Pulled over, radar/laser gun, just one copper

[_dan_]

Hi chaps, don't post on this forum too often so everyone.

Was driving out of my sleepy little village in wales on sunday morning with my girlfriend and mum in the car (on my way to my nans 90th!!) and got pulled over by a lone policeman in his car, who proceeded to show me a readout on a laser/radar gun saying I was doing 44mph in the 30 limit (about a mile and a half back - pulled over in the 60 limit). Speed gun just showed the speed readout and the time the reading was taken. He wrote me a 3point/£60 speed ticket, made me sign it and told me to take it into the police station within a week and hand over my license at the same time.

I'm not normally one to try and squirm out of a ticket but I always thought (maybe incorrectly) that to be done in this way there has to be two of them.

I may be was off the mark here but I'd appreciate any comments very much.

Cheers, Dan

Edited by _dan_ on Wednesday 28th June 16:54

[10 Pence Short]

Doesn't sound out of the ordinary. By your description I'd say you've been given a fixed penalty and a producer for your documents. Unless there's a particular reason why 3 points will make your life unbearable I'd be inclined to take the FP.

[k50 del]

Can't help you personally, but the lads on www.pepipoo.com will know the full SP on this type of stop and will be only too pleased to help.

[_dan_]

Not particually unbearable (will be up to 9 points!!) just wondered if it's the norm for them to work solo like that!

[Andrew D]

By signing the ticket, do you mean sign to accept the penalty?

In which case did he first explain to you that you have the right to decline the fixed penalty and goto court instead?

[justinp1]

Andrew D said:

By signing the ticket, do you mean sign to accept the penalty?

In which case did he first explain to you that you have the right to decline the fixed penalty and goto court instead?

This bit is quite important...

But to answer the original question, yes it is legal and normal, should it get that far the witness statement will show the officers opinion of your speed and magically the laser device will corroborate this. Chances of disproving either of the above are very slim under normal circumstances.

[_dan_]

I did sign the ticket (accepting my guilt I guess) although I wasn't given an alternative, just a 'sign here please'

I guess I'll just take it like a man!

[john57]

Signing sn FPN is not an admission of guilt ....... it is normally a signature for the 'producer' bit so your signature at the station can be compared to that on your driving licence as only you can produce that bit.

I am assuming of course that they didn't caution you and then get you to sign a record of you admitting you were speeding

As for the laser / on own / stopping later bit - all fairly normal and no, definitely doesn't have to be two officers.