Been bollocked for driving too fast, car photographed.

Been bollocked for driving too fast, car photographed.

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Kozy

Original Poster:

3,169 posts

219 months

Tuesday 30th September 2014
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Making my way home today along the usual single track country lane I have driven on pretty much every day for the past 5 years, I was stuck behind a young girl doing circa 25mph. No problem really, I like a nice hoon along it when it's clear but I appreciate not everyone wants to go so quickly so just sat behind and enjoyed one of the last sunny days with the roof down before I dig the hardtop out for the winter.

After a few minutes of pootling along, she pulls in to a turning to go past some horses, and as I follow past, the rider on the lead horse yells at me through the open roof.

"YOU NEED TO SLOW DOWN DRIVING DOWN THIS LANE, YOU'VE BEEN PHOTOGRAPHED!"

Now, I admit I do give all 128 of my horses a good workout on a couple of stretches, but only where it's safe to do so and never breaching the NSL which is in force for the whole stretch. My car literally isn't fast enough to break the speed limit on this road. I admit I could probably go a bit slower past two of the houses on the lane, but other than that I take the corners at a safe speed and I am always able to stop well short of anything coming the other way. In my opinion, I drive swiftly, but safely however this is obviously perceived very differently to other people using that road, all of which typically travel at 30mph maximum.

I'll take note and slow down past the houses out of courtesy as it's clearly one of those residents I've annoyed, but frankly they can do one concerning the rest of the road. Question is, is anything likely to come of this if they decide to report me to the police?

Steve H

5,306 posts

196 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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Unless the photo has detail on it including calibrated speed information showing you over the limit or shows you skilfully applying a full turn of oppo I think you can probably relax.


Next time you see them why not pull up and apologise for any entirely legal behaviour that may have offended them and then suggest that cars belong on roads and horses belong in fields.

Eclassy

1,201 posts

123 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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LoL

Are you seriously worried about this? Even if you were breaking the speed limit, what would their photo of even video prove?

Its an empty threat of which nothing will come about. Carry on as you have always lawfully done.

Type R Tom

3,891 posts

150 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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I don’t know if there is an equivalent outside of London but if you witness someone driving badly (not saying you are OP) you can report it here:

http://content.met.police.uk/Site/roadsafelondon

It could result in a letter / call from the police but unlikely. The problem is that most people have a problem with judging speed (I’ve been on a course about it that was fascinating) and could believe you are driving too fast.

R0G

4,987 posts

156 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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If you have caused concern to a horse rider then ask yourself why?

Was it going too fast for the conditions when horses were about?

If not certain then take an experienced driver with you and ask for their totally honest no holds barred input

Many times we THINK we are doing it right from the inside but we fail to consider how others view us from the outside - often there is no reasonable compromise so someone is going to remain unhappy

Doing 30 in a car is very different from seeing the same car doing 30 as a pedestrian etc

Fidgits

17,202 posts

230 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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R0G said:
If you have caused concern to a horse rider then ask yourself why?

Was it going too fast for the conditions when horses were about?

If not certain then take an experienced driver with you and ask for their totally honest no holds barred input

Many times we THINK we are doing it right from the inside but we fail to consider how others view us from the outside - often there is no reasonable compromise so someone is going to remain unhappy

Doing 30 in a car is very different from seeing the same car doing 30 as a pedestrian etc
Yes, however i do not subscribe to the theory, that, as the OP said, a NSL road, which the law has defined has a speed limit of 60mph, is a place where one should have to do less than half that, so as not to offend someone riding a horse, which is a purely recreational activity, and one that can be done in many places other than the public highway (and one with such a high speed limit especially) such as fields, bridleways etc.. should be allowed to dictate what is safe.

I always slow down when passing horses because i am a considerate driver, however, given the mess horses leave (yet we fine dog owners for not cleaning up behind them) but if a horse would be spooked or react to the sound of an engine doing anything but idleing, should it really be on a road?

Type R Tom

3,891 posts

150 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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Fidgits said:
Yes, however i do not subscribe to the theory, that, as the OP said, a NSL road, which the law has defined has a speed limit of 60mph, is a place where one should have to do less than half that, so as not to offend someone riding a horse, which is a purely recreational activity, and one that can be done in many places other than the public highway (and one with such a high speed limit especially) such as fields, bridleways etc.. should be allowed to dictate what is safe.
Not sure what you mean by that? There are 100's (possibly 1000’s) of miles of roads up and down the country where 30mph, sometimes less, is the appropriate speed for them but they are classed as NSL. There is a huge problem in the country (and particularly on PH) regarding appropriate speed for a situation, speeds limits are just that, a limit not a guide or a minimum.

Kozy

Original Poster:

3,169 posts

219 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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Type R Tom said:
I don’t know if there is an equivalent outside of London but if you witness someone driving badly (not saying you are OP) you can report it here:

http://content.met.police.uk/Site/roadsafelondon

It could result in a letter / call from the police but unlikely. The problem is that most people have a problem with judging speed (I’ve been on a course about it that was fascinating) and could believe you are driving too fast.
That's the sort of thing I was concerned with, not that they could use the photograph as any kind of proof of anything necessarily, just that it might get reported and I might end up getting a visit from the police.

R0G said:
If you have caused concern to a horse rider then ask yourself why?

Was it going too fast for the conditions when horses were about?

If not certain then take an experienced driver with you and ask for their totally honest no holds barred input

Many times we THINK we are doing it right from the inside but we fail to consider how others view us from the outside - often there is no reasonable compromise so someone is going to remain unhappy

Doing 30 in a car is very different from seeing the same car doing 30 as a pedestrian etc
I always drive very slowly past horses, I am aware my cars are not quiet and may disturb the horses so I'll often stop completely and let them trot past to avoid any alarm, I have no interest in upsetting them.

Occasionally I have come round a corner on that lane to be confronted by horses and all though it might all look dramatic to the horse rider, doing an emergency stop with a bit of tyre squeal, I can always stop a long way clear of them because I make sure I can stop within the distance I can see to be clear.

Surely, regardless of whether I need to 'emergency stop' or not, if I can stop with a safe distance to the whatever the obstruction in the road is, then I am not going 'too fast'.


Edited by Kozy on Wednesday 1st October 08:59

jesta1865

3,448 posts

210 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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ignore it, someone tried to come into my lane once on dual carriageway whilst i was 2/3 of the way alongside them on the left (they never looked). when i beeped them, they swerved back into the middle land and braked.

as i was now going faster than them they dropped in behind me and raced up to my bumper, the passenger waving that she'd taken photos.

nothing ever came of it, as all it would have showed was me in front of them, no indication of speed and them sitting 2 foot from my bumper.

people do it all the time if you look on youtube, doesn't make the police more interested.

jbsportstech

5,069 posts

180 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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If it a video not a photograph then they can be used if the driving looks dodgy for careless driving offence.


I always slow down for horses as if you spoke them they can rear up and sink their hooves into your car.

I have never had a problem go past at 10mph wide as poss and keep the engine revs down.

There are however a hardcore of horse riders who think they rule the road and were POLITE or POLICE jackets and shout at drivers and think they have some swing with the police.

Kozy

Original Poster:

3,169 posts

219 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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jbsportstech said:
There are however a hardcore of horse riders who think they rule the road and were POLITE or POLICE jackets and shout at drivers and think they have some swing with the police.
I don't think it was specifically related to driving past horses, as I ALWAYS drive past them slowly, especially on this particular lane.

I think it was a resident in one of the few houses along it, who just happened to be on a horse at the time.

jbsportstech

5,069 posts

180 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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jesta1865 said:
ignore it, someone tried to come into my lane once on dual carriageway whilst i was 2/3 of the way alongside them on the left (they never looked). when i beeped them, they swerved back into the middle land and braked.

as i was now going faster than them they dropped in behind me and raced up to my bumper, the passenger waving that she'd taken photos.

nothing ever came of it, as all it would have showed was me in front of them, no indication of speed and them sitting 2 foot from my bumper.

people do it all the time if you look on youtube, doesn't make the police more interested.
Best of all I once had a guy who overtook me on a motorway and slowed down all of sudden in front of (both in lane 1). He then felt I had closed up on him to much and did an emergency stop to a dead stop on a moving lane of the m5. I had to swerve onto the hard shoulder to avoid hitting him.

Followed the guy to a pub and when he got both 60 plus wife says she filming me for the police. I asked what the hell was that about the stop on the motorway and he admitted on film he had down an emergency stop on purpose because i was to close to the back of him. I asked if there was anything in front of him he said no. He then said I would of been down for dangerous driving if I hit the back of him as it would of been my fault.

This basket case made a complaint to police and showed them the video. Under caution he admitted the emergency stop and the police contacted me to be a witness to him for dangerous driving which he went to court and was found guilty and was banned.

laughed my arse off!


JustinP1

13,330 posts

231 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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Kozy said:
jbsportstech said:
There are however a hardcore of horse riders who think they rule the road and were POLITE or POLICE jackets and shout at drivers and think they have some swing with the police.
I don't think it was specifically related to driving past horses, as I ALWAYS drive past them slowly, especially on this particular lane.

I think it was a resident in one of the few houses along it, who just happened to be on a horse at the time.
Are you really worried about a local busybody?

If she was going to report you she would have already done so, and in any case probably nothing would happen.

If she had no intention of reporting you but wanted to massage her own hierarchical sense of ego as some kind of do-gooder she would just say something to st you up and make you worried to stop you doing whatever you are doing that kills kittens.


It seems like she has won! smile

HerrSchnell

2,343 posts

200 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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jbsportstech said:
Best of all I once had a guy who overtook me on a motorway and slowed down all of sudden in front of (both in lane 1). He then felt I had closed up on him to much and did an emergency stop to a dead stop on a moving lane of the m5. I had to swerve onto the hard shoulder to avoid hitting him.

Followed the guy to a pub and when he got both 60 plus wife says she filming me for the police. I asked what the hell was that about the stop on the motorway and he admitted on film he had down an emergency stop on purpose because i was to close to the back of him. I asked if there was anything in front of him he said no. He then said I would of been down for dangerous driving if I hit the back of him as it would of been my fault.

This basket case made a complaint to police and showed them the video. Under caution he admitted the emergency stop and the police contacted me to be a witness to him for dangerous driving which he went to court and was found guilty and was banned.

laughed my arse off!
Beautiful smile

Kozy

Original Poster:

3,169 posts

219 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
JustinP1 said:
Are you really worried about a local busybody?
Well, by the looks of it, I don't need to be!

jbsportstech said:
jesta1865 said:
ignore it, someone tried to come into my lane once on dual carriageway whilst i was 2/3 of the way alongside them on the left (they never looked). when i beeped them, they swerved back into the middle land and braked.

as i was now going faster than them they dropped in behind me and raced up to my bumper, the passenger waving that she'd taken photos.

nothing ever came of it, as all it would have showed was me in front of them, no indication of speed and them sitting 2 foot from my bumper.

people do it all the time if you look on youtube, doesn't make the police more interested.
Best of all I once had a guy who overtook me on a motorway and slowed down all of sudden in front of (both in lane 1). He then felt I had closed up on him to much and did an emergency stop to a dead stop on a moving lane of the m5. I had to swerve onto the hard shoulder to avoid hitting him.

Followed the guy to a pub and when he got both 60 plus wife says she filming me for the police. I asked what the hell was that about the stop on the motorway and he admitted on film he had down an emergency stop on purpose because i was to close to the back of him. I asked if there was anything in front of him he said no. He then said I would of been down for dangerous driving if I hit the back of him as it would of been my fault.

This basket case made a complaint to police and showed them the video. Under caution he admitted the emergency stop and the police contacted me to be a witness to him for dangerous driving which he went to court and was found guilty and was banned.

laughed my arse off!
That is superb!

swisstoni

17,048 posts

280 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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Good luck to horse fans but I really don't understand what is so great about clopping around and then going back and cleaning them for ages.
I suppose they would regard car enthusiasts in exactly the same way.

jbsportstech

5,069 posts

180 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
Kozy said:
That is superb!
He seemed to have heard the old wives tale that no matter what you do if someone hits the back of your its not your fault.

Think he had shock when the police came after him.

The fact I had two kids in the car and wife was filming me meant I didnt just give him a haymaker when I confronted him.

Other joke is he got on the motorway at taunton j25 drove to j26 wellington 9.30am on sunday(8-9 miles at a rough guess) got off with me following him a a very safe distance and drove most of the way back to taunton to a pub about 3 miles from taunton, talk about the long way round.

I think he was old bored muppet l

anonymous-user

55 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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I never understand the anti horse mentality of some on PH. Public roads are for transport, and are open to all forms of transport, bar any specific rules limiting what can use them. In the country, you may encounter horses. No one rides a horse on a road for fun - it is done to transit from one field or bridleway to another. Just slow down, keep the engine quiet, and give them a wide berth. It's no biggie.

PS: this is not aimed at the OP, who does not appear to be anti horse.

Kozy

Original Poster:

3,169 posts

219 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
Breadvan72 said:
PS: this is not aimed at the OP, who does not appear to be anti horse.
You would be correct. I have no problem with them using the road, I understand their reasons for being there and I do always give them a wide berth at a slow speed.

The only thing they occasionally get uppity about is if I come in to view at speed and slam on the anchors, but frankly if can I stop cleanly with enough distance between me and then, then they have sweet FA to complain about. They cannot (and for the most part I think they don't) expect everyone to drive around at snails pace 'just in case' there's a horse round the corner.

jbsportstech

5,069 posts

180 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
Kozy said:
You would be correct. I have no problem with them using the road, I understand their reasons for being there and I do always give them a wide berth at a slow speed.

The only thing they occasionally get uppity about is if I come in to view at speed and slam on the anchors, but frankly if can I stop cleanly with enough distance between me and then, then they have sweet FA to complain about. They cannot (and for the most part I think they don't) expect everyone to drive around at snails pace 'just in case' there's a horse round the corner.
I find the road bike Lycra cyclist a much bigger problem, they seem to ride in two or more and hold the road to ransom were I live. The seem very confrontational and basically no matter what I do they seem to gesture and try and goad me into an argument.

All the horse riders I come across move over if they can I drive past slow and wide and they say thanks always seem grateful.