Got pulled over yesterday
Discussion
Hello
Riding out of Rye towards Hastings yesterday, someone coming the other way started flashing his lights and waving 'slow down' - I thought, 'what's his problem, I'm doing 30' - then I thought, 'I'll just pass these two cars' - the rest is paperwork
Disappointingly, it was just 44mph. I could have done much better if I'd been trying. Anyway I've been reported for the offence and assured by the PC that the worst case scenario is £60 and three points, but I might get a speed awareness course. I did ask him if there's any point in my asking about the calibration of his equipment or its accuracy with regard to motorcycles but he just said it's calibrated once a month and as per bikes, he doesn't know how it works!
Anyway since this doesn't sound like it'll be too bad (I've not had any points before) I'm pretty much resigned to it, but is there anything I should be doing to reduce the cost/wriggle out of paying somehow? I imagine that would involve going to court, which probably isn't a smart idea, but I thought I'd ask. I guess the obvious answer would be 'don't speed', but since we're here etc...
Riding out of Rye towards Hastings yesterday, someone coming the other way started flashing his lights and waving 'slow down' - I thought, 'what's his problem, I'm doing 30' - then I thought, 'I'll just pass these two cars' - the rest is paperwork
Disappointingly, it was just 44mph. I could have done much better if I'd been trying. Anyway I've been reported for the offence and assured by the PC that the worst case scenario is £60 and three points, but I might get a speed awareness course. I did ask him if there's any point in my asking about the calibration of his equipment or its accuracy with regard to motorcycles but he just said it's calibrated once a month and as per bikes, he doesn't know how it works!
Anyway since this doesn't sound like it'll be too bad (I've not had any points before) I'm pretty much resigned to it, but is there anything I should be doing to reduce the cost/wriggle out of paying somehow? I imagine that would involve going to court, which probably isn't a smart idea, but I thought I'd ask. I guess the obvious answer would be 'don't speed', but since we're here etc...
For my money it's pointless asking about calibration etc if you have no idea what relevance it has (i.e. if you aren't seriously considering a technical defence). How would you know the standard to which it would need to be calibrated, how often (if at all) it needed to be done, and what calibration actually meant in context?
Also I thought people flashing was generally the universal language for "speed camera ahead". A valuable lesson learnt there too I think
Pontificating aside 44mph in a 30mph is £100/3 points territory I'm afraid, I believe the SAC threshold is usually 42mph in a 30.
Also I thought people flashing was generally the universal language for "speed camera ahead". A valuable lesson learnt there too I think
Pontificating aside 44mph in a 30mph is £100/3 points territory I'm afraid, I believe the SAC threshold is usually 42mph in a 30.
amancalledrob said:
assured by the PC that the worst case scenario is £60 and three points
Somebody seems to have forgotten that the last three years happened. FPN went up from £60 to £100 in 2013.Just as well the guy wasn't trying to warn you about something like diesel on the road, eh?
Durzel said:
Also I thought people flashing was generally the universal language for "speed camera ahead". A valuable lesson learnt there too I think
Where I am (rural Cheshire) it's generic for "there's some kind of hazard ahead". That the OP thought "a
hole" and immediately overtook cars says a lot.Sheepshanks said:
Where I am (rural Cheshire) it's generic for "there's some kind of hazard ahead".
That the OP thought "ahole" and immediately overtook cars says a lot.
I didn't think anything of the sort, and if I hadn't been preoccupied with his enthusiastic but well-intentioned gesticulating I'm confident I would have spotted plod and his speed gun and adapted my riding appropriately. However as mentioned above I have indeed learned a valuable lesson That the OP thought "a
hole" and immediately overtook cars says a lot.Apart from that, very good. Maybe use phrases like 'think of the children' or 'in my day' next time for added effect, eh?
amancalledrob said:
I didn't think anything of the sort, and if I hadn't been preoccupied with his enthusiastic but well-intentioned gesticulating I'm confident I would have spotted plod and his speed gun and adapted my riding appropriately. However as mentioned above I have indeed learned a valuable lesson
Apart from that, very good. Maybe use phrases like 'think of the children' or 'in my day' next time for added effect, eh?
Not really. The "second" you saw "plod" you'd have already been caught.Apart from that, very good. Maybe use phrases like 'think of the children' or 'in my day' next time for added effect, eh?
TooMany2cvs said:
Riiight.
Stoofa said:
Not really. The "second" you saw "plod" you'd have already been caught.
If I'd seen him, I'd have stayed behind the two cars in front, who were both doing ~25mph. I fully accept that I might not have spotted him, or that if I had he would probably have zapped me before I had opportunity to react.Irritatingly, I was warned in a similar manner by a van driver of another speed trap a few years ago and the warning saved me (I had been misbehaving a bit). Silly me
cho said:
Instead of thinking 'what's he on about, I'm only doing 30' as others have said, the driver/rider is only warning you. They have no idea how fast you're going. Just general motorist friendliness. Nob0dy likes being wrong. Just accept it and take it as a lesson learned.
This is my attitude too - should have thought a bit harder Thanks
GreatGranny said:
Sounds like if you don't see a policeman you are quite prepared to speed in a 30.
Most people are. Unless there are specific reasons to go slower, the only reason I stick to an indicated 35 is so that I'll be safe from being done. True 44 in 30 is a bit OOT though, although easily done on a bike in a moment while passing cars.
cho said:
Instead of thinking 'what's he on about, I'm only doing 30' as others have said, the driver/rider is only warning you. They have no idea how fast you're going. Just general motorist friendliness. Nob0dy likes being wrong. Just accept it and take it as a lesson learned.
Agree totally with this.When I get flashed, the first thought is plod/hazard. I then drive cautiously for the next mile or so just out of good sense.
OP; was your own fault and lack of common sense on this occasion. Chalk it off and take the fine and points.
If you were in a 40 zone then may get a course but would expect the fine/points.
Hamish Finn said:
But seriously, you have to admire the remorse the OP is showing.
Too right. I've publicly condemned my actions on Twitter, made a charitable donation, and I plan to release an autobiography exploring my guilt and its effect on my later years.In the meantime, to answer the additional points above (the following will be in my autobiography):
location of speed trap: in layby just past left turning towards Rye Harbour, a few hundred yards before NSL
2/10 for poor observation: that's a fair socre
take it on the chin and chalk it up to experience: yep, that's the plan
happy to speed in a 30mph: believe it or not, no. This was a moment's inattention as the traffic I was passing was slowing to a stop while a car ahead turned left. I went to pass on the outside, but as my manoeuvre began the traffic moved off and oncoming traffic was going a lot faster than anticipated, so I accelerated to remove myself from danger.
What I've learned from this:
- People flashing their lights and waving might be trying to help
- Passing slow moving traffic in a 30 should be done with a bit more care
- Well meaning PHers don't always read the whole thread before replying
I hope the above clarifies a few points. See you at the book signing - 'My Speeding Tioket Hell' promises to be a real page-turner
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