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Kids Break Law to Warn Speeding Drivers
Article by: robert
Date: 31 Oct 2010
 The Herald Series have reported that the villagers of Nuneham Courtenay in Oxfordshire have banded together to take action over a switched-off speed camera.
Although many councils are resisting pressure to switch off speed cameras following government cuts, the village's local speed camera was mothballed three months ago. Now children from the local school have produced and erected their own hand made signs warning speeding drivers to slow down.
Oxfordshire County Council has declined to comment specifically on the illegally placed children's posters. It will be interesting to see whether they continue to turn a blind eye.
So what do you think, do you believe that drivers looking at the posters, some only A4 in size, will in itself be a safety hazard and do you believe there is justification encouraging children to break the law for a perceived greater good?
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 Posted by Larok on Sun Oct 31, 2010 9:51 am |
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Why cant people just drive at the speed limit, it's selfishness at others expense. The sooner GPS speed tracking comes in the better. It's the clearest reflection of the don't care about others society we've developed into. If anyone can post a decent argument why they think speeding is OK, I'd be interested to hear it. I see the majority of drivers disregard speed limits every day. Perhaps claiming their right to drive as they wish as their liberty. Pathetic. It's at the point where a large proportion of drivers appear to enjoy intimadating others in public and disregarding even the safety let alone wellbeing of others, hiding in their vehicles and the anominity of the road. What a  state of affairs.
Edited by DennisN - I more than 100% agree with you on this, but I'm not letting naughty words in!
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| Posted by jerome219 on Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:06 pm |
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Speed limits are for the lowest common denominator. They take no account of road conditions, the weather, time of day, driver skill or driver's mental state.
The safe speed varies continuously with changes in the above factors. One speed limit for all conditions is stupid. How can 70 mph be safe on a motorway covered in snow at night?
I've driven around the world and hardly ever knew what the speed limit was. So drove at a speed I felt comfortable.
It's not a 'don't care attitude' it's a refreshing ability of people who can think for themselves.
Those that can do. Those that can't work for councils and install ridiculous speed limits and pointless road signs.
You are wrong in that people do not drive fast in the UK. Go to Italy, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Saudi, anywhere in Africa, Egypt and then decide.
Also consider the ludicrous number of road signs in this country. We have by far the most of the 60 countries I've been to.
In an ideal world speed limits would not be necessary but governments act to protect people from their own and other's stupidity. They are designed for people with limited driving skills.
The sooner all speed limits are removed and shared road space introduced the country will be a far better and safer place.
Jerome
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| Posted by thescriv on Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:45 pm |
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Having read Laroks reply about the school kids taking their own action against speeding drivers I just wanted to add a couple of points for discussion.
Firstly as a parent myself I always slow down around schools or in areas where there are reduced limits as a result of children potentially being present. "Speed camera or no speed camera". I do though find it hard to comprehend when I see mums tearing past with either their own kids in the car or about to pick them up. I would of thought they would be the first to set an example.
You also asked if anyone had a argument for speeding and this may seem like a contradiction to what I have just said but I do sometimes feel that speed limits in general are a little too slow for modern vehicles. For example the 30 mph limit was set and imposed back in 1934 and the upper 70mph limit in 1965. Now in 1934 I doubt many cars could reach this speed let alone exceed it.
In some cars I have driven the car is not happy being driven at 30mph or below as it tends to struggle. Also back then cars did not have all the modern safety equipment that most cars have today. For example my car has ABS and (BAS brake assist). It also has (ESP electronic stability protection) and traction control, which means unlike the old cars it is capable of stopping on a six pence and doesn't skid out of control for miles.
I just think may be that a 40mph and a 80mph may be more in keeping with the modern car.
Another point to raise is that probably like me you are a member of Pocket GPS for the same reason as I am and many others, and that is that you want to know where these cameras are situated so that you don't inadvertently pass them going "too fast". This implies to me, that you may from time to time speed yourself, as I don't belive you just simply want to know where they all are for any other reason.
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| Posted by Skippy on Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:56 pm |
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| Larok Wrote: | | If anyone can post a decent argument why they think speeding is OK, I'd be interested to hear it. I see the majority of drivers disregard speed limits every day. |
Hey, there's your argument right there! "The majority of drivers disregard speed limits." Do they all get killed? No. So therefore speeding is OK. 
Draconian measures like GPS tracking or mandatory speed limiters are great, but you have to consider the benefits vs the costs of such a measure and weigh it up against the loss of people's liberty and keep things in perspective. Should we ban alcohol, tobacco and fast food too? Those things account for 100s of thousands of deaths and serious illnesses every year.
As for the children in the school, road safety is one of the many hazards that they will encounter while growing up and it's good that they are aware of it but there is too much emphasis on speed being the simple factor that causes accidents. Children need to understand that getting hit by a car at any speed is going to result in a serious injury and that the best way to avoid getting hurt is to be more careful crossing the road!
The children should also understand that they are pawns in a political game here. The government loves speed camera because it enables them to distil a complex problem down to one simple thing that they can demonise and attack. The great thing about speed enforcement is that it's simple to do and very profitable, so it's perfect. Fixing other causes of road crashes, like by providing school crossing patrols or improving roads costs a lot of money so they try to sweep these issues under the carpet.
The children at the school should be campaigning for a pelican crossing or a lollypop lady for their school or by the looks of the photo, some proper foot paths! Any of these would be much more useful than a speed camera.
Gone fishing! |
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| Posted by Andy_P on Sun Oct 31, 2010 4:06 pm |
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Two quick points...
Firstly, since when has just putting a sign up "on the road" been illegal?
Or does it need planning permission? If it is, then surely the answer is just to put them on private land like every church or shop or whatever does.
Secondly, it's a dangerous precedent to think it is "pathetic" to disagree with a particular law (as opposed to disregarding it). As soon as we simply believe every law is just and proper, it's time to worry.
"Settling in nicely" ;-) |
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| Posted by M8TJT on Sun Oct 31, 2010 4:22 pm |
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| thescriv Wrote: | | For example my car has ABS and (BAS brake assist). It also has (ESP electronic stability protection) and traction control, which means unlike the old cars it is capable of stopping on a six pence and doesn't skid out of control for miles. |
Perhaps this thinking is why there are so many rear end shunts 
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| Posted by s3dbw on Sun Oct 31, 2010 4:55 pm |
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The day GPS tracking is introduced into cars in this country will be the day I leave it! I am already sick and tired of the level of surveillance imposed on citizens of this country by our nanny state. Where does it end? tracking chips placed in individuals? I defy anyone on this website to claim that they have never exceeded the speed limit, even the most careful us occasionally inadvertently stray above the posted limit, draconian measures such as this would penalize everyone and do absolutely nothing for road safety, after all you can still have fatal accidents and speeds below the posted limits
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| Posted by BigPerk on Sun Oct 31, 2010 5:23 pm |
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!0% want us all ruled 1984 style, 10% want to 'use their superior intellect and skills' to decide what the right thing to do is, regardless of US (the 80% rump).
I'm with the rump.
David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360) |
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| Posted by Guivre46 on Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:22 pm |
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In the last 6 months two of my daughter's young male friends have been killed in accidents. No other vehicles involved, just going too fast on local roads and losing control. The passengers have been badly injured as well. If I'd been a parent of any of those involved, I don't think my response would be too coherent.
Usually I obey the limit, but now and again I lose patience, when I calm down I'm disappointed with myself for taking a risk. I think I'm pretty normal, so what can you do about human nature? Even a chip in my head could not stop my emotional response, unless it was linked to some intravenous device to inject tranquillisers.
Mike R [aka Wyvern46]
Go 530T - unsupported
Go550 Live [not renewed]
Kia In-dash Tomtom |
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| Posted by spook51 on Sun Oct 31, 2010 7:00 pm |
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| Larok Wrote: | | Why cant people just drive at the speed limit... |
A speed limit isn't a target speed, it can be too fast to be considered safe sometimes.
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| Posted by DennisN on Sun Oct 31, 2010 8:31 pm |
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| Andy_P Wrote: | Firstly, since when has just putting a sign up "on the road" been illegal?
Or does it need planning permission? If it is, then surely the answer is just to put them on private land like every church or shop or whatever does. |
It's in the Highways Act - "thou shalt not, on the Highway, put up any sign wot is not in accordance with the proper design" and "thou shalt not on the Highway put up a sign unless thou hast gone through all the proper procedures of public notices or whatever". Supposed to prevent all manner of problems, including the over abundance of roadsigns mentioned by jerome219. Oh, and there are also rules about signs on private land too. Yes, jerome, "Those that can [think for themselves] do. Those that can't work for councils and install ridiculous speed limits and pointless road signs." I plead guilty to having formerly worked for a council or three, even in the Highways department. But speed limits [and signs, for that matter] are actually approved by Councillors, not by the workers, so that's your route for dealing with ridiculous speed limits.
Anyway, about these arguments saying that rules like speed limits are not the way to go. Rules are surely here to combat anarchy? I remember reading once somebody saying that on the roads, there is no longer a rule about "right of way". What drivel! Or am I wrong in thinking there's a rule that we have to give way at a major road junction? And all the other "rules". It is not sufficient to say drive at a speed which you consider appropriate - that way lies an extension of road rage emanating from all those immortals who think 80 is OK on the motorway, those who think it's 90, those who think it's 100 and so on; those who think it's fine to drive through a housing estate at 29mph, others who do it at 39 and 49. Those who think it's appropriate to overtake in danger spots, undertake when the person in front is hogging the centre lane. The list is endless. In particular regard to speed limits, however, everybody has a right to expect common behaviour from others. So the maximum speed limits at different locations mean we all know what the next driver should be doing. We should be able to rely on the next driver doing so, hence punishment for those caught not doing so.
I'm not arguing for any particular speed limit, just offering my view on why they have to exist. How many here will agree on a common speed limit? There will be a decent selection of different ones offered. So it's down to the government to make the decision. Unless you want me to and I certainly don't want some of you deciding!!
| jerome219 Wrote: | Speed limits are for the lowest common denominator. They take no account of road conditions, the weather, time of day, driver skill or driver's mental state.
The safe speed varies continuously with changes in the above factors. One speed limit for all conditions is stupid. How can 70 mph be safe on a motorway covered in snow at night? |
It is frightening to think that some definitions of "safe" only seem to consider the car and driver - where's the mention of pedestrians, children, animals - I can't believe these are encompassed by the references to road conditions, weather, time, driver skill and mental state. I can't believe we should not be taking consideration of the pedestrian who expects traffic to be travelling at avoidable velocity, who steps out into the road only to be flattened by somebody hurtling along safe in the knowledge that he can stay on the road thanks to ABS and all those other funny abbreviations combined with seat belts and Michelin Xs. Sure, children should be taught about road safety, Jolly Green Giant or whatever is the current fad, but when I see a child on the footpath, I instinctively slow down and get my right foot ready to smack the brake pedal. When the child is unfortunate enough to be parented by a fool who thinks a child can stop itself being dragged onto the road by a large dog, I really slow down a lot. As for horses, passing slow and wide is something I do not out of consideration for the fool who thinks he or she can control a ton of rampant animal, but out of consideration for my vehicle bodywork. And I happen to think that if a car hits a pedestrian, it's the driver's fault at least 9 times out of 10. And ABS etc etc don't prevent accidents. (I'll get me coat!  )
Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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