Mijksenaar

To Michelin, division maps and guides (#4)

2009

The following letter below was sent to Michelin headquarters as short while ago

To Michelin, division maps and guides.

First I'd like to let you know that I have always been a big admirer of Michelin cartography and wrote about its outstanding quality in several articles during the last decades.

So I'm always thrilled to buy a new map or guide to see which improvements Michelin came up with this time. This spring I bought - next to other maps and guides - Map 358 'Local' of Toscana at the scale of 1/200.000 edition 2, 2008.

The reason that I write to you now is the discovery of a new symbol displayed at the main roads. First I thought that it symbolized a panoramic view or even a 'photo opportunity' but then found out that it means 'speed camera'.
I was really shocked! I think it is an act of the outmost immorality. It gives the car driver a clear license 'to drive as fast as they like, whatever the local speed restrictions might be, but reduce speed only at the locations of speed cameras as Michelin shows them so unashamedly.





In this way Michelin openly encourages dangerous and reckless driving. Michelin willingly supports the increase of incidents with in general very serious casualties.

I strongly advice you to reconsider the use of these symbols and, if you really want to improve safety on the road, add information about the maximum speed for each stretch of road, like some digital navigation systems already supply (Navigon).

Yours sincerely,
Paul Mijksenaar

Note
The Michelin company (Paris) wrote to me that the location of the fixed radars is not classified information; in fact, they are indicated by road signs and so they decided to indicate their location. Wisely they did not mention the (im)moral aspect of my objection!