Latest news with #NPCC
Glasgow Times
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Car expert explains what speed will trigger a speed camera
However, many drivers are unaware of how speed cameras actually work – with several myths being widely believed across the UK. Though regardless of how much you know about speed cameras, with speeding fines ranging from fixed penalties to points on your licence and even court appearances the best advice is to not risk it. (Image: KevinHolt/Getty) How do speed cameras work? Speed cameras work using radar or road markings to monitor a vehicle's speed and capture evidence of any offence. While older cameras used film, most modern devices are fully digital and can even track your average speed over many miles. These digital systems record: Vehicle speed Time and location of the offence Vehicle registration Road speed limit In some cases, they even capture a clear image of the driver and passenger. What Speed Actually Triggers a Camera? Contrary to common belief, there's no universal '10% + 2mph' rule baked into law. Experts from explained: ''The idea that you're safe doing 35mph in a 30 zone is one of the biggest myths we hear. 'Technically, you're liable for a fine the moment you go even 1mph over the limit.' While the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) does recommend a '10% plus 2' margin to allow for officer discretion, this is not a legal threshold and can vary depending on the enforcement area or the officer reviewing the case. RAC advice adds: 'The law states that you are liable for a speeding fine as soon as you exceed the limit, so if you're doing 31mph in a 30 limit or 71mph on a motorway, you're breaking the law and could receive a fine. 'It is well worth remembering this is totally dependent on the officer who catches the speeder, and it is up to that officer whether to fine the offender or not. 'The best advice is to not speed full stop.' Common speed camera myths Here are some other common speed camera myths: Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times? No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away." Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a GoSafe speed van? If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty". However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent." What happens if I am caught speeding? It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer. "Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the 'notices' and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit." So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don't have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Pride rainbows taken off police cars after court ruling
A police force has agreed to remove all Pride rainbows and transgender livery from its vehicles following a landmark High Court ruling. Northumbria Police has also told its officers and staff they cannot attend a Gay Pride march in uniform this weekend, in a move that could set a precedent for other forces. Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine ordered the removal of all diversity-based symbols from police cars and vans after a judge rebuked her force over its lack of impartiality. Northumbria was taken to court by a gender-critical lesbian who said it was wrong for officers to take part in events that promoted gender ideology. Now, in a letter seen by the Telegraph, the force has confirmed it is withdrawing all visible support for this year's Northern Pride. Going even further, Ms Jardine, who is LGBT+ communities lead for the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), said all of Northumbria's police vehicles would have Pride livery removed. The letter stated: 'This work has commenced but may take a short amount of time. No vehicle carrying Pride, Progress and/or transgender colours and/or insignia will be deployed at the Northern Pride march and there are currently no vehicles with this livery deployed operationally.' The letter made clear that officers and staff would not be allowed to attend the march wearing uniform or anything else that identifies them as being associated with Northumbria Police. In addition the letter stated that while there would be a police stall at the event, there would be 'no Pride, Progress or transgender colours/insignia on display'. It is not clear whether Ms Jardine's approach will now be mirrored by other forces, but her role in the NPCC means her position is likely to carry some weight. The move comes after Linzi Smith, 34, a gender-critical lesbian from Newcastle, brought a case against Northumbria Constabulary, arguing that it had been wrong to allow uniformed officers to actively participate in an event that promoted gender ideology and was supported by transgender activists. In his ruling, the judge, Mr Justice Linden, said it was important that police forces were not perceived as taking sides in contentious social debates. He said: 'The fact that the officers had publicly stated their support for transgender rights by taking part in the 2024 march would be likely to give the impression that they may not deal with the matter fairly and impartially.' The judge was clear that his comments were only a reflection on the force's conduct during last year's march and it was unclear what Northumbria Police's approach would be for this year's event, which is due to take place in Newcastle on Saturday. The founder of Fair Cop, an organisation which was set up to remove politics from policing and supported the legal challenge, welcomed the move and said hopefully other forces would now follow. Harry Miller said: 'There was never any place for contested livery on a police van, and we are relieved that the Chief Constable has finally seen sense. 'The message it gave was stark, brutal and overtly political: comply, shut up, or risk facing the consequences. 'A healthy democracy requires rigorous debate, and a police force which remains unstintingly vanilla. Our hope is that chief officers throughout the UK will take note of the positive action by Vanessa Jardine and follow suit.' Following the High Court ruling, Gavin Stephens, chairman of the NPCC, said forces were working through the details of this judgment. He added: 'We are also working with the College of Policing on broader guidance which will help local forces make decisions around participation in events to maintain their impartiality. 'Policing values all our communities and will continue to police in a way that aims to build trust and confidence, including among those who have less confidence in our service. 'This is the cornerstone of good policing and especially neighbourhood policing. Our desire to ensure we recognise and provide good policing for all communities will remain unchanged.'
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Car expert explains what speed will trigger a speed camera
However, many drivers are unaware of how speed cameras actually work – with several myths being widely believed across the UK. Though regardless of how much you know about speed cameras, with speeding fines ranging from fixed penalties to points on your licence and even court appearances the best advice is to not risk it. (Image: KevinHolt/Getty) How do speed cameras work? Speed cameras work using radar or road markings to monitor a vehicle's speed and capture evidence of any offence. While older cameras used film, most modern devices are fully digital and can even track your average speed over many miles. These digital systems record: Vehicle speed Time and location of the offence Vehicle registration Road speed limit In some cases, they even capture a clear image of the driver and passenger. What Speed Actually Triggers a Camera? Contrary to common belief, there's no universal '10% + 2mph' rule baked into law. Experts from explained: ''The idea that you're safe doing 35mph in a 30 zone is one of the biggest myths we hear. 'Technically, you're liable for a fine the moment you go even 1mph over the limit.' While the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) does recommend a '10% plus 2' margin to allow for officer discretion, this is not a legal threshold and can vary depending on the enforcement area or the officer reviewing the case. RAC advice adds: 'The law states that you are liable for a speeding fine as soon as you exceed the limit, so if you're doing 31mph in a 30 limit or 71mph on a motorway, you're breaking the law and could receive a fine. 'It is well worth remembering this is totally dependent on the officer who catches the speeder, and it is up to that officer whether to fine the offender or not. 'The best advice is to not speed full stop.' Common speed camera myths Here are some other common speed camera myths: Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times? No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don't often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: "Legally, we don't have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it's all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away." Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a GoSafe speed van? If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to "wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty". However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: "It doesn't bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van - I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent." What happens if I am caught speeding? It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK's roads is a £100 fine. But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course - an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: "An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer. "Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the 'notices' and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit." So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don't have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.
National Post
5 days ago
- Business
- National Post
NPCC Appoints New Board Members to Support Continued Reliability of the Bulk Power System in Northeastern North America
Article content NEW YORK — The Northeast Power Coordinating Council, Inc. (NPCC) has appointed two new members to its board of directors. Article content 'We are excited to welcome Nicole Poirier and Nicola Jones to our board to support the continued reliability of the bulk power system across the Northeast U.S. and Canada,' said Charles Dickerson, NPCC President and Chief Executive Officer. 'Their combined insights and expertise will complement our board and provide valuable new perspectives to foster NPCC's long-term success as we continue to identify, reduce, and mitigate reliability risks.' Article content Nicole Poirier Article content is the Vice President of Operations for New Brunswick Power Corporation. In her role, she is responsible for the strategic development of initiatives that help deliver electricity to customers. She leads a team that ensures reliable service to the province of New Brunswick through the management of regular maintenance and capital programs while ensuring safety, training, and day-to-day operations. Article content Ms. Poirier has 36 years' experience in the electric utility industry providing oversight on all matters related to transmission and distribution, conventional generation, and system operations. During her career, she has driven process improvements with a clear focus on customer centricity and reliability. She has also worked to develop strong leadership teams to support the business. Article content Nicola Jones Article content is a Chief in the Office of Rates and Tariff at the New York State Department of Public Service. She has 20 years' experience in the utility industry. During this time, she has developed programs, projects, and processes to meet New York's energy goals and address legislations that impact utility rates, tariffs, and regulations. She has also monitored and investigated the safety, reliability, and emergency preparation and response of utilities, as well as their projects, programs, and long-term plans. She has evaluated utility compliance with codes, service standards, and regulations, as well as provided guidance and testified on utility rate and tariff revision filings. Article content About NPCC Article content Northeast Power Coordinating Council, Inc. is one of six Regional Entities located throughout the United States, Canada, and portions of Mexico that, in concert with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, seeks to assure a highly reliable, resilient, and secure North American bulk power system through the effective and efficient identification, reduction, and mitigation of reliability risks. NPCC's geographic area includes the six New England states, the State of New York, the provinces of Ontario, Québec, and the Canadian Maritime Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Overall, NPCC covers an area of nearly 1.2 million square miles, populated by approximately 62 million people. Article content NPCC carries out its mission through: (i) the development of regional reliability standards and compliance assessment and enforcement of continent-wide and Regional Reliability standards; (ii) coordination of system planning, design and operations, and assessment of reliability; and, (iii) the establishment of Regionally-specific criteria and monitoring and enforcement of compliance with such criteria. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
NPCC Appoints New Board Members to Support Continued Reliability of the Bulk Power System in Northeastern North America
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Northeast Power Coordinating Council, Inc. (NPCC) has appointed two new members to its board of directors. 'We are excited to welcome Nicole Poirier and Nicola Jones to our board to support the continued reliability of the bulk power system across the Northeast U.S. and Canada,' said Charles Dickerson, NPCC President and Chief Executive Officer. 'We are excited to welcome Nicole Poirier and Nicola Jones to our board to support the continued reliability of the bulk power system across the Northeast U.S. and Canada,' said Charles Dickerson, NPCC President and Chief Executive Officer. 'Their combined insights and expertise will complement our board and provide valuable new perspectives to foster NPCC's long-term success as we continue to identify, reduce, and mitigate reliability risks.' Nicole Poirier is the Vice President of Operations for New Brunswick Power Corporation. In her role, she is responsible for the strategic development of initiatives that help deliver electricity to customers. She leads a team that ensures reliable service to the province of New Brunswick through the management of regular maintenance and capital programs while ensuring safety, training, and day-to-day operations. Ms. Poirier has 36 years' experience in the electric utility industry providing oversight on all matters related to transmission and distribution, conventional generation, and system operations. During her career, she has driven process improvements with a clear focus on customer centricity and reliability. She has also worked to develop strong leadership teams to support the business. Nicola Jones is a Chief in the Office of Rates and Tariff at the New York State Department of Public Service. She has 20 years' experience in the utility industry. During this time, she has developed programs, projects, and processes to meet New York's energy goals and address legislations that impact utility rates, tariffs, and regulations. She has also monitored and investigated the safety, reliability, and emergency preparation and response of utilities, as well as their projects, programs, and long-term plans. She has evaluated utility compliance with codes, service standards, and regulations, as well as provided guidance and testified on utility rate and tariff revision filings. For more information on NPCC, visit About NPCC Northeast Power Coordinating Council, Inc. is one of six Regional Entities located throughout the United States, Canada, and portions of Mexico that, in concert with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, seeks to assure a highly reliable, resilient, and secure North American bulk power system through the effective and efficient identification, reduction, and mitigation of reliability risks. NPCC's geographic area includes the six New England states, the State of New York, the provinces of Ontario, Québec, and the Canadian Maritime Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Overall, NPCC covers an area of nearly 1.2 million square miles, populated by approximately 62 million people. NPCC carries out its mission through: (i) the development of regional reliability standards and compliance assessment and enforcement of continent-wide and Regional Reliability standards; (ii) coordination of system planning, design and operations, and assessment of reliability; and, (iii) the establishment of Regionally-specific criteria and monitoring and enforcement of compliance with such criteria.
