Speeding
My name is Johan…and it seems I might have a problem with speed…or so it might appear with the 2 traffic fines on my desk! This opening sentence might well be the statement of a habitual speedster at an AA meeting. The truth is however that I am totally committed towards road safety and have always paid my traffic fines. Both these fines are for exceeding the speed limit of 60km/h – once for driving 74km/h and the other for doing 77km/h.
The first fine was picked up on the road from the Cango Caves to Oudtshoorn and I can remember spotting the traffic official neatly camouflaged next to the road whilst reducing my speed from 100km/h to 80km/h to the alleged “74km/h”.
The fine that intrigues me is the one stating that I have driven 77km/h in a 60km zone. This was for an offence near Richmond and indicates as location “ N1 Construction 11.6”. Is it possible that a traffic official decided it an opportune time to place his speed camera at the stretch of road where traffic were stopped at a road block and then allowed to proceed in a single lane? I cannot remember seeing any 60km/h sign at the stretch of road under construction and did not see any traffic official.
The fine indicates that there is a “Film Number” and a “Frame Number” but what would this help me? To acquire this photographic evidence I will incur additional costs and to go to Richmond and defend myself in the Magistrates Court is not an option. To risk ending up in jail with people who have done worse than exceed the speed limit is also not an option.
Perhaps my problem is actually not with speed – but with the lack of visible traffic enforcement. I would have been comfortable had I been pulled over and told of my offense. Now it is a month later and I cannot remember the event. I will simply have to join the line of disgruntled motorists having to fund a small local municipality!!
Visit the Arrive Alive Website for info on “Road Safety and Speeding”
Johan
I understand your frustration first hand. Fortunately I can’t relate to your fines – I’ve only ever had one for which I was guilty as sin. But I agree with your opinion on “lack of visibility” and can’t halp thinking about policies and laws in the UK…
Did you know that secretive trapping the UK is prohibited? And did you know that it was prohibited after a gentleman fought the law in a court battle with a very simple argument…
If the purpose of speed trapping is to make motorists abide to the limit and reduce speed, then why are the officials hiding? Surely making officials visible would deter people from speeding, essentially getting the initial result?
And true that – in the UK, any traps that are put in place have a HUGE bright yellow warning sign a few hundred meters ahead of the trap itself. And guess what – the number of fines being issues have become less, and motorists are speeding less too.
I can’t stand driving and seeing some chop hiding in the bushes, in a trench, under a car or in a tree with his camera, waiting to trap his victims. When in fact it’s not making people drive any slower! Everyone hates a fine, but I don’t think we really say to ourselves… I don’t want another one, I’m gonna drive slowly all the time. But if we knew there was a trap, we certainly would!
August 18, 2008 11:30 am[...] you remember Johan and his problem with speed (or better said the lack of visible traffic enforcement)? Like Johan, there are many of us that [...]
August 29, 2008 8:56 am
Thrifty
I really don’t think that you have a problem speeding, I just think that they just appeared mysteriously in your direction.
August 14, 2008 10:37 am