... No! Lets just bung a few 30mph signs up, stick a couple of bits of yellow tarmac down - should get change from a grand!
Anyway, the points made about designing out danger are very valid. I am getting sick of Hampshire County Councils "Safety on the Cheap" program of so-called road improvement. For example - the road from Botley through to Bishops Waltham. Used to be a national. That was fine - you just had to appreciate, as any intelligent driver would, that it was not safe to actually DO 60, the entire length of it. A few years back, a big section was dropped to a 50. Well, OK, there is a school on a side road off the main road, there is housing with pavements, fair enough thinks me.
Now...
they have dropped almost all of it to a 30 mph. And stuck a few bits of different coloured tarmac here and there and a few extra signs and the like. This is plain stupid. It is quite simply not a 30 mph road. There is not camera yet, but watch this space. Instead of analysing where the accidents occur, and undertaking to engineer the problem out, by, for example, road widening, installing lighting at the bad junctions, sorting out the awful cambers to parts of the road, straightening out a few bends etc.... No! Lets just bung a few 30mph signs up, stick a couple of bits of yellow tarmac down - should get change from a grand!
focused said:
This has nothing to do with cameras, safety, children etc etc. It's just another dumb MP jumping on the band-wagon of popular debate to get his fat face in the press before election time. If he got voted in he'd screw us just the same.
I know Boris personally and I can tell you in all honesty that you are way wide of the mark. This is a genuine man who is in politics for one reason only - he is passionate about his country.
And don't be duped by the HIGNFY performances - he hams it up for the cameras but in reality possesses an extremely sharp intellect. Happily though he doesn't take himself too seriously - although this generates the unfortunate inherent risk that others may not either.
And he's also a car fanatic...
focused said:
It's just another dumb MP jumping on the band-wagon of popular debate to get his fat face in the press before election time.
He already is an MP. Henley is about as safe a Conservative seat as there is, so I don't think Boris is doing this to win personal votes. As politicians go he's probably one of the most genuine out there. I reckon he's just got 9 points nad hates cameras like the rest of us
Mon Ami Mate said:
This has nothing to do with cameras, safety, children etc etc. It's just another dumb MP jumping on the band-wagon of popular debate to get his fat face in the press before election time. If he got voted in he'd screw us just the same.
I know Boris personally and I can tell you in all honesty that you are way wide of the mark. This is a genuine man who is in politics for one reason only - he is passionate about his country.
And don't be duped by the HIGNFY performances - he hams it up for the cameras but in reality possesses an extremely sharp intellect. Happily though he doesn't take himself too seriously - although this generates the unfortunate inherent risk that others may not either.
And he's also a car fanatic...
Well if you see him soon Malc, do say hello, he's a breath of fresh air into UK politics. I've said before and I'll say it again, Boris for PM!
goodlife said:
It's just another dumb MP jumping on the band-wagon of popular debate to get his fat face in the press before election time.
He already is an MP. Henley is about as safe a Conservative seat as there is, so I don't think Boris is doing this to win personal votes. As politicians go he's probably one of the most genuine out there. I reckon he's just got 9 points nad hates cameras like the rest of us
He's still on the opposition and his opinions have to be popularity led. Therefore, the more popular HE is the more popular is his party. Win at any cost promise the world, give them what they want, then screw 'em.
Mon Ami Mate said:
This has nothing to do with cameras, safety, children etc etc. It's just another dumb MP jumping on the band-wagon of popular debate to get his fat face in the press before election time. If he got voted in he'd screw us just the same.
I know Boris personally and I can tell you in all honesty that you are way wide of the mark. This is a genuine man who is in politics for one reason only - he is passionate about his country.
And don't be duped by the HIGNFY performances - he hams it up for the cameras but in reality possesses an extremely sharp intellect. Happily though he doesn't take himself too seriously - although this generates the unfortunate inherent risk that others may not either.
And he's also a car fanatic...
I doff my cap in apology. Never thought it might be an act. seemed like a nice guy, funny show, didnt do himslef any favours IMHO tho.
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