Posted by G R Cotterill on Sunday, 9th August 2009, 13:23
There are many issues that drive people to put pen to paper; the one that I think really gets people reaching for the pen is … ‘Speed’, not forgetting the ‘Noise’ that generally comes with it.
Whether on the main commuter routes, or within the built up areas, where 30 mph is absolutely the maximum. Close to schools and other vulnerable sites then a lower speed is required. We are lucky that the number of serious incidents is relatively small; but then even a small incident can have ramifications to those involved.
So what is required to lessen this problem?
Most of the technology of modern day has been tried. Speed Cameras, Speed Humps, Visible Warning Signs, Media Coverage, Police Presence, and ‘Local Rants’ (although most are not exactly technological!)
Do we move to a more aggressive response? Stingers for instance, yes I am aware this is probably one step too far, unless the authorities are attempting to stop the vehicle for the safety of the community. Then what is the solution?
How much more of the peace and quiet of our semi-rural lifestyle is going to be ruined by the sound of an excessively-revving engine (either Car or Motorcycle) before action, that is both decisive and safe, and prevents one of the anti-social issues facing society.
It would be easy to put the blame predominately on the shoulders of young people – a large percentage yes, but not all. Parents rushing to get youngsters to school on time, then rushing back to elsewhere.
Delivery drivers trying desperately to get rid of their parcels, buses attempting to make up time due to continuous roadworks, and any ancillary work.
Stand anywhere within the Northwood boundaries, (with very small exceptions) and soon you will hear first and then see (for a few seconds) examples of this bane of our lives.
I would be interested to hear from ‘both’ of our IOW Councillors, plus some input from the Northwood Parish Council. Or would it be the same input?
Where are the Visible Speed Signs I understood were promised for siting in the village?
One thing is certain, unless we metaphorically drag them into action, then it will never be acted on.
If all this sounds ever so defeatist, well it is not intended to be; I would like to see some action, real action not political spin, ‘its them not us’ line; how many times do you hear representatives echo the line ‘well I personally believe this/that should be done, but budgets/policy etc., etc.’
Time to do what you all have been mandated to do, ACT on our behalf.
Does anyone else feel Speeding and related Noise requires some thing doing about it reasonably quickly?
Not bags of chatter prior to elections; people are not happy with those lines any more – are they?
G R Cotterill, Northwood.
Village
Parish Council
Many thanks to Mr. C. for starting this up and for the most interesting and helpful suggestions.
Do people agree that much of today’s bad driving is partially due not just to the increased pace of life in the 21st century but to the decline in social standards over the last say two decades which has resulted in an increased lack of consideration and discourtesy to others on an increasingly wider scale?
Do you remember that Honda tv advert a couple of years ago showing a village in Africa looking at a wide tv screen showing just inner city traffic with impatient motorists having to queue at traffic lights/roadworks etc and how amusing the villagers thought that was. Well against their trafficless life you could see their point!
Let’s face it, we are mostly in a hell of a rush and driving faster than we should is so commonplace across all classes of drivers that I agree with others who say you cannot really identify one particular type as the worst or most common offender.
Sure young men on motorbikes do speed and take their lives (and of others) in their hands, but I have seen mums driving to school along Wyatts Lane or down Oxford Street who are going too fast for the road conditions.
I agree also that in a way it really is daft to own a powerful car on the Island but as has been said small engines comfortably exceed 100mph although most of us do not feel the macho need to drive at such speeds in our small hatchbacks etc.
If you own a powerful car or motorbike I guess many would feel the need to “prove” the power beneath their feet and “burn rubber” to show what it can do.
What to do, well I completely agree with those who say that deterrents and education will give the best results.
Starting with education, the middle and high schools already have pretty good education presentations about the horrific consequences of traffic accidents, in many cases so shockingly realistic that pupils are moved to tears. I have been present at several of these sessions and they really do hit all the right buttons. However,much more needs to be done to ram the bad driving consequences message home and I know more education along thse lines is in the pipeline for delivery although in this day of crowded curriculumns and league tables it is not easy to fit this in.
The harder driving test does I think help and the “P” for probationary driver would I think bring good results. Also I think like in motorbikes, it would not be a bad thing to reduce the engine size available to newly qualified drivers for their first year. Whilst as I have said, smaller engines can go fast, there is not the macho need to do so in say a Nissan Micra!
I also think re-testing a 70 or so is a good idea. I say that as someone waiting their 71st birthday soon. Indeed I went on a Council Safer Driving Course last year and found this very helpful. It has certainly in my opinion made me a safer driver. I have given details of the next course in my Roger’s Report in the next Northwood News coming out at the weekend.
Of course knowledge of a high likelihood of detection for speeding is an important deterrent and one which needs enhancing. As has been said earlier, heavy fines, points on licence and disqualifcation are all good deterrents. But how many times do we read reports of cases involving eg driving without a licence or insurance where some paltry penalty is handed out! That could be said to encourage breaking motoring laws!
Of course better roads and signage and more realistic speed limits are also important in delivering safer driving conditions but better roads can also present problems.
For example now that Rolls Hill has been re-built, local residents are complaining of speeding traffic!
The Council are now undertaking a complete review of Island speed limits and in Northwood I have asked for Nodes Road to be reduced to 30 mph and the de-restricted part of Pallance Lane to go to 40mph. Your views on this and other speed limits would be most welcome.
Wyatts Lane will shortly have the 20mph zones signs up and that should I hope keep the schoolkids and other users of that road in school times a bit safer.
Best wishes to all. Roger Mazillius
Roger a speed indication sign is OK for people that are new to a road and yes it does make them think ” have I been recorded” when it flashes on the first time then they realise its just a warning sign. If you think Im wrong look at the waste of money spent on Tuttons hill in Gurnard a couple of years ago. Traffic Island, speed indicator and yellow lines all costing money and the same people that went into that corner to fast still do. Why, because they can and they never get stopped or cautioned. Incidentally its now difficult to park outside the church with this little addition. Lets not follow that example of how to waste money.
Getting back to your point Roger, one in a day on the corner of Nodes road is still over 300 in a year. If they hit that bend fast what speed are they doing past the old Readers factory or worst still in the 30 zone towards Roundhouse or Northwood garage
I agree some people cant drive into bends fast but a lot can and I have seen many take that corner at 50 with ease. Judging speed is fairly easy if you drive daily, even when walking you know when a car or bike is accelerating above the 30 or 40 like a bat out of hell. If 50 cars go by at 30 then one comes along at 45/50 it sticks out like a sore thumb. Modern high speed cars are designed to accelerate fast and hold the road, ask the police if its possible to do that sort of speed and I think you might be surprised. I need to add its not just boy racers that do it, the more mature also have the money to spend on top of the range motors that appear to be ticking over at 30 MPH and as already said earlier if you spend big bucks on a car or bike thats got the power I feel most would be tempted to use it, or why buy it.
Not correct. We are talking about a very small radar speed measuring device fixed to a lamp post for two weeks.
Roger Maz.
Thank you Cllr Mazillius for your adept attempt to cover the pitfalls involved in reducing speeding in and around Northwood. I accept that there is a reluctance from both the IOW Council and the Police to commit resources to a matter ‘they’ consider to be be low level.
The sarcastic comment in the post timed at 04:18:50 is understandable and I believe it is borne out of frustration.
Perceived speed? this comment has appeared in many forum posts,representatives responses and one that I view with some suspicion. What is really being said? well you might think that the vehicle is travelling too fast but statistics prove other wise. In other words we are wrong! Over a long period of time I have browsed many of the out pouring from council staff and councillors themselves, the conclusion I have come to is; unless the council themselves initiate the action then it is very unlikely to have resources allotted to the problem.
This problem (Initiated by local residents concerns) is a classic example of what I am describing.
With regard to the Police, it is impossible to come to a common consensus on where they sit with regard to unacceptable driving standards in and around residential zones. I accept they suffer from lack of resources to meet the work they are required to do, but I feel that the priority goals that are set by Chief Constables are to ready to meet targets by selecting the easy route. Targeting main routes etc. The Safer Neighbourhood Teams sound just the thing for protecting residential area’s, the reality is that the concept doesn’t cover highway abuse; what is achieved is ‘headline pieces’ in the press about how much booze is confiscated from youths in the local park area’s.
Finally I believe that we should continue to press our legislators for action, if there are difficulties, they are best placed to come up with a solution.
Regards
G R Cotterill. Northwood.
“However the recorded data showed such a low level of 35mph+ (163 out of many thousands of vehicles recorded) that Highways will not sanction the cost of such a device”
The 163 are obviously the ones that didn’t slow down quick enough when they saw the bright yellow coats and speed gun at the side of the road
Thanks again Mr. C. and for the several other new responses since my last post.
There is general agreement that poor driving needs to be actively discouraged by all the usual methods/means and it has been a subject which has actively engaged me for many years as an I.W. Councillor.
I have lost count of the number of times I have made representations to our Highways Dept. or through them or directly to the Police.
The best form of deterrent is suffering the penalties from being caught. Last year following specific complaints to me about a main road speeding motorbike, the police in effect laid in wait and caught the young man. He lost his licence for two years (a particularly high recorded speed) which I think also impacted on his employment.
I have reported before about the recorded traffic speeds past the W.I Hall and Coronation Avenue and have repeatedly asked for at least a speed indicative sign
However the recorded data showed such a low level of 35mph+ (163 out of many thousands of vehicles recorded) that Highways will not sanction the cost of such a device.
It is true that if you stand on the pavement edge and watch vehicles, especially commercials or 4x4s they do give the impression of travelling faster than they in fact are. Take the bend in Nodes Road/Place Road – a resident who lives in that area is convinced many vehicles go round there at speeds in excess of 40mph inc. he says a bus which went round at 60mph! That would defy the laws of physics and have you ever tried going round at 40? Even in a modern car 30 – 35 is about the max possible without struggling for grip.When we were there all day building the garden by the post office we only noticed ONE car which took the bend too fast – the hundreds of others just went carefully and serenely round as you would expect.
However I absolutely agree that more must be done to catch errant drivers.
As someone has said, regular complaining to the Police will help greatly. Get time and place, vehicle description and reg. no. if possible and the driving complaint. This helps build intelligence and therefore the release of police resources to catch offenders.
Give me the details as well and I will similarly give details. The more the merrier but please be accurate!
As we all know the police are well aware of the importance we all place on dangerous driving practices and are keen to deal with them. However as we also know they only have a certain amoount of resources and need to target them in the most effective way.
I think we should also bring in our MP because this is a matter which also needs to be addressed by national Government across the whole range of driving legislation. For example Magistrates are often far too lenient in motoring cases and the Lord CHancellor’s Dept (or Justice Ministry) should issues new stricter guidlines on motoring case penalties.
We could also argue that the Police should be given ring-fenced resources to deal with those breaking the motoring laws.
But before any of this gets off the ground strong evidence will need to be given which shows the problem is serious enough to warrant the raising and spending of these extra resources. Just ancedotal reports of an occasional speeding motorist will not press the right buttons!
So we will really need an Island-wide campaign producing enough evidence to show the serious threat to life and property due to “bad” driving.
Indeed does such evidence exist?
Perhaps we could start this off by agreeing to monitor certain alleged hot spots in Northwood, eg The main road from say the Showground to the Somerton roundabout, especially the 40mph road from Somerton to the garage, Nodes Road/Place Road and say Pallance Road.This will not be easy re say speeding for the “perception” reasons mentioned earlier although I am sure most of us would know if a vehicle was doing 50 in a 40 limit or 40 in a 30 limit. Also I do have to say that most of the bad driving I have seen has been speeding.
Any volunteers?
Best wishes to all, Roger Mazillius
The way to get police action is to complain and make our voice heard.
Police action is the ultimate answer to this problem, but I suspect that they would be about as interested in it as they are in the anti-social behaviour in an around Northwood Cemetery…………..Zilch ! (which is also within the bounds of Northwood)
What ‘do’ we have to do to get some Police Action ? BJ
Thank you ‘Anonymous’
I am sure, and all those others with an interest in Community Safety have it clearly outlined.
What we need now is for our legislators to take note and work with the Police to enact such laws that currently exist in a way that leaves no doubt in the minds of people who are prepared to risk both theirs and other folks lives.
In the past petty inter party myopic views was the order of the day. Adopting voting stances, when they have voted for/against issues when their heart says they should have not done so.
(NB. I cast no aspersions on the Cllrs mentioned below)
From within this forum I invite…
Cllr R Mazillius, IOW Council.
Cllr P Fuller, IOW Council.
Cllr J Pullen…Northwood Parish Council Chairman
To commence a joint campaign to rid our roads of drivers/riders who have no respect for others in the community. The Police are key to make this a success.
There is clearly support for action, so let the campaign begin.
Regards
G R Cotterill Northwood.
Jackhenry I thought it was clear, from the many posts, but here it is again.
More police checks on the roads that are a problem.
Fines, points and disqualification for the guilty.
Education to the next generation of drivers in the danger of speed in the wrong place.
Confiscation and crushing of the car/bike if the fine is not paid promptly.
Prison for those who drive with no insurance or whilst banned.
Simple, no new laws required and if carried out would soon be effective.
Preaching to the converted I feel.
The main thrust of your post is substantially correct, but again does nothing to provide a solution to solve the problem of speeding in residential areas; The initial post asks what can be done, that is the crux of the matter.
Wisdom doesn’t always come in ‘Old Guises’
jackhenry
Speed limits are legal maximums but its still possible to commit an offence at a speed below the speed limit for the road concerned by driving to fast. It would be considered insanity by most to try to drive at 29 MPH through Cowes High street during Cowes week, but thats below the roads speed limit.
Its all to do with common sense and driving skill that is gained over the years by 1000s of miles of driving, encountering hundreds of incidents and learning by them. Yes we all think passing the test immediately makes us the worlds best drivers, some even want to prove it with “road rage”. Speed limits are only necessary to slow the idiots down. I have eyes and dont need to be told that Pallance road has no pavements, is narrow and has bends so keep below 30, but many need the Law to tell them and still dont take any notice. So yes we need the speed limits and the enforcement by the camera. Thats life, get use to it as its not going to change any time soon.
I think we are talking about drivers who not only break the speed limits, but also dont take road conditions into account, ie. dont bother to notice that there are school children about etc. A 20mph sign near a school is not a bad thing BUT conditions may dictate that you really need to be doing 5mph. Driving to suit road conditions is much more important than speed restriction signs, pinch points and whether you are displaying tax and insurance.
Withyskinner
No we are talking about speed not fear of speed. People that break the UK road speed limits that are agreed and part of our Law need to go off road to play. The speed limit is in place to protect us all and if you break the Law then take the punishment.
Are we talking about speed (in excess of the determined speed limit), or fear of speed (in excess of the maximum speed perceived appropriate by the concerned observer)?
I recall Northwood being labelled a fear-of-crime hotspot!
Firstly in relation to ‘withyskinner’ from what he writes I think is of the ‘Hit em Hard’ school of thinking, nothing wrong with that, its a point of view.
I am also of a view that we should give them all advice ‘Once’ caught again speeding in built up areas or near schools, Hospitals etc. then no more warning, the Police should have the power to detain the vehicle (car/Motorcycle/van and the driver given an ‘On the Spot Fine’ and the vehicle taken to a pound where it is held until all the monies due are paid within 7 days. Those who don’t care about their vehicle or will not pay up…then the vehicle is ‘crushed’
Unless we take on those people who flout the laws and generally get away with a monitory fine, we will never see falling speeding rates.
What do other motorists think about this thread? There must be views held that would add some fire to this thread?
Regards
G R Cotterill. Northwood.
Yes NPR is fine in areas where you have a large number of untaxed and uninsured cars and bikes but the sort of people that speed around the Island roads are in the majority of cases, Im sure, just speeding. I realise we have a number of dummy’s that are above the law dodging the tax and insurance but these people are not that bright and do get caught eventually. The normal speed merchant just needs the penalty points and £60 fine to hit the mat a couple of times and it works wonders.
Ex speeder.
Speeding has nothing to do with ‘speed limit’ signs or dispaying tax and insurance…………..its all down to selfish heavy footed drivers. You can do nothing to stop them………….except ‘catch them at it’ and have them suitably punished. More Police on the streets, in the right place at the right time. Its the ‘only’ answer.
Withyskinner
In reply to the 2 previous posts, firstly Cllr Roger Mazillius, without sounding patronising I feel he is some where close to what can realistically achieved voluntary.
What is required is another layer of action that would nail the effect home to people who transgress motoring rules on our highways; and this is where I agree with ‘Donegal Cruiser’ his view to ‘Hit them Hard’ seizing their vehicle and if after 7 days it is not claimed, complete with full set of documentation and all monies paid up, then goodbye vehicle; welcome to ‘Mr Crusher’
If we mean to take control of our roads and prevent where possible, threats to life and limb, only by tough measures being actioned! not good intentions. We all know where the road paved with good intentions lead… don’t we?
Some times a straight forward stop for speeding can uncover other serious transgressions; set this as a goal on which the Police can get positive results.
The Police claim to be short of resources and they must prioritise, there is no greater priority than to save life and serious damage;
The IOW Council MUST put pressure on Hampshire & IOW Constabulary to maximise their efforts, not only chasing motorists for violating the limits by a few mph, but focus on those who flagrantly stick 2 fingers up at the rest of us by not being Insured and properly Taxed. If that pressure needs a start point, contact your Parish Council or Cllr Roger Mazillius.
Additionally what is needed is a gradual reduction of the number of ‘Speed Camera’s’ and money spent on a system that gives better value for the Pound;
N.P.R.(Number Plate Recognition) with its almost instant connection with other agencies, Officers can be informed if the target vehicle is conforming to Highway Agency Regulations.
regards
G R Cotterill Northwood.
Unfortunately ‘any’ measures taken like, displaying tax & insurance etc make no difference to acceleration or speed in ‘any’ vehicle if its driven by an idiot. The only real form of education is an accident ! Its up to responsible drivers to name & shame the perpetrators of bad driving and for the Police to have the power to perform an ‘instant driving ban’ of the vehicle for a time period that suits the incident (eg. an instant two week driving ban for speeding in Wyatts Lane)
Report bad driving by taking their number and phoning 101……the Police could then visit the vehicle owner and issue a verbal warning………..and add their name a registration number to a ‘blacklist’ for future observation.
Withyskinner
Yes display of ‘Insurance Certificate’ sound good, but I wonder what proportion of Bikers and Motorists take the risk and have illegal copies on their machines or cars? Another dodge is not display Tax disc at all. Please dont any one suggest it dont happen.
What I think would be a good crack is that if any body is caught with no Tax or Ins. then there bike or car should be crushed. The Police already have this available to them; I never hear of it being done on the Island.
Donegal Cruiser
Hit em hard, perhaps a spell off the metal will serve a better deterrent.
I agree with some of N.Yules suggestions. The display of insurance is a good one, if you display a current tax disc the Mot is required to buy the disc but yes it could have lapsed during the tax period. Non insured cars and bikes are a real problem and we certainly have them here on the IOW. If caught with out insurance a heavy fine and ban will hurt most.
What has this to do with speeding I hear a few say. Well if you are the sort that drives a car, bike, lorry or any machine capable of causing death or injury to other road users without insurance then a speed limit means nothing. We have had fatal accidents in the last few years of young drivers with no insurance and no licence.
More education at an earlier age about the need for better standards of driving and what can happen if you drive whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a good idea. A retest at 70 is not a bad idea as older people speed as well.
Im not sure a smaller engine does much to reduce speeding. Years back when I was 18 a mini was only 850 cc I could still get 70 mph (legally then) on many Island roads. I see examples of young riders on low power bikes flat out 40/50 Mph, engines screaming like strangled wasps sat feet behind the car in front which may have ABS brakes that can stop on a wet road in feet. Until you have been involved in a bad crash, as a driver, rider or bystander its one of those things that only happens to others.
I say more Police, more fines, more points and more bans is the only way of getting speed down. In my job I drive on the mainland many days in a year and the only thing that slows people down is the mobile speed camera, hidden in police vans. You see it but its seen you and you are caught. Its not nice but I can say from personal experience when you get 3 points away from a ban you watch that speedometer like a hawk!
An Ex speeder.
A few suggestions,
Driving tests to have more practicle elements rather than being theory.
Educate young drivers from an earlier age.
Limit young/new drivers to less powerful cars. This has proved successful in the case to motorcylists.
Fines and points don’t solve the problem if convicted of offence. Better to have some kind of assessment before being given your license back. This can already be done in certain circumstances and is effective.
All motorists should have to display proof of insurance,MOT and road tax.
Theres a few.
N Yule
Thank you those of you who have taken time time to respond to my original post.
Trouble is (and I know I am stepping into fiery waters here) the responses are almost always selective in what they take from the opening post.
This appertains not just on this occasion but to nearly all threads on this forum. For example take this quote:..
Highlighted in Mr N Yule’s post..
‘Do we move to a more aggressive response? Stingers for instance, yes I am aware this is probably one step too far, unless the authorities are attempting to stop the vehicle for the safety of the community. Then what is the solution’?
It is clearly a rhetorical question that seeks an answer rather than making a statement. Throughout my post I am endeavouring to illicit from the community at large, a range of views from which a consensus from which a type of action could be formulated.
At no time was I selecting any type or group of road user on which to hang the proverbial ‘Burning Tyre’ as practised in some countries.
So Cyclist’s, Motorist’s, Motor-Cyclist’s, Skate-boarders, Horse Riders, Ambulance Drivers, Bus Drivers, Heavy Goods Drivers and every body else who uses the public highway, I apologise if you thought I was ‘having a go’ at you.
Well now that is sorted…Can we get to the nub… What really can be done to reduce speed in residential area’s particularly (I acknowledge that not all accidents are caused by speed alone, as one poster raises,) but unfortunately when they occur at speed the results are much worse.
The Channel Islands have a law which attempts to stop motorists (of all types) exceeding 50 MPH and it works to a very large extent. America is noted for its speed restriction on the Free-ways. But in the UK and the Island we seem to react if any legislation attempts to curtail the rights of ‘High-way’ users.
Over to you….
PS…Nearly forgot, Where are the responses from our elected councillors? In this very serious discussion.
G R Cotterill. Northwood.
I realise that any car can break the speed limit of 30 MPH but today many people can afford to buy a high power motor bike or car and if you live on the Island does anybody really believe they will stick to the speed limit?
Top speed of 60 MPH on a hand full of roads is no fun when you have all that power just waiting to be used or why on earth do people buy them.
You only need to walk in Parkhurst Forest and you can hear cars and bikes accelerate along Forest road at 100 MPH when conditions allow, that is when no police are visible. The Military road is just the same and we have all seen it or yes some of us have done it.
Although I like the idea of public floggings etc, especially if the guilty person has been speeding and killed or injured others whilst driving under the influence of Drugs or Alcohol. In our “dont smack me or I will grow up damaged” culture we all realise the only way to slow people down is to catch more, fine them and use the penalty points system that takes away the licence for a year or so, not popular but it works as people that drive on the motorways know the only time you do 70 is when a marked police car is sat in front ready to pounce.
Yes, I know that Emergency Vehicles are required to ‘speed’ on occasions and I accept that, but I often wonder if the excessive speed of Police Cars (in particular) is always necessary. I ‘was’ a biker till a few years ago and certainly would ‘never’ ever rip through traffic in the centre of the road near the tank museum which ‘some’ do. Quite a few have tried it in the past, clipped a car wing mirror and they are not here to talk about it. One such in particular was a work colleague of mine.
I wonder who the biker was on a high power bike, that I saw ‘pull a wheelie’ along Nodes Road from Venner Avenue corner to Northwood Garage two weeks ago (because 2 cars, including mine, had restricted him to 40mph in the 40mph speed limit zone ?………riders like him get bikers a bad name. Keep riding safe all you bikers that read this……and I will keep ‘thinking’ bike ! Lets hope all other ‘four wheel’ drivers do too.
I do agree totally regarding the driving while on the phone. Its incredible how many people ‘still’ drive along with a phone at their ear……..or cycle whilst listening to music.
A set of stocks would be great…………but would not be a deterrent to most of the selfish
road users referred to. Confiscate their mode of transport for a few weeks, that might wake them up.
Sorry Withyskinner but aren’t the Police and Ambulances supposed to get to they destination as quickly as is safe !
All emergency drivers are specially trained in high speed driving.
Now what about US motorcyclists. Don’t tar everyone with he same brush. People who speed come from every demographic. I both ride a motorcycle and drive a car and I’m much more concered about the actions of car drivers on a mobile or playing very loud music. Even the cyclists can be a nuisance. Sadly accidents do happen but speed is not always to blame. It is along with many other things a contributory factor. I like Mr Cotterill’s idea of using “stingers” Why not take it further and parade the guilty around the village, flog them and throw them in the stocks. Or is this 2009 !!
N Yule
Lower speed limits only restrict those people that worry about getting caught. Speeders know the chances of being caught by Police are very unlikely indeed.
The only time they slow is in the few areas cameras are placed and then they have the neck to moan they are being unfairly harassed when the fine pops through the letter box.
Another example of a law that is deliberately ignored by many motorists is the use of hand held mobile phones whilst driving. I see examples of this every day and yet have never seen any people get caught. Its only idiots that do it but we have our fair share on the Island and that includes some so called “professional” drivers.
The worst offenders are in my opinion, the Police, Ambulances and Motor Cycles.
Withyskinner
I for one would welcome a speed reduction on the complete stretch of Nodes Road, not specifically for the noise aspect (altough this would follow a speed reduction) but to try and slow down the traffic – The speed that some vehicles travel along this road is sometimes frightening, particularly in the mornings and evenings.