PUTTING A STOP TO HIGHWAY ROBBERY... THE NEW WAY TO AVOID SPEEDING
TICKETS?
DID you know
that... A survey by Radar24.co.uk found 67% of people believe speed
cameras are ‘cash machines’ simply designed to raise revenue?
Did you know that... A survey by Radar24 found that motorists paid
almost £114 million in speeding fines last year, up 500 per cent on
the previous two years?
Did you know that... A new service from Radar24 provides information
about police mobile speed cameras direct to your mobile?
Did you know that... It is illegal to use your mobile phone when
driving?
Radar24.co.uk, last week, have started a new SMS text message
service that informs subscribers, in "real time",
where the police have mobile speeding controls or temporary road
blocks. There is no membership fee; subscribers to the service
simply pay for the texts they receive.
Research commissioned by Radar24 found that people no longer believe
speed cameras are being used to encourage safer driving.
Radar24 said that last year motorists paid almost £144 million in
speeding fines, up 500 per cent over the previous two years.
But is it correct to start such a system that alerts drivers by
phone?
In a press statement sent to us, the group says:- "The service
allows subscribers to anticipate the actions of other road users and
avoid accidents. It is known that drivers often brake unexpectedly
and sharply if they spot a mobile speed camera, which can cause an
accident."
We decided to put the press release to a local driving examiner who
does not want to be named. He took a look, and then we asked
this simple question... "What do you think about this
service's claims about anticipating the actions of other road users
and avoiding accidents?"
He responded by saying:- "We have speed controls on British
roads for safety reasons. If you keep within the limit you are not
going to be fined!
Radar24's service does remind people that we have speed limits and
that the police regularly check to ensure that drivers are keeping
within these limits, but is this reminder in the press release
itself a way of increasing sales?
What happens when the TXT comes in?"
We pointed out a statement by Stephen Juul Jensen of Radar24.co.uk
in the release that said:- "The police claim speed cameras are
used at accident black spots and we feel drivers should know where
these are for safety reasons. Many police forces release information
about the location of speed cameras, via CD ROMs or through the
local press announcements. Radar24 gives users access to the latest
information via their mobile phones in real time."
Asked what is so wrong with a TXT message? "You have to
take your eyes off the road to read the text message. The other
forms of information mention by Stephen Juul Jensen of Radar24.co.uk
give you information that keeps your eyes on the road. Even some
SAT NAVE systems that have this information on, give you verbal information, again this also allows you to keep your eyes on the road.
Sadly TXT messages do not allow this.
TXT messaging is distracting, especially when they come in, and drivers who often
use this type of messaging look at the messages on their
phones when driving.
The use of mobiles when driving ban was introduced in the UK in December 2003. I think that this
type of service will only encourage drivers to use phones when
driving, just to avoid speeding fines. It will not slow them down
overall, just as the cameras don’t.
In fact use of such a device may only increase the chance of them
being fined... The funny thing is that, if caught using the phone
they can be hit with fixed penalty, on-the-spot fine. Drivers if
court using a phone when driving can even face prosecution. Taking
your eyes off the road is just as bad as speeding, if not worse!
Are people who use this type of system going to think about that as
they speed along a road?" What was the response we got from the
driving examiner.
According to Radar24, its service is already the most successful SMS
service in Scandinavia, where police recognise the potential
benefits of the service. Mr Mogens Wilbert, chief inspector in the
Danish national police’s traffic department:-
"When an SMS is sent out drivers will lower their speed. If we look
at it from this point of view then it has a positive impact on
traffic safety."
As it is against the law in the UK to use your mobile phone when
driving, should services like this be allowed? What do you think
about this type of service? Email your views and feelings to us at:-
news24@southportreporter.com
Fact File:-
The top ten regions
earning the most from speed camera fines 2003-4 according to
Radar24.
Rank |
Region |
Fines paid |
1 |
South Wales
|
£7.281 million |
2 |
Thames Valley |
£6.698 million |
3 |
London |
£6.497 million |
4 |
Avon & Somerset |
£5.949 million |
5 |
Essex |
£5.137 million |
6 |
Lancashire |
£5.073 million |
7 |
Dorset |
£3.959 million |
8 |
Sussex
|
£3.772 million |
9 |
Bedfordshire |
£3.655 million |
10 |
West Yorkshire |
£3.625 million |
SMS = Short Message
Service. It is a service sending short text messages to mobile
phones. Also known as TXT.
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LIVERPOOL
BIKERS CHALLENGED TO SHOW THEY’RE THE MOST DEDICATED BENNETT'S
BRITISH SUPER BIKE FAN
BENNETT'S,
official sponsor of the Bennett's British Super bike Championship, has
launched a search to find the most committed and fanatical supporter
of the Championship this season and is calling on Liverpool’s bikers
to demonstrate they are worthy of the title.
Thousands of bike fans have attended and followed the 2005 Bennett's
British Super bike Championship, and ahead of the last round at
Brands Hatch on the 9 October 2005, with the Championship set to go
right to the wire, Bennett's is looking for stories of unquestionable
devotion from the nation’s bikers.
So whether you’re a fan who’s travelled the length and breadth of
the UK and attended all twelve rounds of the Championship so far,
never miss a minute of all the qualifying sessions or have gone to
extraordinary lengths to ensure you haven’t missed any of the
rip-roaring action to cheer on your favourite rider, Bennett's wants
to hear from you!
Whatever your story, if you think you should be a winner, Bennett's
want to hear your tales of fanatical devotion.
The overall winner will be crowned the ‘Bennetts Most Dedicated Fan’
and will be rewarded with a pair of entry passes to attend every
round of next year’s Championship for free! What better way to
reward the country’s top Bennett's BSB nut!
Kal Samra, Bennett's Director said:- “The Bennett's British
Super bike Championship has seen over 300,000 fans travelling the
length and breadth of England, Scotland and Ireland to cheer on
their favourite riders this season and they’ve helped ensure the
Championship has been a great success.
We are delighted with how the title sponsorship has gone in our
first season and initiatives such as this give us the chance to say
thanks to the fans for their continued support of the Championship.”
If you think you have what it takes to be named ‘Bennetts Most
Dedicated Fan’, simply jot down your reasons why, along with your
full contact details and email them to:-
robert@ptarmiganpr.co.uk
Deadline for entries is 31 October 2005. terms and conditions apply
and are available at:-
www.bennetts.co.uk/dedicatedfan.
Survey of British gripes and grievances
STARTLING new
research reveals the extent to which people in the North West feel
their communities are plagued by yob culture, binge drinking and dog
mess. The National Crime and Grime Survey conducted by ICM and
commissioned by CSV Make a Difference Day and Barclays, reveals what
people would most like to change in their local communities
regarding crime/anti-social behaviour and the environment, and how
they can make changes through ‘people power’.
People from the North West were asked to rank the top 3 things they
would most like to change in their local communities. On issues
regarding crime and anti-social behaviour the results reveal:-
• 64% want street crime reduced
• 63% want to see yob culture tackled
• 59% want to see local drug problems cleaned up
• 53% want binge drinking reduced
• 28% want to see a reduction in gun crime
• 26% want to stop people urinating in public
Gun crime was the biggest concern for young people, with 42% saying
it was one of the top 3 things they want to change, compared to just
19% of 45 to 54 year olds. They were also least concerned with binge
drinking, only 43% of 18 to 24 year olds say it is one of the top 3
things they want to change, compared with 61% of 45 to 54 years.
The same sample of people was also asked to rank the top 3 things
they would most like to change in their local communities regarding
the environment. The results reveal:-
• 70% want to see dog mess cleaned up
• 69% want to see litter cleaned up
• 52% want to see fly-tipping tackled
Other environmental concerns include:-
• 37% want to see graffiti cleaned up
• 27% want to see a reduction in air pollution
• 26% want to see a reduction in noise pollution
The group most concerned with environmental problems were 18 to 24
year olds with 46% of them saying that air pollution is one of the
top 3 things they want to change, compared to just 30% of over 65s.
Graffiti also scored high with 18 to 24 year olds, with 44% who say
it is one of the top 3 things they want to change, compared to 33%
of 55 to 64 year olds.
“This survey shows the scale of people’s discontent with the state
of their local communities.
But people are not powerless to make changes. Through volunteering
they can get involved and make a difference. For example someone
concerned about street crime could become a special constable or a
mentor for a young person at risk of offending, while those with
environmental concerns could organise a litter pick or walk-to-work
scheme to help reduce air pollution, the possibilities are endless.”
said Anna Gilmour, CSV Make a Difference Day Campaign
Co-ordinator.
Rachel Barber, Head of Community Affairs at Barclays said:-
“Last year over 11,500 members of our staff took part in CSV Make a
Difference Day. They remove graffiti, clean streets, parks and
beaches and work in schools providing positive role models for young
people. It’s amazing what an impact you can have in one day, our
staff will also tell you how hugely rewarding it is and how many
continue to volunteer once they have a taste.”
CSV Make a Difference Day is a flagship event during the Year of the
Volunteer and is an opportunity for people to try volunteering to
see if they enjoy it. It is the biggest single day of volunteering,
with around 100,000 people taking part in activities the 2 weeks
either side of Saturday 29 October 2005. To find out more call
FREEPHONE 0800
284533 or visit the website:–
www.csv.org.uk/difference.
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