Post accident speeding, help please?
Discussion
Hi there,
On 18th October I got photographed doing 51 in a 40. This is breaking my heart:
Had spent the previous four days with my dying brother in law (he is gone now) and was travelling back to Wiltshire from Suffolk down the M11, at Stansted, unfortunately a large shard of steel went through the windscreen of a porsche which lost it and I stopped a couple of inches short of it on the outside lane. Initially I thought driver was dead and tried to get her friend out, but realised she was moving. Called it in, had to wait a while (v. scared now as was only thing stopping her being hit again by other cars...) Anyway, long story short, they checked my car over and had an idea of what had happened, (don't think can say) and sent me on my way. I am, at this point in shock, but the fire and police people are busy and I don't want to be a pest. I cry for about 20 minutes into rest of trip, and do do 51 in a 40. I am the only car travelling south on the motorway, and it is 8:30pm.
I was a mess for two weeks after that night, nearly caused an accident when I saw a man on a bridge on the M4, first drive out with husband and went to break in middle lane (I was doing about 65mph!!!) Better now, and driving as good as it ever was, or bad?, but wondered how harsh they were going to be with a 51 in a 40? It's bringing lots of stuff back - and I am already crying!!
On 18th October I got photographed doing 51 in a 40. This is breaking my heart:
Had spent the previous four days with my dying brother in law (he is gone now) and was travelling back to Wiltshire from Suffolk down the M11, at Stansted, unfortunately a large shard of steel went through the windscreen of a porsche which lost it and I stopped a couple of inches short of it on the outside lane. Initially I thought driver was dead and tried to get her friend out, but realised she was moving. Called it in, had to wait a while (v. scared now as was only thing stopping her being hit again by other cars...) Anyway, long story short, they checked my car over and had an idea of what had happened, (don't think can say) and sent me on my way. I am, at this point in shock, but the fire and police people are busy and I don't want to be a pest. I cry for about 20 minutes into rest of trip, and do do 51 in a 40. I am the only car travelling south on the motorway, and it is 8:30pm.
I was a mess for two weeks after that night, nearly caused an accident when I saw a man on a bridge on the M4, first drive out with husband and went to break in middle lane (I was doing about 65mph!!!) Better now, and driving as good as it ever was, or bad?, but wondered how harsh they were going to be with a 51 in a 40? It's bringing lots of stuff back - and I am already crying!!
Smudged..
Sorry to hear of your loss....my sincere condolences.
The 3 points and £60 fine sounds the likely outcome.
However, should you feel that you have reason to appeal; then I suggest that you request a court hearing, and explain the circumstances to the court.
The nampby pamby magistrates are often lenient on the the lying ones; so should also be lenient on those like yourself who have extraordinary circumstances.
Regards and God Bless.
Gary
Sorry to hear of your loss....my sincere condolences.
The 3 points and £60 fine sounds the likely outcome.
However, should you feel that you have reason to appeal; then I suggest that you request a court hearing, and explain the circumstances to the court.
The nampby pamby magistrates are often lenient on the the lying ones; so should also be lenient on those like yourself who have extraordinary circumstances.
Regards and God Bless.
Gary
smudged said:
Thanks guys,
I did do wrong, so I don't mind getting the usual as it were, but I didn't know what to expect! You hear all sorts...
I will send the form back and do what they say.
Streetcop: Thanks for your kind words, another rarity these days. ;-)
Sorry you had to endure something as traumatic as you described. Have you sought help about it? Talking to someone who understands will make a difference. I have seen many such incidents and worse. I am a member of a body recovery unit. I recently recovered bodies from the Ufton Nervet rail crash in November. I have used this avenue to help me deal and I am used to dealing with this stuff. I am awaiting a call to go out to Thailand at the moment to take over from those who are doing the work over there. Believe me it does make things better in the long term.
In relation to your speeding offence, I would ask to be dealt with by a court. Go to the hearing and plead guilty. Ask to give evidence in the witness box and explain what happened to you. Use the circumstances as mitigation for your offence. Explain that now having analysed the situation, you realise that you were not in a fit state to continue drivng after what you had seen and been involved with. However there was nnot much optionas you were on a motorway and had no other avenue of help to get you home. Hindsight is a wonderful thing! You now realise that you were in shock!
Having given your mitigation and if you can get hold of some documentary evidence to put before the court like an accident reference number or a copy of any statement you may have made in relation to what you saw, ask them if they would consider this as a minor transgression due to the circumstances which is totally out of character for you. If you have a clean licence, tell them in the witness box.
Ask them and I mean ask, if they would consider a minor penalty or even the possibility of an absolute discharge. This is a finding of guilt with no punishment attached. If your mitigation is good and you put your case well, I see no reason why they should not consider this verdict and punishment.
Good luck!
Gary and 'gone'. Hello again,
Thanks gone for the reply. Do you think this is something I should do? I was going to leave it, I mean I did to 51 in a 40 and I don't expect special treatment.
There will, I assume, be a log of my telephoning the accident in, and they did call me back to see if I was OK. I sat in the fire engine, whilst the prelim investigation was being carried out and was led to believe that some delightful teenagers were throwing things off the bridge. (Porsche overtaking lorry, me overtaking Porsche and apparently confident they would get a hit!) That is what scared me, I had been planning my brothers funeral one day, and the next being devastated that it could be me any time. Hit home a little too much...
I did speak to victim support and they suggested playing it out in my mind. I had got stuck on the part where I thought she was dead, when they moved me into the fire engine I couldn't see anything, so there was no real closure. I was surprised to be let go so soon, but there was lots to do and I don't know what is involved in these things. I am OK, but get shaky about it when I think about it.
You, sir, I must say, sound like a sterling chap, stoic and admirable. I was going to email separately as I am not sure what is OK to say on here and what is not, about that day I mean, but there is no info for you. If I don't hear from you, have a safe trip.
Ems
Thanks gone for the reply. Do you think this is something I should do? I was going to leave it, I mean I did to 51 in a 40 and I don't expect special treatment.
There will, I assume, be a log of my telephoning the accident in, and they did call me back to see if I was OK. I sat in the fire engine, whilst the prelim investigation was being carried out and was led to believe that some delightful teenagers were throwing things off the bridge. (Porsche overtaking lorry, me overtaking Porsche and apparently confident they would get a hit!) That is what scared me, I had been planning my brothers funeral one day, and the next being devastated that it could be me any time. Hit home a little too much...
I did speak to victim support and they suggested playing it out in my mind. I had got stuck on the part where I thought she was dead, when they moved me into the fire engine I couldn't see anything, so there was no real closure. I was surprised to be let go so soon, but there was lots to do and I don't know what is involved in these things. I am OK, but get shaky about it when I think about it.
You, sir, I must say, sound like a sterling chap, stoic and admirable. I was going to email separately as I am not sure what is OK to say on here and what is not, about that day I mean, but there is no info for you. If I don't hear from you, have a safe trip.
Ems
Smudged sorry to hear about your situation.
You hear so much about this sort of thing now. I can't believe kids do this.
A few years a guy I used to work with was travelling down a motorway in his Golf when some kids dropped a breeze block off a bridge. It went straight through his windscreen bounced off the top of the dash, over his head and out through the sunroof!!
He was very lucky!!!
Do you know if the people in the Porsche were ok?
Like Gone says go and get some help or talk it through with someone. It will help!
Regards,
Phill
You hear so much about this sort of thing now. I can't believe kids do this.
A few years a guy I used to work with was travelling down a motorway in his Golf when some kids dropped a breeze block off a bridge. It went straight through his windscreen bounced off the top of the dash, over his head and out through the sunroof!!
He was very lucky!!!
Do you know if the people in the Porsche were ok?
Like Gone says go and get some help or talk it through with someone. It will help!
Regards,
Phill
smudged said:
Hello again,
Thanks gone for the reply. Do you think this is something I should do? I was going to leave it, I mean I did to 51 in a 40 and I don't expect special treatment.
Do it. You can only try and see. You will be given credit for pleading guilty and for attending to put your story before the magistrates. Try not to go over the top with emotions if you do go to court and give evidence on oath. I know it will be difficult but you need to be able to bite your lip a bit otherwise they may think you are just trying to 'pull the wool' with some theatrical stuff!
Special treatment will not be given to you. Justice may well be given in the circumstances if you are given an absolute discharge!
>> Edited by gone on Thursday 20th January 23:34
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