81mph in 50mph - speed camera van - advice please?

[Guybrush]

nickwilcock said:

Alfa159Ti said:

If I was unaware of exactly how fast I was going, it was because I was concentrating on the road, not my speedo, as I would hope any other driver does when driving on the open road.

I would recommend that you don't say that in court, should you be summoned to appear.

That would make them feel awkward and probably emphasise the fact that those caught are statistically the least likely to have accidents.

[The Mad Monk]

aww999 said:

This is Pistonheads, where we like sportscars,

Oh I say!

Steady on, I prefer saloons. Does that make me socially unacceptable on PH?

[Johnnytheboy]

aww999 said:

Sorry for the rant, but 50% of the threads I've read this week have been largely populated by the holier-than-thou crowd who get a hard-on if they go 5mph over the limit.

I can only suggest you avoid S,P&L. It is full of exactly the kind of people you describe.

[Soov535]

22Rgt said:

Going suited and booted will make fk all difference and is way OTT for a simple speeding offence. Just admit guilt, no need to hang your head in shame or turn on the water works or other theatricals, this sort of bullst will not act to go in your favour as its so see through and would imagine magistrates get very tired of seeing it..

Congratulations on the worst advice ever on this forum. And that is saying something.

[Corpulent Tosser]

aww999 said:

A load of mainly inaccurate twaddle, plus

Sorry for the rant, but 50% of the threads I've read this week have been largely populated by the holier-than-thou crowd who get a hard-on if they go 5mph over the limit.

Apology accepted now don't do it again.

[Corpulent Tosser]

The Mad Monk said:

aww999 said:

This is Pistonheads, where we like sportscars,

Oh I say!

Steady on, I prefer saloons. Does that make me socially unacceptable on PH?

Clearly yes.

I drive a sports coupe, more of a GT than sports car, so my status here is precarious.

[longblackcoat]

aww999 said:

Sorry for the rant

You're not though, are you? If you were sorry you'd not do it.



Back on topic. OP, many of us (certainly me) have been in this situation. Based on my own personal experience of me being done for the same sort of excess speed margin on the same sort of road, what I would do is:

1 Ignore 22Rgt's advice. On everything, I should think, but particularly here. Attend the court in person and show some contrition over the fact that you've made a mistake, you take it seriously, and you're very well aware of the consequences. You're an idiot, and you are frankly ashamed to be here wasting the court's time.

2 Take a lawyer. Firstly it ensures that if the mags get it wrong (and they do), it gets spotted immediately and potentially is rectified, but mostly it's to ensure that everything you want to be said in terms of mitigation (good conditions, dry surface, know the road) is said. It also demonstrates to the mags how seriously you're taking this. I admitted guilt, said I had no excuse and was simply having fun on my motorbike; I was fully concentrating on the road rather than the speedo. I now recognised the gravity of the error and accepted that I'd been stupid. This went down reasonably well; the mags seem to like (some degree of) honesty.

3 Take advice on financial disclosure. Last time I had this situation my lawyer advised me what to put and that alone saved me the fee.

4 Gather evidence to show that a business (you're self-employed, IIRC) that others depend on might well be imperilled should you be banned.

Good luck in court. It's likely to be a good few months before you get there though; in my case I believe I was waiting around 6 months.

For the record, I got 6 points and £1000 fine for that offence.

Edited by longblackcoat on Tuesday 17th February 12:13

[Soov535]

longblackcoat said:

aww999 said:

Sorry for the rant

You're not though, are you? If you were sorry you'd not do it.



Back on topic. OP, many of us (certainly me) have been in this situation. Based on my own personal experience of me being done for the same sort of excess speed margin on the same sort of road, what I would do is:

1 Ignore 22Rgt's advice. On everything, I should think, but particularly here. Attend the court in person and show some contrition over the fact that you've made a mistake, you take it seriously, and you're very well aware of the consequences. You're an idiot, and you are frankly ashamed to be here wasting the court's time.

2 Take a lawyer. Firstly it ensures that if the mags get it wrong (and they do), it gets spotted immediately and potentially is rectified, but mostly it's to ensure that everything you want to be said in terms of mitigation (good conditions, dry surface, know the road) is said. It also demonstrates to the mags how seriously you're taking this. I admitted guilt, said I had no excuse and was simply having fun on my motorbike; I was fully concentrating on the road rather than the speedo. I now recognised the gravity of the error and accepted that I'd been stupid. This went down reasonably well; the mags seem to like (some degree of) honesty.

3 Take advice on financial disclosure. Last time I had this situation my lawyer advised me what to put and that alone saved me the fee.

4 Gather evidence to show that a business (you're self-employed, IIRC) that others depend on might well be imperilled should you be banned.

Good luck in court. It's likely to be a good few months before you get there though; in my case I believe I was waiting around 6 months.

For the record, I got 6 points and £1000 fine for that offence.

Edited by longblackcoat on Tuesday 17th February 12:13

All of the above.

And when the mags tell you what the fine is, ask to pay in instalments of say £100 a month.

[Sheepshanks]

longblackcoat said:

For the record, I got 6 points and £1000 fine for that offence.

Similar circumstances - 50MPH A road?

[longblackcoat]

Sheepshanks said:

longblackcoat said:

For the record, I got 6 points and £1000 fine for that offence.

Similar circumstances - 50MPH A road?

Yep

[gruffalo]

aww999 said:

This whole fking website is full of twunts that take some perverse pleasure in castigating people who have been caught out by the hysterical enforcement of pointless limits, whinging about people driving past their houses at 35mph instead of 30mph, and banging on about how everyone who overtakes them is a lunatic. And now this - people lining up to have a go at someone who gets nicked doing 81 on a well-sighted stretch of beautiful a-road. Miles of room to stop in the distance he could see to be clear, no pedestrians, horses or mobility scooters in a 10 mile radius, only some miserable in a scamera van trying to make his target for the week.

OP: I am very sorry you got caught. Unless you drive like a myopic, 87 year old nun, you are now public enemy number one, and it's going to happen from time to time. Because the anachronistic 60mph limit has been dropped to a hysterical 50mph, you are now double-fked although your actions are no more dangerous than they were under the old limit. In fact, I highly doubt they caused any danger, distress or inconvenience to anyone, and I probably would have been going just as quick under the circumstances. It will probably happen to me one day and I will be fking livid.

Whingers: I can only presume you all drive stty diesel micras, and flash everyone who dares overtake you. This is Pistonheads, where we like sportscars, and we like to drive them quickly on nice flowing A & B-roads without bothering anyone. There may be other websites better suited to your needs.

Sorry for the rant, but 50% of the threads I've read this week have been largely populated by the holier-than-thou crowd who get a hard-on if they go 5mph over the limit.

Well said.

[Clivey]

aww999 said:

This whole fking website is full of twunts that take some perverse pleasure in castigating people who have been caught out by the hysterical enforcement of pointless limits, whinging about people driving past their houses at 35mph instead of 30mph, and banging on about how everyone who overtakes them is a lunatic. And now this - people lining up to have a go at someone who gets nicked doing 81 on a well-sighted stretch of beautiful a-road. Miles of room to stop in the distance he could see to be clear, no pedestrians, horses or mobility scooters in a 10 mile radius, only some miserable in a scamera van trying to make his target for the week.

OP: I am very sorry you got caught. Unless you drive like a myopic, 87 year old nun, you are now public enemy number one, and it's going to happen from time to time. Because the anachronistic 60mph limit has been dropped to a hysterical 50mph, you are now double-fked although your actions are no more dangerous than they were under the old limit. In fact, I highly doubt they caused any danger, distress or inconvenience to anyone, and I probably would have been going just as quick under the circumstances. It will probably happen to me one day and I will be fking livid.

Whingers: I can only presume you all drive stty diesel micras, and flash everyone who dares overtake you. This is Pistonheads, where we like sportscars, and we like to drive them quickly on nice flowing A & B-roads without bothering anyone. There may be other websites better suited to your needs.

Sorry for the rant, but 50% of the threads I've read this week have been largely populated by the holier-than-thou crowd who get a hard-on if they go 5mph over the limit.

Completely agree! Same goes for the "law is the law" types in this section of the forum. I imagine them as the sort of people Clarkson takes the piss out of when he imitates an adenoidal voice.

[The Surveyor]

aww999 said:

This whole fking website is full of twunts that take some perverse pleasure in castigating people who have been caught out by the hysterical enforcement of pointless limits, whinging about people driving past their houses at 35mph instead of 30mph, and banging on about how everyone who overtakes them is a lunatic. And now this - people lining up to have a go at someone who gets nicked doing 81 on a well-sighted stretch of beautiful a-road. Miles of room to stop in the distance he could see to be clear, no pedestrians, horses or mobility scooters in a 10 mile radius, only some miserable in a scamera van trying to make his target for the week.

OP: I am very sorry you got caught. Unless you drive like a myopic, 87 year old nun, you are now public enemy number one, and it's going to happen from time to time. Because the anachronistic 60mph limit has been dropped to a hysterical 50mph, you are now double-fked although your actions are no more dangerous than they were under the old limit. In fact, I highly doubt they caused any danger, distress or inconvenience to anyone, and I probably would have been going just as quick under the circumstances. It will probably happen to me one day and I will be fking livid.

Whingers: I can only presume you all drive stty diesel micras, and flash everyone who dares overtake you. This is Pistonheads, where we like sportscars, and we like to drive them quickly on nice flowing A & B-roads without bothering anyone. There may be other websites better suited to your needs.

Sorry for the rant, but 50% of the threads I've read this week have been largely populated by the holier-than-thou crowd who get a hard-on if they go 5mph over the limit.

A good rant, yah, stick it to the man.....

I'm never sure what is the route cause of such vitriolic ranting:-

- Are you against speed limits in principle and think everybody should be able to drive at whatever speed they wish, or

- Do you think there should be speed limits but that they should be set at a higher level, or

- Do you think that the speed limits are ok, but that nobody should enforce them, or

- Do you think that 'driver training' is the answer to all the problems on the road?

Like most on here, I think there is to much focus on speeding being the route of all driving evil, however at the moment whilst our roads are relatively safe nobody is ever going to make any changes which could potentially make them less-safe just so they become more fun for us. It'll never happen.

Fact is speed limits exist and we are all free to make the decision to break them in the pursuit of fun, and we all know the potential consequences when we break them. The OP broke the speed limit and has come on here looking for guidance on what to do. Some people are giving advice on how to deal with the likely court summons, other are giving advise that he should maybe slow down a little, it's just not worth getting irate about is it!

[speedking31]

The Surveyor said:

- Do you think that the speed limits are ok, but that nobody should enforce them, or ...

This is the closest. On that whole length of road there are a few locations where the reduced limit is sensible. It is not practical to vary the limit as frequently as the road alignment necessitates so it is blanket applied to the whole length. Therefore the most sensible thing would be for the authorities to enforce the limit in those areas where it has a practical purpose in reducing accidents, but not to enforce on the wide open straight lengths where the reduced limit is not scientifically justifiable.

[longblackcoat]

Clivey said:

Completely agree! Same goes for the "law is the law" types in this section of the forum. I imagine them as the sort of people Clarkson takes the piss out of when he imitates an adenoidal voice.

Two things:

1 The law IS the law. You may not like it, but it exists, and you ignore it at your peril. When you're at the side of the road having been pulled at 80 in a 50, telling the officer that the law's an ass/I'm a great driver/why don't you catch some real criminals is a quick way to guarantee a booking rather than a lecture.

So no, nobody on here is a saint, and almost all of us break the speed limit, but we do know what those limits are and should put our hands up when caught. Trying to argue about how unfair it is doesn't change any of the facts.

2 'Clarkson says'. Remember that the Clarkson you see is a televisual construct. I'm sure that much of what he says he does believe, but in almost all cases it's turned up to 11 and beyond. And I'm sure I'm not the first to wonder just how cynically Clarkson stokes the outrage fire......outrage often makes for good TV.

[SpydieNut]

medieval said:

citizensm1th said:

Is it wrong to hope the op gets a ban?

There but for the grace of God I would imagine for quite a lot of us..........

absolutely

i got a SAC after getting caught at 63 there about 18 months ago - all I can say is thank fk it was a bank holiday weekend and heaving with traffic

Edited by SpydieNut on Tuesday 17th February 17:34

[Clivey]

longblackcoat said:

1 The law IS the law. You may not like it, but it exists, and you ignore it at your peril. When you're at the side of the road having been pulled at 80 in a 50, telling the officer that the law's an ass/I'm a great driver/why don't you catch some real criminals is a quick way to guarantee a booking rather than a lecture.

I wasn't suggesting that we should say "Why don't you catch some real criminals?" to an officer at the side of the road. What I was suggesting is that those criticising the OP for doing 81 in a 50 are not the kind of people I would expect / want to interact with on a site based around performance cars and driving.

longblackcoat said:

So no, nobody on here is a saint, and almost all of us break the speed limit, but we do know what those limits are and should put our hands up when caught. Trying to argue about how unfair it is doesn't change any of the facts.

A matter of opinion. Mine is that we should be seen to be very sorry indeed, whilst trying every known trick to lessen the "punishment". We should also be trying to get rid of the more inappropriate speed limits etc. that are the cause of the problem.

longblackcoat said:

2 'Clarkson says'. Remember that the Clarkson you see is a televisual construct. I'm sure that much of what he says he does believe, but in almost all cases it's turned up to 11 and beyond. And I'm sure I'm not the first to wonder just how cynically Clarkson stokes the outrage fire......outrage often makes for good TV.

The mention of Clarkson was just to make a point that these sorts of people are an annoyance - like the anal-retentive H&S clowns that ruin everyone's fun elsewhere.

[aww999]

The Surveyor said:

- Are you against speed limits in principle and think everybody should be able to drive at whatever speed they wish, or

In a lot of cases, yes. Back in the "good old days" (before my time, sadly), a speed limit was imposed in the most hazardous areas, and the rest of the time drivers were trusted to set their speed correctly.

Nowadays, not only do we have a blanket speed limit that applies even to the safest of spots in the best of conditions, the speed limit on a whole road is often lowered because of a single hazardous blackspot. Because drivers are no longer trusted to slow down for a sharp bend, the whole road is 50mph, and now the vans can rake in fines by targeting people who (quite rightly) ignore this new limit on a straight section a mile away from the hazard.

OP: Best of luck, don't let the buggers get you down.

[emmaT2014]

aww999 said:

In a lot of cases, yes. Back in the "good old days" (before my time, sadly), a speed limit was imposed in the most hazardous areas, and the rest of the time drivers were trusted to set their speed correctly.

Nowadays, not only do we have a blanket speed limit that applies even to the safest of spots in the best of conditions, the speed limit on a whole road is often lowered because of a single hazardous blackspot. Because drivers are no longer trusted to slow down for a sharp bend, the whole road is 50mph, and now the vans can rake in fines by targeting people who (quite rightly) ignore this new limit on a straight section a mile away from the hazard.

OP: Best of luck, don't let the buggers get you down.

Yes the good old days when 8,000 per year were killed rather than less than 1,800. Perhaps that trust wasn't wisely invested.



With attitudes like yours I think the limits are to fall even further.

Edited by emmaT2014 on Tuesday 17th February 21:52

[Phatboy317]

emmaT2014 said:

aww999 said:

In a lot of cases, yes. Back in the "good old days" (before my time, sadly), a speed limit was imposed in the most hazardous areas, and the rest of the time drivers were trusted to set their speed correctly.

Nowadays, not only do we have a blanket speed limit that applies even to the safest of spots in the best of conditions, the speed limit on a whole road is often lowered because of a single hazardous blackspot. Because drivers are no longer trusted to slow down for a sharp bend, the whole road is 50mph, and now the vans can rake in fines by targeting people who (quite rightly) ignore this new limit on a straight section a mile away from the hazard.

OP: Best of luck, don't let the buggers get you down.

Yes the good old days when 8,000 per year were killed rather than less than 1,800. Perhaps that trust wasn't wisely invested.



With attitudes like yours I think the limits are to fall even further.

So we needn't have bothered with seat belts, airbags, stability control, ABS, advances in first-line medical care, etc, etc.
All we really needed was enforcement of speed limits - think of all the money we could have saved.