Advice

Author
Discussion

antgreen

Original Poster:

5 posts

223 months

Thursday 20th October 2005
quotequote all
Hi,

I was driving home on my birthday, I moved into the fast lane of the M4 between J13 & J12 to overtake some slow traffic, and continued to push on.

Was listening to a CD, thinking about meeting my friends that evening.

Suddenly, noticed I was well north of 100mph, and as I checked my rear view to see if it was safe to slow down, I noticed a (marked - doh) police car on the hard shoulder.

Suffice to say, I saw it pull into the traffic, so I slowed down to about 60 in the slow lane and waited for the blue lights, which of course I got.

Clocked at 114mph.

This was three weeks ago - lunchtime on Saturday, Am waiting for the summons.

What should I expect as punishment? any advice for minimising the ban?

mcflurry

9,099 posts

254 months

Thursday 20th October 2005
quotequote all
1 - Wear a smart suit and be polite.
2 - Pray

puggit

48,470 posts

249 months

Thursday 20th October 2005
quotequote all
You'll be getting a ban - guarenteed.

Also worth getting your boss to appear in court with you, or at the very least supplying a letter stating that you need your licence for your livlihood (if you do!).

Be apologitic and respect the magistrates, however much they blather and posture.

Finally, get a solicitor!

justinp1

13,330 posts

231 months

Thursday 20th October 2005
quotequote all
Out of interest how did they clock you?

Or did you admit it?

For 114 I would guess a ban. Depending on your financial situation and how much you need your car, and how good you are in speaking in public, it may be worth getting a solicitor to mitigate on your behalf.

That said, I suppose you could do a lot worse than being honest and just tell them exactly what happened.

antgreen

Original Poster:

5 posts

223 months

Thursday 20th October 2005
quotequote all
They clocked me with a hand held device, it displayed 114mph on it. I asked if it had been calibrated recently, they showed me certificates from earlier that morning!

Could anyone recommend a solicitor in the Thames Valley area? What's the likely cost?

justinp1

13,330 posts

231 months

Thursday 20th October 2005
quotequote all
antgreen said:
They clocked me with a hand held device, it displayed 114mph on it. I asked if it had been calibrated recently, they showed me certificates from earlier that morning!

Could anyone recommend a solicitor in the Thames Valley area? What's the likely cost?


Hmmm,

They sent away the device for its annual calibration, got it returned then took it out, with the original certificate all in that morning?

With the risk of being proved guilty being quite expensive, I would be tempted to employ a solicitor who specialises in this type of thing. Whilst I am not implying this, the device does not say when, or which car actually did that speed, or even if it is right. Did they have it on a tripod?

Did you admit to be doing that speed at the side of the road?

antgreen

Original Poster:

5 posts

223 months

Thursday 20th October 2005
quotequote all
Not sure if it was on a tripod when in use - it was in his lap when I was sitting in the back of his car.

He aksed if I knew why he pulled me over and I said yes, I was then asked if I knew what speed i was doing, to which I replied I didn't know (I thought it was more)

so I asked what would happen next. The policeman said anything over 96mph is a summons, so I should expect something in the post (I had moved house the day before and my V5 is still registered at my old address) I provided my new address details, and also gave new address details when producing my documents 7 days later.

The policeman said a lot of people get unpleasant when in the back of the car and on a hiding to nothing, and for what it's worth he would mention in his report that i did not fall into that category.

I'm not planning on contesting this, it's a fair cop and I'll have to take the ban, fine and 5 yrs of extortionate insurance on the chin - just want to minimise the ban if possible.

antgreen

Original Poster:

5 posts

223 months

Tuesday 28th February 2006
quotequote all
Update.

I attended court last friday, was handed a 52 day ban and £250 fine - I was quite pleased, I thought this was very lenient. I dod not use a solicitor.

Would anyone card to advise what sort of trade price I could get for my 2003 "53" Renault Clio Sport 172 - 36k, scuffed alloys and a minor ding (about the size of a 10p) in the panel behind the drivers door.

phillipj

1,082 posts

228 months

Tuesday 28th February 2006
quotequote all
antgreen
Respect to you for the manner in which you conducted an abuse free, hands up and honest thread. Sorry about the inevitable ban, the 52 days will soon pass though.



>> Edited by phillipj on Tuesday 28th February 15:56

NugentS

686 posts

248 months

Tuesday 28th February 2006
quotequote all
antgreen said:
They clocked me with a hand held device, it displayed 114mph on it. I asked if it had been calibrated recently, they showed me certificates from earlier that morning!

Could anyone recommend a solicitor in the Thames Valley area? What's the likely cost?


Robert Dobson from Prycewoodrow.co.uk - he, unlike most solicitors, actually knows something about traffic law...

Sean

gorvid

22,233 posts

226 months

Tuesday 28th February 2006
quotequote all
I think 52 days and £250 is a result...
The insurance hike maybe the real 'punishment'

r1yam

35 posts

221 months

Tuesday 28th February 2006
quotequote all
Does plod have a certificate of approval to show that the digital comms they use does not interfere with the laser guns? Not excluding what damage it is doing to their brain cells in so close proximity. ?????