I'm sorry but I don't believe that it is. Speed limits have always been enforced - but not particularly effectively in the past. Prior to the introduction of cameras you were a very unlucky driver to get caught. The advances in technology has resulted in a much more effective way of enforcing speed limits and, as a result, many many more speeding drivers are getting caught. This does not mean that greater emphasis is being placed on the enforcement of speed limits - simply that technology has rendered it more effective. Because so many more speeders are being caught, it makes headlines. Because there are headlines, people think that mbuttive effort is being put into speed enforcement - it's an illusion.
No - I don't accept that. The situation is that over the past 10 - 15 years or so the demands upon police resources have increased astronomically. There are many and varied reasons for this - much to do with the breakdown in discipline and effective parenting, much to do with the huge increase in the number of mobile phones being carried, etc. Although the numbers of police officers have been increased over the same period - that increase has nowhere near kept pace with the mbuttive increase in demand. Chief Officers have to decide how best to deploy their limited resources and the majority have decided to reduce the number of traffic officers and thereby increase the number of general duties officers. The "why aren't you out catching burglars" brigade have won the day in effect!
Not at all - see above. The only way to get more traffic officers is to dramatically increase the number of officers - and that is not high on NewLab's agenda. (They prefer spending money on outreach workers and diversification facilitators, etc !!)
No - not my generation. I had two children, both of whom are decent respectable members of society - both holding down full-time jobs, and both happily married. It's today's generation of 'drop the sprog and bugger off back to work as fast as possible to fund the next Florida holiday'.
Kev
