I just wrote a detailed response here but it got lost! I do not condone irresponsible use of speed. I am condemning speed cameras and limits which are designed to confuse and extort drivers. The A523 between Leek and Ashbourne is a case in point. A country road which passes through a number of hamlets. It appears that it should be National Speed Limit but much of it is 50, and with no overtaking, especially on the straight stretches. Many slow vehicles (NGVs, tractors, caravans) use this very hilly route, and often their speeds can get down to around 20mph or less. Every time a few houses appear, the limit drops to 40 OR 30, with no apparent logic as to why they are different. Numerous cameras are located behind sign and bushes, on the few longish straight parts of the road where safe overtaking is possible, or near to the end of the lower limit location. There are about 15 limit changes in the space of about 20 miles. This is clearly designed to catch drivers off guard, or overtaking very slow vehicles, and not to address safety. Speed does not kill, contrary to spin. Inappropriate speed is only one aspect of road safety, and cameras allow the authorities to abdicate the responsibility to address the others. I am not naive enough do not claim to be a great driver. I do however know the rules of the road, and their application better than most. I am a high mileage driver, with a clean licence, and accident free record for many years. I am daily faced with stupid, arrogant and selfish driving, some of which involves excessive speed, much of which doesn't, which is all highly dangerous. For a reasoned and factual debate on this please refer to the ABD web site
http://www.abd.org.uk/