Saturday, January 25, 2020

Speed Cameras

Speed Cameras Speed Cameras Is it another con? Or is it another excuse? Or just another reason to exploit the most law abiding majority of drivers amongst us, where it was reported at the time, that we were already one of the safest countries, in the world, to drive in. This great governments novel idea to introduce a speed camera; ‘a roadside speed camera designed to catch speeding vehicles by taking video footage or a photograph Wordpower Dictionary; Was it another illustrious plan to gain public trust? What trust? Apply greater pressure on to our police to enforce this ridiculous money making scheme, and basically thats all it is, its a way of squeezing more money out of the innocent motorist, when they should be out there catching real criminals; like our corrupt politicians as a classic example. The Independent has indicated the countrys biggest force; The Metropolitan Police has refused to put up more speed cameras, despite government support to do so. It argues that the increase of cameras would fuel public bitterness towards the police, in what could be seen as a getting even more money out of the motorist. Speed cameras are to be seen as nice little earners. In Northamptonshire, the cash for cameras scheme where the local police allowed allowed to keep the money from speeding fines; brought about a major increase in convictions. In Essex alone, a single camera on the M11 raised just short of a million in a single week. Chief constables were undecided as to how the cameras should be displayed, a highly ranking officer of Norfolk police, wanted them to be bright and visible. That avoided the perception that they are cunningly hidden away to increase police profits. However, it also had a flaw, because serial offenders will simply brake as they approached the camera, and then speed up once past detection. Richard Alleyne of the Guardian reported in the last year alone, the number of speeding tickets has exceeded 1.5m for the first time, twice the number issued back in 1997 when New Labour first came to power. They accumulated  £88m from motorists in one year alone and have since raked in  £1 billion over the past decade. Average speed cameras have proved effective at persuading people to keep within the limits though. Nearly 100 cameras were installed at road works mostly on motorways and accident black spots, and according to data collected from five active camera sites, 99.4 per cent of drivers obey the speed limits. The numbers of motorists killed and seriously injured after the cameras had been installed has fallen considerably. There are new cameras now and how they work are; they link wirelessly to each other, are capable of tracking vehicles for up to 15 miles whichever route they decide take over a vast area. The cameras, which are named ‘Specs3 are to be fitted at entry and exit points in built-up areas and on our busy roads. They are capable of reading number plates which record the time as each car passes. Critics point out that even these new cameras will not deter motorists from indulging in short bursts of speed, because they will still average less than 20mph either when they stop at junctions, traffic lights or stuck in traffic. On main roads, the average speed cameras issue fewer tickets than conventional Gatso cameras, which measure speed over only a few yards, according to the manufacturers. Richard Alleyne also states that a representative for the Home Office confirmed that these new first average speed cameras are to be placed in 20mph zones and that they have also passed laboratory tests for effectiveness, but they have yet to be officially given the green light, which could be as early as 2010. The new time over distance devices are also seen as a way of dealing with the problem of motorists braking when they see a camera then accelerating once past it. They have already been used on our motorways where despite catching far fewer speeders than traditional speed cameras, they have dramatically reduced casualties. These new cameras would be far more expensive, compared to the ‘Gatso which are getting pushed out at  £50k a device, in an area of London is one of the most profitable cameras which is located at the bottom of M11 motorway near Woodford, Essex which is alleged in raking in over  £840k a week, creating extra revenue for the government, the one good thing that it has in its favour is that it has created more jobs as the demand for cameras have increase year-on year since the turn of the millennium. Speed Cameras are a really splendid idea when are strategically placed in build up areas; around our schools and are placed within our hospitals areas, they are an ubiquitous sight on our motorways and our ‘B roads, where the majority of cameras are not needed, they are situated there because they are ‘areas that encourage us to speed if you dont keep up with the traffic; it is also deemed a criminal offense. How easy is it to creep over the speed limit accidentally? Research from the Think Campaign indicates that a cut in speed to 20mph has a dramatic impact in making areas friendlier to cyclists and pedestrians. One in 40 pedestrians struck by a car at 20mph dies, compared with one in five at 30mph. Traffic managers throughout the country see them as a way of restoring calm to Britains neighbourhoods without resorting to intrusive calming devices such as those ridiculous road humps and chicanes; which cause unnecessary damage to vehicles no matter what speed you go over them, even the slightest bump knocks out the tracking and the wheel balance; which can cost a small fortune on realignment and tyres. A huge decline in the number of road deaths was achieved between the years of 1983 and 1993, and they have been largely associated when they introduced front seatbelt wearing law mandatory back in 1983, along with making better-designed cars and having major reductions in drink driving fatalities. Factors likely to be responsible for the slowing rate of reduction between 1993 and 2003 include continued increases in traffic (up from 583 billion passenger kilometres 1993 to 634 billion passenger kilometres in 2002(2); sharp increases in motorcycle casualties (up from 427 in 1993(3) to 609 in 2002(4); a levelling-off of drink drive fatality numbers (up from 520 in 1993 to 560 in 2002(5); a decline in seatbelt-wearing and the increased use of mobile phones while driving. Another point in the decrease of deaths and accidents not attributed by speed was the introduction of the hazard and perception test back in 2003 (6) (Think) along with the theory questions prior to gaining your licence, making people more aware out on the roads. 1. (2001). Readers Digest Word Power Dictionary. London: Readers Digest. 942. 2. DfT. 2003b. Transport statistics for Great Britain 2002. DfT: London. 3. DoT. 1994. Road Accidents Great Britain 1993. HMSO: London. 4. National Statistics /DfT. 2003. Road Casualties Great Britain 2002: Annual Report. TSO: London. 5. Ibid. 6. dft.gov.uk/think Another interesting factor that contributed to these figures was the inexperience of drivers in the 17-25 year old bracket; showing no respect to our authorities and the people around them; thinking that the world owes them something; driving like lunatics to impress their friends and the opposite sex that are travelling with them in the car, break neck speeds which would even have the grim reaper laughing on their shoulders, crashing and causing deaths, resulting in mayhem on our roads and creating distress for the families of the victims. I know this because I used to be one of them, fortunately for me I grew out of this wild, childlike behaviour before I got caught, even worse killed. Many outsiders that are flooding this nation; bringing their bad driving habits with them, unleashing their inexperience on to our roads. A sound solution to this would be to increase the age limit to apply for your provisional to 21, (which I believe is under review); where we can only hope that they are all that little bit more mature and realise how dangerous a vehicle can be. To do this would mean that the government would miss the extra revenue that is collected in taxes from the extortionate prices the insurance companies charge these youngsters. Conclusion Speed cameras, are similar to speed limits, they play a useful role. The United Kingdom has fewer deaths on the road than most other countries in the world its because of tightly monitored limits. Especially at accident black spots, speed cameras can significantly reduce the number of road deaths. An argument can be raised for increasing the 70mph speed limit (and then strictly police the higher limit). In built-up areas, however, limits could be lower than they are now. Finally, we must remember that the importance of speed limits and cameras alike are to save peoples lives, and are not to be abused as a government made up tax. Speed limits exist to encourage people to drive sensibly; speed cameras exist in order to remind drivers that they cannot break those limit. Success, however, is not when the police funds are significantly increased because so many people drive dangerously over the speed limit, but a speed-camera job is if more drivers can (at last) persuade to drive at safer speeds. Bibliography DoT. 1994. Road Accidents Great Britain 1993. HMSO: London. (2001). Readers Digest Word Power Dictionary. London: Readers Digest. 942. (2001). Speed cameras are for saving lives, not raising cash. Available: http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/speed-cameras-are-for-saving-lives- not-raising-cash-664735.html. Last accessed 14 December 2009. DfT. 2003b. Transport statistics for Great Britain 2002. DfT: London. (2003). The slower speeds Inititive. Available: http://www.slower-speeds.org.uk/files/10myths031220.pdf. Last accessed 14 December 2009. National Statistics /DfT. 2003. Road Casualties Great Britain 2002: Annual Report. TSO: London. Ibid. Richard Alleyne. (2009). Average speed cameras installed in neighbourhoods for the first time. Available: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/6743003/Average-speed-cameras-installed-in-neighbourhoods-for-the-first-time.html. Last accessed 10 December 2009. (2009). Speed Urban. Available: http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/focusareas/driving/speedurban?page=FAQwhoareyou_id=. Last accessed 14 December 2009 Paul Maloy Argumentative Essay 1st draft

Friday, January 17, 2020

Literary Luminary

Week#1: Literary Luminary â€Å"The Great Gatsby† Chapter 1/2 â€Å"You look at him sometimes when he thinks nobody's looking. I'll bet he killed a man. † (Fitzgerald 44) -This passage shows the thoughts that run among all of Gatsby's guests. Who is he? Where did he come from? Gatsby has set himself up to a lot of questions and a lot of suspense. â€Å"He smiled understandingly- much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of reassurance in it that you may come across four or five times in life. (Fitzgerald 48) -This passage showcases the attraction people have towards Gatsby. While they may not know much about him, they are drawn into him by his friendliness and charm. This is something that Nick thinks is special about Gatsby. â€Å"Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face discussing in impassioned voices whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy's name. â€Å"Daisy! Daisy! Daisy! † s houted Mrs. Wilson â€Å"I'll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai—-† Making a short deft movement Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand. (Fitzgerald 37) -This passage shows us the how society treated woman back in those days almost as if they didn’t have their own freedom of speech, the situation however was treated differently because of the fact that Mrs. Wilson seemed to openly say her name without any thought that her actions might have consequences. In today’s society if one was to break a lady’s nose for screaming out the name of a flower, they might be put into something as extreme as a mental asylum. It’s interesting to portray these two different arguments because we must contrast events that go on today and back then.People's moral standards nowadays are so very low. Relationships aren't truthful, the way everyone dresses is bizarre, and the way others speak is wrong. In the book, Tom Buchanan takes Nick to his â€Å"gi rl†, even though he's already married, and she dresses strange. In the book it says, â€Å"‘We're getting off,' he insisted. â€Å"I want you to meet my girl. † (Fitzgerald 24). No one stays true to their values anymore, because, like Tom, they do whatever they want. -Nick goes to Gatsby's party, one of the only guests that come that were actually invited. -A huge orchestra was there. Jordan Baker is there, along with seemingly everyone in West Egg.This means Gatsby is very rich, considering he is able to supply food for all the people. Chapter 3 (food for thought) Also, in all of chapter 3 people are partying and gossiping. This definitely happens a lot today, especially in high school. They gossiped about Gatsby when someone said, â€Å"Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once (Fitzgerald 44). † Most of the people at the party are also not invited, which also happens at a lot of high school parties today. â€Å"†¦ I was one of the few gue sts who had actually been invited. People were not invited—they went there (Fitzgerald 41). â€Å"

Thursday, January 9, 2020

My writing styles Essay - 786 Words

My writing styles There are many writing styles that many people pick up as they go through there many years of schooling. Each person picks up the same type of writing styles but as years go by people seem to pick up there own little types of writing style that separates them from everyone else. As I have gone through many years of English classes I have acquired more and more skills and many more are sure to come as I continue my education. My writing skills have only gotten better from the time of ninth grade English class until today. Since my days back in junior high school I was only taught the basic skills to write papers and since then they have grown to make me a decent writer. I have many strengths and also†¦show more content†¦Run-on sentences is also another one of my weaknesses as a writer which is not as big as a problem as my weakness of verb tense use. Another of many disadvantages of a writer in my point of view is my able to organize my sentences so they run smoothly. I need to work a little bit more on my internal organization of paragraphs. I don’t exactly incorporate quotes so that my sentences run as smoothly as they can. All together I think these couple of disadvantages of my writing is minimal and that I can work on these mistakes out if I would proof read my papers more in depth. If I can work out my weaknesses from my writing I will have more advantages and also be considered a better writer. Along with disadvantages of my writing also come the advantages which make me a half way decent writer in my perspective. In writing papers I include many interesting facts about the topic that I am writing on. This skill of being able to research topics good is something that I think is one of my major strengths because of the ability to take the time and patience to weed through tons of material. I am able to take this research that I find and incorporate it into my papers in a fair enough manner that makes my papers have way decent. 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There were times when I was really nervous, perhaps before a job interview or meeting new people, and my mom would say , dont be nervous, just go and beRead MoreMy Writing Style And Abilities994 Words   |  4 PagesFinal Essay Within being enrolled for EN11, as well as EN12, I believe that I have made significant improvements in my writing style and abilities. From the first semester, I struggled with choosing one side of the argument or assignment, focusing on such topic and being more specific about it, rather than incorporating a more general idea of both sides that could be taken. By the end of the semester, I believe I had made noteworthy progress of keying into one idea and focusing on the major detailedRead MoreMy Writing Style Of The Professor961 Words   |  4 Pagesmost thing that I like with this class is the teaching style of the professor. The professor made the course very interesting, because when I came to the Tuesday class, I can learn the knowledge from the Asian American history, and when I went to the Thursday class, I can listen to my classmates’ opinion. This is what I like about the teaching style of the professor. I can actually learn things from the class, and I also can discuss with my classmates about the article. In this letter, I will discuss

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Standard Courses for 11th Grade Students

As they enter their junior year of high school, many students are starting to think about life after graduation. If they are college-bound, 11th graders will begin taking college entrance exams and focus on getting academically and emotionally prepared for college.  If they are following a different path, such as entrepreneurship or entering the workforce, students may begin to refine their elective studies to prepare for their specific field of interest.   Language Arts A typical course of study for 11th-grade language arts will focus on developing higher level skills in the areas of literature, grammar, composition, and vocabulary. Students will refine and build on the skills they have previously learned.   Colleges expect students to have earned four language arts credits. In 11th grade, students will likely study American, British, or World literature, completing whichever course they did not complete in 9th or 10th grade.   Homeschooling families may wish to combine literature and history, so an 11th-grade student taking world history would choose world literature titles.  Ã‚  Families who dont want to tie literature into their history studies should work with their student to select a robust and well-rounded reading list. Students should continue to gain writing practice in a wide variety of composition types such as how-to, persuasive, and narrative essays and research papers. Grammar is not typically taught separately in 11th grade but is incorporated in the writing and self-editing process.   Math A typical course of study for 11th-grade math usually means geometry or Algebra II, depending on what the student has previously completed. High school math is traditionally taught in the order Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II to ensure that students have a solid understanding of geometry for college entrance exams.   However, some homeschool curriculum follows Algebra I with Algebra II before introducing geometry. Students who completed pre-algebra in 9th grade may follow a different schedule, as will those who completed Algebra I in 8th grade.   For students who are strong in math, 11th-grade options may include pre-Calculus, trigonometry, or statistics. Students who are not planning on going into a science- or math-related field may take courses such as business or consumer math. Science Most students will study chemistry in 11th grade after having successfully completed the math courses necessary for understanding how to balance chemical equations. Alternative science courses include physics, meteorology, ecology, equine studies, marine biology, or any dual-enrollment college science course. Common topics for 11th-grade chemistry include matter  and its behavior; formulas and chemical equations; acids, bases, and salts; atomic theory;  periodic law; molecular theory; ionization and ionic solutions; colloids, suspensions, and emulsions; electrochemistry; energy; and nuclear reactions and radioactivity. Social Studies Most colleges expect a student to have three credits for social studies, so many 11th grade students will be completing their final social studies course.  For homeschooled students following a classical education model, 11th-grade students will study the Renaissance. Other students may be studying American or world history.   Common topics for 11th grade social studies include the  Age of Exploration and Discovery; the colonization and development of America; sectionalism; the  American Civil War and Reconstruction; World Wars;  the Great Depression;  the Cold War and the nuclear era; and civil rights. Other acceptable courses of study for 11th-grade social studies include geography, psychology, sociology, anthropology, civics, economics, and dual enrollment college social studies courses. Electives Most colleges expect to see at least six elective credits. Even if a student is not college-bound, electives are an ideal way to explore areas of interest that may lead to a future career or a lifelong hobby. A student can study just about anything for elective credit. Most colleges expect a student to have completed two years of the same foreign language, so many 11th graders will be finishing their second year. Many colleges also like to see at least one credit in the visual or performing arts. Students can earn this credit with courses such as drama, music, dance, art history, or a class like painting, drawing, or photography. Other examples of elective credit options include digital media, computer technology, creative writing, journalism, speech, debate, auto mechanics, or woodworking. Students can also earn credit for test prep courses, which can be useful in helping them meet their elective credit requirements and approaching entrance exams with more confidence.