THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH DRIVERS
IN SCOTLAND
Simon's Initial Email
----- From: Simon Tonks
To: scottish.ministers@scotland.gov.uk
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2002 6:27 PM
Subject: A90 woes
HiI travelled down to Glasgow last week and had the dubious pleasure of encountering the following on the A90.
1) Speed cameras hidden behind signs.
Yes they have the yellow and red markings on the rear of the camera, but many are still hidden behind signs. This surely contravenes the new "visibility" guidelines on the use of speed cameras. The A90 isn't the only road to have cameras hidden this way. If cameras are to slow people down at accident blackspots, why hide them? What's the Scottish Executive doing to remedy this?
2) Speed limits at roadworks where there is absolutely no activity or danger posed.
Near McDonalds at Forfar, the limit was down to 40mph. Yet no lanes were closed off and there wasn't any evidence of any work in progress. Such limits, in the absence of any tangible reasons for their existence, look very much like a way of inconveniencing motorists unnecessarily. Or maybe, like hiding cameras behind signs, it's a way of extracting more cash from motorists. I noticed the camera on the other carriageway (same limit) was flashing away merrily (nice little earner!) at passing motorists, probably frustrated and perplexed by the ludicrous limit. The limits can't have been there to protect workers either - there weren't any!
I encountered another example at "roadworks" near Perthshire Caravans. 40mph from 70mph and big signs informing motorists its a "POLICE SPEED CHECK AREA." Yet, again, there seems to be no reasonable reason for this limit. Work is clearly ongoing, but there were no workmen or altered road layouts. A sign warned of the danger of lorries turning, but this is a "danger" on any road, so why the 40mph limit?
After the "roadworks" in both of these areas, signs from the Scottish Executive apologise for the delays.
Why delay motorists unnecessarily then?
Regards
Simon Tonks
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