RE: IAM president resigns over speeding
Tuesday 25th January 2005
IAM president resigns over speeding
Duke of Gloucester loses licence and his post
A month after he was banned for speeding under the points totting-up procedure, the Duke of Gloucester has resigned as president of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). PH reported the incident a few weeks ago (link below).
His fourth speeding offence in three years -- this time 70mph in a 60mph limit -- meant he had 12 points and an automatic ban under the totting up rule. The ban lasts six months and, as a result, he automatically lost his membership.
John Maxwell, the IAM chairman, said: "The Duke's decision to resign the IAM presidency has been received with great regret by all IAM Council members, given his effective and enthusiastic presidency over 32 years.
Discussion
If the camera war continues, I wonder how many drivers will lose their memberships, assuming the same rule applies to ordinary members.
The news story about magistrates from a few years ago seems to have gone quiet, but I have to wonder if they, too, are heading for a crisis.
As I remember it, conviction rules had to be relaxed because prospective magistrates were being turned away if they had more than six points. Suitable applicants were becoming thin on the ground.
As time goes on and every driver in the land is victimised, are we going to run out of magistrates?
One of my neighbours is on the way. As a magistrate, he had to disclose his misfortune to the Lord Chancellor, who promptly wrote back with stinging remarks that he should know better, and they'd sent Cherie Blair round to bite his ankles if he did it again.
The news story about magistrates from a few years ago seems to have gone quiet, but I have to wonder if they, too, are heading for a crisis.
As I remember it, conviction rules had to be relaxed because prospective magistrates were being turned away if they had more than six points. Suitable applicants were becoming thin on the ground.
As time goes on and every driver in the land is victimised, are we going to run out of magistrates?
One of my neighbours is on the way. As a magistrate, he had to disclose his misfortune to the Lord Chancellor, who promptly wrote back with stinging remarks that he should know better, and they'd sent Cherie Blair round to bite his ankles if he did it again.
well the government managed to destroy teaching, Policing and NHS without any major problems - they now have to bribe potential employees with many thousands of pounds (wonder where that comes from..)to re-take up teaching as teachers were driven away through over zealous vice grip incompetent government 'management'- not long before same happens to NHS and Police Force
Beeching and de ja vous spring to mind - Sell off, decapacitate (hows our Navy doing these days..)and alienate experienced trained staff to the point of resignation - - then later 'woops, where have all the staff gone - better throw some taxpayers money at it and bribe them to join up again on the government rat wheel, before the rabble has enough time to realise what we are doing to them by way of indirect taxation and incompetent land / population management...'
Only a matter of time before they realise that camera fines are short term revenue - eventually, once the choke hold finally takes effect on the driving taxpayers they will realise that there are fewer and fewer taxpayers able to contribute, through jobloss (driving ban)
....That will be when they fine irresponsible motorists who dont have jobs - for their own good of course....
Beeching and de ja vous spring to mind - Sell off, decapacitate (hows our Navy doing these days..)and alienate experienced trained staff to the point of resignation - - then later 'woops, where have all the staff gone - better throw some taxpayers money at it and bribe them to join up again on the government rat wheel, before the rabble has enough time to realise what we are doing to them by way of indirect taxation and incompetent land / population management...'
Only a matter of time before they realise that camera fines are short term revenue - eventually, once the choke hold finally takes effect on the driving taxpayers they will realise that there are fewer and fewer taxpayers able to contribute, through jobloss (driving ban)
....That will be when they fine irresponsible motorists who dont have jobs - for their own good of course....
Hi Folks, The Duke's situation is no different to most of us and as he is and should be an aware and competent driver he is going to be doing more important things than watching his speedo or looking out for the SCAMERAs.
The IAM should have refused to accept his resignation as a statement. It seems to me that they have a sat back and ignored what is going on for far too long and they should get their act together. The following quote is very true today!!......
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke 1770.
The IAM should have refused to accept his resignation as a statement. It seems to me that they have a sat back and ignored what is going on for far too long and they should get their act together. The following quote is very true today!!......
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke 1770.
mikeatBB said:
Hi Folks, The Duke's situation is no different to most of us and as he is and should be an aware and competent driver he is going to be doing more important things than watching his speedo or looking out for the SCAMERAs.
The IAM should have refused to accept his resignation as a statement. It seems to me that they have a sat back and ignored what is going on for far too long and they should get their act together. The following quote is very true today!!......
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke 1770.
Poetically stated & Succint!
mikeatBB said:
Hi Folks, The Duke's situation is no different to most of us and as he is and should be an aware and competent driver he is going to be doing more important things than watching his speedo or looking out for the SCAMERAs.
The IAM should have refused to accept his resignation as a statement. It seems to me that they have a sat back and ignored what is going on for far too long and they should get their act together. The following quote is very true today!!......
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke 1770.
Poetically stated & Succint!
mikeatBB said:
Hi Folks, The Duke's situation is no different to most of us and as he is and should be an aware and competent driver he is going to be doing more important things than watching his speedo or looking out for the SCAMERAs.
The IAM should have refused to accept his resignation as a statement. It seems to me that they have a sat back and ignored what is going on for far too long and they should get their act together. The following quote is very true today!!......
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke 1770.
Poetically stated & Succint!
I agree ! Why is it that these bodies are afraid to stand up and be counted. The IAM, RAC, AA etc should be fighting for the driver not wimpering in the background. I suppose they dont want to be seen as "irresponsible" by the muppets in our society.
The Duke has been an ambassador for motoring for many years and I for one think it's a disgrace that he has to resign.
This speed camera business really winds me up !
Rant mode off
The Duke has been an ambassador for motoring for many years and I for one think it's a disgrace that he has to resign.
This speed camera business really winds me up !
Rant mode off
s2kredmist said:
I agree ! Why is it that these bodies are afraid to stand up and be counted. The IAM, RAC, AA etc should be fighting for the driver not wimpering in the background. I suppose they dont want to be seen as "irresponsible" by the muppets in our society.
The Duke has been an ambassador for motoring for many years and I for one think it's a disgrace that he has to resign.
This speed camera business really winds me up !
Rant mode off
I agree that it is time the IAM got off the fence too, and used its position as a respected driver safety body to point out the futility of the whole speed kills policy.
Through work, I do an IAM defensive driving course periodically, and have questioned the instructors about both their own, and the IAM's view on speed (eg, exceeding the speed limit to expedite an overtaking manuever). SO far I have only got a wishy-washy PC sort of answer, even from such well trained and committed drivers.
Would still recommend the course though, (and ask any responsible employer to justify NOT training their staff in the highest risk part of their jobs).
The IAM are reluctant to the point of paranoia about publically (and officially) condoning speeding, even by implication. Perhaps they fear losing their status as an organisation respected by the government and official bodies. Or perhaps they fear reprisal by the government and the loss of their status as a registered charity. Or perhaps there is some other political reason. I don't know.
The fact is that unofficially, many IAM members have no problem with the appropriate use of speed at the appropriate time. However, I don't think we're going to see the IAM take an official pro-speeding stance which is what they would have had to do in order not to accept the Duke's resignation.
The fact is that unofficially, many IAM members have no problem with the appropriate use of speed at the appropriate time. However, I don't think we're going to see the IAM take an official pro-speeding stance which is what they would have had to do in order not to accept the Duke's resignation.
22 years driving, no points - owned TVR, 2 Lotus, numerous motorbikes. You can use speed on the open A roads and where safe. Track days? The Nurburgring? (recommended)
Just keep your speed down where appropriate, you get done in a 30 zone, SERVES YOU RIGHT. Don't come this, 'oh I can't stare at my speedo all the time', many people drive far too fast in built up areas.
Just keep your speed down where appropriate, you get done in a 30 zone,
SERVES YOU RIGHT. Don't come this, 'oh I can't stare at my speedo all the time', many people drive far too fast in built up areas.Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff