Shropshire Star - Pensioner wins speed trap fight

[Alan420]

drover said:

To reduce the penalty inccurred when speeding. Don't use your car, or any vehicle you are entitled to drive. It would appear the penalty for Taking without consent, or Aggravated vehicle taking (ie crash it) is far less than being in a hurry, or enjoying your car on an open dual carriageway, with wide sweeping bends and an unmarked car in a layby. Not that I am bitter and twisted or anything of the sort.

Wahey, new to the site, yet with a perfect understanding of the issues involved!
Welcome!

[hertsbiker]

Yep. I've noticed that the sentances handed out to car theives seem to be less than that given to speeders, even if the theif was to go just as fast. Does this mean that if you commit 2 crimes, you get one free???

[Mr E]

Hence my amazing plan to register my car with my great, if slightly forgetful, and non-driving granny.

And then insure it for the entire family to use......

(A joke, but only just)

Seriously, if you *really* don't know who was driving, it seems better to commit purjery and lie than to admit you don't know who was driving and face a £1000 fine.....

[Alan_W_420]

Mr E said:

Seriously, if you *really* don't know who was driving, it seems better to commit purjery and lie than to admit you don't know who was driving and face a £1000 fine.....

Eh?

All you do, if you REALLY don't know who was driving is ask them for all the eviddence they have. If that isn't good enough say so, ask all insured persons if they'd care to admit it, and if nobody does the case gets dropped.

You're only in line for a 1000quid fine if you do not try to help the CPS prove thier case.

[Mr E]

Alan_W_420 said:

Mr E said: Seriously, if you *really* don't know who was driving, it seems better to commit purjery and lie than to admit you don't know who was driving and face a £1000 fine..... Eh? All you do, if you REALLY don't know who was driving is ask them for all the eviddence they have. If that isn't good enough say so, ask all insured persons if they'd care to admit it, and if nobody does the case gets dropped. You're only in line for a 1000quid fine if you do not try to help the CPS prove thier case.

I understand that's how it's *supposed* to work.

I wouldn't like to try it though...

[blueyes]

Friend of mine did it. He was the MD and had a works van gatsoed. Went to court and told them nobody would own up. Said he was going to take the points and fine even though he didn't do it.

Case dismissed.

[james_j]

Having a twin brother or sister could be useful...

[No 1]

Mr E said:

Hence my amazing plan to register my car with my great, if slightly forgetful, and non-driving granny. And then insure it for the entire family to use...... (A joke, but only just)

Why joke, what a great idea!

LOL, particularly as a somewhat forgetful, half deaf and blind octagenarian is going to have far cheaper insurance aswell as they are clearly at lower risk of crashing than a late twenties male with 6 years no claims bonus.

But, this could be the solution to all our motoring woes. If everyone got an old person (preferably one in a nursing home) to insure their car for any driver, the insurance would be dirt cheap and there is no way the driver could ever be indentified if caught on scamera.

All hail Mr E, the saviour of our licenses!!!!!

[granville]

Apache said:

It would be refreshing to see the courts pursue muggers and burglars with such determination

Absofrigginglutely!

[Mr E]

derestrictor said:

Apache said: It would be refreshing to see the courts pursue muggers and burglars with such determination Absofrigginglutely!

But muggers have no cash, and generally don't meekly cough up £60.

[carinatauk]

Interesting thread this.

I'm intrigued why if you cannot provide the evidence regarding the driver do you get points? I thought that points were relative to the motoring offence and not for failing to provide driver evidence. If this occurs, is that not discrimination?. Burglars and the likes don't get points.

Another interesting point is why euro foreign drivers can and do openly abuse the speed restrictions and get away with it?! Again is this not discrimination? All of us operate under the same Human Rights Act and is this not mentioned there regarding deliberate targetting?

Oh to be a lawyer! Not really

[Julian64]

Its because of the british mentality. Same speed limits in france. France police have better things to do. Once pulled up behind a copper on a french A route in the cobra doing about 20mph over the limit. He put his hand out the window and waved me to overtake which I did. As I pulled alongside he gave me the thumbs up and I gingerly accelerated away. In Britian he have pulled me just for comming up behind him at speed. We have a more anal quality in this country.

[meldrewlives]

julian64 said:

France police have better things to do.

Er - don't think so.

Used to do the journey between Luxembourg and the UK very regularly. Just north of Lille one time I was in outside lane, just over the limit with another car alongside in the middle lane. Up ahead was a Gendarme standing in the fast lane with his arm up - couldn't believe my eyes (I presume he was ready to jump if I hadn't seen him). French driver on my inside just carried on I meekly swerved into the layby and duly anted up the fine - only bloody use I ever found for Eurocheques.

[Julian64]

Probably all due to car then, Idea of retiring to france going up in smoke.
Sometimes I love the Cobra, and then sometimes I just want to bash its head in (I believe the original was responsible for introducing speed limits into the uk in the first place)
Life is sooo bittersweet.