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- Path: sparky!uunet!pipex!warwick!uknet!root44!hrc63!mrcu!paj
- From: paj@uk.co.gec-mrc (Paul Johnson)
- Newsgroups: uk.transport
- Subject: Re: Role of cameras observing highways (Was: Speed trap cameras
- Message-ID: <2421@snap>
- Date: 20 Jan 93 17:02:20 GMT
- References: <7783@pharaoh.cyborg.bt.co.uk> <1j1bl5INN4ia@s-crim1.dl.ac.uk> <1993Jan14.124607.4341@lut.ac.uk> <1993Jan18.144530@axion.bt.co.uk>
- Reply-To: paj@uk.co.gec-mrc (Paul Johnson)
- Distribution: uk
- Organization: GEC-Marconi Research Centre, Great Baddow, UK
- Lines: 33
-
- In article <1993Jan18.144530@axion.bt.co.uk> krees@axion.bt.co.uk (Kearton Rees) writes:
-
- >True enough. One issue here is that if someone is photographed there is
- >nothing to tell them so. I think even the most reckless of drivers is likely
- >to slow down if told that they have just been photographed for speeding.
- >
- >If they don't realise this they will carry on as they are (and possibly
- >being photographed again). When the fine comes through later (anyone know
- >how much later?) The location and the details may have been long forgotten.
- >
- >If they are informed at the time they are likely to take more care to keep
- >their licence.
-
-
- There is also the legal/civil rights issue of what constitutes "an
- offence". If I hold a steady 90mph down the M1 and am photographed by
- automatic cameras ten times, is that ten offences or just one? How
- about if there are fifty cameras? How about if the local Chief of
- Police decides to crack down and lines up 100 policemen on a one mile
- stretch, each of whom books me? (Yes, this is a rhetorical example,
- not something I expect to happen). Somehow having punishment
- proportional to the number of cameras does not sound right. Surely I
- should only be given a second offence after being notified of the
- first, which would mean not being prosecuted more than once or twice a
- week, assuming they process the films promptly and then mail out the
- notices 1st class.
-
- Paul.
- --
- Paul Johnson (paj@gec-mrc.co.uk). | Tel: +44 245 73331 ext 3245
- --------------------------------------------+----------------------------------
- These ideas and others like them can be had | GEC-Marconi Research is not
- for $0.02 each from any reputable idealist. | responsible for my opinions
-