A tale of speeding. Told by an idiot. Signifying nothing.
Discussion
A good outcome for the OP. Showing some respect usually works wonders, in my experience.
And if we're spinning anecdotes...
I was once zapped at 105 (at least) on the A1(M) south of Scotch Corner. As soon as I clocked the traffic car, I slowed down and pulled onto the hard shoulder. I knew I'd been done, so there was no point carrying on in hope. Unfortunately, plod assumed otherwise and actually passed me once I'd come to rest; lights ablaze and already in lane three. So, I nervously waited for traffpol to pull over and reverse some 400 yards back to me.
The lone traffic cop looked bemused. Apparently I was the first ever punter he'd encountered who had stopped before he'd even had a chance to switch on his blues. I was very apologetic and admitted straight away that I had indeed been nipping on. After inviting me into the back of his 5 series, he warned me about the risks of excessive speed etc, but complimented my awareness. We chatted for a bit about driving standards these days. I was careful not to fall into his honeytrap of irony.
Then, awaiting the inevitable, miraculously he decided that his gun had given him an 'inconsistent' reading, and whilst we both knew I was over a ton, he agreed to let me off with a slap on the wrist. Good cop.
Another time, late at night on the M6 northbound at Teabay services, I did something I deserved to be jailed for: I caved into a goading pair of headlights in my mirrors and gunned it. All the way to the top end of fifth.
In my defence (if you can even call it that), I had resisted some eejit in a Golf, doing exactly the same thing to me just a couple of junctions prior, before he gave up and floored it past me in a haze of diesel smoke. Then, after the exit slip-road from Teabay services, I noticed - what I tragically assumed was - the same pair of dazzling headlights rejoin the motorway and follow me just a bit closer than was necessary this time. Being slightly perturbed at this guy's attempts to harass me, I decided to create some distance between us and duly selected third...
Some thirty seconds or so later, having now reached automatic imprisonment speeds, I came to regret my assumption that this was indeed the same guy. Sure enough, the pair of headlights had vanished, but a more determined glance in the mirror made me recoil in horror. About half a mile behind me, the same car was now ablaze with blue lights.
In shock, I immediately pulled onto the hard shoulder, and awaited my fate. I'd properly done it now. The traffic car came tearing down upon me and performed an emergency stop, blocking me in. Before I could even apprehend what was happening, a police officer had literally jumped over his car and grabbed me!
"YOU COMPLETE f
kING IDOIOT!!!", he screamed.
Before I could even whimper an apology, I had been thrown into the back of a battenburg V70 T5. After yelling my registration details into his radio, the police officer quite understandably went apoplectic at me. However, once I managed to utter an apology, he seemed to calm down and asked me who I was, where I was going; and why the fk I had tried - and succeeded - to out-run a police car etc.
"Vehicle registered to a Mr... Insurance details held etc...", came the voice at the other end of the radio.
Now, to this day I still don't quite understand what happened next, but after being read the riot act (he was particularly upset that I didn't engage full beam for my foray into more than double the speed limit), he explained to me that I would actually be heading home under my own steam that evening: 1) in his haste to give chase upon leaving the services, he hadn't switched on his video recorder; and 2) it was the end of his shift (he'd actually just stopped at Teabay for a pee on his way to Penrith nick) and he was in no mood to lock me up and complete the paperwork. Accordingly, he would be taking no further action. Nevertheless, he did put out a marker on me all the way home to Scotland, so that my average speed could be observed and calculated if need be. I half-laughed that there'd be no need to put a speed gun on me ever again after what had just happened.
Baffled and still in shock, I grovelled a million apologies; thanked the officer profusely for his leniency and shuffled off. I didn't even breach 70 mph for the remaining 300 miles home. Be under no illusion: this is the closest I have ever come to losing control of my bowels. Very good cop.
A year later, I found myself making modest progress on the M6 Toll[bahn]. I'd set a cruise altitude of approximately 90-95; just fast enough to meander past the occasional car, but nothing outrageous. Again, it was late at night, the road was dry and clear etc.
One such meandering road user, was a dark Volvo S80, driven by a short fat bloke. Being suspicious of unmarked traffpol, I had clocked it from some distance off and proceeded to slow to a passing speed of about 1mph; giving me enough time to clock its occupant(s). Having satisfied myself as to the due diligence, I eased back on the throttle and carried on my way. A sales rep, I thought. Ha!
Somewhat predictably however, about five minutes later my mirrors were suddenly ablaze with the now very familiar sight of a police Volvo (albeit a stealthy one this time). The short fat bloke actually turned out to be a female officer in her early forties. Once I'd been instructed to sit in the back seat, she sat there and proceeded to explain how reckless I had been whilst her previously invisible colleague looked straight ahead, silently. Had he ducked down as I went past? There was definitely only one person in that car!
No matter, PC Angela was in no mood for any charm or indeed an apology. Somewhat annoyingly, I had apparently passed them at 79 mph, only to speed up gradually as the "threat disappeared" (she actually used those words). Hence, once out of sight, I had unwittingly turned the wick up above 100, where, naturally, they began to clock my average speed; apparently from a great distance back. My crime? 101 mph in a 70 limit, Sir.
Wonderful. Just enough to warrant an automatic appearance at Stafford Magistrates Court.
Despite my pleas for leniency, Angela was having none of it. I had endangered peoples' lives tonight, she said. There was simply no reason for travelling at such an excessive speed, she said. Three months later I was fined £450 and given thee points after Mr Bobby Bell did his magic in court on my behalf. Bad cop.
Still, two out of three aint bad.
And if we're spinning anecdotes...
I was once zapped at 105 (at least) on the A1(M) south of Scotch Corner. As soon as I clocked the traffic car, I slowed down and pulled onto the hard shoulder. I knew I'd been done, so there was no point carrying on in hope. Unfortunately, plod assumed otherwise and actually passed me once I'd come to rest; lights ablaze and already in lane three. So, I nervously waited for traffpol to pull over and reverse some 400 yards back to me.
The lone traffic cop looked bemused. Apparently I was the first ever punter he'd encountered who had stopped before he'd even had a chance to switch on his blues. I was very apologetic and admitted straight away that I had indeed been nipping on. After inviting me into the back of his 5 series, he warned me about the risks of excessive speed etc, but complimented my awareness. We chatted for a bit about driving standards these days. I was careful not to fall into his honeytrap of irony.
Then, awaiting the inevitable, miraculously he decided that his gun had given him an 'inconsistent' reading, and whilst we both knew I was over a ton, he agreed to let me off with a slap on the wrist. Good cop.
Another time, late at night on the M6 northbound at Teabay services, I did something I deserved to be jailed for: I caved into a goading pair of headlights in my mirrors and gunned it. All the way to the top end of fifth.
In my defence (if you can even call it that), I had resisted some eejit in a Golf, doing exactly the same thing to me just a couple of junctions prior, before he gave up and floored it past me in a haze of diesel smoke. Then, after the exit slip-road from Teabay services, I noticed - what I tragically assumed was - the same pair of dazzling headlights rejoin the motorway and follow me just a bit closer than was necessary this time. Being slightly perturbed at this guy's attempts to harass me, I decided to create some distance between us and duly selected third...
Some thirty seconds or so later, having now reached automatic imprisonment speeds, I came to regret my assumption that this was indeed the same guy. Sure enough, the pair of headlights had vanished, but a more determined glance in the mirror made me recoil in horror. About half a mile behind me, the same car was now ablaze with blue lights.
In shock, I immediately pulled onto the hard shoulder, and awaited my fate. I'd properly done it now. The traffic car came tearing down upon me and performed an emergency stop, blocking me in. Before I could even apprehend what was happening, a police officer had literally jumped over his car and grabbed me!
"YOU COMPLETE f
kING IDOIOT!!!", he screamed.Before I could even whimper an apology, I had been thrown into the back of a battenburg V70 T5. After yelling my registration details into his radio, the police officer quite understandably went apoplectic at me. However, once I managed to utter an apology, he seemed to calm down and asked me who I was, where I was going; and why the f
k I had tried - and succeeded - to out-run a police car etc."Vehicle registered to a Mr... Insurance details held etc...", came the voice at the other end of the radio.
Now, to this day I still don't quite understand what happened next, but after being read the riot act (he was particularly upset that I didn't engage full beam for my foray into more than double the speed limit), he explained to me that I would actually be heading home under my own steam that evening: 1) in his haste to give chase upon leaving the services, he hadn't switched on his video recorder; and 2) it was the end of his shift (he'd actually just stopped at Teabay for a pee on his way to Penrith nick) and he was in no mood to lock me up and complete the paperwork. Accordingly, he would be taking no further action. Nevertheless, he did put out a marker on me all the way home to Scotland, so that my average speed could be observed and calculated if need be. I half-laughed that there'd be no need to put a speed gun on me ever again after what had just happened.
Baffled and still in shock, I grovelled a million apologies; thanked the officer profusely for his leniency and shuffled off. I didn't even breach 70 mph for the remaining 300 miles home. Be under no illusion: this is the closest I have ever come to losing control of my bowels. Very good cop.
A year later, I found myself making modest progress on the M6 Toll[bahn]. I'd set a cruise altitude of approximately 90-95; just fast enough to meander past the occasional car, but nothing outrageous. Again, it was late at night, the road was dry and clear etc.
One such meandering road user, was a dark Volvo S80, driven by a short fat bloke. Being suspicious of unmarked traffpol, I had clocked it from some distance off and proceeded to slow to a passing speed of about 1mph; giving me enough time to clock its occupant(s). Having satisfied myself as to the due diligence, I eased back on the throttle and carried on my way. A sales rep, I thought. Ha!
Somewhat predictably however, about five minutes later my mirrors were suddenly ablaze with the now very familiar sight of a police Volvo (albeit a stealthy one this time). The short fat bloke actually turned out to be a female officer in her early forties. Once I'd been instructed to sit in the back seat, she sat there and proceeded to explain how reckless I had been whilst her previously invisible colleague looked straight ahead, silently. Had he ducked down as I went past? There was definitely only one person in that car!
No matter, PC Angela was in no mood for any charm or indeed an apology. Somewhat annoyingly, I had apparently passed them at 79 mph, only to speed up gradually as the "threat disappeared" (she actually used those words). Hence, once out of sight, I had unwittingly turned the wick up above 100, where, naturally, they began to clock my average speed; apparently from a great distance back. My crime? 101 mph in a 70 limit, Sir.
Wonderful. Just enough to warrant an automatic appearance at Stafford Magistrates Court.
Despite my pleas for leniency, Angela was having none of it. I had endangered peoples' lives tonight, she said. There was simply no reason for travelling at such an excessive speed, she said. Three months later I was fined £450 and given thee points after Mr Bobby Bell did his magic in court on my behalf. Bad cop.
Still, two out of three aint bad.
R8Steve said:
bogie said:
I think if you pass the attitude test and were not going too crazy, especially not exceeding limits in non NSL areas, they can use their discretion. Which to me, is how Policing should be.
You think the law should be applied on whether or not one person likes or dislikes you?I've been let off with probably more than i should in the past but the whole concept of 'the attitude test' does depress me somewhat.
But lets say you lie to them, argue about the speed they show you on their measuring device, show no remorse. Or they run a check and you are riding a poorly maintained vehicle, or they check out your record at the side of the road and you have 9 pts in recent year for speeding. I would guess then if they have evidence of you doing 85mph in a 60mph they are not going to send you on your way with "just" a talking to, because its not enough to make a difference to you.
If you have a clean license and otherwise law abiding citizen, they followed you driving perfectly safely, other than being 10-15mph over the limit on empty country roads, then it would be nice to think you might get away with just a lecture.....
bogie said:
R8Steve said:
bogie said:
I think if you pass the attitude test and were not going too crazy, especially not exceeding limits in non NSL areas, they can use their discretion. Which to me, is how Policing should be.
You think the law should be applied on whether or not one person likes or dislikes you?I've been let off with probably more than i should in the past but the whole concept of 'the attitude test' does depress me somewhat.
But lets say you lie to them, argue about the speed they show you on their measuring device, show no remorse. Or they run a check and you are riding a poorly maintained vehicle, or they check out your record at the side of the road and you have 9 pts in recent year for speeding. I would guess then if they have evidence of you doing 85mph in a 60mph they are not going to send you on your way with "just" a talking to, because its not enough to make a difference to you.
If you have a clean license and otherwise law abiding citizen, they followed you driving perfectly safely, other than being 10-15mph over the limit on empty country roads, then it would be nice to think you might get away with just a lecture.....
The ACPO publish guidelines for what an office *should* do and then it is up to that Police officer to judge the circumstances, inc evidence, chance of success and (more likely) how busy he is that night to write up the paperwork 
When I look at the guide I realise how lucky ive been over the years with some officers discretion (or maybe their measuring devices were not used properly)
http://www.ukmotorists.com/speed%20enforcement%20p...
When I look at the guide I realise how lucky ive been over the years with some officers discretion (or maybe their measuring devices were not used properly)
http://www.ukmotorists.com/speed%20enforcement%20p...
I think all should be treated equally. Getting a let off because the copper is about to clock off, or can't be arsed with the paperwork isn't very equitable.
But I also strongly disagree with the idea of anyone being fined or convicted based on the statements of one or more policemen. They have plenty of tools available to produce evidence and they should use them. Enough policeman have been shown to lie in court to make convictions based solely on their opinions surely a bit unsafe?
I got done for DD many years ago. Fair cop, didn't even consider not pleading guilty. Lying copper still got up in court and embellished the circumstances and reasons for stopping me in the first place. Told the court that I had pulled out and cut up a police van, reality was I pulled out and turned right and passed the police van after about 1/2 mile who then turned to pursue. He had no need to lie, I'd already plead guilty, don't know why they even asked him to speak. I can only assume that he was such a habitual liar that it was just his default. All he achieved from doing this is making me even less trustful of the police. My dad was a copper most of his life till early retirement and even he admits that there were plenty of police who'd happily bend the truth.
But I also strongly disagree with the idea of anyone being fined or convicted based on the statements of one or more policemen. They have plenty of tools available to produce evidence and they should use them. Enough policeman have been shown to lie in court to make convictions based solely on their opinions surely a bit unsafe?
I got done for DD many years ago. Fair cop, didn't even consider not pleading guilty. Lying copper still got up in court and embellished the circumstances and reasons for stopping me in the first place. Told the court that I had pulled out and cut up a police van, reality was I pulled out and turned right and passed the police van after about 1/2 mile who then turned to pursue. He had no need to lie, I'd already plead guilty, don't know why they even asked him to speak. I can only assume that he was such a habitual liar that it was just his default. All he achieved from doing this is making me even less trustful of the police. My dad was a copper most of his life till early retirement and even he admits that there were plenty of police who'd happily bend the truth.
Had a VFR1200 CrossTourer courtesy bike while my Fazer 600 was in for MOT a few years ago.
On the way back up the A14 merging onto the A1(M) coming past Alconbury where it's 4 lanes wide i noticed another CrossTourer in the 3rd lane.
A mile or so later and the jumbled traffic settled down, with the two of us in lane 1. I followed him at 70-75 for a few miles.
The road was nice and clear, and for the first time since getting the bike in the morning i decided to open it up. Not long until i needed to peel off left for Peterborough, so last chance to see what it would do.
Down a couple of cogs and I let is sing, then settled into a 90-100 cruise for a few miles. Then peeled off towards the dealership.
Off the bike and walked into the dealer. MOT certificate shown with no advisories, happy days. Bit of banter about the CrossTourer, "goes well", etc. Out came the invoice and i'm ready to pay and be on my way.
Then a 2nd CrossTourer pulls up at the dealer. I comment that it's probably the one i've just zipped past on the A1.
Service bloke says "oh, that's <whatever_his_name_was>. he's a traffic cop, he's just bought that the other week".
Oh s**t!
I'm standing there waiting to pay, card in my hand, waiting to leg it, but the service bloke catches the copper's eyes as he walks in and they start talking.
I'm trapped.
And then it comes. "You just couldn't help yourself could you?"
"Erm....yes sorry about that. The A14 was a nightmare and i felt the need to open it up a bit. It's a cracking bike" (thinking flattery might help)"
He gives me a stern talking to and warns me about unmarked cars on that stretch.
And i'm away.
I'm guessing because he was on his own personal bike with no video, etc there wouldn't have been anything he could have done, but it still s**t me up a bit.
On the way back up the A14 merging onto the A1(M) coming past Alconbury where it's 4 lanes wide i noticed another CrossTourer in the 3rd lane.
A mile or so later and the jumbled traffic settled down, with the two of us in lane 1. I followed him at 70-75 for a few miles.
The road was nice and clear, and for the first time since getting the bike in the morning i decided to open it up. Not long until i needed to peel off left for Peterborough, so last chance to see what it would do.
Down a couple of cogs and I let is sing, then settled into a 90-100 cruise for a few miles. Then peeled off towards the dealership.
Off the bike and walked into the dealer. MOT certificate shown with no advisories, happy days. Bit of banter about the CrossTourer, "goes well", etc. Out came the invoice and i'm ready to pay and be on my way.
Then a 2nd CrossTourer pulls up at the dealer. I comment that it's probably the one i've just zipped past on the A1.
Service bloke says "oh, that's <whatever_his_name_was>. he's a traffic cop, he's just bought that the other week".
Oh s**t!
I'm standing there waiting to pay, card in my hand, waiting to leg it, but the service bloke catches the copper's eyes as he walks in and they start talking.
I'm trapped.
And then it comes. "You just couldn't help yourself could you?"
"Erm....yes sorry about that. The A14 was a nightmare and i felt the need to open it up a bit. It's a cracking bike" (thinking flattery might help)"
He gives me a stern talking to and warns me about unmarked cars on that stretch.
And i'm away.
I'm guessing because he was on his own personal bike with no video, etc there wouldn't have been anything he could have done, but it still s**t me up a bit.
Dog Star said:
I've actively avoided riding in Scotland for a good few years now (my family are Scottish and, obviously live there) for riding pleasure and "hooning"; draconian policing and their new(ish) ridiculous drink drive limit have turned the whole experience into one of utter paranoia.
I once got a six month ban in the Highlands. I wasn't even in the car at the time of the offence. The Scottish 'gentleman' driving my car at the time got off without even a warning. The following day, 2 policemen arrived on my site in the arse end of nowhere in the Highlands and proceeded to charge me. Less than one hour later Scottish 'gentleman' was sacked ! Dog Star said:
I've actively avoided riding in Scotland for a good few years now (my family are Scottish and, obviously live there) for riding pleasure and "hooning"; draconian policing and their new(ish) ridiculous drink drive limit have turned the whole experience into one of utter paranoia.
I stay in Scotland so spend 95% of my time on Scottish roads without too much issue. Why does the the drink drive limit bother you? The change was pretty minor and something i've not given much thought to.
If you've been drinking and then drive you're most likely going to fail regardless given the old limit was only about a pint anyway.
I poo-ed on my clean-for-6-years licence back in February by allowing myself to get wound up by two young tools in (a)02 plate MG Rover 100 thing and (b)52 plate silver BMW 3 series with more dents than a dodgem. I was in the company van.
I got a bit miffed by their speed-up/slow-down/in-out antics and decided the best place for them was behind me so I hoofed it past them up a long hill (luckily, or I'd have been going a lot quicker) but in the space of about half a second the red MG in the mirror turned into a blue Volvo with fairy lights.
MG-boy and I were pulled over but BMW-boy must have had the luck of the Irish or decided he wasn't playing anymore or something, because he wasn't pulled over.
Bit of a beasting from the WPC passenger later and I was on my way, to be reported for exceeding the speed limit on a dual carriageway. MG laddo was still there, having incurred the wrath of the Volvo driver
So I spent a nervous couple of weeks expecting it to be a court appearance for 93 in a 60 (van on a dual carriageway), even started flogging stuff on Ebay to pay the expected fine... so was positively relieved to get the 3 points/ £100.
What was really annoying was that I was on company time, it was noon and I had all day to drive 120 miles to a hotel. That was all I had to bloody do. I could have sat at 40mph and watched the scenery go by, but I didn't.
What was REALLY fortuitous was that had they clocked me (going downhill) a few miles earlier they'd have had rather more than 93 to nail me with
As I always say, getting caught occasionally is karma for all the times when you don't.
I got a bit miffed by their speed-up/slow-down/in-out antics and decided the best place for them was behind me so I hoofed it past them up a long hill (luckily, or I'd have been going a lot quicker) but in the space of about half a second the red MG in the mirror turned into a blue Volvo with fairy lights.
MG-boy and I were pulled over but BMW-boy must have had the luck of the Irish or decided he wasn't playing anymore or something, because he wasn't pulled over.
Bit of a beasting from the WPC passenger later and I was on my way, to be reported for exceeding the speed limit on a dual carriageway. MG laddo was still there, having incurred the wrath of the Volvo driver
So I spent a nervous couple of weeks expecting it to be a court appearance for 93 in a 60 (van on a dual carriageway), even started flogging stuff on Ebay to pay the expected fine... so was positively relieved to get the 3 points/ £100.
What was really annoying was that I was on company time, it was noon and I had all day to drive 120 miles to a hotel. That was all I had to bloody do. I could have sat at 40mph and watched the scenery go by, but I didn't.
What was REALLY fortuitous was that had they clocked me (going downhill) a few miles earlier they'd have had rather more than 93 to nail me with
As I always say, getting caught occasionally is karma for all the times when you don't.
How to get let off, use some or all of the following...
Have good riding kit in good condition, the bike likewise, clean and tidy
Pull over straight away, safely, even better I I f it is before being asked to.
Remove helmet, keys, get off bike
Be humble, attentive and contrite, but don't admit anything, listen to what they say a different react appropriately
Ask for advice and gratefully listen to what they say, maybe ask for clarification on some points
With a good attitude, a lot of the time you can walk away friends. A lot of Traffic ride, but hate unsafe fools, having scraped a few off the scenery has hardened their views. If you are fast, but safe, many will be far more understanding than many people imagine
Have good riding kit in good condition, the bike likewise, clean and tidy
Pull over straight away, safely, even better I I f it is before being asked to.
Remove helmet, keys, get off bike
Be humble, attentive and contrite, but don't admit anything, listen to what they say a different react appropriately
Ask for advice and gratefully listen to what they say, maybe ask for clarification on some points
With a good attitude, a lot of the time you can walk away friends. A lot of Traffic ride, but hate unsafe fools, having scraped a few off the scenery has hardened their views. If you are fast, but safe, many will be far more understanding than many people imagine
R8Steve said:
998420 said:
Pull over straight away, safely, even better I I f it is before being asked to.
I don't get the before being asked to pull over bit. That's pretty much like an admission of guilt and looks like you've something to hide IMO.R8Steve said:
I stay in Scotland so spend 95% of my time on Scottish roads without too much issue.
Why does the the drink drive limit bother you? The change was pretty minor and something i've not given much thought to.
If you've been drinking and then drive you're most likely going to fail regardless given the old limit was only about a pint anyway.
I'd quite happily drink a pint - or two over a longer period - and feel safe in the knowledge that I'd pass a breathalyser. The current Scotch limit (same as lots of eu countries) serves no purpose - load of knee jerk rubbish. The U.K. With an 80 limit still has amongst the best road safety stats in the world. The people causing death by drink driving etc are people that would be well over the limit under the old limit; dropping it serves no purpose other than to criminalise loads of people for doing no harm. Why does the the drink drive limit bother you? The change was pretty minor and something i've not given much thought to.
If you've been drinking and then drive you're most likely going to fail regardless given the old limit was only about a pint anyway.
a row of seven or so cars you say? At 130+ you say? And only got an SP30....? Holy stfire.
Got stopped (about that area) for less....but maybe over a more sustained distance....with little in the way of villages. Charged with DD. Cue sleepless couple of months until summons arrives. When it did arrive the DD charge had miraculously vapourised. I count myself lucky.
Currently scouring the classifieds for something more pipe and slippers.
For those that say 'check your mirrors' - that won't necessarily help
tfire.Got stopped (about that area) for less....but maybe over a more sustained distance....with little in the way of villages. Charged with DD. Cue sleepless couple of months until summons arrives. When it did arrive the DD charge had miraculously vapourised. I count myself lucky.
Currently scouring the classifieds for something more pipe and slippers.
For those that say 'check your mirrors' - that won't necessarily help
Most cops I've ever dealt with have been honest, and overall friendly and at the end of the day when you've broken the law you realise is actually a decent thing.
Glad you got a good outcome. Certainly if you were hitting 'alot' of three figures I'd take 3 points anyway of the week. I see you're based in Scotland. My tip? Do the lottery.
Glad you got a good outcome. Certainly if you were hitting 'alot' of three figures I'd take 3 points anyway of the week. I see you're based in Scotland. My tip? Do the lottery.
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