Trip to the Magistrates
Discussion
Having waited 6 months (I had thought several times that I must have got away with it
) Alas, a Nottinghanshire summons for 106mph (0.3/mile !), M1 Notts, undertaking a unmarked vascar car...eeek finally arrived! How long is reasonable to wait? it was like a death sentence, having already rcvd 6 'pointers' the prospect of 6 month 180 day ban, throughout the summer albeit UK 'summer', was enough for me to think of selling the fleet of rocket ships (CBRR & RSVR).
I was guilty to boot, but planned to attend court, apologise and explain my personal circumstances. In hind sight, it was the best course of action, as opposed to ticking the guilty by post option.
The court was daunting, not least due to the reprobates that are gathered around, each one had a GBH/GBA look about them, although I do accept, despite my own social outlook and class grouping, I had broken the law in the eyes of the law, so we were all one in the same boat.
So, after listening to the case before me (i am now fully versed in how to avoid a 3 point traffic camera flash visa vee 'excuse that works'), my case was called.
The prosecutor read out the 'facts' and then I was asked to explain my actions and any mitigating circumstances, which I did by addressing the magistrates directly and having also supplied a plea in writing.
I accepted my guilt and apologised, explained I had increased my speed to avoid danger (cars in lane 3 not returning to lane 2 or 1) but did not think I went above 100mph (!), questioned the validity of the police statement, specifically their use of a rather ambiguous 'i chose a white mark on the road to start the timing and another white mark to complete the recording' and I displayed contrition for my actions (by attending court). I explained my personal circumstances..work/livelihood...oh and I forgot to mention, I represented myself..no breif (£600),
The upshot was, the court officals were all very couteous, reasonable to deal with and after a 15min break for their consideration, handed me what I would consider a 'lenient' sentence - 28 day, and fine.
The court was sensible, used fair judgement, the police statement was ambiguous, I was riding resposnibly but speeding all the same and I said sorry. If only the traffic cop could have used their discretion and judgement in the first place.
The unmarkeed cars operated between M1 J20-28 - 2 cars Blue and a Green old 5 series Beemers...the interior of the blue one smells like a tramp has died in it, then again..
) Alas, a Nottinghanshire summons for 106mph (0.3/mile !), M1 Notts, undertaking a unmarked vascar car...eeek finally arrived! How long is reasonable to wait? it was like a death sentence, having already rcvd 6 'pointers' the prospect of 6 month 180 day ban, throughout the summer albeit UK 'summer', was enough for me to think of selling the fleet of rocket ships (CBRR & RSVR). I was guilty to boot, but planned to attend court, apologise and explain my personal circumstances. In hind sight, it was the best course of action, as opposed to ticking the guilty by post option.
The court was daunting, not least due to the reprobates that are gathered around, each one had a GBH/GBA look about them, although I do accept, despite my own social outlook and class grouping, I had broken the law in the eyes of the law, so we were all one in the same boat.
So, after listening to the case before me (i am now fully versed in how to avoid a 3 point traffic camera flash visa vee 'excuse that works'), my case was called.
The prosecutor read out the 'facts' and then I was asked to explain my actions and any mitigating circumstances, which I did by addressing the magistrates directly and having also supplied a plea in writing.
I accepted my guilt and apologised, explained I had increased my speed to avoid danger (cars in lane 3 not returning to lane 2 or 1) but did not think I went above 100mph (!), questioned the validity of the police statement, specifically their use of a rather ambiguous 'i chose a white mark on the road to start the timing and another white mark to complete the recording' and I displayed contrition for my actions (by attending court). I explained my personal circumstances..work/livelihood...oh and I forgot to mention, I represented myself..no breif (£600),
The upshot was, the court officals were all very couteous, reasonable to deal with and after a 15min break for their consideration, handed me what I would consider a 'lenient' sentence - 28 day, and fine.
The court was sensible, used fair judgement, the police statement was ambiguous, I was riding resposnibly but speeding all the same and I said sorry. If only the traffic cop could have used their discretion and judgement in the first place.
The unmarkeed cars operated between M1 J20-28 - 2 cars Blue and a Green old 5 series Beemers...the interior of the blue one smells like a tramp has died in it, then again..
seemydosh said:I googled for it and found this instead;
Forget to add, if you haven't already, read The Driver's Survival Handbook By Martin Thwaite
A Very good and re-assuring read.
SAS Drivers Handbook
Has the added benefit of teaching you how to make a bow and arrow
seemydosh said:
If you want a copy of the one I talk about let me know.
Id be interested in reading that, if you have it in electronic form?
Its a shame that we are so used to overzealous speed control that a 28day ban seems fair! In light of what you could have got, thats a result I guess.
That said, if I read your post correctly, you undertook someone at over a ton? Obviously I was not there and I do not know your level of riding ability, but I would say that undertaking at that speed is a little daft - had one of those cars switched lanes erratically, you could have ended up in one hell of a mess!
Mad Dave said:
If you want a copy of the one I talk about let me know.
Id be interested in reading that, if you have it in electronic form?
Its a shame that we are so used to overzealous speed control that a 28day ban seems fair! In light of what you could have got, thats a result I guess.
That said, if I read your post correctly, you undertook someone at over a ton? Obviously I was not there and I do not know your level of riding ability, but I would say that undertaking at that speed is a little daft - had one of those cars switched lanes erratically, you could have ended up in one hell of a mess!
Hi, I can email it to you, send me your address
Your happy with a 28 day ban? I was caught in early December doing 105mph on the M6 (Cumbria), I came clean to my new employers straight away because I needed a driving licence for my job & sat back & waited for the post...
...& I'm still waiting,in the meantime my new employers are now my former employer.They let me go at the end of a 6 month trial period,my figures were higher than anyone else in the dept.,but they were concerned about reputations & costs(insurance & me not being able to carry out all of my tasks without a licence).
Because I'm now stuck at home & not sure what to tell possible new employers,I chased this up over a week ago, after 2 days they came back to me & told me a court date that was TBC & that the summons would be in the post, a week later & I'm still waiting.
Sorry to rant on,but I thought that for over 100mph you had to attend court & I'm also sure that I've read a rough guide to bans & I was until now only thinking that I'd get 21 days at the worst
...& I'm still waiting,in the meantime my new employers are now my former employer.They let me go at the end of a 6 month trial period,my figures were higher than anyone else in the dept.,but they were concerned about reputations & costs(insurance & me not being able to carry out all of my tasks without a licence).
Because I'm now stuck at home & not sure what to tell possible new employers,I chased this up over a week ago, after 2 days they came back to me & told me a court date that was TBC & that the summons would be in the post, a week later & I'm still waiting.
Sorry to rant on,but I thought that for over 100mph you had to attend court & I'm also sure that I've read a rough guide to bans & I was until now only thinking that I'd get 21 days at the worst
28 days - 21 days come on!
On the summons you can plead guilty by post...remember this is a process that is black or white, if you're not guilty, defend yourself in court, if you are guilty and want to minimise the ban, go to court anyhow and tell them how sorry you are. I could have been banned for 3-6 months (totting)...so 28 days instead of 21...hmmmm
Sorry to hear of your work mis-fortune.
On the summons you can plead guilty by post...remember this is a process that is black or white, if you're not guilty, defend yourself in court, if you are guilty and want to minimise the ban, go to court anyhow and tell them how sorry you are. I could have been banned for 3-6 months (totting)...so 28 days instead of 21...hmmmm
Sorry to hear of your work mis-fortune.
seemydosh said:
seemydosh said:
If you want a copy of the one I talk about let me know.
Id be interested in reading that, if you have it in electronic form?
Its a shame that we are so used to overzealous speed control that a 28day ban seems fair! In light of what you could have got, thats a result I guess.
That said, if I read your post correctly, you undertook someone at over a ton? Obviously I was not there and I do not know your level of riding ability, but I would say that undertaking at that speed is a little daft - had one of those cars switched lanes erratically, you could have ended up in one hell of a mess!
Hi, I can email it to you, send me your address
Thanks - ill email you now.
Dave
Went to court on Thursday after chasing this up like you wouldn't believe due to lack of job & not being able to do anything until sorted.
Drove 200+ miles to Cumbria Wednesday night with a friend to drive us back.In & out within the hour for a 14 day ban & £150 fine + £35 costs.Somewhat less than I was expecting but annoying all the same.
Drove 200+ miles to Cumbria Wednesday night with a friend to drive us back.In & out within the hour for a 14 day ban & £150 fine + £35 costs.Somewhat less than I was expecting but annoying all the same.
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