Sunday 28 September 2014

You Won’t Believe What This Cop Did

This video shows the actions police officer in America, he chose not to appear in the video and remain anonymous, you will wish this happened to you if you've ever been handed a speeding ticket!



www.road-angel.co.uk

Saturday 13 September 2014

Losing White Lines From Roads 'Cuts Speeding'

Recent research across the capital shows that removing white lines from the centre of urban roads dramatically cuts the number of speeding cars.The study carried out by Transport for London, (which controls major roads in the capital) across three routes showed vehicle speeds fell by up to 13 per cent. The roads chosen were ones that had just been re-surfaced. The most dramatic results were recorded on Seven Sisters Road, in north London, which has a 30mph limit. The speed of southbound traffic fell by 4.1mph from an average of 32.4mph to 28.3mph - almost 13 per cent - while northbound traffic speeds fell from 31.4mph to 29mph. The report concluded: ‘Centre lines and hatching can provide a psychological sense of confidence to drivers that no vehicles will encroach on ‘their’ side of the road.

TfL says the practice could be expanded to more routes - subject to ‘careful analysis of the site to determine if it is appropriate’. Roads where markings are used to highlight particular hazards, such as approaches to complex junctions, would not be considered.

Road Safety Campaigners back the plans to remove white lines. Amy Aeron-Thomas, executive director of crash reduction charity RoadPeace, said: ‘RoadPeace welcomes the news that white line removal has led to significant speed decreases on 30 mph roads. At a time when government is promoting cycling and walking but cutting enforcement budgets, self enforcing measures are key.TfL is to be credited with trialling this measure. We look forward to its wider use, including with 20mph roads.’

What do you think? Is the removal of white lines a good idea? add comments below 

www.road-angel.co.uk

Saturday 6 September 2014

Driver Successfully Challenges Speeding Tickets in Court

John Brewin who was clocked driving at 40mph and 42mph in a ‘30mph zone’ had his speeding tickets thrown out in court.
Image credit http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/
He was caught by a mobile speed camera unit in Lower Eccleshill Road, Darwen, once in November last year and again in January.
Mr Brewin defended himself in court, he questioned the speed restriction status of an unlit section of the road. “Under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984, a road can only be classed as ‘restricted’ if there is street lighting on it with lamp-posts not more than 200 yards apart, or if a Traffic Regulation Order has been made by the local authority designating the road as restricted. During the court hearing I requested that the prosecution produce a traffic order showing the road’s restricted status. After a lunchtime recess consultation, the Crown prosecutor failed to produce such an order and the charges were dropped.”
After setting the precedent Mr Brewin felt more people caught in the road may try to appeal. However he did point out that although the necessary traffic order could not be produced in time, it did not mean one did not exist and said anyone trying to defend themselves on the back of his case should be wary of that. 
After further research, evidence that a traffic regulation order existed in Lower Eccleshill Road, dating back to 1999, was discovered. Allan Whipp from the East Lancashire Advanced Motorists, said: “If a driver knows it’s a 30mph limit, irrespective of street lamps, they should not exceed that speed.
“Usually it is the other way, with street lamps indicating a road has a 30mph limit, but no lamp-posts doesn’t mean it is not a 30mph zone.”
www.road-angel.co.uk