Oh dear.....
Point 1
Have you not seen the ads on TV re the damage driving at 40mph does to a person compared to 30mph? If someone hit your girl friend or sister at 30mph whilst they were crossing the road near their home they have a 90% chance of surviving. If they are hit at 40 they have a 90% chance of dying! THAT IS WHY THE LIMIT IS SET AT 30MPH IN URBAN AREAS!!!!!!!
Point 2
If cameras were just there to make money, the trigger threshold would be set a lot lower than it is. For example, cameras in 30mph limits are not set at 31mph, despite rumours and tabloid stories to the contrary. They are set higher than this, but I am not telling how much higher
They would also be placed in areas where the most speeding is happening and not at locations were most injuries occur.
Your suggestion actually proves that cameras are not just a money making exercise. Your idea would bring in more money but not reduce speeds. The idea is to persuade people to drive within the limits. The only realistic way to get through to the blockheads, ignorant or just plain stupid, is to threaten them with loss of driving privileges (I know the real dickheads will carry on without a licence but most don't).
I don't know about other parts of the country, but in Essex we follow the Government's strict guidelines for the location and installation of safety cameras (their official name). I get many calls and letters from members of the public wanting a camera in their street, but unless they meet the criteria (so many speed related injuries in a certain period) they have no chance of getting one. I know, because I have tried.
I have a particular stretch of road with a sweeping S bend and housing very close along one side. There has been, and continues to be, a steady trickle of vehicles misjudging the bends and ending up either in the gardens or the fields opposite. We have tried lowering the speed limit at this location, re-surfacing the road, bright orange backed signs, reflector posts, road markings, all to no avail.
The only thing that I reckon will work is a pair of cameras at each end. But, as no one has yet been hurt it doesn't meet the criteria so the safety team won't add the site to their list.
Please don't believe everything you read in the daily comics. The only reasonably accurate facts in them are the cover price, issue date and football scores
Getting caught by a camera in not mandatory, you have a choice. If you don't want to give your hard earned drinking vouchers to the "money grabbing bastards" then don't speed past anything that is box shaped and bright yellow, simple really.
Oh, by the way, new legislation now means that the camera boxes no longer have to be painted bright colours or be visible. Just thought that you would like to know
Rant over.
Ah, that feels better