The 150 million speeding fine
The 150 million speeding fine
New figures underscore the
cost of speed cameras, as the level of cynicism among drivers is
confirmed, with many motorists increasingly viewing the roadside yellow
boxes as little more than revenue-raising devices.
Speed cameras are costing motorists in England and Wales up to 150
million a year through the combined cost of fines and increased car
insurance premiums. Research commissioned by Swift Cover car insurance
revealed that drivers are paying out in excess of 114 million a year
in fines. Added to this is the increased premium charged by many
insurers following a speeding conviction, estimated at 36 million a
year, and drivers are paying out 150 million to compensate for their
speeding lapses.
In total it was found that 2.2 million drivers are convicted for
speeding every year, almost half of these having been caught by
roadside cameras. Many experts credit the escalating number of speed
cameras with the corresponding rise in speeding convictions, with
speeding fines up 328 per cent over the past decade, which has also
seen the UK’s speed camera network swell to 6,000.
Unsurprisingly given this cost, speed cameras do not rank highly among
a list of drivers favourite things. Around two-thirds of those
surveyed thought speed cameras were “mainly” installed to raise
revenue, with just 13 per cent agreeing that they are the best way to
encourage safe driving.
In fact, many argue that speed cameras actually encourage unsafe
driving, with Swift Cover claiming that they have encouraged a trend
for ‘yo-yo driving’, whereby drivers speed up between cameras and then
slam their breaks on at the last minute to avoid a fine. Indeed,
almost six in ten of those surveyed admitted to driving in such a
manner, with a further 54 per cent blaming them for encouraging erratic
driving.
The majority of those questioned said that speed cameras were a
distraction on the road, increasing their chances of an accident rather
than encouraging safer driving, with over seven in ten admitted to
paying more attention to speed cameras and their speedometer than
potential hazards. In contrast, many drivers argued that they would
actually be safer if allowed to continue speeding, with seven in ten of
those convicted for speeding claiming that they had been driving safely
for the conditions of the road at the time.
Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign, said that
he was not surprised by the findings, having been warning for years
that speed cameras make the roads more dangerous.
He also said that the latest figures undermine the government’s
argument that speed cameras have public backing, describing their
claims as “misleading”.
“The government claims that 80% (or so) of people support speed
cameras. This survey (conducted under proper conditions by a reputable
professional polling company) proves, once again, that government
figures are highly misleading,” he said.
“Please listen, Mr Darling and Dr Ladyman; We don’t want your cameras.
We don’t believe they make us safer. We don’t have any faith in your
road safety policies. Bite the bullet, admit that speed cameras don’t
work, and let’s get back to real road safety policies. Your infernal
cameras are killing us indirectly, because, at best, they replace
genuine life-saving road
safety policies,” he pleaded.
Profile or Bio data: Author a experienced property analyst.He has been researching on property investment in UK .Since 10 years. Presently he is with http://www.assetz.co.uk/
Defense Driving Tips From A Parked Position For The Novice Driver
Leaving a parked position can be quite the hazard, if your not sure of the proper procedure.
You are about to move forward from a parked position. Position you?re hands at ten o?clock and two o?clock on the steering wheel. If you let go of the steering wheel, you?re hands should continue to rest on the wheel. Some drivers prefer the 3 o?clock and the 9 o?clock position. If your driving an automatic, the right hand should not have to go too far to change gears, placing it back to the 2 position. The left hand should slide down the steering wheel without leaving the steering wheel to signal. Place your hand back to the ten position when you finished signaling. One hand on the wheel is not the safe way to drive a vehicle.
Now your ready to drive forward and you have done all the safety checks before you roll forward and signaled out of you?re parked position. Safety checks include checking your mirrors and shoulder depending on the direction your pulling out of. If you do not pull out right away after your checks, you will have to recheck again. Keep in mind that you are leaving a parked position and you are hardly moving. Traffic behind you can be moving fast. Check you’re shoulder just before you think you are going to accelerate and glance a second time, after you have looked forward to check you’re path ahead. Checking a second time gives you that option to go back to the brake, in case a vehicle comes around some corner and surprises you. Use you?re review mirror as much as possible to avoid this situation.
When you?re parked between two vehicles. Position you?re vehicle so you are clear of the vehicle in front of you, by inching back far enough. Position the nose of your vehicle forward, in a clearance position ahead of you. When you are on a wide roadway, you typically have a couple of feet without obstructing traffic and cyclists. Make sure you are not entering the nose of your vehicle into a potential hazard! Keep in mind the amount you turned the wheel. If you have cranked the wheel quite a bit. Make sure you do not end up on the other side of the road. To avoid this potential hazard, ease off the gas pedal when out of the parked position and gain control of direction by correcting the steering wheel position.
Reviewing the proper procedure of leaving a parked position from a curb.
(1) Path ahead
(2) Mirrors
(3) Signal
(4) Shoulder check
(5) Path ahead
(6) Recheck shoulder
(7) Proceed when all is clear
The first thing you check is your path ahead to make sure it?s clear.
Check your mirrors to see if it?s safe behind you.
Signal to traffic behind to let them know your intentions. (Hand signal if you think other drivers can?t see you?re signal. Also bring you?re hand back in before you start to maneuver the vehicle out of the parked position.)
Glance over to your blind spot just in case another vehicle pulls out from across the road, just before you make the maneuver.
Recheck your path ahead and proceed forward with one more glance over you?re shoulder. Do not release the brake pedal until after you have looked forward. A pedestrian may have approached you?re vehicle while you were looking the other way.
I hope these defensive driving tips will help you in you?re goal in becoming a defensive driver. Have an expierenced driver, or a recognized defensive driving school help you for further instruction on this topic.
Owned and operated a driving school for several years. Taught over 2000 kids and older people how to drive. Now operating a golf tee time site at <a href="http://www.golfanchor.net" target="_blank">http://www.golfanchor.net</a> and a sister golf site at <a href="http://www.golfanchor.com" target="_blank">http://www.golfanchor.com</a>
You Just Got Your CDL License ? Now What?
Congratulations! You just completed and passed the instructional driving courses and earned your Commercial Driver?s License (CDL). So now that you are licensed to drive a truck, what is your next step?
Unless you have a thing about big trucks and just wanted the license to say you have it, chances are you went to school and got your CDL because you want to be a truck driver. Luckily for you, there are a number of opportunities just waiting to be found. It is up to you to find the trucking jobs that best fit your needs.
Think about why you wanted to be a trucker in the first place. Was it to see the country? The salary? Do you enjoy the driving? What kind of truck or payload do you want to haul? Writing down everything you are looking for in trucking jobs will solidify things in your mind when you start your job hunt.
There are many avenues in which to pursue trucking jobs. First of all, check your local papers ? both the dailies as well as the Sunday issues which usually have an extra classified section just for employment. Often times, trucking companies in your area that are seeking qualified licensed truck drivers will advertise available positions. Keep your eyes and ears open too. Billboards are becoming more popular, with trucking companies sometimes purchasing billboard space if they are in a big hiring push. Television ads and even posters displayed at libraries and other public places are other areas to keep an eye on.
The truck driving school where you trained and earned your CDL is another avenue to pursue in your quest for trucking jobs. Often times, a trucking company will post available positions in their company through the school?s connections. So you have to remember to ask because these are not always advertised!
The internet is also a major source for trucking jobs. There are tons of employment websites that cater to helping you find a job. Most of them do not specialize in truck driving. However, with a few web searches, you can come up with some sites that do. Another internet option is researching the trucking companies themselves. Perhaps you know of a few trucking companies in your area. Look them up and see if they have trucking jobs on their website.
Searching for trucking jobs is the easy part. The hard part is determining which trucking company is the right one for you. You might have to move to a different area or travel to places that you prefer not to go. Think about those issues as well as the reputation of the trucking company and the benefits and salary. Your decision will mark the start of a new life and career for you.
Mike Dobson is the creator of the web's most comprehensive <A href="http://www.truckingbuddy.com">trucking</A> resource. Learn about <A href="http://www.truckingbuddy.com">trucking jobs</A> and on <A href="http://www.truckingbuddy.com">trucking companies</A>.
Driving theory test - Few things to know before you appear for your test
Have you-
- solved all the questions from the question bank?
- revised all the questions you had marked for review?
- read all the hazard perception test
- tips hints, scoring mechanism?
- practiced the hazard perception demos?
If yes
- then you are ready !!!
Exam day -
You must take following items with you. If you do not, DSA may refuse to carry out the test and you may lose your fee.
- Appointment letter.
- Both parts of your valid signed UK (or Northern Ireland) driving license.
- If you have an old-style paper license you must take both your paper license and a valid passport.
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I am Jane Grath, working with Driving Theory Test Softwares, Providing Free Software CD For those who are going to appear for their driving theory test exams. Software CD offers free online questions and hazard perception demo clips. Pass your driving theory test confidently. http://www.theory-test.co.uk
What is an I-CAR Gold Standard?
Any time you take your vehicle out on the road, you are at risk of becoming involved in some kind of damaging accident. It could be a minor scratch along the side, or something major, such as a collis
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I am Jane Grath working as a webmaster for www.theory-test.co.uk Driving theory test questions for Car & motorcycle, 1200+ official DSA online questions Pass your driving theory test, 250+ free theory test online questions. Hazard Perception test Video Clips
Driving theory test - Few things to know before you appear for your test
Have you- - solved all the questions from the question bank? - revised all the questions you had marked for review? - read all the hazard perception test - tips hints, scoring mechanism? - practiced the hazard perception demos? If yes - then you are ready !!! Exam day - You must take following items with you. If you do not, DSA may refuse to carry out the test and you may lose your fee. - Appointment letter. - Both parts of your valid signed UK (or Northern Ireland) driving license. - If you have an old-style paper license you must take both your paper license and a valid passport. 20% discount offer !! Still preparing? Just enter promotional code P-200 while making payment and enjoy huge 20% discount on 15, 30 days package ! Wish that you pass with flying colours ! Practical Exam - Show me tell me question Q: Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level. A: Identify high/low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level. The cost of theory test exam is 21.50 So why take a chance? Buy any pay package and pass at first attempt. Access over 40 online hazard perception clips. Pass at the first attempt, pass with confidence! Visit www.theory-test.co.uk now If you need help just let us know and we will be glad to assist you and answer all your queries. Warm regards, www.theory-test.co.uk
I am Jane Grath, working with Driving Theory Test Softwares, Providing Free Software CD For those who are going to appear for their driving theory test exams. Software CD offers free online questions and hazard perception demo clips. Pass your driving theory test confidently. http://www.theory-test.co.uk
Car Safety
In this day and age, who isn’t concerned about car safety. Why, it seems that every day, you read about a new terrible and tragic car accident on the roadways, which is enough to practically make you want to become a hermit. No matter how much attention you put into car safety, it never seems like enough, as the safest drivers in the safest cars still sometimes get struck by a tragic fate. Although there is no perfect solution to this or any other problem, nonetheless, your car safety can be maximized and your chances for disaster minimized if you are willing to take some simple precautions.
One of the best things you can do to help increase your automotive safety is to learn defensive driving. A lot of defensive driving is really a matter of common sense and courtesy, nonetheless courses can be taken to improve your driving skills. Although a car with a good automotive safety rating is a great investment, it is a moot point if you can manage to avoid having a collision to begin with.
Unfortunately, no mater how safe your driving, we all know that sometimes, through someone else’s carelessness, or through bad luck, accidents can still happen. That is why car safety means, above all, having a safe car. There are many excellent resources which will rank car safety in the most popular model. My favorite of these is consumer reports, which shows NHTSA crash ratings for all of the leading cars, and gives you an overall breakdown of car safety, value, and customer satisfaction.
Then again, it is important not to overlook the most important factors in car safety: wearing your seatbelt and making sure that your car is in good operating order. If you are in a crash, your chance of survival, according to some experts, more than doubles if you are wearing your seatbelt. And one of the leading preventable causes of tragic car accidents is a car that is inadequately maintained and fails because its equipment fails. Be conscious of car safety and don’t drive on bald tires or a misaligned or failing suspension. Don’t put off that oil change and risk having that engine seize up on you! Above all, your car safety is your safety, so don’t put your life on the line just because you haven’t gotten around to getting those necessary services for your car!
<a href="http://www.yescontentisking.com">YesContentIsKing!com</a> is committed to quality articles that help you. Read more articles or submit your great articles anytime. Copyright 2006 Bobbie McKee. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.
Leasing versus Buying a Vehicle
When preparing to purchase a vehicle, the most common dilemma faced is whether to lease the vehicle or buy the vehicle. Both options present attractive advantages, along with some disadvantages. An
