Wake Up and Smell the Way the Wind is Blowing!

Secrecy over speed camera traps is not a solution

The West, 5 Sep 06, page 16

Hiding the speed traps is not a solution -- but not a solution to what? What is the issue here?

For several years the police have published -- in advance -- the probable locations of speed traps. Now, they say, that practice will stop. Why? There are two key issues -- and they are not clearly related.

1. Speed traps are supposed to save lives. How? By convincing drivers that they should drive within the speed limit.
2. Speed traps are seen as revenue raisers. In effect, you can pay speeding fines in exchange for the right to speed.

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Thinking Lateral
Need new thinking for your own problems? email nick leth at gmail dot com

For the first: If you know the location of each speed trap then speeders will know that they are "safe" everywhere else. Known locations give an implicit okay to speed in other areas. Hidden speed traps use fear of the unknown to stop speeders everywhere. (Of course a gambler could say, What are the odds? -- and just stop worrying about speed traps.)

Then there's the second issue: Surely the police know that there is a strong belief that speed traps are simply revenue raisers? (If they don't know -- then they are fools!) So why would they reinforce that public belief, by hiding speed traps? Are the police -- at the decision-making levels -- really that stupid?!

Is there a better answer?

I believe that the police really do want to reduce deaths on our roads. I believe that they really do believe that reducing speeding will reduce deaths. What I doubt, is that use of "a speed trap" is the best way to use the Multanova cameras.

(I'm talking about the police... I'm sure that politicians -- those who get to spend the extra revenue -- are quite happy to set up speed traps as revenue raisers.)

Publicise speed trap locations: speeding is reduced -- in those locations. Hide speed traps: slightly better chance of overall speed reductions -- but very bad effect on public perceptions. Is there a better way?

Is there a better way? Yes! But here I have to be a bit vague...

Speed traps alone do not reduce the road toll. They need to be used imaginatively! Stop using fear... use encouragement! I love the little trailer that tells me how fast I'm going -- without fining me: information (actual speed), suggestion ("slow down"), reward ("well done") -- but no fear.

So that's one: use encouragement rather than fear. Link each Multanova to a display rather than to a fine. Remind people of the limits -- and praise them when they are doing okay.

Then analyse the results. Where are people speeding? When? And -- with some extra thought -- why?! Why do people speed, at a particular time, at a particular place? Can we change the situation, through education or road changes?

Stop hitting the driving public with a hammer. Think! And gain public support rather than public distrust. It is possible.

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Independent Thinking
Independent analysis of your problems by Agamedes Consulting. Support for your thought: email nick leth at gmail dot com