105mph, Dangerous Driving – Need Some Advice!
Discussion
Hi everyone, I really need some advice and hope you can help:
Last week I was stopped by police for 105mph and dangerous driving. It was a weekday, 11:30pm, very little traffic and I was making my way home at a leisurely pace after a wonderful night out with friends in London.
As I joined the M1 from the A406 (Staples Corner) I ran parallel with a black Mercedes Coupe. The occupants were young and jeered at me unprovoked – one passenger pointed to his neck and then at me/my car.
Feeling threatened I instinctively pressed down on the accelerator and attempted to build some distance between our two cars. Half a mile further on and the zeon headlights of the Mercedes were getting smaller in my mirrors. I was travelling at 85mph and slowing down. At this point I lost sight of the car behind for a couple of seconds as I navigated a right hand bend.
After the corner I checked my mirrors for the Mercedes and saw a set of zeon lights approaching fast. I built up speed, wondering whether I should pull over or attempt to reach my mobile phone from my jacket on the backseat – I decided against both. For the next four miles the car sat about 50m off my boot, matching speed and lane. I felt like I was in a film, and got more and more worried as I approached my junction – physically shaking at one point.
Ahead I saw an opportunity to lose the following car and took it. It involved crossing from the middle lane to the slow, undercutting a car, pulling into the middle lane and accelerating between cars in the fast and slow lane. The move paid off, the car I undertook braked (no actual need for them to do so in my opinion) and I was away.
This is the point where the police finally decided to switch on their blue flashing lights, the Mercedes turned out not to be a Mercedes afterall, but a BMW traffic car with similar zeon lights!
Anyway, I pulled over and accepted that I was speeding, explained about the black Mercedes Coupe and watched myself being a complete and utter idiot on their monitor. The speed measured over one distance was 105mph, although I suspect I could have been travelling faster.
One of the first things I said to the officer was ‘thank god its you’!
I already have three points and I guess I'm looking at a ban, or six to nine points and a shedload of fines - my only mitigating circumstance was that the police car was tailing me without blue lights for 4.7 miles, with me in the belief that I was about to become part of somesort of ganster initiation ritual!
The video showed the driving of a desperate man, what now? I was read my rights, they have taken notes on the black Mercedes Coupe (should be on film) and I’m awaiting the NIP. 
Since last week I’ve sold my performance car and I’m driving around in a 1.0 Ecotec Corsa. It states in my contract that I need a licence for work. Please help!
>>> Edited by sa_20v on Wednesday 2nd February 16:12
Last week I was stopped by police for 105mph and dangerous driving. It was a weekday, 11:30pm, very little traffic and I was making my way home at a leisurely pace after a wonderful night out with friends in London.
As I joined the M1 from the A406 (Staples Corner) I ran parallel with a black Mercedes Coupe. The occupants were young and jeered at me unprovoked – one passenger pointed to his neck and then at me/my car.
Feeling threatened I instinctively pressed down on the accelerator and attempted to build some distance between our two cars. Half a mile further on and the zeon headlights of the Mercedes were getting smaller in my mirrors. I was travelling at 85mph and slowing down. At this point I lost sight of the car behind for a couple of seconds as I navigated a right hand bend.
After the corner I checked my mirrors for the Mercedes and saw a set of zeon lights approaching fast. I built up speed, wondering whether I should pull over or attempt to reach my mobile phone from my jacket on the backseat – I decided against both. For the next four miles the car sat about 50m off my boot, matching speed and lane. I felt like I was in a film, and got more and more worried as I approached my junction – physically shaking at one point.
Ahead I saw an opportunity to lose the following car and took it. It involved crossing from the middle lane to the slow, undercutting a car, pulling into the middle lane and accelerating between cars in the fast and slow lane. The move paid off, the car I undertook braked (no actual need for them to do so in my opinion) and I was away.
This is the point where the police finally decided to switch on their blue flashing lights, the Mercedes turned out not to be a Mercedes afterall, but a BMW traffic car with similar zeon lights!
Anyway, I pulled over and accepted that I was speeding, explained about the black Mercedes Coupe and watched myself being a complete and utter idiot on their monitor. The speed measured over one distance was 105mph, although I suspect I could have been travelling faster.
One of the first things I said to the officer was ‘thank god its you’! I already have three points and I guess I'm looking at a ban, or six to nine points and a shedload of fines - my only mitigating circumstance was that the police car was tailing me without blue lights for 4.7 miles, with me in the belief that I was about to become part of somesort of ganster initiation ritual!
The video showed the driving of a desperate man, what now?
I was read my rights, they have taken notes on the black Mercedes Coupe (should be on film) and I’m awaiting the NIP. Since last week I’ve sold my performance car and I’m driving around in a 1.0 Ecotec Corsa. It states in my contract that I need a licence for work. Please help!
>>> Edited by sa_20v on Wednesday 2nd February 16:12
Well even if they get you, you might well getting a mitigation of no ban but a big fine and points for your job.
However I was reading on another forum only the other week that you are allowed to jump lights etc under situations where you genuinely believe yourself to be at risk. You probably need a specialist motoring lawyer though to tell you whats likely to happen etc. The beckhams did get away with similar if you recall.
Anyway good luck.
You shouldnt get banned I dont think. My friend made a similar plea after racking up lots of points in his alfa 33, sold it and bought a vw camper and pleaded to the court that he was being responsible in his sale of the car that was providing him the temptation etc. Thin ice if you ask me but it worked for him.
Very worrying for you. Dangerous driving is taken very seriously by the twin set and pearl JP brigade....Very sad news if your story is true...
Well the good news is that if the story is a nonsense (which I think it is (sorry!) and you lose your job, take heart! -- you could easily get a contract with MGM as a script writer in their fantasy department
Good theory though. I'll try that one next time.
See, the problem is most black Mercs with xenons can easily do over 120.... and they dutifully stayed below 85.
Well the good news is that if the story is a nonsense (which I think it is (sorry!) and you lose your job, take heart! -- you could easily get a contract with MGM as a script writer in their fantasy department
Good theory though. I'll try that one next time.
See, the problem is most black Mercs with xenons can easily do over 120.... and they dutifully stayed below 85.
I suspect even if your story is true you will be faced with the inevitable question of why, in order to put some distance between yourself and this preceived threat, you felt obliged to press the right pedal rather than the brake? While I can sympathise, I'm not at all sure your defence holds any water.
Well sod the rest of the unsympathetic buggers on here.
About 10 years ago coming out of Manchester late at night I somehow, and I don't know how, p1ssed off the occupants of a white Merc that contained shotgun-wielding men with balaclavas on, and it was only by driving like a maniac that I managed to get some distance between us.
So I don't blame you. At night you can't see that it's a police car so you don't know to slow down, especially if you are worried.
About 10 years ago coming out of Manchester late at night I somehow, and I don't know how, p1ssed off the occupants of a white Merc that contained shotgun-wielding men with balaclavas on, and it was only by driving like a maniac that I managed to get some distance between us.
So I don't blame you. At night you can't see that it's a police car so you don't know to slow down, especially if you are worried.
I do not expect for one minute that anyone will buy the story about the Merc unless the Police video tape happen to have captured it.
You will be called to court and you will have opportunity to give your reasons (mitigation). You can do this from either the defence table or from the witness box on oath. If you give evidence of your encounter with the Merc from the witness box under oath, the magistrates will give it more substance than if you tell them from the defence table.
105mph is not hugely fast although you state dangerous driving as well?? If this is the case as you were checked for such a long distance, then you will have considerable problems. The speed alone is not the end of the world but I would suggest at least a chat with a lawyer who specialises in speed and RTA offences. If your job depends on the outcome of this result, then even an expensive liason will be worthwhile. I believe the first half hour of a consultation is free anyway with most lawyers!
You will be called to court and you will have opportunity to give your reasons (mitigation). You can do this from either the defence table or from the witness box on oath. If you give evidence of your encounter with the Merc from the witness box under oath, the magistrates will give it more substance than if you tell them from the defence table.
105mph is not hugely fast although you state dangerous driving as well?? If this is the case as you were checked for such a long distance, then you will have considerable problems. The speed alone is not the end of the world but I would suggest at least a chat with a lawyer who specialises in speed and RTA offences. If your job depends on the outcome of this result, then even an expensive liason will be worthwhile. I believe the first half hour of a consultation is free anyway with most lawyers!
That ist good advice - you gave him Liebchen (about telling it on oath in dock).
Perhaps when the man was pointing at his neck - he was trying to tell him something .... like the BMW unmarked car...
Und he cannot even use the highly mitigating excuse of the unexploded jam doughnut
Although if the Merc river was not friendly - he may have been in fear of resembling a squashed one....
Ja - he should mot go to court without lawyer or without getting advice as to how to write the grovelling letter about learning lesson, (or taking lessons) hardship und job depending on this.
lieber gone said:
I do not expect for one minute that anyone will buy the story about the Merc unless the Police video tape happen to have captured it.
Perhaps when the man was pointing at his neck - he was trying to tell him something .... like the BMW unmarked car...
lieber gone said:
105mph is not hugely fast although you state dangerous driving as well??
Und he cannot even use the highly mitigating excuse of the unexploded jam doughnut
Although if the Merc river was not friendly - he may have been in fear of resembling a squashed one.... lieber gone said:
The speed alone is not the end of the world but I would suggest at least a chat with a lawyer who specialises in speed and RTA offences. If your job depends on the outcome of this result, then even an expensive liason will be worthwhile. I believe the first half hour of a consultation is free anyway with most lawyers!
Ja - he should mot go to court without lawyer or without getting advice as to how to write the grovelling letter about learning lesson, (or taking lessons
) hardship und job depending on this.Would you drive any differently now if you thought your life was being threatened? - probably not. If you genuinely thought these blokes were going to kill you you'd instinctively want to get away as quickly as possible not stick to the speed limits set down by our esteemed government.
I don't think that anyone would praise you on your driving that night but then again you probably wouldn't normally drive like that?
Good luck whatever happens.
I don't think that anyone would praise you on your driving that night but then again you probably wouldn't normally drive like that?
Good luck whatever happens.
Why didn't you slow down and let the mystery zeon lights pass you then you can see who was in the car, if the cops were following you for 4 miles whilst you were changing lanes and, I guess driving above the limit it seems to me that you are pretty f***ed. Why did you feel threatened by some blokes making signs at you? probably they were pissing about, they hardly waving a gun at you. I think you have brought this on yourself really, but explain it at court and you might get a result.
Hi SA
Any further news on this so far?
I have "known" SA for a while from the Fiat coupe owners forum and while his style is eccentric, personally I believe that he believed his was been threatened. His response may have not been appropriate but I thinbk he has come for some advice not riducle (he gets enough of that over there).
Good luck Steve.
Any further news on this so far?
I have "known" SA for a while from the Fiat coupe owners forum and while his style is eccentric, personally I believe that he believed his was been threatened. His response may have not been appropriate but I thinbk he has come for some advice not riducle (he gets enough of that over there).
Good luck Steve.
No offence meant by previous post.
Thing is, you do have a choice of which pedal to press. You close to press the loud pedal and got nicked.
Easy to say in hindsight I know, but you COULD have slowed down instead. If by the time you were executing an emergency stop the Merc was also pulling up fast, then you'd have every reason to make a break for it. Unless the Merc actually attempted to sideswipe or ram your car, I can't see any justification for driving in a dangerous manner. Even then I'd have expected you to flip the hazards on at least.
Its tough I know, but even with a damn good brief and a stack of cash you'd be very lucky to have the courts give any credence to your defence.
What the coppers saw was you barrelling down the inside of traffic at high speed and cutting in causing other motorists to brake. Thats about all the magistrates will hear.
Thing is, you do have a choice of which pedal to press. You close to press the loud pedal and got nicked.
Easy to say in hindsight I know, but you COULD have slowed down instead. If by the time you were executing an emergency stop the Merc was also pulling up fast, then you'd have every reason to make a break for it. Unless the Merc actually attempted to sideswipe or ram your car, I can't see any justification for driving in a dangerous manner. Even then I'd have expected you to flip the hazards on at least.
Its tough I know, but even with a damn good brief and a stack of cash you'd be very lucky to have the courts give any credence to your defence.
What the coppers saw was you barrelling down the inside of traffic at high speed and cutting in causing other motorists to brake. Thats about all the magistrates will hear.
sa_20v said:
Hi everyone, I really need some advice and hope you can help:
Last week I was stopped by police for 105mph and dangerous driving. It was a weekday, 11:30pm, very little traffic and I was making my way home at a leisurely pace after a wonderful night out with friends in London.
As I joined the M1 from the A406 (Staples Corner) I ran parallel with a black Mercedes Coupe. The occupants were young and jeered at me unprovoked – one passenger pointed to his neck and then at me/my car.
Feeling threatened I instinctively pressed down on the accelerator and attempted to build some distance between our two cars. Half a mile further on and the zeon headlights of the Mercedes were getting smaller in my mirrors. I was travelling at 85mph and slowing down. At this point I lost sight of the car behind for a couple of seconds as I navigated a right hand bend.
After the corner I checked my mirrors for the Mercedes and saw a set of zeon lights approaching fast. I built up speed, wondering whether I should pull over or attempt to reach my mobile phone from my jacket on the backseat – I decided against both. For the next four miles the car sat about 50m off my boot, matching speed and lane. I felt like I was in a film, and got more and more worried as I approached my junction – physically shaking at one point.
Ahead I saw an opportunity to lose the following car and took it. It involved crossing from the middle lane to the slow, undercutting a car, pulling into the middle lane and accelerating between cars in the fast and slow lane. The move paid off, the car I undertook braked (no actual need for them to do so in my opinion) and I was away.
This is the point where the police finally decided to switch on their blue flashing lights, the Mercedes turned out not to be a Mercedes afterall, but a BMW traffic car with similar zeon lights!
Anyway, I pulled over and accepted that I was speeding, explained about the black Mercedes Coupe and watched myself being a complete and utter idiot on their monitor. The speed measured over one distance was 105mph, although I suspect I could have been travelling faster.
I already have three points and I guess I'm looking at a ban, or six to nine points and a shedload of fines - my only mitigating circumstance was that the police car was tailing me without blue lights for 4.7 miles, with me in the belief that I was about to become part of somesort of ganster initiation ritual!
The video showed the driving of a desperate man, what now?
Since last week I’ve sold my performance car and I’m driving around in a 1.0 Ecotec Corsa. It states in my contract that I need a licence for work. Please help!
>>> Edited by sa_20v on Wednesday 2nd February 16:12
Sa, why were you charged with Dangerous Driving?
Did they explain this to you.
Dangerous driving is a serious charge but it is not automatically assumed like speeding; they have to prove that what you did was dangerous: was it?
Forget about your speed, do you believe that anything you did was dangerous?
That is the crux of the matter.
>>> I'm awaiting a NOIP<<<<<
You may not get one as they will have given a verbal one when >>>they read me my rights<<<<<
Why was it dangerous driving IOLAIRE asks?
A decision by the High Court probably has something to do with it on a very similar set of circumstances. Trentham v Rowlands [1974] - undertaking at speed, in this case HIGH, is potentially dangerous and thus dangerous driving and because it flouts the rules of the Highway Code .....never move to the lane on your left to overtake.
Or, do I take it OLAIRE, that you subscribe to the many new amendments in the proposed Rule 139 Highway Code. See:
www.tinyurl.com/6drrc ? - (TIC)
Just an opinion but it will need a Solicitor of the ilk of Nick Freeman to get anything out of this through maybe a bit of plea bargaining and other jiggery pokery.(Beckham, Yorke, Manchester CID Inspector).
DVD
You may not get one as they will have given a verbal one when >>>they read me my rights<<<<<
Why was it dangerous driving IOLAIRE asks?
A decision by the High Court probably has something to do with it on a very similar set of circumstances. Trentham v Rowlands [1974] - undertaking at speed, in this case HIGH, is potentially dangerous and thus dangerous driving and because it flouts the rules of the Highway Code .....never move to the lane on your left to overtake.
Or, do I take it OLAIRE, that you subscribe to the many new amendments in the proposed Rule 139 Highway Code. See:
www.tinyurl.com/6drrc ? - (TIC)
Just an opinion but it will need a Solicitor of the ilk of Nick Freeman to get anything out of this through maybe a bit of plea bargaining and other jiggery pokery.(Beckham, Yorke, Manchester CID Inspector).
DVD
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