I think it is fairly well known that the police (and in general the legal system) are commited to generate as much revenue as possible from the motorist. Not for the auspices of road safety but simply to swell the governments coffers.
Recently I was caught in a long traffic queue. There is a shortcut through a housing estate which cuts out the traffic lights. There are small signs on the entrance to this estate advising "Access only". The coppers were booking everyone who wasn't visiting an address on the estate @ £30 a shot !!
They must have made a small fortune that day. They had even 'imported' the policemen from a neighbouring force !
I remember the days when just a warning would have been given.
