Has anyone else avoided a nicking by being contrite?
Discussion
Was reading a few threads about people being nicked for speeding, and it reminded me of something which happened to me back in 1993.
Back then, I rode only motorbikes all year round, didn't have a car. The trouble was, being around 21 years old and riding 1,000cc superbikes all the time, as big bike owners will know, it's SO easy to speed - especially when you're youthfully exhuberent
Anyway, because of this, I had managed to obtain 9 points on my licence. And yes, I know, I know, I should have been more careful - and I had been for a while - the first 3 points were due to drop off my licence fairly soon.
But I went to a local pub, for their weekly 'rock music' night. I was there with a brand-new girlfriend, but neither of us drank any alcohol - I never did on the bike.
When we left the pub, the main road away is straight and fairly wide. I rode off up the road, and as I was thinking about what I was going to do to the girlfriend in 10 minutes' time, I wasn't really concentrating. So I just accelerated gently up through the gears.
Unfortunately, an officer of the law was holed up in a car park about half a mile ahead, and pulled me over. I just didn't see him as his car was in the car park and he was standing with a speed gun behind a brick pillar.
He showed me the gun, which read 37mph. In a 30 limit.
We were on an almost brand-new bike, which was all legal - standard sized numberplate, no loud exhaust etc. We were both wearing full leathers, so I'd like to think the first impression wasn't that of a total hooligan.
I was obsequeously polite from the get-go. The breathalyser came back at zero.
He told me he'd have to give me a fixed-penalty ticket. I explained, rather sheepishly, that I already had nine points. He said 'oh dear' - and explained how he'd have to report me and I'd have to go to court and probably get a ban.
I pleaded that I was so sorry etc. etc. and as I worked shifts 25 miles away, I might lose my job, yadda yadda. Yeah I know this was totally my fault, but I did everything I could to appear contrite and sorry (and I really was!) and assure him that I would be a model motorist from then on.
He did um and ahh for a bit actually, but did say that he'd already given out tickets that night for people doing a lesser speed than me, and he wouldn't be doing his job properly if he let me off. I finally accepted, politely and with good grace, that I would have to go to court and face the music.
Off I went.
Every day for the next 6 months, I rode impeccably, but was terrified every time the postman came, waiting for my summons.
It never came.
And I was still living at the address I gave him, so I don't think it was a case of it going astray. And anyway, I never heard another thing.
So I can only assume that he decided to give me a break. Actually, it probably did me more good than a ban - because I rode so carefully for months on end, and since then, have never forgotten that act of kindness. Well, assuming it was and he didn't just lose his paperwork or something!
Anyone else?
Back then, I rode only motorbikes all year round, didn't have a car. The trouble was, being around 21 years old and riding 1,000cc superbikes all the time, as big bike owners will know, it's SO easy to speed - especially when you're youthfully exhuberent
Anyway, because of this, I had managed to obtain 9 points on my licence. And yes, I know, I know, I should have been more careful - and I had been for a while - the first 3 points were due to drop off my licence fairly soon.
But I went to a local pub, for their weekly 'rock music' night. I was there with a brand-new girlfriend, but neither of us drank any alcohol - I never did on the bike.
When we left the pub, the main road away is straight and fairly wide. I rode off up the road, and as I was thinking about what I was going to do to the girlfriend in 10 minutes' time, I wasn't really concentrating. So I just accelerated gently up through the gears.
Unfortunately, an officer of the law was holed up in a car park about half a mile ahead, and pulled me over. I just didn't see him as his car was in the car park and he was standing with a speed gun behind a brick pillar.
He showed me the gun, which read 37mph. In a 30 limit.
We were on an almost brand-new bike, which was all legal - standard sized numberplate, no loud exhaust etc. We were both wearing full leathers, so I'd like to think the first impression wasn't that of a total hooligan.
I was obsequeously polite from the get-go. The breathalyser came back at zero.
He told me he'd have to give me a fixed-penalty ticket. I explained, rather sheepishly, that I already had nine points. He said 'oh dear' - and explained how he'd have to report me and I'd have to go to court and probably get a ban.
I pleaded that I was so sorry etc. etc. and as I worked shifts 25 miles away, I might lose my job, yadda yadda. Yeah I know this was totally my fault, but I did everything I could to appear contrite and sorry (and I really was!) and assure him that I would be a model motorist from then on.
He did um and ahh for a bit actually, but did say that he'd already given out tickets that night for people doing a lesser speed than me, and he wouldn't be doing his job properly if he let me off. I finally accepted, politely and with good grace, that I would have to go to court and face the music.
Off I went.
Every day for the next 6 months, I rode impeccably, but was terrified every time the postman came, waiting for my summons.
It never came.
And I was still living at the address I gave him, so I don't think it was a case of it going astray. And anyway, I never heard another thing.
So I can only assume that he decided to give me a break. Actually, it probably did me more good than a ban - because I rode so carefully for months on end, and since then, have never forgotten that act of kindness. Well, assuming it was and he didn't just lose his paperwork or something!
Anyone else?
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