Speeding Cop Escapes Ban, But....
Discussion
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4135334.stm
A firearms officer caught speeding at 100mph has been spared a driving ban so as not to add to the burden on London's over-stretched police force.
Jamie Smith, 30, admitted going 30mph over the limit on the A11 at Snetterton in Norfolk on 22 January.
The Metropolitan Police officer, from West Horndon in Essex, was fined £600 and had five points put on his licence.
Magistrates decided not to impose a ban after hearing driving was a vital part of his counter terrorism unit job.
Andrew Lyons, mitigating, told Thetford Magistrates' Court in Norfolk: "Driving is essential for his duties, especially at this time when mobility is of the essence.
"The disqualification would have the effect at this time of putting extra pressure on the resources that are already at their limit."
Top Met officers have admitted that the force is being so stretched by the demands of inquiries into the 7 July bombings and 21 July attempted bombings, that work on other crimes has "slowed to a trickle".
Major murder inquiries have been affected, including the case of Amelie Delagrange, the French 22-year-old who was bludgeoned to death on Twickenham Green last August.
More than 1,000 officers are working on the bombs inquiries and more are being used on patrols, costing an estimated £500,000 a day.
As well as the fine and the points, Smith was ordered to pay £35 court costs.
A firearms officer caught speeding at 100mph has been spared a driving ban so as not to add to the burden on London's over-stretched police force.
Jamie Smith, 30, admitted going 30mph over the limit on the A11 at Snetterton in Norfolk on 22 January.
The Metropolitan Police officer, from West Horndon in Essex, was fined £600 and had five points put on his licence.
Magistrates decided not to impose a ban after hearing driving was a vital part of his counter terrorism unit job.
Andrew Lyons, mitigating, told Thetford Magistrates' Court in Norfolk: "Driving is essential for his duties, especially at this time when mobility is of the essence.
"The disqualification would have the effect at this time of putting extra pressure on the resources that are already at their limit."
Top Met officers have admitted that the force is being so stretched by the demands of inquiries into the 7 July bombings and 21 July attempted bombings, that work on other crimes has "slowed to a trickle".
Major murder inquiries have been affected, including the case of Amelie Delagrange, the French 22-year-old who was bludgeoned to death on Twickenham Green last August.
More than 1,000 officers are working on the bombs inquiries and more are being used on patrols, costing an estimated £500,000 a day.
As well as the fine and the points, Smith was ordered to pay £35 court costs.
marshun said:
Norfolk SCP seem keen to enforce speed limits on straight sections of dual carriageways - yet Norwich has barely any enforcement of 30mph limits in built up areas.
I agree with that.
I have had points from the A11 in Norfolk and the A14,both dual carriageways, and both occasions when traffic was moving freely.
I drive according to conditions and not speed limits.
I have never seen a safety van in a built up area in a 30 or 40 limit, so in my view it proves they are only after easy targets.
>> Edited by ledfoot on Tuesday 9th August 23:48
I truly believe it's only sensible that a person should not get a ban for driving at a mere 100mph.
If they're driving dangerously then yes, but 100+ is achievable safely and for many is an every day speed, as alot of us can probably testify.
A friend of a friend has been doing 100+ daily for the last ten years, safely and never had a problem. Ofcourse, if he gets spotted by the wrong person he'll be banned, nothing to do with safety but simply because the law is the law... or is it?
If they're driving dangerously then yes, but 100+ is achievable safely and for many is an every day speed, as alot of us can probably testify.
A friend of a friend has been doing 100+ daily for the last ten years, safely and never had a problem. Ofcourse, if he gets spotted by the wrong person he'll be banned, nothing to do with safety but simply because the law is the law... or is it?
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