Sad reading

[Jleclainche]

I have been lurking for a while.

I lived twenty years in England, from 1970 to 1990, and loved every minute of it. When I left in March 1990, I was the Chairman of the Ford RS Owner's Club- so I like sporting cars... but I never got a speeding ticket in England. I am sure if I had stayed, I would have a few by now!

After reading postings on this forum and a Lotus 7 board, I am glad I now live in So Cal. You still can have a bit of fun driving around here, with little chance of being branded public enemy #1.

I plan to go back and visit England next year, but after reading about current driving conditions there, I am not even sure I want to rent a car!

Jacques Le Clainche in San Diego, So Cal
PS: I have three of my cars on my website- please go to: www.leclainche.com/

[tonyrec]

Jleclainche said:

I plan to go back and visit England next year, but after reading about current driving conditions there, I am not even sure I want to rent a car!

You will find that in reality its not too much different from what you remember and loved.

[PetrolTed]

Jacques,

Don't let the discussions here dissuade you. This is very much focusing on the negative sides of current law enforcenment. There's still a lot of enjoyable driving to be had.

[206xsi]

Except in North Wales or Northamptonshire

[FourWheelDrift]

Jleclainche said:

I plan to go back and visit England next year, but after reading about current driving conditions there, I am not even sure I want to rent a car!

Have a look at this www.speedcamerasuk.com/ and www.ukgatsos.com/ in the areas you are likely to be driving. They list most of the fixed camera sites so you'll know if they are in your area and to be careful. It might help you in case you have a lapse in concentration as you're not used to driving in the UK with these revenue generators by the roadside.

[hertsbiker]

why not pop over, break as many limits as possible, get photo'd, and then go home.... unless you plan to come back!

[Jleclainche]

Folks,

Thanks for the replies... I'll probably spend most of my time around my "old hunting grounds"- West Midlands, Staffordshire, and Derbyshire... but I also plan to revisit areas I liked very much - including Wales, Scotland, the lake district and Yorkshire. I'll be careful in North Wales and Northamptonshire!

Hertsbiker, I wish I could do what you suggest - but I DO plan to return!

[streaky]

Onlt place I've been nicked for speeding was Florida. The Highway Patrol did a U-turn across the median and slotted in abourt 10 cars behinnd me by which time I was down to 55. I reckoned he had no idea what speed I was doing before he crossed the median. He pulled me over and as he walked towards me he was adjusting his gun-belt. All thoughts of arguing the toss went out of the window.

His opening words were, "You was passin' those cars like they was standing still!" - which reinforced my view that he didn't know what speed I had been doing (about 80 BTW, to overtake a line of traffic doing 45-50). Still, not knowing my rights and being wary of landing in jail and "going from a tanner to a half-crown" overnight (if you get my drift) and having the family with me, I kept quiet. He did not write any speed on the ticket and I paid by credit card before I left the country (didn't want to get arrested on my next business trip.

Streaky