Woman Fined for driving too slowly!
Discussion
Heard on the radio today (whilst sitting 2 hrs in a traffic jam on the A1) about a woman in Scotland, (I think), who has just been done - £100 fine & 4 pts for driving 'too slowly' (careless driving?) apparantly she was driving at 20mph in the outside lane of some Dual carriageway 'A road' for some time causing obstruction, oblivious to all and didn't see the Cop behind with 'Blues'n Twos' for several miles etc, she was, IIRC, about 70 yrs old.
Should she still be driving? Any Comments?
Should she still be driving? Any Comments?
Some comments also here:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=82130
Should have been banned.
DAZ
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=82130
Should have been banned.
DAZ
220 NO....
but not because she's 70, but because she's an accident waiting to happen. Simple rule no:1 Bad or careless driving, ban and re-test,( we need a new one as the existing doesn't teach them anything by modern standards) no:2 under aged or non licenced, Dangerous, drunken, or drug effected driving, 5 year ban and re-test, caught again life ban, no appeal 
Caught whilst banned, death by firing squad( if driving in middle lane when caught) or deportation to small unihabited Island, south Atlantic last used as a fish cannery in 1898
nice!!!! This old dear needed pulling as she was blocking the outside lane of a dual carriageway, so no symathy there.
However, there was a case a few years ago where a pair of old biddies in a metro were crawling up the A9 between Perth and Aviemore, and ther ewas a huge tailback behind them. The cops pulled them in at a layby, but also bollocked the driver of the car behind them for not overtaking. Usual problem of driving too close and not having the space to accelerate. It's all very well blaming people for driving too slowly, but if it's possible to overtake, then do it!
Sadly, this is becoming a dying art amongst the average drivers, caught up in the daily rush hour nose to tail traffic. No space to pass, constant oncoming traffic, brain switched off. Show them an open road, and the herd mentallity continues.
End rant.
However, there was a case a few years ago where a pair of old biddies in a metro were crawling up the A9 between Perth and Aviemore, and ther ewas a huge tailback behind them. The cops pulled them in at a layby, but also bollocked the driver of the car behind them for not overtaking. Usual problem of driving too close and not having the space to accelerate. It's all very well blaming people for driving too slowly, but if it's possible to overtake, then do it!
Sadly, this is becoming a dying art amongst the average drivers, caught up in the daily rush hour nose to tail traffic. No space to pass, constant oncoming traffic, brain switched off. Show them an open road, and the herd mentallity continues.
End rant.
mad jock said:
Sadly, this is becoming a dying art amongst the average drivers, caught up in the daily rush hour nose to tail traffic. No space to pass, constant oncoming traffic, brain switched off. Show them an open road, and the herd mentallity continues.
End rant.
It's worse than that. The sheep are now sporting 'Overtakers: see you at the undertakers' stickers
Overtaking is an essential part of regular driving, and necessary for making progress at any speed. People who are incapable of overtaking have no place behind the wheel of a car.
cazzo said:
Heard on the radio today (whilst sitting 2 hrs in a traffic jam on the A1) about a woman in Scotland, (I think), who has just been done - £100 fine & 4 pts for driving 'too slowly' (careless driving?) apparantly she was driving at 20mph in the outside lane of some Dual carriageway 'A road' for some time causing obstruction, oblivious to all and didn't see the Cop behind with 'Blues'n Twos' for several miles etc, she was, IIRC, about 70 yrs old.
Should she still be driving? Any Comments?
It's possible that something temporary was affecting her driving. (illness, grief, medication, etc)
In these cases the proper reaction is to send her for driving assessment. Then an examiner would determine if she was safe to drive. If she isn't safe she has to stop driving. She would have the option of further training if she didn't pass the assessment first time.
If she has become incompetent, giving her 4 points is virtually useless. If she hasn't become incompetent giving her 4 points is also virtually useless. It quite obvious to me that we should determine immediately if she is competent to continue driving.
In practice, I'd like to the the police issue a 7 day "go for assessment" notice at the road side. The recepient of the notice would then have the following options:
1) Reject the offer of assessment and choose a court case.
2) Take the assessment at their own expense within 7 days. (Obviously we would have to ensure that examiners were available on that sort of notice.) The examiner then determines either:
2a) Safe to drive. Assessment passed. Return to driving normally. OR
2b) Unsafe to drive. Assessment failed. Driving licence returned to learner status. Further training and driving tests possible.
3) Ignore notice. After 7 days the notice becomes a driving ban pending actually taking the assessment.
It's just common sense. Whatever happened to common sense?
Best Regards,
Paul Smith
Safe Speed
www.safespeed.org.uk
Yes, I fear an increasing number of drivers are taking the attitude that overtaking on the open road marks one out as a road hog. I have even had one or two cases where people have accelerated quite strongly after I have started to overtake them, whereas the HC effectively says that one should help an overtaker, even being prepared to slow down slightly if necessary.
Yesterday afternoon returning home to Whitby from Scarborough I caught up a queue of about seven vehicles, all travelling at about 40 to 45 mph. Even at a point that is normally very good for overtaking, I could not do so because they were all closely spaced so it was a question of do all seven in one go, or do nothing at all. In this case it had to be nothing at all.
That sort of thing can be very frustrating, although these days I am getting much better at accepting it calmly, and just following at a good distance so that if anyone catches me up at least they can get past me unhindered.
Take care all.
Dave.
Yesterday afternoon returning home to Whitby from Scarborough I caught up a queue of about seven vehicles, all travelling at about 40 to 45 mph. Even at a point that is normally very good for overtaking, I could not do so because they were all closely spaced so it was a question of do all seven in one go, or do nothing at all. In this case it had to be nothing at all.
That sort of thing can be very frustrating, although these days I am getting much better at accepting it calmly, and just following at a good distance so that if anyone catches me up at least they can get past me unhindered.
Take care all.
Dave.
safespeed said:
Heard on the radio today (whilst sitting 2 hrs in a traffic jam on the A1) about a woman in Scotland, (I think), who has just been done - £100 fine & 4 pts for driving 'too slowly' (careless driving?) apparantly she was driving at 20mph in the outside lane of some Dual carriageway 'A road' for some time causing obstruction, oblivious to all and didn't see the Cop behind with 'Blues'n Twos' for several miles etc, she was, IIRC, about 70 yrs old.
Should she still be driving? Any Comments?
It's possible that something temporary was affecting her driving. (illness, grief, medication, etc)
In these cases the proper reaction is to send her for driving assessment. Then an examiner would determine if she was safe to drive. If she isn't safe she has to stop driving. She would have the option of further training if she didn't pass the assessment first time.
If she has become incompetent, giving her 4 points is virtually useless. If she hasn't become incompetent giving her 4 points is also virtually useless. It quite obvious to me that we should determine immediately if she is competent to continue driving.
In practice, I'd like to the the police issue a 7 day "go for assessment" notice at the road side. The recepient of the notice would then have the following options:
1) Reject the offer of assessment and choose a court case.
2) Take the assessment at their own expense within 7 days. (Obviously we would have to ensure that examiners were available on that sort of notice.) The examiner then determines either:
2a) Safe to drive. Assessment passed. Return to driving normally. OR
2b) Unsafe to drive. Assessment failed. Driving licence returned to learner status. Further training and driving tests possible.
3) Ignore notice. After 7 days the notice becomes a driving ban pending actually taking the assessment.
It's just common sense. Whatever happened to common sense?
Best Regards,
Paul Smith
Safe Speed
www.safespeed.org.uk
TripleS said:
Yes, I fear an increasing number of drivers are taking the attitude that overtaking on the open road marks one out as a road hog. I have even had one or two cases where people have accelerated quite strongly after I have started to overtake them, whereas the HC effectively says that one should help an overtaker, even being prepared to slow down slightly if necessary.
I too have experienced this. Its not even the young hoons who do it! I had a middle aged woman actually try to kill me in her car once - where I was overtaking in a perfectly safe place. I got past - but far closer to the end of the straight than I should have got. Mad bitch. I just let it go at the time...now I wish I'd stopped the car, got out and frightened the shit out of her...
Don said:
Yes, I fear an increasing number of drivers are taking the attitude that overtaking on the open road marks one out as a road hog. I have even had one or two cases where people have accelerated quite strongly after I have started to overtake them, whereas the HC effectively says that one should help an overtaker, even being prepared to slow down slightly if necessary.
I too have experienced this. Its not even the young hoons who do it! I had a middle aged woman actually try to kill me in her car once - where I was overtaking in a perfectly safe place. I got past - but far closer to the end of the straight than I should have got. Mad bitch. I just let it go at the time...now I wish I'd stopped the car, got out and frightened the shit out of her...
Not just common sense that is dying out, but common courtesy as well!
Can identify with both posts - has happened to me! (and everyone else - probably!)
Reminds me of that guy on the Vine prog (under discussion couple of weeks ago where the chap caused an accident by an "I am driving at the
speed limit and I will be if I let you overtake me" attitude! Another reason for periodic assessment courses?
judas said:
Overtaking is an essential part of regular driving, and necessary for making progress at any speed. People who are incapable of overtaking have no place behind the wheel of a car.
Some of us are capable of overtaking but simply choose not to. I am an experienced and very capable overtaker, but about ten years ago I stopped doing it. I decided the risk to life and limb was simply too great considering the slight advantage of overtaking. I always leave a 2 to 4 second gap in front, so I don't prevent you from overtaking, but if there is a stream of 3o cars in front do you really think it's worth the effort?
This is *the* reason for never having enough power in a car.
Just the other day i was forced to overtake a numpty grandad in a micra doing 40 in a 50 zone and slamming the brakes on at every speed camera (set to go off at 57mph).
Needless to say, i just couldnt stay behind such a w*nker so i did what all decent hooners would have done; i went past him like a very fast thing indeed...oh and the guy in front..
On the other point of dicko's trying to speed up after youve "done da deed" on em, once again, power my friends is the key to putting these subhuman mongs well and truly where they belong; back down the evolutionary ladder a few thousand years...know thy place retards!
On the point of bumper/window stickers... well whatever.
I favour the "if you can read this then im only doing 120".....or how about " You Numpty!" or "Get thee behind me twathead!" perhaps? possibly one could have " Hows my driving? dial someone who gives a f**k!"
>> Edited by deltaf on Tuesday 17th February 10:08
Just the other day i was forced to overtake a numpty grandad in a micra doing 40 in a 50 zone and slamming the brakes on at every speed camera (set to go off at 57mph).
Needless to say, i just couldnt stay behind such a w*nker so i did what all decent hooners would have done; i went past him like a very fast thing indeed...oh and the guy in front..
On the other point of dicko's trying to speed up after youve "done da deed" on em, once again, power my friends is the key to putting these subhuman mongs well and truly where they belong; back down the evolutionary ladder a few thousand years...know thy place retards!
On the point of bumper/window stickers... well whatever.
I favour the "if you can read this then im only doing 120".....or how about " You Numpty!" or "Get thee behind me twathead!" perhaps? possibly one could have " Hows my driving? dial someone who gives a f**k!"
>> Edited by deltaf on Tuesday 17th February 10:08
andrew54 said:
Overtaking is an essential part of regular driving, and necessary for making progress at any speed. People who are incapable of overtaking have no place behind the wheel of a car.
Some of us are capable of overtaking but simply choose not to. I am an experienced and very capable overtaker, but about ten years ago I stopped doing it. I decided the risk to life and limb was simply too great considering the slight advantage of overtaking. I always leave a 2 to 4 second gap in front, so I don't prevent you from overtaking, but if there is a stream of 3o cars in front do you really think it's worth the effort?
Oooh! Gonna wind you up again!
How do you know if you still have that skill if you have not used it for 10 years?
Speaking as competent linguist (though you know I get my "alle" mixed up! and sometimes choose the wrong word!), still need to practice daily - especially the Russian!
Also on computer stuff - not used one brand of software fo 18 months. Had to really think hard to remember how to use it!
Driving skills are the same - use 'em or lose 'em!
Have one friend who has not driven for 5 years as could not afford car. Now he can afford one, and guess what, he has booked himself a block of 6 initial driving lessons to "get back into it!" He says it is "not like riding a proverbial bike!"
Full story here:
www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/content_objectid=13958043_method=full_siteid=89488_headline=-SCOTLAND-S-SLOWEST-DRIVER-name_page.html
SCOTLAND'S SLOWEST DRIVER Feb 17 2004
Anne's 20mph in A9 fast lane
By James Moncur
PENSIONER Anne Morrison caused massive tailbacks as she drove at 20mph in the FAST LANE of the busy A9.
The 69-year-old grandmother trundled along the dual carriageway at a snail's pace on a WRI trip.
She almost brought rush-hour traffic to a standstill and police feared a pile-up. Anne drove for a mile before she noticed the flashing blue lights behind her. To her embarrassment, she was breathalysed.
Shame-faced Anne was fined £100 yesterday for being one of Scotland's slowest-ever drivers. Later she said: 'I only have the odd glass of Bailey's at the weekend, so I knew I was OK. But I'd made some rum truffles for the WRI meeting.
'It was lucky I didn't have any of them otherwise I may have been in even more trouble.'
After being charged at the roadside, Anne and her WRI chums were given a police escort to the Caithness Glass factory they were on their way to visit.
At Perth Sheriff Court yesterday, Anne, from Kinrossie, admitted causing severe traffic congestion and danger to other road users on November 13 last year.
She admitted driving carelessly by being in the outside lane at speeds below 30mph on the Inverness to Stirling road near Perth.
As well as the £100 fine, the grandmother-of-three had four penalty points imposed on her licence.
Safely back home yesterday, Anne revealed she had been taking two women from the Collace and Kinrossie WRI to a pre-arranged tour of the glass factory.
But her two-year-old Ford Focus was forced on to the wrong stretch of road by a boy-racer.
She said: 'I was trying to get off the Inveralmond Roundabout, near Perth, when a young lad cut me upvery badly.
'He forced me on to a really busy stretch of road I didn't want to be on.
'I was stuck in the outside lane at rush-hour and there were cars all around me.
'I did my best to pull over but everyone was overtaking me on the inside and I just couldn't get in.
'It was really horrible because as I got more frantic I got slower and slower, although I didn't think I was going as slow as 20 miles per hour.'
Anne, who lives with her husband William, 71, has been driving for more than 40 years without any problems.
She said last night: 'I'm a safe and considerate driver. I have never been in trouble before and I have never been spoken to by the police.
THERE is no law against slow driving but if a motorists is going so slowly they are holding up traffic, they can be fined up to £2500 and get up to nine penalty points.
DANGER .. SLOWCOACH
lA 92-year-old doctor held up motorists at 10mph on Royal Deeside in January 2000. Dorothy Gibb's car straddled the centre lines as she crept around country roads. Bemused drivers could only make out a small figure wearing a hat at the wheel of the Renault 5.
Gibb, who had an clean driving record for more than 60 years, was fined £100 and given four penalty points after being found guilty of careless driving.
www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/content_objectid=13958043_method=full_siteid=89488_headline=-SCOTLAND-S-SLOWEST-DRIVER-name_page.html
SCOTLAND'S SLOWEST DRIVER Feb 17 2004
Anne's 20mph in A9 fast lane
By James Moncur
PENSIONER Anne Morrison caused massive tailbacks as she drove at 20mph in the FAST LANE of the busy A9.
The 69-year-old grandmother trundled along the dual carriageway at a snail's pace on a WRI trip.
She almost brought rush-hour traffic to a standstill and police feared a pile-up. Anne drove for a mile before she noticed the flashing blue lights behind her. To her embarrassment, she was breathalysed.
Shame-faced Anne was fined £100 yesterday for being one of Scotland's slowest-ever drivers. Later she said: 'I only have the odd glass of Bailey's at the weekend, so I knew I was OK. But I'd made some rum truffles for the WRI meeting.
'It was lucky I didn't have any of them otherwise I may have been in even more trouble.'
After being charged at the roadside, Anne and her WRI chums were given a police escort to the Caithness Glass factory they were on their way to visit.
At Perth Sheriff Court yesterday, Anne, from Kinrossie, admitted causing severe traffic congestion and danger to other road users on November 13 last year.
She admitted driving carelessly by being in the outside lane at speeds below 30mph on the Inverness to Stirling road near Perth.
As well as the £100 fine, the grandmother-of-three had four penalty points imposed on her licence.
Safely back home yesterday, Anne revealed she had been taking two women from the Collace and Kinrossie WRI to a pre-arranged tour of the glass factory.
But her two-year-old Ford Focus was forced on to the wrong stretch of road by a boy-racer.
She said: 'I was trying to get off the Inveralmond Roundabout, near Perth, when a young lad cut me upvery badly.
'He forced me on to a really busy stretch of road I didn't want to be on.
'I was stuck in the outside lane at rush-hour and there were cars all around me.
'I did my best to pull over but everyone was overtaking me on the inside and I just couldn't get in.
'It was really horrible because as I got more frantic I got slower and slower, although I didn't think I was going as slow as 20 miles per hour.'
Anne, who lives with her husband William, 71, has been driving for more than 40 years without any problems.
She said last night: 'I'm a safe and considerate driver. I have never been in trouble before and I have never been spoken to by the police.
THERE is no law against slow driving but if a motorists is going so slowly they are holding up traffic, they can be fined up to £2500 and get up to nine penalty points.
DANGER .. SLOWCOACH
lA 92-year-old doctor held up motorists at 10mph on Royal Deeside in January 2000. Dorothy Gibb's car straddled the centre lines as she crept around country roads. Bemused drivers could only make out a small figure wearing a hat at the wheel of the Renault 5.
Gibb, who had an clean driving record for more than 60 years, was fined £100 and given four penalty points after being found guilty of careless driving.
deltaf said:
This is *the* reason for never having enough power in a car.
Just the other day i was forced to overtake a numpty grandad in a micra doing 40 in a 50 zone and slamming the brakes on at every speed camera (set to go off at 57mph).
Needless to say, i just couldnt stay behind such a w*nker so i did what all decent hooners would have done; i went past him like a very fast thing indeed...oh and the guy in front..
On the other point of dicko's trying to speed up after youve "done da deed" on em, once again, power my friends is the key to putting these subhuman mongs well and truly where they belong; back down the evolutionary ladder a few thousand years...know thy place retards!
>> Edited by deltaf on Tuesday 17th February 10:08
Gotta agree with Deltaf here.
There's nothing like going for a safe over taking move, the numpty puts their foot down to try and stop you from over taking and then watching their faces while a car with 5 times the horse power overtakes and pulls back in within 2 seconds. Much fun
andrew54 said:
I am an experienced and very capable overtaker, but about ten years ago I stopped doing it. I decided the risk to life and limb was simply too great considering the slight advantage of overtaking.
Then you're not doing it right.
If you're risking life and limb to get past someone, you shouldn't be overtaking them in that spot.
And overtake should not be a stressful experience. Pick your spot, mirrors, signal, pull out, ensure target car(s) have seen you, apply throttle and past.....
Always leave an escape route, and always assume everyone else is a muppet.
What I hate is people who try and make the overtake harder than it should be. And idiots behind who follow you out leaving no escape should something unexpected happen.
Oh, and muppets in front who *don't* look. If you think you can make it past, then someone behind may very well have had the same idea and already be in your blind spot.
If I have to overtake several cars at once, I do it with all six lights on (about the only time I use front fogs.....)
Trouble is, some dickheads want us all to be conformist...all good little euro-citizens, all driving at the same speed, eating straight bananas, having orange juice and toast for brekkies etc etc...
They see someone like me, who just sticks two erected digits up at the system, (amongst others...:d ) and it instantly enrages them that we're not conforming.
And why the should we?
Its against my human rights to do what someone else says is right for me.
At the end of the day, if some numpty wants to go one on one with me about my "excess speed", then bring it on. First ya gotta catch me!
Otherwise just get the outa my way! Im comin thru!
They see someone like me, who just sticks two erected digits up at the system, (amongst others...:d ) and it instantly enrages them that we're not conforming.
And why the
should we? Its against my human rights to do what someone else says is right for me.
At the end of the day, if some numpty wants to go one on one with me about my "excess speed", then bring it on. First ya gotta catch me!
Otherwise just get the
outa my way! Im comin thru! Mr E said:
If I have to overtake several cars at once, I do it with all six lights on (about the only time I use front fogs.....)
I gave up using the lights specifically for overtaking over ten years ago. I had a few drivers react as if they found it aggressive and as such I felt that ultimately it was counter productive.
These days I just sit in a fully offside position until it's quite quite clear that there's no threat, then I hit the power and I'm past. No fuss. No drama. Another one bites the dust.
And btw, Andrew54, I agree with others - if you feel that overtaking is a risk you ARE doing it wrong. Do you really mean that you would never overtake? What about a tractor? Where do you draw the line?
And btw2, It's STILL overtaking even on a dual carriageway or motorway. The exact same safety checks apply with regard to the proposed overtakee.
Best Regards,
Paul Smith
Safe Speed
www.safespeed.org.uk
safespeed said:
If I have to overtake several cars at once, I do it with all six lights on (about the only time I use front fogs.....)
I gave up using the lights specifically for overtaking over ten years ago. I had a few drivers react as if they found it aggressive and as such I felt that ultimately it was counter productive.
It's possible they might perceive it that way, yes, and something I have considered. But if they see me, even if only to think "what an agressive bastard", then I'm happier than them not seeing me. I'd rather piss them off than have them hit me.
If they see it as agressive, and then decide to block me or something along those lines then I really don't want to be on the same bit of road as them. It's usally time to stop for coffee at that point.
Besides, having a loud red car pass you on full throttle is pretty agressive anyway.....
(Point taken though)
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