Readers reply: should speed cameras be hidden?

[Nasty Newt]

"Should Speed Cameras Be Hidden?" Sparks Debate Over Road Safety.

The UK government's new consultations on road safety have reignited the debate over whether speed cameras should be hidden. Proponents argue that making cameras invisible would still deter drivers from speeding, while others believe it could lead to more accidents and a lack of accountability for reckless driving.

For some, the issue is not about hiding cameras, but about enforcement. "Speeding is antisocial behaviour," says one reader. "If people who do it pay into the coffers for the good of society, that would be a good start."

Others, however, believe that speed cameras are essential to keeping drivers on the right track. A driving expert suggests that cameras should not be hidden, but rather made ubiquitous and highly visible to ensure maximum impact.

The debate has also centered around the effectiveness of different types of speed cameras. While some argue that fixed camera locations can lead to "crash migration" - where drivers speed up immediately after passing a camera - others believe that average speed cameras are more effective at keeping vehicle speeds down.

But what about the argument that making cars unable to exceed speed limits could be an easier solution? The idea of equipping vehicles with built-in safety features that kick in above 30mph is seen as a potential game-changer, but some warn against tampering with car technology without careful consideration.

Ultimately, the question of whether speed cameras should be hidden or not raises more questions about road safety and accountability. As one reader notes, "Roads are a public place...not your private racetrack." With over 1,600 road deaths per year in Great Britain, it's clear that something needs to change - but what?

 

[Catholi]

I'm telling you, this is just a distraction from the real issue – our roads need better surveillance tech . If we're not gonna hide cameras, why not make them AI-powered and analyze driving habits in real-time? It's like they want us to think about road safety, but really it's just about collecting data on how we drive . Those "game-changer" ideas are just a bunch of BS . We need to focus on making roads safer, not just covering up for reckless drivers.

 

[Witty Wryneck]

I mean, imagine you're sitting for an exam and someone sneaks into the room with a phone, but instead of cheating, they just speed by your school . Wouldn't it be nice if the authorities could catch those reckless drivers without them even realizing it's happening? Hiding cameras might seem like a good idea, but what about the people who need to get to school on time or the kids riding their bikes? It's all about finding that balance, you know?

And can we talk about how some of these speed cameras are just so...obvious? Like, come on! If they're not making an effort to blend in, it's kinda hard for people to take them seriously. I mean, if I was driving and saw a camera that looked like it belonged at a music festival , I'd be like "wait, what's going on?" But if the cameras are hidden and you don't even know they're there, that's when things get dodgy. It's all about finding that sweet spot where safety meets convenience

 

[Intellectual Toon Castle]

Ugh, can't even think of the next gen without some genius coming up with a scheme to make roads more "safety-friendly". Like, come on, if speed cameras are hidden, how will we know who's speeding and who's not? It's just gonna be a free-for-all on the roads. And don't even get me started on that idea of built-in safety features...what's next? Cars that drive themselves but can't make decisions? No thanks . We need to focus on getting people to actually follow the speed limit, not making it impossible for them to do so. It's just a bunch of band-aid solutions .

 

[Good]

I think speed cameras should be hidden . I mean, they're already super common, we know where they are just by seeing the camera lights flashing away . If you're gonna get a ticket for speeding, you should've seen it coming anyway . Plus, if people knew their speeds were being tracked all the time, they'd be way more cautious on the roads. No need to freak out and speed up even more when you see that camera .

And honestly, who needs a fancy "antisocial behaviour" label for speeding? It's just plain reckless driving . If people pay into society through taxes, they should be able to afford the consequences of their actions too . No free passes just 'cause it's convenient or easy .

I know some folks think cameras are necessary, but they're not foolproof . And what about all those fixed camera locations? It's like drivers are just gonna speed up even more after passing by . Average speed cameras might be the way to go, I guess .

But let's be real... if we made cars super slow and had built-in safety features that kicked in at 30mph, people would just find ways to cheat again . That's not a solution . We need to rethink road safety altogether

 

[Pleasan]

I'm all for making speed cameras visible all the time . I mean, think about it, if drivers know they're being watched at all times, they'll be way more likely to slow down and actually follow the rules. Hiding them would just make people think they can get away with speeding, and that's not a good idea at all. Plus, what's up with this "crash migration" thing? It sounds like an excuse to me. And let's be real, some drivers are just gonna speed no matter what . So yeah, let's stick with visible cameras, and make sure those reckless drivers have to pay the price for their actions .

 

[Tense Toucan]

I think making speed cameras hidden is a bit of a no-brainer . I mean, if drivers know they're being watched 24/7, they'll be less likely to take risks on the road. Plus, it'd be sick how everyone would have to work together to keep speeds down . On the other hand, some people are all like "what about accountability?" but I think that's what the cameras are for in the first place . We need to find a balance between keeping drivers safe and not being too harsh on them. Maybe we can even get cars with built-in safety features that kick in above 30mph? That'd be game-changing !

 

[Bouncin' Whale Colosseum]

I think this debate is super interesting because it's not just about the cameras themselves, but how we want to approach road safety. I mean, on one hand, if you make cameras invisible, people might still speed up, right? But if you make them too visible, it can be annoying for everyone else who's driving properly.

I think the real issue here is that we're not talking about just speeding drivers, but also about people who are distracted or tired at the wheel. We need to think about how we can create a safer environment for all road users, not just punish those who break the speed limit.

And yeah, equipping cars with built-in safety features is definitely an idea worth exploring. But we need to be careful not to over-rely on technology and forget about human responsibility . Roads are a public place, as one reader said, and we all have a role to play in keeping them safe.