Police begin week-long speed enforcement operation

By Fleet News
|
20 August 2012

A week-long speed enforcement operation, co-ordinated by the European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL) and supported by 27 countries across Europe, begins today (Monday 20 August 2012).

The operation, which involves both static speed detection and roadside officer intervention, forms a key part of TISPOL’s strategy designed to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on Europe’s roads.

Excessive speeding is among the three road killers and is a leading cause of road accidents in young people aged between 18 and 25.

TISPOL president Pasi Kemppainen warns: “Driving too fast is dangerous – potentially fatal. This applies whether you are exceeding a specific speed limit or driving at a speed that may be at or below the limit, but is inappropriate for the circumstances. The faster you drive, the higher your risk of being responsible for a collision, in which innocent road users might lose their lives or sustain permanent disability.

“Wise drivers of any age choose their speeds with care and with consideration to others. Those who choose otherwise can expect to receive penalties. Police officers enforce the law because they know that lives will be saved.”

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Author: Fleet News

Comments (3)

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Bob - 20/08/2012 11:50

Does speed actually cause accidents, or is it the incompetencies of road users which cause accidents? How does excessive speed CAUSE an accident, when comparing to Germany's autobahn, where there is no limit on many sections?
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- David - 21/08/2012 22:09
  
  @Bob - sorry, Bob, although I agree with the sentiment that speed in itself does not kill, Germany's Autobahns that have no limit are no go-for-it advert for unlimited speeds. Germany enjoys 12000 km of Autobahn (4 times the mileage we have). Of this length, 45% have no enforced limit. The commonly-held belief that the Germans manage somehow the risks of excessive speed holds less water than many think. That 45% has generated as much as 73% of Autobahn deaths so the assertion that Germans cope OK with higher speeds is a little wide of the mark. Why do they put up with this? Well, for one don't mess with the German motor industry (where are Porsche, BMW, Audi, Mercedes cars built?) OR with the motoring public (Germans love their German-built cars and booting it like Becker and Schumacher). So it ain't going to change in a hurry.
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Sean Jay - 20/08/2012 12:23

If speed is such an important factor in the cause of accidents why are car manufactures selling cars that will easily do twice the legal speed limit. I have driven LGV class 1 lorries for 20 years which are fitted with speed limiters, and becoming more popular is the fact that they are now limited to a maximum 50 mph (lower speed increasing MPG) Would suggest that cars should be limited to 80 MPH for starters. Also speed difference normally play a large part in accidents. Lots of people do not realise that lorrys are limited to 40 MPH on A road, on the same road cars can legally drive at 60 MPH obviously frustrating for car drivers they often take risks when overtaking. Education (or lack of it!) Maybe people need to take refresher tests every 10 years or so
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Colin Tawn - 20/08/2012 14:53

Fact:Speed does not kill. Fact:Inappropriate use of speed kills. Am I to believe our hard pressed Police Service has time to take part in this EU sponsored nonsense? How will the results be measured? Motorists caught speeding per 1000 heads of population/Number of fines issued within given timescales/Mortorists caught speeding between certain times/ Will all roads be manned 24/7 or only Motorways and A roads? What happens to the information gathered about speeding drivers after this is over, will the information be shared across Europe or will motorists details stay within their own borders? Given the EU's massive financial problems I have to ask Why? Why choose motorists? No mention of HGV and Coach drivers. This is an exercise in diseased egotism.
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