[Sidders]

I got busted by a copper last night, who caught me doing 55mph in a 30mph limit on wet roads. He said I was going so fast he couldn't even give me a ticket, so he says I have to expect a summons through the post in 2-3 weeks. He said it would be for dangerous driving, but I'm not sure I can believe that. Does anyone know what will happen to me? I really don't want to be banned because I don't know how I will get to work if I am.

[kendra k]

that sounds like a complete sham, but i don't know how you brits handle these things. it wouldn't be kosher in america. you'd recieve a ticket/be charged on the spot.

[Quincy]

youll get some points but i doubt you will be banned. 12 points is a ban isnt it? youll prob get 6 or something and maybe a fine.

[Walter Sobchak]

I got busted by a copper last night, who caught me doing 55mph in a 30mph limit on wet roads. He said I was going so fast he couldn't even give me a ticket, so he says I have to expect a summons through the post in 2-3 weeks. He said it would be for dangerous driving, but I'm not sure I can believe that. Does anyone know what will happen to me? I really don't want to be banned because I don't know how I will get to work if I am.

When you say you got busted, can you explain how? was he following you? was he operating a handheld camera? was he on his own?

Did he give you any paperwork which states his name and number?

As far as I can see He was trying to scare you, without a ticket he would have to report you as a witness, rather than someone upholding the law, this would mean a visit by a different police officer who would formally charge you for 'dangerous driving' (where the standard of driving falls far below what is normal and reasonable and with risk to life or property).

If you are still concerned, then seek some legal advice, try the Citizens Advice Bureau, you may be able to get an answer over the phone, otherwise go to them taking as much information as possible, but I am sure that nothing will happen!

roadlaw site (dont pay fo their advice tho!)

Department of Transport Court Cases (Dangerous Driving)

I hate the current speed laws, and would love to see 5-7 year assesments with more sensible traffic control systems.

tbh, most people don't know the law of the road, how many people think 'undertaking' is illegal... its not, but dates back to when cars had only a mirror on the right, therefore 'overtaking on the inside' was viewed as dangerous driving.... and still is!
All drivers should attend a ROSPA meeting, and buy 'Roadcraft, The Police Drivers Handbook' in my opinion

[Mafro]

Why were you driving 25mph over the limit on a wet road anyway?

[Mcqueen_]

If he was driving behind you you deserve the points/fine for stupidity.

[Sidders]

If he was driving behind you you deserve the points/fine for stupidity.

It was dark, and as my headlights don't point backwards, I couldn't see that it was a cop car.

[Sidders]

Why were you driving 25mph over the limit on a wet road anyway?

Cos I'm a speed junkie.

[Sidders]

When you say you got busted, can you explain how? was he following you? was he operating a handheld camera? was he on his own?

Did he give you any paperwork which states his name and number?

As far as I can see He was trying to scare you, without a ticket he would have to report you as a witness, rather than someone upholding the law, this would mean a visit by a different police officer who would formally charge you for 'dangerous driving' (where the standard of driving falls far below what is normal and reasonable and with risk to life or property).

If you are still concerned, then seek some legal advice, try the Citizens Advice Bureau, you may be able to get an answer over the phone, otherwise go to them taking as much information as possible, but I am sure that nothing will happen!

roadlaw site (dont pay fo their advice tho!)

Department of Transport Court Cases (Dangerous Driving)

He was following me. I was very cooperative with him, and to be fair, it was obvious to him that I knew I had done wrong. He even asked me if I'd been drinking, and when I said I hadn't he didn't want to breathalise me. You may be right that he was trying to scare me, and if anything, I very much doubt that they will be able to do me for dangerous driving as there are no other witnesses. I don't want to be too optimistic about not hearing anything more about this though, as I was * caning it and I have no excuse. I need to stop driving so fast though, as my car is being * over. The bastard exhaust fell off today and that's no doubt gonna be at least another couple of hundred quid garage bill.

[Ickle Angel]

Bettis your best hope as she works for a solicitors

[Sidders]

Yeah, I was hoping Betti would reply.

[Chris]

He's right - you're screwed.

[MK Chris]

Now Sidders, in some ways I'm in no place to criticise because I fairly frequently speed if I know the area, but 30 is there for a reason, it's normally a built up area... I don't speed in built up areas. I do believe that some 30 zones could be upped to 40 after a certain time, when there's nothing about, but 55 is wreckless to be honest...

[Adam]

I would get in touch with your Solicitor and prepare for a right old bollocking from the Police, Courts. Just wait for the summons and take it from there. Explain what happened to the Solicitor and see what he/she can advise you.

Any speeding offence is punishable by way of a fine, discretionary disqualification or between 3 - 6 penalty points.

There are guidelines which set out the minimum figures at which a Fixed Penalty Notice and a Court Summons would normally be considered appropriate for a speeding offence, if there are no other aggravating circumstances. The minimum figure for a FPN is the posted limit + 10% + 2 mph. These figures are shown in the table below:



So the Police were right not to give you a ticket and advise you of pending summons to the court.

Its worth looking at http://www.pepipoo.com/ as there is detailed information on the regs and laws, including a forum. Probably worth posting on there which will result in a better answer.

Just dont do a John Terry and ignore the letters:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5265272.stm

[Mcqueen_]

I think I'd be right in thinking you didn't know any of that of the top of your head Adam so have been spending your time a researching for Sidla, you still got the hots for him eh?

[Sidders]

Now Sidders, in some ways I'm in no place to criticise because I fairly frequently speed if I know the area, but 30 is there for a reason, it's normally a built up area... I don't speed in built up areas. I do believe that some 30 zones could be upped to 40 after a certain time, when there's nothing about, but 55 is wreckless to be honest...

It wasn't so much a built up area, more like 6 houses and a pub. It's a straight road, and if there was going to be anything in front of you you would see it. All the same, I'm not defending my actions, and if I have to go to court I will plead guilty.

[kendra k]

this is why proper road geometry can really help maintain safe speeds. people see flat, straight roads and they just want to put the pedal to the metal, no matter how built up it is. it's not safe.

[Sidders]

Anyway, my exhaust has been fixed. I went out today and made sure i was consious to stick to the speed limit.

[Betti911]

I got busted by a copper last night, who caught me doing 55mph in a 30mph limit on wet roads. He said I was going so fast he couldn't even give me a ticket, so he says I have to expect a summons through the post in 2-3 weeks. He said it would be for dangerous driving, but I'm not sure I can believe that. Does anyone know what will happen to me? I really don't want to be banned because I don't know how I will get to work if I am.

Better late than never

A person prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit cannot be convicted on the evidence of a single person who states that in his opinion the person was driving in excess of the speed limit.

Did the policeman use any device to record the speed? That would be competant in court. Do you dispute that you were doing that speed? The policeman could have been using a VASCAR device inside his cop car which would coroberate his case?

Re penalties under scots law dangerous driving can mean disqualification. The policeman has charged you for this but you will recieve your summons/complaint from the Crown Prosecution Service (In england) who will decide what charge you will answer to in court. It might be difficult for them to prove dangerous driving and charge you instead with something less serious.

My advice is to wait till you get your court date and then take your papers to an english lawyer who will give you a clearer picture of the situation at the time. Tell me how it goes.

[Sidders]

Did the policeman use any device to record the speed? That would be competant in court.

I don't know. I wouldn't expect so, apart from his own speedometer. How do I know for sure?

Do you dispute that you were doing that speed?

Well, I probably was doing that speed, but if I'm advised against admitting that, then I can do. I didn't deny it when the policeman stopped me.

The policeman could have been using a VASCAR device inside his cop car which would coroberate his case?

Again, how do I know this?

I don't expect he'll be able to do me for dangerous driving as there was nobody else on the road and no pedestrians, so there was not really any danger.

[Mcqueen_]

A person prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit cannot be convicted on the evidence of a single person who states that in his opinion the person was driving in excess of the speed limit.

You sure?

So if a patrol car is following me with no camera inside and is only judging me speed by his speedometre (not a traffic car so his speedometre is not calibrated) I could do 100mph in a 30zone, no other witnesses, they wouldn't be able to convict me?

[Console]

That sounds right to me, there needs to be some sort of proof that you did it, otherwise any police officer could just abuse their powers to annoy people they don't like.

[Mafro]

What if he took a sneaky snap on his phone?

[Console]

Of what? If he could prove the speed someone was travelling at with a mobile phone camera, then that, surely, would be classed as evidence.

[Mafro]

Using a camera phone to take a picture of the speedometer, although the policeman would then be driving with one hand, which is naughty, but then again the police nowadays can literaly get away with murder.