“Cameras need to be set up fairly and signed clearly so that drivers are not unduly punished” say RAC

By Helen Wells

New figures revealing the number of fines issued for bus lane and ‘yellow box’ offences (amongst other things) by London drivers have received widespread news coverage today. The reporting has, predictably, focused on the injustice of punishing drivers for breaking the law. The RAC has contributed to this narrative by suggesting that there is something inherently devious about punishing drivers without giving them due warning, or for enforcing laws for ‘minor’ breaches (the definition of which is unclear). Generally speaking, such injustice and unfairness narratives have typified any attempts to encourage drivers to obey the law in recent years, with the heated debate about speed cameras being only one example. An RAC spokeswoman also suggested that "Motorists are generally law abiding and want to obey the rules." Statistics suggest, however, that such a law-abiding identity is more attractive than it is realistic, with drivers keen to resist the implication of law-breaking even when evidence suggests otherwise. Indeed, it is common for the law, the enforcement methods, the motives of the enforcers, or all three, to be called into question as part of the efforts of the ‘law-abiding’ to resist the implication that they are otherwise. What strikes me as interesting in this current reporting is that, with drivers encouraged to see themselves as ‘targeted’, ‘milked’ and ‘persecuted’ (depending on your choice of news source), the fact that offending drivers are offending against, inconveniencing, delaying or endangering each other seems to be effectively overlooked. Drivers are encouraged to think of themselves as a united bunch, and not to think of other offending motorists as obstructions or obstacles to their free and safe passage (as the enforcement rationale would encourage us to see them). Whilst the ‘oppressed majority’ narrative may be sustainable in the case of speeding (where drivers may be able to view other speeding drivers as facilitating their own speedy journey, and where slow drivers are more likely to come in for censure), such a stance in relation to offences that give other drivers an unfair advantage (bus lane incursions) or which cause other drivers to be delayed (yellow box offences) is surprisingly popular.

Such narratives were the focus of my recent presentation to the Road Safety Scotland annual seminar in Edinburgh, and a report on that presentation was published last week in the Road Safety Scotland newsletter Direction which can be found here.

Two exciting Criminology-related PhD Studentship opportunities are currently being advertised at Keele, supervised by Criminologists within the Social Policy Research Group.

CASE Research Studentship: The Voluntary Sector Role in Promoting Offenders’ Desistance through Peer Mentoring (reference no. RILPJ 2011-1)

Closing Date: Monday 14th February 2011, 5 pm

Interview Date: Friday 25th February 2011

An exciting opportunity exists to undertake a PhD exploring the role of voluntary (third) sector organisations working with offenders and ex-prisoners. The study will conduct research into peer mentoring programmes in England and Wales in partnership with voluntary sector providers. The research will explore the ways in which peer mentoring contributes to ex-offenders’ life chances and reintegration, as well as the value of mentoring to participants, both as mentees and mentors. This studentship arises from a partnership between Keele University and Clinks
The CASE research studentship, which will start from April 2011, will be
funded full time for three years. It will suit someone who combines an interest in voluntary sector involvement in criminal or social justice with strong analytic and writing skills essential for research at this level. Experience with research methods (qualitative or quantitative) is essential.
The successful application will work under the guidance of Dr Mary Corcoran (Lecturer in Criminology) and Professor Barry Godfrey (Professor of Criminology) together with Clinks. The research will involve periods spent at Keele University and at the participating projects.
Eligibility:
Applicants should hold a good honours degree, preferably in a relevant social science. You should have, or expect to gain, an ESRC recognised Masters in Research (MRes), or other recognised research qualification, or have training and experience which are demonstrably equivalent to this.
For further information on academic and residential eligibility see the ESRC Postgraduate Research Studentship Guidance Notes for Applicants 2010

Value:
The successful applicant will receive tuition fees at UK rates, access to £750 annual research costs and an enhanced annual stipend of £15,590 (for full-time students) for three years.



Contacts and further information:
Academic contact: Dr Mary Corcoran m.corcoran@crim.keele.ac.uk

Administrative queries: Miss Helen Farrell, PGR Administrator, Phone: 01782 733641
Email: phd@ilpj.keele.ac.uk

To apply:
Apply online for this studentship visit the Keele studentship website reference RILPJ 2011-1




Research Studentship: Pay-as-you-go justice? Out of court disposals and the future of the Magistracy (reference RILPJ 2011-2)

Closing Date: Monday 14th February 2011, 5 pm

Interview Date: Friday 25th February 2011

The studentship will explore the growing trend for the disposing of cases outside of the traditional courtroom environment through the use of fixed penalty disposals. Such methods, relying extensively on strict liability legal principles, automated prosecution systems and fixed penalty punishments are being used for an expanding range of minor 'quality of life' offences (traffic, littering, parking, dog fouling). In addition, they are increasingly being deemed appropriate for more serious offences traditionally dealt with by the police and Magistrates' Courts (for example being drunk and disorderly in a public place, selling alcohol to a minor, threatening behaviour or language and behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress).

Should the average citizen encounter the criminal justice system in the role of 'problem' they will usually do so via this type of non-court disposal. The project will employ interviews with magistrates, policy makers and other relevant authorities to explore views on these punishments. The project will explore what messages about behaviour, punishment and justice they communicate to sentenced offenders, and ask questions whether the increasing reliance on such methods is a desirable direction for criminal justice in England and Wales.

Duration and eligibility:
This studentship, which will start from April 2011, is for three years duration.
Applicants should hold a good honours degree in a relevant subject. A postgraduate degree or experience of Magistrates Courts policy or practices is desirable.

The successful application will work under the guidance of Professor Barry Godfrey (Professor of Criminology) with
Dr Mary Corcoran (Lecturer in Criminology) and Dr Helen Wells (Lecturer in Criminology).

Value:
The successful applicant will receive a stipend for 3 years £13,590 at 2010/11 rate and payment of tuition fees at UK rates for 3 years.

For contacts and further information go to:
For general enquiries, please speak to our PGR administrator, Helen Farrell, Phone: 01782 733641 Email: phd@ilpj.keele.ac.uk

For academic queries, please contact:
Professor Barry Godfrey b.s.godfrey@crim.keele.ac.uk Dr Helen Wells h.m.wells@crim.keele.ac.uk


To apply:
Apply online for this studentship, visit the Keele studentship website: http://www.keele.ac.uk/pgresearch/choosingaresearchdegree/studentships/