Example of Bad Driving - What Penalty?
Discussion
This is an example of some extremly bad driving that occured last night at about 9.30pm.
I wont name the location, type of car etc suffice to say that it was on a priority road (not Motorway) which has a speed limit of 40mph and is 3 lanes wide(Dual carriageway).
Whilst returning to our Trafgarage my attention was drawn to vehicle 'A' travelling at excess speed (65mph) in lane 3. A gap was seen in lane 2 so he swerved into it causing a car behind to brake hard and sound its horn. Without hesitation, vehicle 'A' swerved back into lane 3 to gain a few extra yards.
After a short while, it again sweved into land 2 then immediately into lane 1 where there was about a 100m stretch of clear traffic.
Sadly, he didnt take into account the vehicle that was entering from a side road and of course he had to brake violently and there was an almighty cloud of smoke and screeching of tyres. A collision was narrowly avoided due to the fact that he could squeeze/swerve back into lane 2 again.
This obviously shook him up and it was about 30secs before he tried a similar manouvre, this time a single decker bus was joining our road from a well illuminated entry slip. Once again vehicle 'A' had to use big brakes and lots of screeching to avoid a collision.
He then swerved out into lane 3 and built up his speed to about 70mph, slowing for a Speed Camera before accelerating hard, about 1 metre from the bumper of the car in front before again swerving into lane 2 to continue at speed.
Eventually he saw us behind and slowed down to the limit of 40mph and we stopped him a few secs later.
Whilst speaking to him he was quite taken aback at why we had stopped him and flatly denied driving in this manner.
When i showed him the video of the event he replied that there was nothing wrong with his manner of driving and that we were simply picking on him because of his col--r.
I can honestly say that this piece of driving was the worst, most aggresive that id seen for quite a while (and that is saying something!)
Speed Cameras sadly cannot detect this type of driving and this was self evident by virtue of the fact that he indeed had slowed down for one of them whilst we were following.
What penalty do you think should be imposed on this 'chap' when he goes to Court and why?
I wont name the location, type of car etc suffice to say that it was on a priority road (not Motorway) which has a speed limit of 40mph and is 3 lanes wide(Dual carriageway).
Whilst returning to our Trafgarage my attention was drawn to vehicle 'A' travelling at excess speed (65mph) in lane 3. A gap was seen in lane 2 so he swerved into it causing a car behind to brake hard and sound its horn. Without hesitation, vehicle 'A' swerved back into lane 3 to gain a few extra yards.
After a short while, it again sweved into land 2 then immediately into lane 1 where there was about a 100m stretch of clear traffic.
Sadly, he didnt take into account the vehicle that was entering from a side road and of course he had to brake violently and there was an almighty cloud of smoke and screeching of tyres. A collision was narrowly avoided due to the fact that he could squeeze/swerve back into lane 2 again.
This obviously shook him up and it was about 30secs before he tried a similar manouvre, this time a single decker bus was joining our road from a well illuminated entry slip. Once again vehicle 'A' had to use big brakes and lots of screeching to avoid a collision.
He then swerved out into lane 3 and built up his speed to about 70mph, slowing for a Speed Camera before accelerating hard, about 1 metre from the bumper of the car in front before again swerving into lane 2 to continue at speed.
Eventually he saw us behind and slowed down to the limit of 40mph and we stopped him a few secs later.
Whilst speaking to him he was quite taken aback at why we had stopped him and flatly denied driving in this manner.
When i showed him the video of the event he replied that there was nothing wrong with his manner of driving and that we were simply picking on him because of his col--r.
I can honestly say that this piece of driving was the worst, most aggresive that id seen for quite a while (and that is saying something!)
Speed Cameras sadly cannot detect this type of driving and this was self evident by virtue of the fact that he indeed had slowed down for one of them whilst we were following.
What penalty do you think should be imposed on this 'chap' when he goes to Court and why?
He should get the same if not worse punishment as the 157mph biker to make things fair. The biker was deemed to be riding in a manner that would increase the chances of a accident, even though no 'near miss' was recorded. But this guy obviously very nearly DID cause a crash.
But in IMHO the biker should of never of gone to prison in the first place.
But in IMHO the biker should of never of gone to prison in the first place.
the locking of wheels alone should warrant "failure to remain in control" (is that the right term?) the same thing you could nick for driving with yur knees or wheelspinning, or getting your kneedown on a bike..
then there is speeding 3 points
dangerous driving 3 points
wreakless driving 3 points
inconsideration to other road users (casuing cars to brake)
but on that one, if he was speeding and swerved in front of someone, they had no need to brake, unless they were travelling FASTER than him, otherwise its just a reactionary braking.
so - tot them up and give him a 12 month ban.
then there is speeding 3 points
dangerous driving 3 points
wreakless driving 3 points
inconsideration to other road users (casuing cars to brake)
but on that one, if he was speeding and swerved in front of someone, they had no need to brake, unless they were travelling FASTER than him, otherwise its just a reactionary braking.
so - tot them up and give him a 12 month ban.
Got to say that if I got caught doing that (certainly two excessive braking manueovers (sp) then I'd be kakking meself, and expecting the book to be thrown at me - probably a short ban (3 months?) plus points (6)and a massive fine (£1000 +....)
Playing the race-card is absolute w@@nk and just shows what a stupid society we have become...
Playing the race-card is absolute w@@nk and just shows what a stupid society we have become...
IMHO he should get a ban - by virtue of the fact that he couldnt see what was wrong with his driving, that implies that he does it all the time (in that position i would have said "sorry officer, i dont usually drive like that, im just in an almighty rush - no excuse i know, but i am very sorry")
Playing the race card is an absolute disgrace - the sad thing is, it'll probably get him off as the powers that be wont want him making a complaint over race.
Playing the race card is an absolute disgrace - the sad thing is, it'll probably get him off as the powers that be wont want him making a complaint over race.
I couldnt comment on the sentence he should get.
I can comment on the fact that Tonyrec, a trafpol, was there to witness it, and to do something about the situation.
Mr "speed camera" did sweet f/a to address this idiot drivers misdemeanours, Tonyrec DID.
Job well done Tony, we need more of you on the roads.
Speedcameras, making the roads safer.....(lmao hahahahahahahahahahahaha heeeeeeeeheheheheh oooohohoihohohohoho) NOT.
I can comment on the fact that Tonyrec, a trafpol, was there to witness it, and to do something about the situation.
Mr "speed camera" did sweet f/a to address this idiot drivers misdemeanours, Tonyrec DID.
Job well done Tony, we need more of you on the roads.
Speedcameras, making the roads safer.....(lmao hahahahahahahahahahahaha heeeeeeeeheheheheh oooohohoihohohohoho) NOT.
For the driving offences - hanging.
For extending tonyrec's shift - drawing.
For playing the 'race card' - quartering.
It's easy to get emotive. There are other factors to be taken into account ... which our esteemed contributor will have been able so to do, being a coppa not a camera!
tonyrec didn't indicate the offence for which he booked the driver. But, whatever, I could see a 'plea-bargain' down to DWRCFRU, resulting in 3 points and £30 fine.
As to what he should get? My vote would be to spend two hours watching a catalogue of accident and mortuary photographs, two days sweeping the gutters (including peak traffic times) on the road in question with pictures published in his local paper and a re-test following ROSPA training.
Streaky
For extending tonyrec's shift - drawing.
For playing the 'race card' - quartering.
It's easy to get emotive. There are other factors to be taken into account ... which our esteemed contributor will have been able so to do, being a coppa not a camera!
tonyrec didn't indicate the offence for which he booked the driver. But, whatever, I could see a 'plea-bargain' down to DWRCFRU, resulting in 3 points and £30 fine.
As to what he should get? My vote would be to spend two hours watching a catalogue of accident and mortuary photographs, two days sweeping the gutters (including peak traffic times) on the road in question with pictures published in his local paper and a re-test following ROSPA training.
Streaky
I would like to suggest that this driving as described by tonyrec clearly falls into dangerous driving as defined by
(a) where the standard of driving falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver, and
(b) it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous.
"Dangerous" means danger either of injury to any person or of serious damage to property.
Penalty?
Ban 6-12 months?
Extended Retest
Take vehicle off him (crush it?)
Won't comment on the race card issue as the above penalty would be applied to Mrs FiF if she drove like that!
(a) where the standard of driving falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver, and
(b) it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous.
"Dangerous" means danger either of injury to any person or of serious damage to property.
Penalty?
Ban 6-12 months?
Extended Retest
Take vehicle off him (crush it?)
Won't comment on the race card issue as the above penalty would be applied to Mrs FiF if she drove like that!
I know that it sounds stupid but if he had of been reported for Dangerous Driving then i doubt it very much if he would be convicted.
It does seem appropriate that this should be the offence but in the real world this is reserved for more serious examples. (Not my decision)
Sadly, the offence which he will be convicted will be Without Due Care. However, when the full facts come out at Court in hoping that he will get plenty of points and a hefty fine.
I forgot to add that when he initially got out of his car to speak with me, he left his keys inside and the car locked itself.
It was cold and damp outside and he then had to arrange someone to assist him gain entry.
It does seem appropriate that this should be the offence but in the real world this is reserved for more serious examples. (Not my decision)
Sadly, the offence which he will be convicted will be Without Due Care. However, when the full facts come out at Court in hoping that he will get plenty of points and a hefty fine.
I forgot to add that when he initially got out of his car to speak with me, he left his keys inside and the car locked itself.
It was cold and damp outside and he then had to arrange someone to assist him gain entry.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff