All Blog Posts Tagged 'spending' - Free to Choose2024-03-28T12:25:14Zhttp://amberlight.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?tag=spending&xn_auth=noDifferent cutstag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-10-08:2810449:BlogPost:251102012-10-08T10:30:00.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>George Osborne (Today Programme) wants to "tackle unfairness" by making welfare cuts of £10bn. Meanwhile, as I've been saying for years, the traffic system, which always escapes scrutiny, can provide annual cuts of £50bn that will hurt no-one except the traffic managers and signal salesmen who have been ruling our lives to our detriment for too long.</p>
<p>George Osborne (Today Programme) wants to "tackle unfairness" by making welfare cuts of £10bn. Meanwhile, as I've been saying for years, the traffic system, which always escapes scrutiny, can provide annual cuts of £50bn that will hurt no-one except the traffic managers and signal salesmen who have been ruling our lives to our detriment for too long.</p>The point about Poyntontag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-09-30:2810449:BlogPost:250062012-09-30T16:46:51.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>Last week I finished a draft edit of a film about Poynton, a community thriving again after liberation from decades of oppressive traffic engineering. More material needs to be shot, so it's still a couple of months away from publication, but it shows how public money can be spent for the good, rather than the misery of all.</p>
<p>Last week I finished a draft edit of a film about Poynton, a community thriving again after liberation from decades of oppressive traffic engineering. More material needs to be shot, so it's still a couple of months away from publication, but it shows how public money can be spent for the good, rather than the misery of all.</p>Will 20mph save us?tag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-08-15:2810449:BlogPost:239822012-08-15T09:01:34.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>Deaths and serious injuries are up in 20mph zones but up even more in 30mph. Official commentators say the jury is still out on the value of 20mph. My view is that true road safety will never be achieved by numbers. We should drive according to context. Let us go at walking pace on busy streets, especially when children are around, and at our own chosen speed when conditions allow, e.g. on a clear motorway. In other words, let us use our own judgement, preferably informed by education,…</p>
<p>Deaths and serious injuries are up in 20mph zones but up even more in 30mph. Official commentators say the jury is still out on the value of 20mph. My view is that true road safety will never be achieved by numbers. We should drive according to context. Let us go at walking pace on busy streets, especially when children are around, and at our own chosen speed when conditions allow, e.g. on a clear motorway. In other words, let us use our own judgement, preferably informed by education, ability and experience. Story here: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19226144">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19226144</a>.</p>Tangled up in redtag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-07-18:2810449:BlogPost:233822012-07-18T13:41:45.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>Why stop at a red light? Once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. Seriously, why should we stop when there is no conflicting traffic? Adulthood is supposed to be about independence and responsibility. What do traffic lights and speed limits do? Outlaw independent thought and action. Remove responsibility. Infantilise us. Yesterday I had the dubious pleasure of driving through Oxford and Swindon. In Oxford especially, there is a hardly a crossing that is not governed by traffic signals.…</p>
<p>Why stop at a red light? Once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. Seriously, why should we stop when there is no conflicting traffic? Adulthood is supposed to be about independence and responsibility. What do traffic lights and speed limits do? Outlaw independent thought and action. Remove responsibility. Infantilise us. Yesterday I had the dubious pleasure of driving through Oxford and Swindon. In Oxford especially, there is a hardly a crossing that is not governed by traffic signals. They cause continual congestion, block flow, boost emissions, produce great clumps of foreign students on traffic islands, gazing up at the lights, hardly daring to move. It’s stupefying that elected councillors and politicians defer to unelected, paid officials, and let them impose their barrage of largely counterproductive controls, all at the expense of our time, health and sanity.</p>Rise in road deathstag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-07-18:2810449:BlogPost:232902012-07-18T13:39:43.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>The transport select committee, chaired by Louise Ellman, is concerned about the rise in road deaths, 51 up on last year to 1901. It took no notice of submissions from me and Kenneth Todd about the role of traffic lights in causing congestion, so it’s doubtful they would listen to our critique of road safety policy. Is it surprising there are fatalities when the root cause of danger on the road – priority – goes untreated? Ellman is “shocked” that 27% of young male drivers are involved in…</p>
<p>The transport select committee, chaired by Louise Ellman, is concerned about the rise in road deaths, 51 up on last year to 1901. It took no notice of submissions from me and Kenneth Todd about the role of traffic lights in causing congestion, so it’s doubtful they would listen to our critique of road safety policy. Is it surprising there are fatalities when the root cause of danger on the road – priority – goes untreated? Ellman is “shocked” that 27% of young male drivers are involved in “accidents”. Is it surprising given the inadequacy of the driving test? As I keep saying, most “accidents” are not accidents. They are events contrived by the rules and design of the road.</p>Ode ragetag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-07-08:2810449:BlogPost:230822012-07-08T09:30:00.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>Andy Andy this is massive</p>
<p>When you play just don’t be passive</p>
<p>Attack attack attack the Fed</p>
<p>Win or lose you’ll still have cred</p>
<p>Andy Andy this is massive</p>
<p>When you play just don’t be passive</p>
<p>Attack attack attack the Fed</p>
<p>Win or lose you’ll still have cred</p>Get a new plan, Stantag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-05-06:2810449:BlogPost:212822012-05-06T09:39:31.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>After seeing my video <em>The Case for a No-Lights Trial</em>, Westminster’s traffic chief linked up with TfL (historically resistant to my proposals), and the GLA/Boris (ditto), to announce the removal of 145 sets of lights. During his tenure, Livingstone saddled London with 1800 new sets of lights, conjuring congestion where there was none before. So why does the new plan stop at removing only 145 sets? Of course deregulation is not enough on its own, and should be undertaken as part of a…</p>
<p>After seeing my video <em>The Case for a No-Lights Trial</em>, Westminster’s traffic chief linked up with TfL (historically resistant to my proposals), and the GLA/Boris (ditto), to announce the removal of 145 sets of lights. During his tenure, Livingstone saddled London with 1800 new sets of lights, conjuring congestion where there was none before. So why does the new plan stop at removing only 145 sets? Of course deregulation is not enough on its own, and should be undertaken as part of a wider programme of reform.</p>The brain dead give us brain damagetag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-04-28:2810449:BlogPost:210822012-04-28T17:00:00.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>You can be the safest, most aware driver, but the bass turds are out to get you and get you they will. Paid savants devise cryptic regulation that builds into the vast public disservice known as traffic management. The other day I drove along Cromwell Road to experience Exhibition Rd as a driver. As you know, but in case you don't, Exhibition Rd is a flagship shared space scheme, where life on the road is supposed to be sweeter. But they have already found ways to sour it. First, they've…</p>
<p>You can be the safest, most aware driver, but the bass turds are out to get you and get you they will. Paid savants devise cryptic regulation that builds into the vast public disservice known as traffic management. The other day I drove along Cromwell Road to experience Exhibition Rd as a driver. As you know, but in case you don't, Exhibition Rd is a flagship shared space scheme, where life on the road is supposed to be sweeter. But they have already found ways to sour it. First, they've banned the left turn. Sod 'em, I said to myself, as I took a careful left with no harm to absent man or beast (apparently it's in case people are crossing on foot - London is a city, durr). As I've said before, they make us go via XYZ to get from A-B, thus increasing journey time, fuel use and emissions. Anyway, proceeding carefully towards Hyde Park, I was surprised at the speed of traffic coming the other way. It's further evidence that streetscape redesign is not enough on its own. To make roads fit for people, a wider programme of reform is needed, above all a change in culture from priority to equality. As long as priority rules, it will be KO rather than OK. We will remain at odds with each other, and traffic managers will continue to devise vain solutions to cure the incurable.</p>Fuel tax fraud?tag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-02-25:2810449:BlogPost:193822012-02-25T12:12:50.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>Apparently the Chancellor has ruled out cutting fuel tax, which as we know adds over 60% to the cost of fuel. Tax cuts could, of course, be funded by traffic system reform. Maybe my arguments haven't reached the Chancellor's ears. Or maybe he won't reform a traffic system which maximises journey times and fuel use, and his tax take.</p>
<p>Apparently the Chancellor has ruled out cutting fuel tax, which as we know adds over 60% to the cost of fuel. Tax cuts could, of course, be funded by traffic system reform. Maybe my arguments haven't reached the Chancellor's ears. Or maybe he won't reform a traffic system which maximises journey times and fuel use, and his tax take.</p>Funding tax cutstag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-02-19:2810449:BlogPost:190842012-02-19T16:00:00.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, wants to raise the tax threshold. Don't we all? Balls wants to fund it by cutting VAT to raise the £12bn needed. The government rubbished the proposal. But they are just as myopic in failing to see that tax cuts for the poor <em>and</em> a VAT cut could be funded from traffic system reform (which at the same time would bring untold other benefits).</p>
<p>Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, wants to raise the tax threshold. Don't we all? Balls wants to fund it by cutting VAT to raise the £12bn needed. The government rubbished the proposal. But they are just as myopic in failing to see that tax cuts for the poor <em>and</em> a VAT cut could be funded from traffic system reform (which at the same time would bring untold other benefits).</p>Caught in the nettag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-02-19:2810449:BlogPost:189832012-02-19T15:58:46.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>In devising methods of repressing hypothetical (minority) misbehaviour on our roads, the traffic control net is spread wide. Like the wrong fish caught in a trawler’s net, good people are ensnared and brought to their knees (you, me and Chris Huhne come to mind). Apart from being based on the fatal flaw of priority, the twin-headed monster of traffic control and enforcement is out of hand, run by unelected public “servants” whose mafia tactics amount to a gross public disservice.</p>
<p>In devising methods of repressing hypothetical (minority) misbehaviour on our roads, the traffic control net is spread wide. Like the wrong fish caught in a trawler’s net, good people are ensnared and brought to their knees (you, me and Chris Huhne come to mind). Apart from being based on the fatal flaw of priority, the twin-headed monster of traffic control and enforcement is out of hand, run by unelected public “servants” whose mafia tactics amount to a gross public disservice.</p>Calls for 5mph limit in Exhibition Roadtag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-02-17:2810449:BlogPost:192822012-02-17T00:00:00.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>A pedestrian was hit by a lorry in Exhibition Rd on Monday 13 Feb 2012 (story <a href="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24035862-man-hit-by-lorry-in-first-crash-on-shared-space-of-exhibition-road.do" target="_blank">here</a>). This is not an argument for abandoning shared space, but it supports my view that streetscape redesign is not enough on its own. The call for 5mph limits is right and wrong. Motorists should drive at walking pace when pedestrians are around, but they…</p>
<p>A pedestrian was hit by a lorry in Exhibition Rd on Monday 13 Feb 2012 (story <a href="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24035862-man-hit-by-lorry-in-first-crash-on-shared-space-of-exhibition-road.do" target="_blank">here</a>). This is not an argument for abandoning shared space, but it supports my view that streetscape redesign is not enough on its own. The call for 5mph limits is right and wrong. Motorists should drive at walking pace when pedestrians are around, but they should be free to watch the road and drive according to context, not forced to drive by numbers or obey 24-hr limits. Roads will be safe and fit for all road-users only when the perception shift from priority to equality has taken root - something that will only be achieved through culture change and re-education.</p>Red light Ken (and my road rage)tag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-02-10:2810449:BlogPost:188822012-02-10T22:00:00.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>Ken Livingstone, who during his reign added 1200 sets of traffic lights to London streets, now “pledges to install traffic lights to give cyclists a 5 second head start,” reports The Times. Boris too “is considering early green lights,” chirps the Evening Standard. In an editorial, it says, “this is a simple and sensible idea. We need more imaginative thinking to make our city safer for cyclists.” This pitiful coverage lays bare the total ignorance among editors and politicians alike of the…</p>
<p>Ken Livingstone, who during his reign added 1200 sets of traffic lights to London streets, now “pledges to install traffic lights to give cyclists a 5 second head start,” reports The Times. Boris too “is considering early green lights,” chirps the Evening Standard. In an editorial, it says, “this is a simple and sensible idea. We need more imaginative thinking to make our city safer for cyclists.” This pitiful coverage lays bare the total ignorance among editors and politicians alike of the overwhelming case for reform of the current traffic control system. By failing to commission articles on the subject (which I pitch and re-pitch continually), are editors censoring criticism, and colluding in the unspeakable peacetime casualty toll over which the system presides? (From 2001 to 2011, there have been 156 cyclists killed and 4,000 badly injured.) Reform along the lines advocated here and at <a href="http://www.equalitystreets.com" target="_blank">Equality Streets</a> would make roads safe not just for cyclists, but for everyone – <em>without the need for expensive technology or vexatious state intervention</em>.</p>Is streetscape redesign enough?tag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-02-06:2810449:BlogPost:186832012-02-06T15:13:41.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>Often cited as places where drivers behave considerately are car parks, because they are not part of the regulated road network. In a Tesco par cark yesterday, when I was on foot and asserted my equal right to the road space, I was given the finger not only by the male driver, but by his wife. They were in a big car with a personalised number plate, whatever that tells us. The unpleasant experience reinforces my belief that street redesign – while an essential component in the quest for…</p>
<p>Often cited as places where drivers behave considerately are car parks, because they are not part of the regulated road network. In a Tesco par cark yesterday, when I was on foot and asserted my equal right to the road space, I was given the finger not only by the male driver, but by his wife. They were in a big car with a personalised number plate, whatever that tells us. The unpleasant experience reinforces my belief that street redesign – while an essential component in the quest for civil road-user relationships – is not enough on its own. Equally essential (arguably more so) are re-education, culture change, and legal reform – to put the onus on motorists to beware pedestrians instead of the other way round (as the current system has it). We need to zap the anti-social habits instilled by the priority-based rules of the road. Meanwhile, a hex on the houses of the traffic engineers and policymakers who support those unspeakable rules!</p>19th v 21st century resistance to railtag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-01-10:2810449:BlogPost:172902012-01-10T18:15:42.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>PM (Radio 4) had an item about Victorian resistance to railway development, implying there was a parallel with today’s opposition to HS2. Seems a narrow comparison, because in the 19th century, there were no telephones, cars or Internet, was there?</p>
<p>PM (Radio 4) had an item about Victorian resistance to railway development, implying there was a parallel with today’s opposition to HS2. Seems a narrow comparison, because in the 19th century, there were no telephones, cars or Internet, was there?</p>Gulliver's travailstag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-01-06:2810449:BlogPost:172882012-01-06T15:40:35.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>Congestion caused by volume of traffic is acceptable. We’re in the same boat. No problem. But congestion caused or aggravated by unnecessary traffic control – you know, making us stop for no reason other than the light is red – is unacceptable. Human intelligence is a superior, wondrous thing. Yet traffic control reduces us to the level of unthinking robots. The red light brigadiers are Lilliputians disabling Gulliver.</p>
<p>Congestion caused by volume of traffic is acceptable. We’re in the same boat. No problem. But congestion caused or aggravated by unnecessary traffic control – you know, making us stop for no reason other than the light is red – is unacceptable. Human intelligence is a superior, wondrous thing. Yet traffic control reduces us to the level of unthinking robots. The red light brigadiers are Lilliputians disabling Gulliver.</p>Red tape, red lightstag:amberlight.ning.com,2012-01-06:2810449:BlogPost:174892012-01-06T13:17:56.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>According to today’s news, NHS red tape is being cut to release nurses from the burden of form-filling so they can devote more time to patient care. As we know, there are moves to cut police red tape too, presumably so they can devote more time to their proper job. Same goes for traffic lights. Isn't it time for a major cull of those weapons of mass distraction and delay so that all road-users could squander less time stopping needlessly and devote more time to the proper job of getting from…</p>
<p>According to today’s news, NHS red tape is being cut to release nurses from the burden of form-filling so they can devote more time to patient care. As we know, there are moves to cut police red tape too, presumably so they can devote more time to their proper job. Same goes for traffic lights. Isn't it time for a major cull of those weapons of mass distraction and delay so that all road-users could squander less time stopping needlessly and devote more time to the proper job of getting from A-B safely, expeditiously, with minimum damage to the environment?</p>Crocodile tearstag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-12-06:2810449:BlogPost:162832011-12-06T10:53:47.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>Yet another cyclist is killed at traffic lights in London (story <a href="http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/5700">here</a>). These “tragedies” are a direct consequence of the infamous rules and design of the road. It means yet more blood on the hands of the authorities who adhere to a lethal priority system and ignore solutions based on equality.</p>
<p>Yet another cyclist is killed at traffic lights in London (story <a href="http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/5700">here</a>). These “tragedies” are a direct consequence of the infamous rules and design of the road. It means yet more blood on the hands of the authorities who adhere to a lethal priority system and ignore solutions based on equality.</p>Fuel pricestag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-11-15:2810449:BlogPost:154822011-11-15T20:40:59.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>A few decades ago, when income tax hit 98%, most high earners went into tax exile. Now the top rate of tax is a reasonable 50%, although it’s due to drop to 40% (also reasonable) as soon as the government can swing it. Tax on fuel is an unreasonable 66% but people hit by the artificially high price can’t afford to fill their tanks, let alone decamp. Ministers justify the unjustifiable by saying they need to raise another £1.5bn. As I keep saying, traffic system reform offers kind cuts in the…</p>
<p>A few decades ago, when income tax hit 98%, most high earners went into tax exile. Now the top rate of tax is a reasonable 50%, although it’s due to drop to 40% (also reasonable) as soon as the government can swing it. Tax on fuel is an unreasonable 66% but people hit by the artificially high price can’t afford to fill their tanks, let alone decamp. Ministers justify the unjustifiable by saying they need to raise another £1.5bn. As I keep saying, traffic system reform offers kind cuts in the <em>tens</em> of billions. So what are ministers waiting for? I appreciate the environmental argument in favour of fewer journeys, but CO2 cuts achieved that way are ludicrously small compared with what could be achieved by letting traffic filter instead of stop and restart at gas-guzzling signals. And the greening of cars is at last well under way.</p>Death of another cyclisttag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-11-14:2810449:BlogPost:153822011-11-14T18:00:00.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>How many roads ..? And how many deaths will it take 'til he knows, that too many people have died? Sorry tale <a href="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24009578-second-fatal-collision-at-cycle-route-roundabout.do" target="_blank">here</a>(<a href="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24009578-second-fatal-collision-at-cycle-route-roundabout.do">http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24009578-second-fatal-collision-at-cycle-route-roundabout.do</a>). Brian…</p>
<p>How many roads ..? And how many deaths will it take 'til he knows, that too many people have died? Sorry tale <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24009578-second-fatal-collision-at-cycle-route-roundabout.do">here</a>(<a href="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24009578-second-fatal-collision-at-cycle-route-roundabout.do">http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24009578-second-fatal-collision-at-cycle-route-roundabout.do</a>). Brian Dorling. God save us from the "experts", especially traditional traffic experts.</p>M5 crashtag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-11-06:2810449:BlogPost:148832011-11-06T12:00:00.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>(Update of yesterday's post) Condolences to the people affected in what seems to have been a freak event, but calls for the 70mph limit to remain are irrelevant. Instead of driving by numbers, we should drive according to context. Any crash is yet another reminder that phasing in an advanced driving test is long overdue.</p>
<p>(Update of yesterday's post) Condolences to the people affected in what seems to have been a freak event, but calls for the 70mph limit to remain are irrelevant. Instead of driving by numbers, we should drive according to context. Any crash is yet another reminder that phasing in an advanced driving test is long overdue.</p>80mph?tag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-09-30:2810449:BlogPost:135822011-09-30T20:09:54.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>The biggest guff spouted on the subject is that raising the limit will increase emissions by 20%. No, it’s not mph that matters – it’s rpm. At 70mph, old petrol cars rev at 3,500rpm. Longer-geared diesel or newer cars rev at 2000, using about a third less fuel and producing a third less CO2. On safety, what about middle-lane blockers who not only waste motorway space but cause bunching and get away scot-free when “accidents” occur? But the whole “debate” – about driving by numbers instead of…</p>
<p>The biggest guff spouted on the subject is that raising the limit will increase emissions by 20%. No, it’s not mph that matters – it’s rpm. At 70mph, old petrol cars rev at 3,500rpm. Longer-geared diesel or newer cars rev at 2000, using about a third less fuel and producing a third less CO2. On safety, what about middle-lane blockers who not only waste motorway space but cause bunching and get away scot-free when “accidents” occur? But the whole “debate” – about driving by numbers instead of context – is puerile.</p>New traffic lights - old mistakestag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-09-22:2810449:BlogPost:131822011-09-22T12:00:00.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>Traffic lights are being installed at a T-junction near Bideford despite my proposal for a less expensive, safer FiT (filter-in-turn) solution. Story <a href="http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/Cheaper-traffic-plan-ignored-claims-activist/story-13379746-detail/story.html">here</a>.</p>
<p>Traffic lights are being installed at a T-junction near Bideford despite my proposal for a less expensive, safer FiT (filter-in-turn) solution. Story <a href="http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/Cheaper-traffic-plan-ignored-claims-activist/story-13379746-detail/story.html">here</a>.</p>Equality Streetstag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-09-08:2810449:BlogPost:126822011-09-08T21:44:20.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
For my latest blog posts (3 today), see Equality Streets (<a href="http://www.equalitystreets.com">www.equalitystreets.com</a>).
For my latest blog posts (3 today), see Equality Streets (<a href="http://www.equalitystreets.com">www.equalitystreets.com</a>).Roads minister on speed (as it were)tag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-06-13:2810449:BlogPost:108822011-06-13T19:02:02.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<div class="entry"><p>Until the last paragraph, <a target="_blank" href="http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/13062011/36/goodbye-speed-hump-0.html">this</a> sounded reasonable ... People shouldn’t need speed limits to “tell them what speed to drive at”! Too often the limit is a target, and even 20 in an urban setting, especially with children around, can be lethal. Drivers should be able to use commonsense to judge appropriate speed based on circumstances and context.</p>
</div>
<div class="entry"><p>Until the last paragraph, <a target="_blank" href="http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/13062011/36/goodbye-speed-hump-0.html">this</a> sounded reasonable ... People shouldn’t need speed limits to “tell them what speed to drive at”! Too often the limit is a target, and even 20 in an urban setting, especially with children around, can be lethal. Drivers should be able to use commonsense to judge appropriate speed based on circumstances and context.</p>
</div>Government liestag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-06-10:2810449:BlogPost:107822011-06-10T14:30:00.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>A prominent news story yesterday was the prospect of stiff fines for Britain’s failure to meet emissions reduction targets, particularly nitrogen dioxide which causes 4000 premature deaths a year. The main source of NO2 is traffic. Radio 4 News quoted the government as saying, “We’re doing all we can”. I have over a dozen unanswered emails to ministers about the potential for carbon cuts from traffic system reform. Do they respond? Do they act? Do pigs fly? Professor of environmental…</p>
<p>A prominent news story yesterday was the prospect of stiff fines for Britain’s failure to meet emissions reduction targets, particularly nitrogen dioxide which causes 4000 premature deaths a year. The main source of NO2 is traffic. Radio 4 News quoted the government as saying, “We’re doing all we can”. I have over a dozen unanswered emails to ministers about the potential for carbon cuts from traffic system reform. Do they respond? Do they act? Do pigs fly? Professor of environmental pollution at Imperial College, Nigel Bell, says restrictions on traffic may be the only way to meet targets, “but politically that’s unacceptable, though Ken Livingstone might do something”. What, blight streetscapes with 1800 more traffic lights with their embedded energy, negative impact on traffic flow and emissions? Bell would impose high congestion charges too. It’s not just politicians who are rich in ignorance and poor in imagination.</p>The misappliance of "science"tag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-06-07:2810449:BlogPost:105832011-06-07T14:30:00.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>In the summer, you expect jams on the A303 because of man-made bottlenecks, i.e. dual-carriageways funneling into single. But nearing the end of a mega jam the other day, I saw it was due to something else: traffic lights at a roundabout. The principal A303 was getting just 12 secs of green time, while the A345 (with much lighter traffic) was getting 35 secs! They pap you and zap you for straying over the limit when the road is clear, but when you're bumper to bumper for forty minutes…</p>
<p>In the summer, you expect jams on the A303 because of man-made bottlenecks, i.e. dual-carriageways funneling into single. But nearing the end of a mega jam the other day, I saw it was due to something else: traffic lights at a roundabout. The principal A303 was getting just 12 secs of green time, while the A345 (with much lighter traffic) was getting 35 secs! They pap you and zap you for straying over the limit when the road is clear, but when you're bumper to bumper for forty minutes because of misapplied control, do they say sorry?</p>Speed raptag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-06-02:2810449:BlogPost:103822011-06-02T14:51:57.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<div class="entry"><p>They say that any publicity is good publicity. I’m not so sure. Anyway, it’s out there, so it might as well be on here. One news story <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1391093/Traffic-campaigner-caught-speeding-speaks-verse--fails-win-court-poem.html?ito=feeds-newsxml">here</a>, another <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/news/Driver-committed-crime-rhyme/article-3593047-detail/article.html">here</a>.</p>
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<div class="entry"><p>They say that any publicity is good publicity. I’m not so sure. Anyway, it’s out there, so it might as well be on here. One news story <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1391093/Traffic-campaigner-caught-speeding-speaks-verse--fails-win-court-poem.html?ito=feeds-newsxml">here</a>, another <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/news/Driver-committed-crime-rhyme/article-3593047-detail/article.html">here</a>.</p>
</div>Huhne - on the right ropes?tag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-05-18:2810449:BlogPost:98822011-05-18T08:59:10.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p>Whether Chris Huhne tried to pass the buck or not, the saga reveals the contortions to which citizens can be driven to escape the tentacles of a system that values the letter of the law above the spirit. Speed doesn’t kill. It’s inappropriate speed that kills, or speed in the wrong hands. One-size-fits-all limits are a contradiction in terms, because life is about infinite variables. Simple-minded groups such as BRAKE! would claim that freedom to exercise individual judgement based on…</p>
<p>Whether Chris Huhne tried to pass the buck or not, the saga reveals the contortions to which citizens can be driven to escape the tentacles of a system that values the letter of the law above the spirit. Speed doesn’t kill. It’s inappropriate speed that kills, or speed in the wrong hands. One-size-fits-all limits are a contradiction in terms, because life is about infinite variables. Simple-minded groups such as BRAKE! would claim that freedom to exercise individual judgement based on context is a licence to drive carelessly. On the contrary, it’s a blueprint for driving with true care and attention.</p>DEMOcracy v AUTOcracytag:amberlight.ning.com,2011-05-05:2810449:BlogPost:95842011-05-05T07:30:00.000ZMartin Cassinihttp://amberlight.ning.com/profile/MartinCassini
<p align="justify"><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">In his Mansion House speech last night, the Foreign Secretary called for funding to help emerging democracies in North Africa avoid a reversion to autocracy. It’s not too far-fetched to see a parallel with roads. Britain is known for its democratic freedoms, yet roads are subject to autocratic control. If you arrive at a junction and can see it’s clear, are you free to go? Not if…</span></font></font></p>
<p align="justify"><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span xml:lang="EN-GB" lang="EN-GB">In his Mansion House speech last night, the Foreign Secretary called for funding to help emerging democracies in North Africa avoid a reversion to autocracy. It’s not too far-fetched to see a parallel with roads. Britain is known for its democratic freedoms, yet roads are subject to autocratic control. If you arrive at a junction and can see it’s clear, are you free to go? Not if there’s a red light. How many traffic lights are there in the UK? About 45,000, operating day and night, 365 days a year. That’s a lot of individual choice overruled by authoritarian control.</span></font></font></p>