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This made me smile - For the love of God do what you say Gaybo and go!

  • 05-02-2008 6:04pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭


    Found this on the Indo. While I want to make absolutely clear that I'm not smiling about the number of road deaths(obviously), I must say I enjoyed what Gaybo had to say, especially given that we know what the RSA said so recently on Today FM(which I'm dying to hear if anyone would be so kind as to link me to it):

    Angry Gaybo hits out at delay on speed cameras

    Government ‘not providing money’, says road safety boss



    By Treacy Hogan Environment Correspondent
    Tuesday February 05 2008

    Penny pinching by a government department is holding up the nationwide network of 600 private speed cameras, according to road safety supremo Gay Byrne.

    Mr Byrne has accused the Department of Justice of refusing to pick up the bill for the promised speed cameras, whose rollout has been longfingered.
    The Chairman of the State's Road Safety Authority (RSA) already threatened to resign if politicians obstructed his battle to cut carnage on the roads.
    In an unprecedented attack yesterday, Mr Byrne branded the cameras' situation "disgraceful and completely unacceptable", and warned he was "getting angrier and angrier by the hour" at the refusal by the department to bankroll a system that would save lives.
    Mr Byrne has written several formal letters to Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, the latest over the weekend, complaining about the unacceptable delay.
    "My latest letter to the Minister for Transport would have arrived on his desk this morning and I reminded him again of my concerns in this matter," he said.
    Speaking to the Irish Independent yesterday, Mr Byrne said he was not prepared to publicy state his intention to resign. But in an ominous statement, he said it was " a very grave situation" and pointed out that matters "would have to be reviewed" if the money was not approved.
    "I am getting more and more angry by the hour, and so is my board," he said.
    His latest letter on behalf of the RSA board coincided with a black weekend on the roads, in which eight people lost their lives.
    Yesterday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said it was terrible to hear of so many fatalities -- and explicitly mentioned speed.
    He said: "It is very disappointing when so much effort is being made by everybody.
    "I think most motorists . . . abide by the law and abide by the new standards; I think particularly the issues around drink driving and speed, to avoid carnage.
    "And then, in broad daylight, we seem to have some very bad accidents, but from all accounts -- and I've the same information as you -- (the accidents) seem to be centred on speed."
    Ireland currently has only three working fixed speed cameras, rotated around 20 grey box units, apart from the Garda's so-called hairdryer style cameras and mobile Gatso vans.
    The private cameras were first promised in 2002, but are not expected to be in place for at least another year.
    A Government commissioned report, meanwhile, found that a five-fold increase in speed camera detections would "reduce casualty crashes by about 21pc".
    Rollout
    The Department of Justice, which has responsibility for rolling out the private cameras, has so far not provided for the cost of the cameras in its annual budget.
    The tender process has lasted more than a year, meanwhile, with strong indications that the department will not agree to the cost, which is now estimated to be €50m.
    The tender process for the private network is almost complete, and a company earmarked for the job. But Mr Byrne said the Department of Justice "won't provide the dosh", which is now thought to be twice the original estimate.
    Funding has been described as "not an issue" by several ministers. However, it now appears that funding is indeed an issue.
    Mr Byrne sad yesterday: "We were promised these (600 privately operated cameras) would be in place in 2006, then we were promised 2007, then 2008.
    "There has been nothing but delay after delay after delay and [the Department of Justice] are not providing the dosh. This is the one thing that will save lives," he added.
    Mr Byrne said it was only when the network of cameras was rolled out and motorists started getting photographs of their cars and notifications about fines and penalty points that they would get the message on speeding. Ireland had a terrible culture of speeding.
    A separate Garda contract, meanwhile, remains unfilled almost one year after it was announced -- involving eight Gatso-style vans.
    A Department of Justice spokesperson said yesterday the procurement process for an outsourced speed camera network was underway.
    - Treacy Hogan Environment Correspondent


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 88,972 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    Its exactly what we would expect, no? All words, no action from a Minsiter.

    Mike.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭astraboy


    Same tired old retheroic of focusing on speed and speed alone. No mention of all the other aspects that cause accidents, or the fact that 'speed' can be a factor in an accident and the person may not be breaking the speed limit. They are two different things. The UK has already proved that while small numbers of speed cameras save lives, large numbers decrease the focus on actual policing and increase road deaths. 600 speed cameras is far too many IMO. Whats the bet they'll all be on nice long straight roads with limits far too low?:rolleyes: Change the record Gaybo, try focusing on some of the other aspects of road accidents.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 88,972 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    He was right to point out that the government promised something as policy and has not delivered.

    Mike.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭astraboy


    mike65 wrote: »
    He was right to point out that the government promised something as policy and has not delivered.

    Mike.

    Well lets be honest there is no surprise there. They promised the world before the election. Now with another 4 1/2 years to another election they can do what they like.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    If Gaybo went I'd consider it a good day's work, I'd even vote for FF if they shafted him! He is as bad at this job as he was good on the telly.

    At the end of the day, if the Government was hoping to use him as someone who might change our behaviour then they've failed miserably, everytime I hear the crap Uncle gaybo spews out I want to drive faster and faster.

    The government has finally gotten round to it's great idea of changing some of our dual carriageways to Motorways(they recently published a list of the roads they plan on changing to Motorway, basically they want to change most of the Dual Carriageways that will be there from 2010 from Dublin to Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford, so you would have at long long last a Motorway practically all the way from Dublin to these ciities as well as Kilkenny(Kilkenny is on the main Dublin-Waterford road)), thereby giving a higher default speed limit of 120 km/h, all we need is people like him to put a stop to this wonderful idea because speed kills don't you know:rolleyes:.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 88,972 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    He would'nt do that though, (not sure why I'm pointing this out) the RSA job is to keep the government honest and engender a cultural shift, not make the laws.

    Mike.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    E92 wrote: »
    If Gaybo went I'd consider it a good day's work, I'd even vote for FF if they shafted him! He is as bad at this job as he was good on the telly.

    At the end of the day, if the Government was hoping to use him as someone who might change our behaviour then they've failed miserably, everytime I hear the crap Uncle gaybo spews out I want to drive faster and faster.

    The government has finally gotten round to it's great idea of changing some of our dual carriageways to Motorways(they recently published a list of the roads they plan on changing to Motorway, basically they want to change most of the Dual Carriageways that will be there from 2010 from Dublin to Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford, so you would have at long long last a Motorway practically all the way from Dublin to these ciities as well as Kilkenny(Kilkenny is on the main Dublin-Waterford road)), thereby giving a higher default speed limit of 120 km/h, all we need is people like him to put a stop to this wonderful idea because speed kills don't you know:rolleyes:.

    Sounds great but you're probably just going to be charged to go 20 km/h faster on a road we already have. Roadworks ahead - expect major tolls.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,035 ✭✭✭✭-Chris-


    E92 wrote: »
    I must say I enjoyed what Gaybo had to say, especially given that we know what the RSA said so recently on Today FM(which I'm dying to hear if anyone would be so kind as to link me to it):


    Today FM archive a lot of their shows on their website, if you know what date and what show you may be able to find it!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 234 ✭✭Ta me anseo


    astraboy wrote: »
    The UK has already proved that while small numbers of speed cameras save lives, large numbers decrease the focus on actual policing and increase road deaths.

    That's just bollox. Take your head out of the fupping sand.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,121 ✭✭✭Keith C


    He was on Matt Cooper show (well recorded interview) along with guy from RSA & some motoring columnist. it was bout some stat report being released based on 2006.
    As long as speed cameras are placed to reduce deaths (i.e primary & secondary roads) & not revenue generators (m1, m50 etc) & locations are made visible & public knowledge, im all for it.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    Keith C wrote: »
    He was on Matt Cooper show (well recorded interview) along with guy from RSA & some motoring columnist. it was bout some stat report being released based on 2006.
    As long as speed cameras are placed to reduce deaths (i.e primary & secondary roads) & not revenue generators (m1, m50 etc) & locations are made visible & public knowledge, im all for it.

    Why should they all be visible? I'm in favour of visible cameras where there is an accident black spot but if all the cameras are advertised then you know many people will just speed where there are none, and slow down when near a camera.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,088 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    Only in Ireland would they appoint an attention seeking media has-been (after all, hasn't he supposedly retired at least once already?) head of "Road Safety", and then try to convince us that he's qualified to lecture others on their driving ability. :rolleyes:

    As for this "cameras will save lives" rhetoric, I don't think anyone is naieve enough to believe that. The only thing they'll do is increase revenue and stats, allowing the powers that be to point and claim they're working while the deaths continue on the non-M/N roads that they aren't setup on.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 425 ✭✭Niall1234


    Kaiser2000 wrote: »
    Only in Ireland would they appoint an attention seeking media has-been (after all, hasn't he supposedly retired at least once already?) head of "Road Safety", and then try to convince us that he's qualified to lecture others on their driving ability. :rolleyes:


    Ahem. Only in Ireland do we appoint a person to be head of the Road Safety body who has never taken or passed the driving test in a car.

    Oh the irony of Gaybo complaining about L drivers on the road when all the L drivers in Ireland have proved their road competance just as much as himself. IE: Not at all.


    For God sake, appoint someone who knows what they are talking about. Not an unproven driver who's only advice is to "Slow down". How slow Gay ? Stop altogether ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    Niall1234 wrote: »
    Ahem. Only in Ireland do we appoint a person to be head of the Road Safety body who has never taken or passed the driving test in a car.

    Oh the irony of Gaybo complaining about L drivers on the road when all the L drivers in Ireland have proved their road competance just as much as himself. IE: Not at all.


    For God sake, appoint someone who knows what they are talking about. Not an unproven driver who's only advice is to "Slow down". How slow Gay ? Stop altogether ?

    I'm normally the first one to jump on the Gay bashing band wagon. (Please don't quote that out of context:rolleyes::rolleyes:) But apparently in the face of all the criticism of him not having passed the test, he took a driving test and an advanced driving test.

    Still as a young male driver some of the things he says really grind my gears.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,044 ✭✭✭Wossack


    '..road safety supremo Gay Byrne'

    stopped right there...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 425 ✭✭Niall1234


    javaboy wrote: »
    I'm normally the first one to jump on the Gay bashing band wagon. (Please don't quote that out of context:rolleyes::rolleyes:) But apparently in the face of all the criticism of him not having passed the test, he took a driving test and an advanced driving test.

    Still as a young male driver some of the things he says really grind my gears.

    I was under the impression that the only test he's ever passed is for a Motorbike class due to the Harley he received on the last Late Late Show.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    That's just bollox. Take your head out of the fupping sand.
    He's actually right. Road deaths were falling rapidly in the UK, then they introduced speed cameras and the deaths since they were introduced are gone down by such a small amount it makes no difference. Then again when the UK's own Depertment for transport admits that speeding was responsible for 5% of the UK's road accidents this is hardly surprising.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,121 ✭✭✭Keith C


    javaboy wrote: »
    Why should they all be visible? I'm in favour of visible cameras where there is an accident black spot but if all the cameras are advertised then you know many people will just speed where there are none, and slow down when near a camera.

    well firstly it gives the govt an oppertunity to show joe public that they're being open where cameras are being placed, which should reduce public negativity towards them as revenue generators.
    Secondly with websites such as irishspeedtraps around, locations will be disclosed fairly quickly & can be programmed into poi in sat navs anyway.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,707 ✭✭✭blackbox


    nnnaaaaAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGHHH!

    to annoyed right now with this cr@p to make a sensible comment.

    :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,352 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    The RSA representative, Noel Brett I think his name was, was on Matt Cooper talking about the 2006 road safety handbook that has just been published. He quoted 2% as the proportion of road fatalities where overtaking is a factor.
    Simple common sense tells you that a head on collision cannot occur without one of the vehicles on the wrong side of the road. While I accept there are a large proportion of single vehicle fatalities, the 2% figure seems incredibly low. This calls into question the quality of the data used to produce these stats and also the effectiveness of the data collection process. This therefore puts the entire report in question.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 716 ✭✭✭DamoDLK


    The very idea that 600 more cameras will be watching us is insane. Personally i don't think adding to the cameras will prevent accidents: picture the scene, a driver is going along at 120kph on the M1, he passes the camera and takes his eye off the road and looks into his rear view mirror to see if the camera flashed... and rear ends the car in front. this does sound dramatic, but if theres 600 people checking their rear view mirror theres 600 people not looking ahead!!
    In general i would have no problem with the cameras if the revenue generated was pumped back into road improvements, across the whole country.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭astraboy


    That's just bollox. Take your head out of the fupping sand.

    No its not Bollix, its fact, as E92 kindly pointed out I'm 100% correct. The UK did notice road deaths drop when speed cameras were used correctly. After a few years they got lazy/greedy and placed them in many more spots then was necessary for road safety, and relied on them to do the policing for them. Road deaths have been rising since about the year 2000 I think.

    If you really believe speed cameras are a great thing for road safety, your the clown with your head in the sand. At least I research issues before I make an opinion on them, you just take the word of the government. :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 512 ✭✭✭wilson10


    2 major accidents last weekend, killing a total of 6 people. Anybody notice what they had in common. I'm not racist but........


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 41,235 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    DamoDLK wrote: »
    picture the scene, a driver is going along at 120kph on the M1, he passes the camera and takes his eye off the road and looks into his rear view mirror to see if the camera flashed... and rear ends the car in front. this does sound dramatic, but if theres 600 people checking their rear view mirror theres 600 people not looking ahead!!
    If you are driving behind a car going at 120km/h then you should be far enough behind to give enough time to stop. You should also have enough visibility to be able to judge if the driver in front is going to jam on.


    To be honest people here are giving out about Gaybo and the RSA for what? Gaybo is the chairman of the RSA - he is not the RSA and does not decide their policies. Gaybo may not have done a test but is he responsible for the crap givernment policy of the time? Most people posting on here dis a test that was barely much better that the one Byrne didn't do!
    The RSA's function is to create policy not decide if it should be implemented or not.
    However, if Dempsey fecks up again and makes the RSA look bad (as he did with the provisional licence fiasco) then it should be Dempsey that steps down and not Byrne (who I know promised to if he was blocked by Govt.). But because Irish politicians don't know the meaning of honour and therefore wouldn't dream of resigning I suspect Byrne will quit soon.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    wilson10 wrote: »
    2 major accidents last weekend, killing a total of 6 people. Anybody notice what they had in common. I'm not racist but........

    I noticed. It ain't PC to say it but I know what you mean and I agree with what I know you're trying to imply.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 716 ✭✭✭DamoDLK


    It only takes a second to happen tho...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 716 ✭✭✭DamoDLK


    E92 wrote: »
    I noticed. It ain't PC to say it but I know what you mean and I agree with what I know you're trying to imply.

    Sure theres not much that can be done about the situation?, well unless measures are introduced to ban left hand drive cars from the road? ideas anyone??


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 41,235 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    I think they were referring to the fact that the licence holders cannot get points, etc?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 716 ✭✭✭DamoDLK


    kbannon wrote: »
    I think they were referring to the fact that the licence holders cannot get points, etc?

    This is also true yes. i would imagine it would require Europe to Legislate to facilitate that change though. It's probably not in the hands of the Irish Govt.?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 88,972 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    This thread is in danger of taking a dodgy turn - the number of fatalities involving "dem foreigners" is pretty much in proportion to the number of "dem foreigners" living here. 12% v 10%

    Mike.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    DamoDLK wrote: »
    Sure theres not much that can be done about the situation?, well unless measures are introduced to ban left hand drive cars from the road? ideas anyone??

    I would have you know that I've been driving a LHD vehicle in some shape or form for over ten years now on these roads ...never was an issue, never had so much as close call because of the LHD, never mind an accident.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 512 ✭✭✭wilson10


    The car whose driver caused 4 of those fatalities was a right hand drive hire car. I don't think the car has much to do with it. I believe it's a question of attitude.

    I don't know the figures but I really believe that there is a higher proportion of non Irish involved in accidents. They don't all obviously and thankfully die but in many cases they can be the cause of accidents, fatal or otherwise.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 716 ✭✭✭DamoDLK


    peasant wrote: »
    I would have you know that I've been driving a LHD vehicle in some shape or form for over ten years now on these roads ...never was an issue, never had so much as close call because of the LHD, never mind an accident.

    Firstly i'm not claiming to have any knowledge of statistics re LHD vehicles. It was a mere observation or suggestion to a possible cause which may well be a number of other factors [age, experience, attitude as mentioned by wilson10]. Secondly, such a radical move (a ban) would be met with uproar! I agree with other comments that it is down to individual driver attitudes and i know its not the LHD vehicles!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,584 ✭✭✭✭Steve


    mike65 wrote: »
    This thread is in danger of taking a dodgy turn - the number of fatalities involving "dem foreigners" is pretty much in proportion to the number of "dem foreigners" living here. 12% v 10%

    Mike.
    Disagree - 8 deaths last w'end, 4 of them non nationals.

    I know many "dem forriners" and their attitude is - can't get points so why not. I know a guy who regularly drives home pi$$ed and has been stopped many times (in a LHD car) - the guards can't be ar$ed walking around the car to challenge him!!


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 41,235 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    In fairness, one weekend doesn't reflect proper statistics.
    How many so far in 2008? How many in 2007?

    As for the gardai not being bothered? Why wouldn't they be? Have you made contact with their superiors if you know they are allowing this?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,538 ✭✭✭niceirishfella


    Gay Byrne is loosing credibility in my eyes each day he stays in this thanksless job. He said on taking up the role that he would RESIGN immediately if there was ANY obsticles in the way of him performing his duties.

    Well.............theres' been Delay, after Delay........after Delay......

    Gay, if you read this (tho' I doubt it), just RESIGN and be a man of your word.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 234 ✭✭Ta me anseo


    Right this is it. After this post I'm getting out of this discussion because it's winding me up so much.

    To quote Swinging Looney from another post:
    You became dangerous the second you started moving. You're right in saying that it's not SPEEDING that causes accidents or deaths. It's simply speed itself.

    Which I think is the most sensible thing that has been said about this topic. You can not crash a stationary car. You can not kill a pedestrian if you are not moving. Most people here seem to be confusing speeding with speed. When an authority say that 5% of accidents were attributable to speed, you really mean speeding. 5% involved people breaking the speed limit. ALL ACCIDENTS AND ROAD DEATHS SINCE THE AUTOMOBILE WAS INVENTED HAVE INVOLVED SPEED.

    As for whether you think speed cameras should be introduced on a wide scale here, I can only think of the US. Having lived in Florida for a while, I distinctly remember that outside schools there was a temporary 20mph limit. Flashing lights came on to tell you it was active about an hour either side of let them loose time. EVERY SINGLE DRIVER THAT I EVER SAW PASSING THOSE SCHOOLS DID EXACTLY 20MPH. WHY? BECAUSE THERE WERE SPEED CAMERAS EVERYWHERE.

    So many seem to think they should be allowed set their own speed limits. Answer yourself this question:

    Extensive research has proven that the difference between 20 and 30 mph during a collision with a child can be the difference between minor injuries and death. There were some good ads on telly here recently highlighting this, so most people know it to be fact. Now, think of your local school and ask yourself what speed you normally do when you pass it? What speed do you think the average person does when they pass it? I would put my house on the fact that nobody voluntarily does 20 mph. Why? Because they can legally get away with doing the speed limit instead.

    On the old N1 not far from blakes cross there is a small primary school. The main road has a 50 mph limit. (Used to be 60) Every single person I have seen passing there does 50 or 60 on that stretch. Hit a kid at that speed and it's instant death and probably dismemberment. The argument that we are all capable of determining the appropriate speed is utter rubbish. Those posting here may genuinely be capable and skillful enough to stay safe and drive at safe speeds all the time. But surely you all must agree that the general population is not. THAT IS WHY WE NEED SPEED LIMITS AND SPEED CAMERAS. TO STOP THE FEW STUPID PEOPLE WHO ARE TOO IGNORANT AND SELFISH TO STICK TO THE LIMITS OR DRIVE SAFELY.

    And before you say it: what we really need is sensible speed limits - like 30kmh outside schools from 8am to 9:30am and from 2:30 to 4:30pm. And back roads with speed limits of 50 or 60kmh. That is the priority. Incidentally, increasing speed limits is entirely unnecessary. So many would prefer to see some dual carriageway increased 60 to 80kmh before they would want a 30kmh limit on their main street. Then, after all the lmits are adjusted, put speed cameras absolutely everywhere.

    The argument that speed cameras have increased deaths in the UK is actually bollox. Your arguments are so ridiculously narrow minded that it's not funny. The number of road deaths may well have increased for the past few years. But you have taken no account whatsoever that the population has been growing immensely quickly for a long time and the number of vehicles on the road is increasing exponentially. What is really relevant - and I might add not reported - is the percentage of deaths when compared to the average number of individual road trips. I guarantee you that that number has decreased. Any fool can see that if 400 people were killed on our roads this year, 400 next year, 400 the year after that and after that too, while the number of cars on the road and kilometers of tarmac doubled, then the roads have actually become hugely safer statistically.

    Saying speed cameras cause deaths is like saying: A person on my road had cancer. There are 7 black cars parked on my road. Therefore I conclude that black cars cause cancer. RIDICULOUS!

    Speed is the main component of road safety over which we have immediate control. Better training and safer road design and all that may come with time but would be impossible to implement quickly. Reduced speed will reduce deaths.

    Fire requires three elements to occur. Fuel, Oxygen and Heat. To prevent forest fires should we A) Cut down the forest. B) Chemically attempt to remove all traces of Oxygen from the area or C) Try to highlight and stop people from providing a heat source by playing with matches, smoking, lighting campfires etc, etc. This whole speed vs training vs skill vs technology argument is the same idiotic attempt by so many to pretend they are the best drivers on the planet and simply need free reign to make the roads safer.

    Speed is item C) above. It is the only sensible and far reaching campaign that can possibly get through to the majority of drivers in this country.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,138 ✭✭✭Gregor Samsa


    Kaiser2000 wrote: »
    The only thing they'll do is increase revenue

    Just playing Devil's Advocate here, but if speed cameras really will increase revenue, why aren't the Government stumping up the cash to put them in place? If there really was this huge expected revenue return, wouldn't the investment be worth it (from a purely financial point of view)?

    Or is it that now that the estimated cost of the roll out has now doubled to €50m, it's not looking so financially attractive any more?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 88,972 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    stevec wrote: »
    Disagree - 8 deaths last w'end, 4 of them non nationals.

    I know many "dem forriners" and their attitude is - can't get points so why not. I know a guy who regularly drives home pi$$ed and has been stopped many times (in a LHD car) - the guards can't be ar$ed walking around the car to challenge him!!

    Not saying there is'nt a problem, I'm saying its not disproportional - like I said in my post 10% of the state population is foreign and 12% of the fatalites are foreign - not such a disconnect esp as many are driving LHD cars!

    Mike.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,788 ✭✭✭MrPudding


    As for whether you think speed cameras should be introduced on a wide scale here, I can only think of the US. Having lived in Florida for a while, I distinctly remember that outside schools there was a temporary 20mph limit. Flashing lights came on to tell you it was active about an hour either side of let them loose time. EVERY SINGLE DRIVER THAT I EVER SAW PASSING THOSE SCHOOLS DID EXACTLY 20MPH. WHY? BECAUSE THERE WERE SPEED CAMERAS EVERYWHERE.
    I think most people with camera issues here, myself for example, would have no problem with this type of thing. In fact if you check my posts on the subject you will find a couple of points that I bring up again and again. The first of which is I do not think cameras should be hidden and the second is I despise speeding in a built up area. The reason people slowed down to 20 is because they *knew* cameras were there and that they would get caught if they were speeding.

    So many seem to think they should be allowed set their own speed limits. Answer yourself this question:
    Some posters may think this but they would be in the minority I believe.

    Extensive research has proven that the difference between 20 and 30 mph during a collision with a child can be the difference between minor injuries and death. There were some good ads on telly here recently highlighting this, so most people know it to be fact. Now, think of your local school and ask yourself what speed you normally do when you pass it? What speed do you think the average person does when they pass it? I would put my house on the fact that nobody voluntarily does 20 mph. Why? Because they can legally get away with doing the speed limit instead.
    Again, I think you are more or less preaching to the converted here. I doubt you will find many here arguing with you about the validity of speed limits in a built up area, particularly outside a school.
    On the old N1 not far from blakes cross there is a small primary school. The main road has a 50 mph limit. (Used to be 60) Every single person I have seen passing there does 50 or 60 on that stretch. Hit a kid at that speed and it's instant death and probably dismemberment. The argument that we are all capable of determining the appropriate speed is utter rubbish. Those posting here may genuinely be capable and skillful enough to stay safe and drive at safe speeds all the time. But surely you all must agree that the general population is not. THAT IS WHY WE NEED SPEED LIMITS AND SPEED CAMERAS. TO STOP THE FEW STUPID PEOPLE WHO ARE TOO IGNORANT AND SELFISH TO STICK TO THE LIMITS OR DRIVE SAFELY.
    I agree with you. Most drivers are not capable of determining the appropriate speed for a particular stretch of road. I am sure if you stopped drivers many of them would probably not even have realised that there was a school there. To be honest, if you do not want traffic passing a school at 50 then don’t set the limit at 50. Seems quite simple to me.

    And before you say it: what we really need is sensible speed limits - like 30kmh outside schools from 8am to 9:30am and from 2:30 to 4:30pm. And back roads with speed limits of 50 or 60kmh. That is the priority. Incidentally, increasing speed limits is entirely unnecessary. So many would prefer to see some dual carriageway increased 60 to 80kmh before they would want a 30kmh limit on their main street. Then, after all the lmits are adjusted, put speed cameras absolutely everywhere.
    I would not agree that increasing speed limits is unnecessary, I think in some cases they should increase. That said, if I were in charge, increasing limits would be down my list slightly. I would be more interested in decreasing inappropriate limits and generally trying to improve road safety. This would not be achieved by placing cameras absolutely everywhere, though I would use a lot of cameras.

    The argument that speed cameras have increased deaths in the UK is actually bollox. Your arguments are so ridiculously narrow minded that it's not funny. The number of road deaths may well have increased for the past few years. But you have taken no account whatsoever that the population has been growing immensely quickly for a long time and the number of vehicles on the road is increasing exponentially. What is really relevant - and I might add not reported - is the percentage of deaths when compared to the average number of individual road trips. I guarantee you that that number has decreased. Any fool can see that if 400 people were killed on our roads this year, 400 next year, 400 the year after that and after that too, while the number of cars on the road and kilometers of tarmac doubled, then the roads have actually become hugely safer statistically.

    Saying speed cameras cause deaths is like saying: A person on my road had cancer. There are 7 black cars parked on my road. Therefore I conclude that black cars cause cancer. RIDICULOUS!
    Actually it is not a ridiculous as you might think. If you look at the statistics you will find that areas which have embraced the safety camera partnership model have, for the most part, seen an increase in deaths and injuries. There are a number of counties that ditched this model and went back to good old fashion policing, they have seen a decrease in the same. Have a look at www.safespeed.org , quite an interesting site.

    Here is a nice quote from the chief motorcycle observer from my IAM group, he is an ex-motorcycle cop with Thames Valley Police. He is commenting on a report about road tax evasion by motorcyclist, but his comments on cameras are, I think, very vadil:
    Rod wrote:
    First of all I am always sceptical of figures produced by Government, I have witnessed first hand how they are initiated, collected and compiled. Secondly maybe some motorcyclists are fed up with paying tax when the standard of roads are getting poorer and poorer (not that I condone this at all you understand). In the report it made reference that „the problem is that cameras have difficulty in recording motorcycles because the forward facing cameras cannot record the details[FONT=&quot]‟[/FONT]. Perhaps one day they will catch onto the fact that cameras don[FONT=&quot]‟[/FONT]t detect drunk/drugged or dangerous/reckless driver either.
    Speed is the main component of road safety over which we have immediate control. Better training and safer road design and all that may come with time but would be impossible to implement quickly. Reduced speed will reduce deaths.
    It is also something that the government can lay squarely at the feet of the driver and wash then hands of any further action. It is a very convenient cop out for them. Blame speed, even when their own figures don’t support their claims, and do nothing else.

    Fire requires three elements to occur. Fuel, Oxygen and Heat. To prevent forest fires should we A) Cut down the forest. B) Chemically attempt to remove all traces of Oxygen from the area or C) Try to highlight and stop people from providing a heat source by playing with matches, smoking, lighting campfires etc, etc. This whole speed vs training vs skill vs technology argument is the same idiotic attempt by so many to pretend they are the best drivers on the planet and simply need free reign to make the roads safer.

    Speed is item C) above. It is the only sensible and far reaching campaign that can possibly get through to the majority of drivers in this country.
    Not it isn’t. Proper policing of the roads will reduce the other things that are actually causing the bulk of death on the roads. Inappropriate speed, reckless driving within the posted limits, dangerous overtaking within the speed limits are all causes of deaths on the roads. In fact according to the RSA statistics account for more death that speeding. The problem is, cameras won’t detect it, only proper policing will. The problem with that is that policing costs money. Sticking a camera on the safest road in the country and fining people doing 130 on the way to the airport does nothing for road safety. All it does is raise a few quid and give the government some st1tty statistics to convince fcuking retards that they are serious about road safety.

    MrP


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,706 ✭✭✭craichoe


    I'm living in Holland and driving a RHD car.

    I wouldn't say driving a car with the steering wheel on the other side is an issue at all. The only problems it poses is at the drive thru, in Mc Donalds, Toll Gates and Multi Storey car parks.

    Other than that if your used to driving on the left side of the road your as likely to make a mistake in a LHD as a RHD, your used to the side of the road your on, not the side of the car.

    RE: Speed Cameras.

    I think they do reduce speed, they do here anyway. Alot of Expats come over and bomb around safe in the knowledge that they wont get the fines in the post. As soon as they register or buy a car here .. BAM .. hundreds of euros of fines. They slow down pretty quickly and thats without penalty points (even for dutch drivers)

    The cameras here take your average speed on a 10 - 15 km stretch of road, so you have to maintain a speed below the limit. For people thinking you can boot it and then slow down toward the end or worse, park. Doing this will get you a hefty fine also if stopped by the cops.

    I do get the impression that the majority of people speeding here are foreign drivers from Germany, Belgium and the UK/Ireland (Including me). But thats all changing soon, their introducing a collaboration between the UK and the Schengen countries, according to the Authorities here though, Ireland is excluded because they cannot integrate with their systems.

    I don't think speed kills, i think with the amount of cars on the road the chances are alot higher that something will go wrong, excessive speed makes it go ALOT more wrong if theres a mistake.

    Also, if you have anything wrong with your car, i.e. blown bulb, or something on the car that makes it non-roadworthy. If you cannot fix it at the roadside when stopped that car is towed away at your expense, its a real incentive to have a spare set of bulbs in the car!

    Even the Germans are introducing limits on the Autobahn soon, because when there is a crash .. its bloody horrific.

    I passed one on the way to Cologne, the traffic was backed up for about 10km and at the scene of the crash the vehicles were un-recognisable. The emergency services hadn't even started to open the cars up yet (most car wrecks you see in Ireland are after they've cut the roof off)

    All in all, speed cameras are good IMO, on the motorway anyway. Its dangerous for police to stop people on the motorway.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 88,972 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    But thats all changing soon, their introducing a collaboration between the UK and the Schengen countries, according to the Authorities here though, Ireland is excluded because they cannot integrate with their systems.

    *shakes the old head*

    Mike.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,788 ✭✭✭MrPudding


    craichoe wrote: »
    I

    Even the Germans are introducing limits on the Autobahn soon, because when there is a crash .. its bloody horrific.
    My understanding is that this is a result of environmental pressures more than anything else.

    MrP


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,706 ✭✭✭craichoe


    MrPudding wrote: »
    My understanding is that this is a result of environmental pressures more than anything else.

    MrP

    The EU are pushing it for Enviromental issues (fuel usage and emissions), Local Government is pushing it for road safety.

    It is true through. I only get 20-25MPG in a 1.9 TDI on the Autobahn.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭astraboy


    MR P as ever you are the voice of reason! For the record I have no problem with cameras outside schools etc. In fact I think its a great idea. I don't like the constant "won't someone think of the children" bull****, you won't find kids playing soccer on a dual carriageway or motorway, and these are the safest roads in the country, yet I'd wager this is where we will see so many of our "Safety" cameras. These roads could have limits raised safety. As for the dangerous backroads, I doubt we'll see cameras on these any time soon.

    Ta me Anseo, I do agree with many of your points, but I will point out again, as other posters have also said, that areas with speed camera partnerships in the UK have seen increases in road deaths, while those that used cameras where appropriate combined with PROPER POLICING have seen road deaths fall. Explain that one. You'll probably just trot out the same bull**** about how all cameras save lives when many of them are just a cash cow.

    People fail to realize road safety is not all about beating drivers into submission. Its about education so drivers can make conscious, informed decisions about their speed according to the road, conditions, the car they are driving and traffic. People also don't realize that a stern warning from a cop can do just the same as points and a fine. Of course the points and fine look good for the Government stats, the quite word in through the drivers window won't be recorded but may actually make the driver think more about their actions on the roads.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    craichoe wrote: »
    The EU are pushing it for Enviromental issues (fuel usage and emissions), Local Government is pushing it for road safety.

    It is true through. I only get 20-25MPG in a 1.9 TDI on the Autobahn.


    The German Government is totally opposed to blanket speed limits on the Autobahn. The car lobby is extremely powerful in Germany, so there WILL NOT be blanket speed limits for some time yet. The German Chancellor has ruled out blanket speed limits time and time again. 1 in 7 Germans is somoehow dependent on the car industry for income. There would be therefore serious economic consequences for a lot of Germans if the blanket speed limit was introduced. That and the fact that a lot of German car makers are offering expensive cars in some cases with serious amounts of power. There are even companies in Germany that offer car driving holidays, basically go to Germany to get the chance to drive flat out perfectly legally. So there would be consequences for tourism as well. Don't forget that Germany is Europes most powerful economy so it's not like this is all a drop in the ocean.

    The average speed on German Autobahns without a speed limit is 150 km/h. The saving in CO2 from having blanket speed limits is said to be just 2.5 million tonnes a year. We pollute 70 million tonnes every year, or 0.6% of the world's CO2, so the enviornmental argument for blanket limits as you can see is rubbish. Even the proponants of blanket speed limits in Germany admit all having blanket limits would do is be "symbolic".

    And there are massive pile ups on Motorway whenever a crash occurs, speed limit or no speed limit. In case anyone thinks that Aurtobahnen without a speed limit are more dangerous than those with a speed limit, can they explain to me why they are no more dangerous according to the German Government than those with a speed limit?

    Th reason half of German Autobahns already have a speed limit is very simple really: about 1/3rd-40% of the Autobahns have blanket speed limits because there is so much traffic on the roads e.g. ring roads like the equivalent to the M50, so anything higher than say 130 km/h would be impossible to achieve even if there was no limit.

    The remainder of Autobahns with a speed limit have them because the roads are being resurfaced.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 88,972 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    Gaybo is on Newstalk right now.

    Mike.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    I don't think anyone is opposed to low speed limits outside of schools. I think it is a great idea, but anyone who has an ounce of common sense knows that you must drive slowly outside a school when the school is in session. I would even welcome lower speed limits ouside schools and speed cameras.

    What I am arguing is the constant nonsense about "speed kills". If speed kills then 500 mph aeroplanes would crash all the time.

    Gay Byrne said that the carnage on the roads at the weekend "illustrated elequently the need for speed cameras". How?

    I saw the picture of the cars on the Dublin-Limerick road, I know they must have been going at speed, but how does Gay know that they were exceeding the speed limit? I actually would like to know what speed the cars were going at.

    What the tradgey at the weekend did show was the need to have better roads urgently. If the Government had delivered on it's promise and had the Motorways from Dublin to Limerick and the other cities completed in 2006, then the sad truth of the matter is that this accident would never have happened. The Government really needs to make sure that there are no more delays on building these expensive but extremely worthwhile high quality roads. As I say, this tradgey would never have happened if the Government had delivered on it's promises.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭astraboy


    E92 wrote: »
    I don't think anyone is opposed to low speed limits outside of schools. I think it is a great idea, but anyone who has an ounce of common sense knows that you must drive slowly outside a school when the school is in session. I would even welcome lower speed limits ouside schools and speed cameras.

    What I am arguing is the constant nonsense about "speed kills". If speed kills then 500 mph aeroplanes would crash all the time.

    Gay Byrne said that the carnage on the roads at the weekend "illustrated elequently the need for speed cameras". How?

    I saw the picture of the cars on the Dublin-Limerick road, I know they must have been going at speed, but how does Gay know that they were exceeding the speed limit? I actually would like to know what speed the cars were going at.

    What the tradgey at the weekend did show was the need to have better roads urgently. If the Government had delivered on it's promise and had the Motorways from Dublin to Limerick and the other cities completed in 2006, then the sad truth of the matter is that this accident would never have happened. The Government really needs to make sure that there are no more delays on building these expensive but extremely worthwhile high quality roads. As I say, this tradgey would never have happened if the Government had delivered on it's promises.

    Well said. It comes back to the point that road safety is not all about the "Evil" of speed, but is far far more complex then people just obeying the speed limit(which is all the cameras will enforce.) So you can tear down a dangerous backroad at 79Kph when its totally inappropiate and not be caught by the camera, you can do 99Kph around a bad corner on a national secondary route and not be caught by a camera, but you might do a very safe 130Kph on a motorway and be fined, given points and added as a statistic as another driver caught speeding and therefore helping road safety. It bull**** of the highest order and makes my blood boil.

    By reducing road safety to stupid sound bites about speed the RSA and the Government are making a farce of road safety.


    Another point. Back in the 1970's over 700 people a year were being killed on the roads! So we can see that even though cars today are faster, and there are far far more cars on the road road deaths have been hugely reduced by improved roads, safer cars, and a reduction in drink driving.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,706 ✭✭✭craichoe


    E92 wrote: »
    The German Government is totally opposed to blanket speed limits on the Autobahn. The car lobby is extremely powerful in Germany, so there WILL NOT be blanket speed limits for some time yet. The German Chancellor has ruled out blanket speed limits time and time again. 1 in 7 Germans is somoehow dependent on the car industry for income. There would be therefore serious economic consequences for a lot of Germans if the blanket speed limit was introduced. That and the fact that a lot of German car makers are offering expensive cars in some cases with serious amounts of power. There are even companies in Germany that offer car driving holidays, basically go to Germany to get the chance to drive flat out perfectly legally. So there would be consequences for tourism as well. Don't forget that Germany is Europes most powerful economy so it's not like this is all a drop in the ocean.

    The average speed on German Autobahns without a speed limit is 150 km/h. The saving in CO2 from having blanket speed limits is said to be just 2.5 million tonnes a year. We pollute 70 million tonnes every year, or 0.6% of the world's CO2, so the enviornmental argument for blanket limits as you can see is rubbish. Even the proponants of blanket speed limits in Germany admit all having blanket limits would do is be "symbolic".

    And there are massive pile ups on Motorway whenever a crash occurs, speed limit or no speed limit. In case anyone thinks that Aurtobahnen without a speed limit are more dangerous than those with a speed limit, can they explain to me why they are no more dangerous according to the German Government than those with a speed limit?

    Th reason half of German Autobahns already have a speed limit is very simple really: about 1/3rd-40% of the Autobahns have blanket speed limits because there is so much traffic on the roads e.g. ring roads like the equivalent to the M50, so anything higher than say 130 km/h would be impossible to achieve even if there was no limit.

    The remainder of Autobahns with a speed limit have them because the roads are being resurfaced.

    I said Local Government, Cologne and Frankfurt have a 120kph limit for a reason.

    This depends on the region, down in the south of Germany, yes there is alot of Autobahn that has no speed limit, however up toward the North theres not actually that much at all. Speed limit is 120kp/h on speed limited Autobahn then 80 or 100 on roads that are being resurfaced. Not just on the ring roads either.

    Even though there is technically no limit, the Police can still pull you if they believe you were going excessively fast.

    My point is if someone crashes doing 280kph, it doesnt matter what they hit, no amount of safety features are going to save you.

    i.e. More speed increases the possibility of death in the event of an accident and accidents do happen.

    Even if there is no speed limit you still have some guy taking the p*ss doing 250 - 300 kph


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