John you are right about the Police's preceived "obsession" with speed! They are not!
And here's an example: if you're spotted (with the gun, or followed) by a traffic car doing up-to 85mph on a nearly empty dual carriageway/motorway you're more likely to get a waved finger or a telling to (if they bother). Now if you're doing the same in view of the static camera or the tellivan you'll end-up with points and a fine.
Traffic Police hate the indiscriminate enforcement by fixed cameras as much as we do (although don't express it of course for obvious reasons). Remember that there are no traffic cops in the tellivans, only camera operators with a driving license.
It is the occasional drivers, commuters, weekend drivers that are hung-up on speed, they don't have enough practice to feel safe on the road, buy big, heavy re-inforced cars to protect themselves (allegedly) from "the other drivers". Meanwhile they continue to hug the lanes and "drive well within the speed limit" just because they are there, it is legal and because they can. And of course they are supported by tree/planet huggers with an agenda (well... it is easier making a living out of being green than picking-up a spade).
Dan
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