I am not anti capitalistic and do not split the world into political shape at all. I just like a fair society and these catch all punitive fines don’t fit my agenda. I don’t earn as much as I did ten years ago (£120,000 a year) but reasonably well. You can hold what I consider a sheep's eye view and follow what our “leaders†want but I am a lifetime investigative journalist that makes me very suspicious of governments, QUANGOS, associated red tape and spying cameras. Point Blank.

Ah, and in the space of a couple of posts you've gone from dividing the world into poor hard working nurses vs the fat cats to willy waving about how much you earned.

Assuming this is a true figure, think back ten years and what effect would a £60 or £100 fine have had on you at the time? Precisely f*** all.

Now how can you claim to be outraged when I said it would just be a minor inconvenience?

I have made my points perfectly clear. I started my working life in the greedy Thatcher era which then led to the Labour inspired “Nanny State” so now we have spy cameras, masses of red tape and QUANGOs - those that are there to provide exchequer money – yet have the right to impose heavy fines without being part of proper government.

All this leads to a gradual creep of inequalities which make it easy for some to pay fines but which are punitive to others. Yes I love a red blooded debate and it might appear I wanted to wind a few of you up for being head in the sand, sort of “yes men” that would (it seems to me) follow, without any criticism, government policy in this area. But I have done my jury service, do whole heartedly agree with the criminal justice system (even though I often don’t agree with it) have successfully brought up four children and ALL have completed degrees. Yes I do drive swiftly (sometimes) but my Fabia does show an average of 52 mpg on the trip meter so I do not race about like my life depends on it.

Sadly I suppose you lot are the product of the greedy Thatacher era and the controlling Nanny State. What a comforting prospect.

Has anyone ever started a thread and then thought "WTF have I done?'

I'd rather it was raised - can see no bad reason not too. If you struggle to pay the fine, there's a simple, free solution to the problem. . .

Wonder if they'll raise the cost of the speed awareness courses too? (Not sure how the costs relate currently.)

Sadly I suppose you lot are the product of the greedy Thatacher era and the controlling Nanny State. What a comforting prospect.

For what it's worth - I wasn't even alive during her time in power. . .

, do whole heartedly agree with the criminal justice system (even though I often don’t agree with it)

WFT!!!! can you tie yourself in any more knots

Not they don't. It's an instant win situation. Just point the camera gun. See the crime being committed and instant clear up rate. Unlike burgulary where the crime clear up rate is appalling low.

No it's not, it's not recorded as a crime like burglary is. I can assure you very few officers enjoy traffic and normally it's just RPU (traffic officers) that had radar guns.

If you don't want to pay the fine, don't do the speed, simples. Plus £100 isn't a lot by any stretch of the imagination, It's not even a days wage for a average earner, I would like to see it go up to £200 like the no insurrance fixed penalty.

Let's follow this to it's logical conclusion and open it up beyond fixed penalties

What other things in life are there which have a greater effect on some than others?

Food

Clothing

Cars

Car tax

Gas

Electricity

Water

The list is, in fact, endless

Is the OP suggesting that his local Tesco should have a scale of charges for Birds Eye Fish Fingers to suit the purchaser's individual financial circumstances?

Not quite sure what point the op is trying to make other than by his own volition a bit of amateur trolling, which I'm not buying into.

Pass me the poporn (still can't find the poxy popcorn emoticon) and I'll sit back and leave the flaming to the experts

Perhaps it's time to drop points for speeding unless stupidly over the limit, driving without due care and attention/dangerously or you are caught x times in say 2 years and just fine people. It'd make much more money.

Perhaps even adopt the Swiss way where you're fined a percentage of your annual salary each time you're caught.

Is every body on this web site a "Yes Man". Does anybody know what "cardboard cut-out" thinking is? I think if hanging was re-introduced you would turn out to be Gung-Ho patsies.

Well I suppose that really does show your immaturity. You are able to make presumptions on the reading of one reply.....wow!!

For your information I am no where near a "yes man", in fact quite the opposite, and also believe that NO human being has the right to take anothers life, in retribution or otherwise, so am totally against any death sentence.

Sadly I suppose you lot are the product of the greedy Thatacher era and the controlling Nanny State. What a comforting prospect.

Err, no. I'm a child of the Churchill/Macmillan era, born in a 2 bedroomed council flat in Cardiff. Probably a bit before your time.

Couldn't you find any pies?

Couldn't you find any pies?

Thought you'd eaten them all, Bryan!

Thought you'd eaten them all, Bryan!

It's all I can afford to eat :(

I'm saving up just in case I get a fixed penalty

Probably 98% of drivers speed at some time or another, those who say they don't need to wake up to the real world. It's obvious to me while I'm driving that other vehicles are not keeping to the speed limits. It's just another extra money making ploy to clobber the driver. However, if you speed and get caught then you must be prepared for the consequences.

It's just another extra money making ploy to clobber the driver

There's only one reason why it would make any money

Talking about speeding on public forums is always a touchy subject and tbh you can never win the for argument over the against. We all know that speeding is wrong but we've all done it. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying. I like to make progress but don't take risks to do it and keep to speed limits well. I will accelerate hard when I see a NSL though.

As for the fine well it is a bit much but acts as a good deterrent which is the whole point. I do think though that the money would be better spent by sending the driver on an improvement course. The one now is £80 and my mother did it. She is NOT a quick driver but didn't slow down quickly enough entering a 30. She did the course but wasn't of any benefit and if anything found it patronising. She said if she'd gained extra knowledge then it would have been money well spent.

I will accelerate hard when I see a NSL though.

Oh dear god they`ll eat you alive for saying that!

In all seriousness, if you cant afford the fine, dont get caught/do the crime to start with. If you do get done, just accept it and move on. I do think that DECENT driving courses would be worth while.

The Speed Awareness Course was quite an enjoyable experience. There was no pointing fingers, no patronising, they were very friendly, and it certainly does make you more aware (no pun intended) of speeding. The cost was £95 and most important no points on your licence. I would recommend anybody to go on one rather than getting points.

Well some interesting points on this thread.

The fixed penalty has been £60 and 3 points for over 20 years so we have been lucky that it hasnt risen before as it is a cash cow.

Raising it to £100 isnt a big deal in the grand scheme of things the real Message is dont speed. And before anyone says it I have had lots of points and penalty notices over the last 25 years and even rode 12 points for a time.

The Bigger picture that I havnt seen mentioned yet is that the police dont have to give out a Fixed penalty notice but it save time and paperwork for them so it is the easy option.

They can take you to court and you could be looking at upto 6 points and upto £1000 fine on normal roads and £2500 on motorways.

So really £100 is not much.

So think about it if you speed then pay up.

If you speed and cant afford it then walk.

Edited 14 February, 201214 yr by ruffday

Reckon it should double each time you are caught speeding - eg £60 then £120 etc.

Would certainly have more effect on the people who manage to have more than 12 points but keep their license due to "needing" it.

Would certainly have more effect on the people who manage to have more than 12 points but keep their license due to "needing" it.

On the subject of need, I've seen cases at court where a professional driver has 9 points on his licence, then gets caught driving whilst using a mobile phone

Then comes the exceptional hardship sob story that he'll lose his job, his house, won't be able to visit any of his 5 grannies who rely on him to do the shopping for them

Do these people not engage their brains and realise what predicament they are putting themselves in?

Looks like the moral high ground police are on over time on this one!

Usual people. Same holier than thou crap they come out with.

Edited 14 February, 201214 yr by taff170

Looks like the moral high ground police are on over time on this one!

Usual people. Same holier than thou crap they come out with.

Oooooooh, hark at you, Mrs

Looks like the moral high ground police are on over time on this one!

Usual people. Same holier than thou crap they come out with.

Of course, you're perfect! :no: