Should I have called the police - Motorway Numpty going slow
Discussion
Driving home yesterday on the Westbound M40 I cam across 3 lanes of slow moving traffic. When I finally got to the front I found a car in the middle lane doing ~45MPH. Instead of just going up the inside and continuing everyone was going from inside > middle > Outside causing a huge amount of chaos, panic braking and I am amazed no one had a bump as it was mostly sunday drivers doing this.
This was on an otherwise empty motorway.
I thought about it afterwards and was wondering if I should have called 999 and reported it - it was causing absolute chaos and probably only a matter of time before it was going to cause an accident.
So I thought I'd check opinion on PH, what should I have done ?
This was on an otherwise empty motorway.
I thought about it afterwards and was wondering if I should have called 999 and reported it - it was causing absolute chaos and probably only a matter of time before it was going to cause an accident.
So I thought I'd check opinion on PH, what should I have done ?
Here you go http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/first-driver-...
and here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/10240592/...
Lane hogging is now classed as anti social driving and you can be stopped and fined plus given points for doing it
New legislation came into force a while back it just hasnt been used much.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motoring/police-...
The difference is that previous to the legislation change there was no ability to give an on the spot fine and points, it had to go to court and was so complicated it was never prosecuted. The new legislation means you can now be given an FPN for a number of things including lane hogging/wrong lane use.
and here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/10240592/...
Lane hogging is now classed as anti social driving and you can be stopped and fined plus given points for doing it
New legislation came into force a while back it just hasnt been used much.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motoring/police-...
The difference is that previous to the legislation change there was no ability to give an on the spot fine and points, it had to go to court and was so complicated it was never prosecuted. The new legislation means you can now be given an FPN for a number of things including lane hogging/wrong lane use.
Edited by Dodsy on Monday 27th July 22:07
Edited by Dodsy on Monday 27th July 22:09
ok, so I should have said 'my understanding is' as Im not a lawyer or policeman and have to rely on news sources and google for my information. But I think this clarifies the point - found on a lawyer blog:
Strictly speaking there has not been any new legislation introduced in respect of anti-social driving, however, as of 16 August 2013 careless or inconsiderate drivers can now face ‘on the spot’ penalties when previously their driving may have resulted in proceedings at court. A fixed penalty for careless or inconsiderate driving is now £100 with an endorsement of three penalty points on the driver’s licence. If the standard of driving is considered too serious for this penalty the matter will proceed to court.
It has been widely reported that middle lane hogging is considered anti-social for the purpose of issuing an FPN however you are correct, there is no specific legislation.
My Understanding of what I have seen on the news and on many websites is that this gives police the discretion to issue an FPN rather than it having to go to court thereby simplifying the process.
In reality I guess its not that simple or we would be seeing a lot of people being fined for it and we dont.
Strictly speaking there has not been any new legislation introduced in respect of anti-social driving, however, as of 16 August 2013 careless or inconsiderate drivers can now face ‘on the spot’ penalties when previously their driving may have resulted in proceedings at court. A fixed penalty for careless or inconsiderate driving is now £100 with an endorsement of three penalty points on the driver’s licence. If the standard of driving is considered too serious for this penalty the matter will proceed to court.
It has been widely reported that middle lane hogging is considered anti-social for the purpose of issuing an FPN however you are correct, there is no specific legislation.
My Understanding of what I have seen on the news and on many websites is that this gives police the discretion to issue an FPN rather than it having to go to court thereby simplifying the process.
In reality I guess its not that simple or we would be seeing a lot of people being fined for it and we dont.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff