HELP! speeding fine! 5156Hello, I hate the SPEED KILLS adverts as it is only inappropriate speed that might kill. i was travelling at 30mph...
Ian Johnston
The French have more laws than most countries, and many of them - if enforced - would be draconian. Except that in most cases they are not. I much prefer the relaxed atbreastude over there rather than the rigidly regulated system here. OT: Can you imagine the French banning smoking in bars? And if they did try, they would protest violently until the government backed down, not just cave in like us wimps. (I happen to be in favour of baning smoking in pubs, but that's not the point.)
As for whether speeding is "wrong", I guess it depends on (a) by how much, and (b) whether the speed limit is appropriate. Doing 55 on an underposted dual carriageway which really should have a limit of 70 is technically "wrong", but in no way is it - in itself - dangerous. Also if they reduce the speed limit on a road for no obvious reason - except that the anti-car council can't think of anything better to do - does it suddenly become "wrong" to drive at a speed which was perfectly legal yesterday but is now a "convictable offence"?
The law must by its very nature set limits, which must be qualtified. However that doesn't mean that just below the limit is fine, and just above is criminal. The point is that in a civilised society, we have to set boundaries which are well defined (ask any parent). Enforcing the boundaries should be a matter of judgement, not rigid application of the rules. That's (one area) where speed cameras fall down.
Brian
