What do you guys\girls think about this speeding fine...

[SteveyT]

I have just this morning been pulled over driving on a so called 30mph road which is wide enuff for 4 cars to pass each other easily and which has no speed signs on it at all at the time of writing.

9am in the morning, bit frosty and a single motorbike copper hiding near a tree at the side of the road...

I've only just recently passed my test a few weeks ago, and also only just put a green P plate on my car ( a diesel btw).

So, I comes onto this road and started to accelerate and got pulled into the side of the road about half way up it (considering I came onto it about 1/4 of the way already). So this police officer gives me some right grief making out on this ancient speed detector that I was doing 45mph on a 30 road when I was doing 35 maximum after coming round a corner, and on a road that you could use for drag racing.

So anyway, straigt away he fines me and takes 3 points off my license?!?!??? not a word said, are they on commission or what? have they got some sort of targets to achive or what?

Well, shocked? I was completely, no warning, no sort of compassion to the fact that I had just passed, there was no speed signs, I wanted to get to work and was just getting used to driving, nope, just milking me for some more money I think...

I am so dissapointed in today's police force I can't put it into words, and the most grinding part of it is knowing that myself and my family have been burgeled multiple times only for the police to say "well, there's not much we can do about it"... I mean ffs where were the police then? with thier harrasing bullying attitude?

I am so shocked I am almost considering legal action, any opinions? but then this again is probably gonna cost me 4x what bending over and paying the fine is... but for 3 points on a fresh license is it really worth it?

Also considering I want to prove a point too and also how much of my time they have wasted that I could've been earning money... I dunno about anyone else, but I call it 'heavy handed policing' if not down right 'harrasment'...


SteveyT

>>> Edited by SteveyT on Thursday 15th November 01:10

[nonegreen]

What type of speed edtector was it?

[hertsbiker]

I'm very sorry to tell you that;-
a: they can do it
b: if you get another 3 points, ya gotta do your test again
c: it ain't fair

AND

D: it's stupid, it's pointless, but it's the law. Join the ABD, campaign against it, and BUY a Geodesy or Radar detector, and USE it.

Good luck with avoiding future grief - it also benefits the rest of us if you don't get caught. Less fines = less new cameras. Sorry mate, but we all have to learn new tricks to avoid this sort of thing.

cheers, Carl

[SteveyT]

I don't know what detector it was, but it was a hand held one completely black with a two digit typical green 'digital clock' font nothing else on it, the other worrying thing was as soon as he gave me a glance at it he turned it off? very strange...

I have also joined the ABD and will probably contest it.

SteveyT

Edited by SteveyT on Thursday 15th November 01:09

[Marv]

Sounds like aradar gun. Did u see the digits on it? Joining the abd is a start but you could do better by buying you a radar detector and a geodesy..

Marv.

[WoodE]

First of all, what a b*st*rd eh, new car, new licence and boom, 3 points straight away..

Secondly, if u get 6 points within the 'probation period' of your licence (the first 2 years of you passing your test), you need to retake both theory and practical (im sure its both, could be wrong).

Lastly, if my memory serves me right, from my old drivin' lesson days, no 'repeater signs' (speed signs telling u its 20,40,50, whatever) automatically makes it a 30mph zone, unless otherwise stated (hence, with repeater signs).

If PC Plod turned off the gun when u looked at it, it *might* have been 'cos it was not calibrated prior to 'gunning' you, then again it might have been.

You could ask for the calibration certificate & clear signs the officer calibrated it before shooting people, i don't know if they have to sign a certificate themselves or what, JR is best to consult on this.

With it being a fixed penalty (ie, signed & ordered there and then) i don't think there's much you can do about it really.

Get a detector and keep a low profile for the next 20-24 months =)

[muley]

Well, I think it is rotten bad luck.
I expect that you are probably young(?) There does seem to be a general trend for the traffic police to pull younger drivers - seen as easy prey I suppose. I don't think you'll get very far by contesting it, it's just a bl**dy shame IMHO.

[big rumbly]

Bad luck; I think that I can speak for others who have been driving a long time, It's happened to all of us at some point, you just have to grin and bear it, and put it behind you. Take solace that there are more good reasonable coppers out there than bad ones. Put it down to experience.
NIL ILLEGITEMI CARBORUNDUM
(don't let the bastards grind you down)
Regards
Big Rumbly


Edited by big rumbly on Thursday 15th November 09:13

Edited by big rumbly on Thursday 15th November 09:13

Edited by big rumbly on Thursday 15th November 09:14

[SteveyT]

Thanks for all your replies, I am currently about to write a 4 page letter to our cheif constable and my MP so we'll see what happens.

I saw the digits saying 45 yeh, but I came to work this morning the same way purposely to see if I could under normal circumstances do that kinda speed again, I reached 35mph... (he wasn't there today neither probably having the day off for 'good cash performance')

Oh and I'm not young neither I'm almost 28yrs old.

Also, nice slogan that is "NIL ILLEGITEMI CARBORUNDUM" )

SteveyT

Edited by SteveyT on Thursday 15th November 10:11

Edited by SteveyT on Thursday 15th November 10:13

[john robson]

I disagree a little here with some of your comments. At the moment I have 5 RTA's in my tray (ie ones which warrant prosecution and need statements for court) 4 of them are young (under 21 passed test recently) inexperienced drivers three involve serious injury. All involve blame on the part of the driver and that blame is excessive speed combined with lack of anticipation and ability to control the car. Take the speed out and the RTA would not have happened (fact trust me on that one can't go into each one) Only yesterday I stopped a new driver and advised him about his speed, he would have got a ticket but there was not enough distance to do an accurate check. It seems that wide road or not, the limit was 30, you were caught on what appears to be a radar gun, it may be old but they are still just as accurate, by your own admission it was frosty (possibly ice on the road). Sorry but no sympathy from me you were caught fair and square. With 3 points on yer licence, if you have got any sense you will be one of the most careful drivers around. That is the idea of the system. As for the others I have mentioned when I have finished the paperwork they will be going to court for dangerous driving, high price to pay compared with your 3 points and fine, it was nearly a lot higher.
Just a further point, As you only just passed your test you should be well aware that all roads with lamposts less than 200m apart are 30 mph unless otherwise signposted. Policing covers a very wide area we can't all just go out and catch burglars. (If you want to wind a copper up that is the one surefire way of doing it we must hear that one as much as "have you got the right time".

Edited by john robson on Thursday 15th November 11:31

[PetrolTed]

Thanks for your eloquent words (again) John. Always good to have an experienced view bringing some cold reality to the debate.

I think perhaps one danger of the overzealous speeding campaign we are experiencing is that everyone caught for speeding will consider themselves a victim of the campaign, rather than stop to consider the danger of the individual circumstances.

[johnny boy]

I can’t believe this guy is making such a fuss over 3 points and £45.00

It has been said many times before, but I am sure that the majority of PH readers exceed the speed limit where they believe it to be appropriate.

Regardless, at this point we are breaking the law and if we get caught, then in my book, it’s fair cop guv. Yes, it’s annoying but we deal with it and get on with it.

So you were clocked at 45 and you thought you were only doing 35? Still breaking the law, so accept the points and drop it.

[jimbo]

Ted,

How can the speeding campaign be called over zealous ?, surely it's over zealous to be placing hundreds of speed cameras on every stretch of road where the speed limit is unsuitable.

No-one is complaining the speed limit in towns and built up areas, in fact in some areas i would like to see the limit come down to 20mph (schools, town centres, housing estates e.t.c), and to be honest I don't really have any sympathy with the guy above who has been caught at 15mph over the limit.

The anti-speed camera campaign is meant to target obvious government/police revenue earners, and also to get antiqui... antiquat... antiquitate... OLD speeding laws re-adressed.

Jim

[VTECDave]

Regardless of posted limits if you joined this wide road from a known 30 limit then the wide road has to be assumed to be a 30 as well.
(John Robson quoted the lamp post rule)

If your feeling brave you could try and contest the copper's evidence but best just take what you got.

[jimbro1000]

Stevey you have my sympathy, but as has already been pointed out. You should have known better.

I had 3 points on my license within 2 weeks of passing my test and I felt extremely victimised, especially seeing as I wasn't in the car!

I still had to learn the hard way though. It has taken me 13 years to get a clean license again! The cost in fines and elevated insurance premiums is painful to say the least!

[SteveyT]

To sort out some of the rednecks that are starting to appear, I was fined £60 not £45... and it WASN'T a frosty road at all don't start putting words into other peoples minds, you are obviously a copper... typical that you just proved my point thanks.

Also, a little reply to 'johnny boy', you obviously didn't read my original post properly. If you had however you would've noticed that I had just passed my test. Basically meaning that IMO I am as close to being a perfect\safe driver than any 'experienced' driver. Just another little point read the followups too fs, I did the same run as usual this morning (sorry for all those who read my earlier replies) and topped 35mph in exactly the same route and I was actually trying to get to 45mph... enuff said.

Everyone I have spoken to has said it was harsh including police officers, and tbh I won't stand for it like you, I will not bend over and take it up the arse like you obviously did. So, please in future read the whole posts\replies before writing your cocky comments.

I originally asked for some advice, and I don't see how accepting the 3 points and the £60 fine is going to make me a safer driver. The plod who copped me was hiding behind a tree ffs. He was a complete arsehole, and had already pre decided my fate before I'd even said a word. That imo is 'heavy handed'. I also have no previous record with the police, sad.

Anyway, to remind people of my initial argument point:

First time mature (diesel) driver 28yrs, with my green P plates still on my car. I am not saying that I wasn't speeding, I'm not so sure it was by the amount he said mind, but I will be the first to say I may have been over the limit. All I am saying is that what would be more of a deterrant the current action (which will certainly result in me taking it to court regardless of outcome and costing the police more money which they will be getting from both other ppl who've been fined and MY pocket ffs.

OR

Give me a warning, (which tbh, is what I was expecting) and let me go about in the (new) knowledge that the road I was on which had no signs for speed (and co incidentally WAS NOT taught to me in my driving lessons or theory about the "if there's no road signs blah blah...) is a 30mph road, and consider myself lucky to only get a warning.

Jim, OMG 13 years how come?

SteveyT

Edited by SteveyT on Thursday 15th November 13:26

[PetrolTed]

quote:
How can the speeding campaign be called over zealous ?, surely it's over zealous to be placing hundreds of speed cameras on every stretch of road where the speed limit is unsuitable.

Err.. wrong end of the stick. I meant the campaign against speeding.

[PetrolTed]

quote:If you had however you would've noticed that I had just passed my test. Basically meaning that IMO I am as close to being a perfect\safe driver than any 'experienced' driver.

Don't be so naive.

[SteveyT]

LOL, (here we go a long time driver)... how many years and bad habits you picked up then? pass first time did you? please don't call me naive, when you don't even know me, your a plod aren't you?

/me walks away laughing


SteveyT

[johnny boy]

SteveyT

Sorry, but I can read properly and, yes, I noticed you had passed your driving test - strange really as you have obviously not read the Highway Code

quote:103. You MUST NOT exceed the maximum speed limits for the road and for your vehicle (see the table below). Street lights usually mean that there is a 30 mph speed limit unless there are signs showing another limit.
Law RTRA sects 81,86,89 & sch 6

Regardless of how long people have been driving and regardless of what level of experience they *perceive* themselves to have, the fact is that you were caught breaking the law.

That you did it again on another morning to prove a point and, at the same time, risked getting caught again is frankly ridiculous.

I am not trying to climb on a soap box here because I, for one, exceed the speed limit at some point every day.

However, the point of giving you 3 points and £60 is not to make you a safer driver - it's to try and prevent you doing it again.

Oh, and by the way, you stated it was a bit frosty - people are naturally going to assume that the road was icy, and also by the way, don't assume that I have been caught for speeding before and have 'taken it up the arse' as you so nicely put it.

Cocky comments?

Sorry, just telling you how it is

Edited by johnny boy on Thursday 15th November 13:50