Unmarked police motorbike

[bobchevy]

Hi, Forgive me if this question has been asked before.

I have been caught doing 38mph in a 30 limit just out of a 50 limit on a dual carriageway, a mobile camera caught me with something I have never seen before a unmarked motorbike parked up with the operator wearing a high vis jacket and his camera on a tripod at the side of the road.

Now my colleagues seem to think as it was a unmarked vehicle and operator ( although something was written on the back of the high vis ) it is not legal and I can not be prosecuted ? I think they would not go to the trouble of doing this if they can not prosecute.

The camera was in Derby by the way, a silver bike with paniers sorry did not get the make probably a BMW.

[SS2.]

Your colleagues are mistaken, unfortunately.

[WJNB]

Lots of Plods on Bikes these days especially on Sundays when mid-life crisis bikers are out reliving their youth,

[Retroman]

bobchevy said:

Now my colleagues seem to think as it was a unmarked vehicle and operator ( although something was written on the back of the high vis ) it is not legal and I can not be prosecuted

As mentioned, they're wrong unfortunately.

The police have certain guidelines that they should follow to maintain acting in the public interest but even if they don't follow these guidelines the only real defence to a speeding charge is being able to prove you weren't speeding.

[bobchevy]

Thanks as I suspected, I hold my hands up now hoping I can go on an awareness course.

And I can inform the false information people there wrong.

[rigga]

38 in a 30 I believe is above the threshold for a speed awareness course.

[SS2.]

rigga said:

38 in a 30 I believe is above the threshold for a speed awareness course.

It's well within - the cut off is normally 42mph in a 30mph limit.

[Cobnapint]

rigga said:

38 in a 30 I believe is above the threshold for a speed awareness course.

It's not, it's within. I got done doing 39 in a 30 and was offered one. And it was £10 cheaper than the fine, and it was actually quite enjoyable!

[rigga]

SS2. said:

rigga said:

38 in a 30 I believe is above the threshold for a speed awareness course.

It's well within - the cut off is normally 42mph in a 30mph limit.

Ah ok I stand corrected, thought it was well below that.

[bobchevy]

Is it dependent on the area ? they seem to have different rules, 6 or 7 years ago Leicestershire Police did not offer courses when others did.

[SS2.]

bobchevy said:

Is it dependent on the area ? they seem to have different rules, 6 or 7 years ago Leicestershire Police did not offer courses when others did.

Derbyshire are part of the national scheme and use the [10% +2mph] to [10% +9mph] qualifying criteria.

[Cobnapint]

bobchevy said:

Is it dependent on the area ? they seem to have different rules, 6 or 7 years ago Leicestershire Police did not offer courses when others did.

The criteria is the same everywhere and will only be offered if you haven't been on a speed awareness course in the previous 3 years, except in Scotland, where they aren't offered at all.

[GreatGranny]

You can specify within reason where you take the course.
I was caught in Lincs about 6 years ago but took my course in Sheffield near to my work.