Motoring journalist banned for speeding
Discussion
Whoops! Single carriageway road...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-is...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-is...
BBC said:
Police clocked Owen Mildenhall, 41, of Edenbridge, Kent, travelling at 127mph in a Porsche Carrera 911 at Tornagrain near Inverness.
The incident happened at 00:45 on 10 July.
Mildenhall had since lost his job as a motoring journalist, Inverness Sheriff Court heard on Thursday.
The incident happened at 00:45 on 10 July.
Mildenhall had since lost his job as a motoring journalist, Inverness Sheriff Court heard on Thursday.
mon the fish said:
More to the point - why the hell was there a speed trap at 00:45!? Were they expecting him? Normally a quiet road at that time
I get the impression that speed traps are placed where there's a high chance of catching someone over the limit, i.e. where it's safe to speed, rather than in an effort to improve road safety. Where it's dangerous to speed, you'll never see one, for example outside a school or hospital.From reading the facts above, I would say that an experienced driver doing 127mph on an empty straight road in a modern high performance car is perfectly safe. Far safer than driving I see everyday - 70mph in thick fog for example, or tailgating etc. Naturally, the police aren't interested in that because it's harder to enforce than sitting in a nice warm van catching people speeding on empty roads.
It all adds to a pretty negative view of law enforcement from anyone who uses logic to reason the above, which is a shame. The law should be there to protect people, not gain revenue.
ETA: I've just clocked the name... he's a superb driver! Truly idiotic. He was probably safer doing that speed in that situation in that car than half the drivers on the road every second of the day.
Edited by RobM77 on Friday 28th November 10:39
FurtiveFreddy said:
I was caught at 125mph on the M25 the 1980's and got a 1 month ban. Times change.
My dad was caught for a similar speed and received a similar punishment. 15 months is harsh but on reading the article it looks like he pled guilty to dangerous driving not speeding. Maybe that's the difference?I'm sure he was safe at that speed, and he is no doubt a formidable driver.
But anyone who does that speed knows they're going to get bullyrammed if they get caught. And if you depend on your licence for your job, then you are an idiot for risking it.
I lose my job if I lose my licence, and therefore I drive at a level where this won't happen.
But anyone who does that speed knows they're going to get bullyrammed if they get caught. And if you depend on your licence for your job, then you are an idiot for risking it.
I lose my job if I lose my licence, and therefore I drive at a level where this won't happen.
matchmaker said:
Whoops! Single carriageway road...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-is...
Laughable...and nonsense...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-is...
BBC said:
Police clocked Owen Mildenhall, 41, of Edenbridge, Kent, travelling at 127mph in a Porsche Carrera 911 at Tornagrain near Inverness.
The incident happened at 00:45 on 10 July.
Mildenhall had since lost his job as a motoring journalist, Inverness Sheriff Court heard on Thursday.
The incident happened at 00:45 on 10 July.
Mildenhall had since lost his job as a motoring journalist, Inverness Sheriff Court heard on Thursday.
How many motoring journalist would still have a job if they've gotten the same treatment.
Answer:
None.
Thread can be closed.
DeltonaS said:
Laughable...and nonsense...
How many motoring journalist would still have a job if they've gotten the same treatment.
Answer:
None.
Thread can be closed.
One of Owen's key jobs is to do track tests though, for which you probably don't need a driving license (I don't know the insurance implications though).How many motoring journalist would still have a job if they've gotten the same treatment.
Answer:
None.
Thread can be closed.
Soov535 said:
Terminator X said:
Silly speed but a 15 month ban?! Was very late at night and in deserted Scotland too + ex racing driver 
TX.
He apparently pleased to Dangerous Driving thus the lengthy ban. Odd advice he must have had.TX.
vikingaero said:
He didn't get charged with speeding but with dangerous driving.
The article says speeding, which given his speed, may have been dangerous. But ofcourse your absolutely right that in every EVO, CAR, Auto Express,etc. Youtube video the speedlimit is absolutely respected ;-)
DeltonaS said:
Laughable...and nonsense...
How many motoring journalist would still have a job if they've gotten the same treatment.
Answer:
None.
Thread can be closed.
That's just not true. I know a motoring journo and he's very cautious re speed on public roads, because he needs his licence to work!!! How many motoring journalist would still have a job if they've gotten the same treatment.
Answer:
None.
Thread can be closed.
If you have a new 911 to test, you book a track or whizz over to Germany. But you don't put your livelihood on the line by doing 127mph on a UK road.
Very strange that he plead guilty to dangerous driving.
We had a driver caught doing something like 160mph on the Isle of Wight (yes, it's actually possible to go that fast here) who was recorded on fillm by a following police car.
The court actually found him not guilty of dangerous driving despite the utterly insane speed on a single carriageway A road, because he was deemed to be in control of the car from the footage.
Bladders could be heard simmering all over the island when that was announced!
Driver was obviously still banned given he was 100mph+ over the speed limit, but it was interesting to see that they detached excessive speed from dangerous driving.
We had a driver caught doing something like 160mph on the Isle of Wight (yes, it's actually possible to go that fast here) who was recorded on fillm by a following police car.
The court actually found him not guilty of dangerous driving despite the utterly insane speed on a single carriageway A road, because he was deemed to be in control of the car from the footage.
Bladders could be heard simmering all over the island when that was announced!
Driver was obviously still banned given he was 100mph+ over the speed limit, but it was interesting to see that they detached excessive speed from dangerous driving.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff