Excessive Speed?
Discussion
I was stopped by plod for taking an S bend at excessive speed (indicated 80) - Dual c'way (for those in the know it's at the Bellshill exit of the M8 heading west) - He gave me a lecture about appropriate use of speed but that was it???? Dry, sunny and hot - no other traffic - Have they nothing better to do???
DJ
DJ
They failed but thought that they'd give you a telling off anyway.djmotorsport said:
I was stopped by plod for taking an S bend at excessive speed (indicated 80) - Dual c'way (for those in the know it's at the Bellshill exit of the M8 heading west) - He gave me a lecture about appropriate use of speed but that was it???? Dry, sunny and hot - no other traffic - Have they nothing better to do???
DJ
I got stopped doing around 80 on a twisty 60 stretch in Cheshire last year. It was 230am and i wanted to get home.
The BiB gave me a talking to and a clip around the ear 'ole and let me go.
I don't think he necessarily had a problem with my driving - despite the speed, or my car (which was outhandling his asthmatic old panda quite nicely!), however, bottom line was i was speeding - he doesn't know me from adam (i.e. no idea on my abilities), and i was breaking the law whereas he is duty-bound to uphold it to his own abilities. Whilst what he said to me was of no great quotation, i was grateful that i got away without a fine.
The only points i have ever had on my licence have been from cameras, yet i have been pulled over several times by real policeman for various reasons (not all bad!
). I can't see how it ruined your day, you should just let it pass, and think nice things about mr copperman!
djmotorsport said:
Could they? With what? No under/overster or traction control interference - i.e In full control of car - No moving trafic violation - I changed my S3 (Audi) for an A3 diesel yesterday - I'm still running it in ffs!
I just can't figure out why he stopped me
Errrr, call me stupid but were you not exceeding the limit??????
AKAIK, most of not all modern speedometers register on the 'ambitious' side - As I'm running the car in, I was still doing an indicated 75-80 while he followed be down the dual c'way - he said I wasn't exceeding the limi tbut that my speed was excessive round the bend. So I guess my question was/is - Given perfect road + weather conditions, low traffic volume (no cars within as far as I could see) and not exceeding the posted speed limt, how could he say my speed was excessive?
Highway Code said:
The speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed irrespective of conditions. Driving at speeds too fast for the road and traffic conditions can be dangerous. You should always reduce your speed when
the road layout or condition presents hazards, such as bends
sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists, particularly children, and motorcyclists
weather conditions make it safer to do so
driving at night as it is harder to see other road users.
streaky said:
Well, they could have booked you. Be grateful for small mercies - Streaky
Sometimes, if plod does not have sufficient evidence to prosecute you, they will stop you and give you a warning.
I was once stopped by plod after a series of 'testing' bends in which although he was trying hard to catch up, his car wasn't up to it (I slowed to obey a 30 limit) He gave the car a very close once over, but it was brand new so no joy there.
He told me straight "You were going so fast I couldn't catch you to measure your speed" At least he was honest.
Timsta said:
The speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed irrespective of conditions. Driving at speeds too fast for the road and traffic conditions can be dangerous. You should always reduce your speed when
the road layout or condition presents hazards, such as bends
sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists, particularly children, and motorcyclists
weather conditions make it safer to do so
driving at night as it is harder to see other road users.
Timsta, I agree wholeheartedly, and would glady support the imposition of this view when we have the usual Scottish weather (wet wet wet !) - But when was the last time someone was booked for excessive speed within the posted limit - I regularly see people doing 70 (and more) on the M8 in atrocious conditions when , even with quattro, I'd have considered it unsafe. W.R.T. my original post, I have been through the said bends, in the aforementioned S3, much faster, in similar conditions, with no drama. If I'd been spotted by plod it would have been a fair cop! I guess I'm asking why have a limit that even in perfect conditions, is deemed excessive (There is no slow banner or triangular S bend warning sign) when it's. IMHO, easliy negotiable at the national limit?
djmotorsport said:
AKAIK, most of not all modern speedometers register on the 'ambitious' side - As I'm running the car in, I was still doing an indicated 75-80 while he followed be down the dual c'way - he said I wasn't exceeding the limi tbut that my speed was excessive round the bend. So I guess my question was/is - Given perfect road + weather conditions, low traffic volume (no cars within as far as I could see) and not exceeding the posted speed limt, how could he say my speed was excessive?
I would have had the w*nker back down to the nick and in front of his superior. This guy is completely out of order and needs retraining. We have enough trouble with the stupid speed limits as it is. Clearly this particular officer has not got the message. The government is now saying that the speed limit is not guidance it is absolute. Therfore no possible responsibilty can be passed to the motorist as long as they are not exceeding the speed limit. The police are not there to make judgements they are there to enforce the limit until cameras and ID cards can replace the police, then they will be sacked and replaced with an agency. I would have given him the full monty and gone into disrespect of the crown, exceeding his authority etc.
You lot are unbeliveable!
Indicated 80mph still prob means you were speeding. He wasnt happy with that so had a word with you.
You didnt get booked so whats the problem?
Anyway if it was a new car then perhaps you should leanr its handling for a bit longer first and also improve your observation skills so that you dont speed when bib are about!
Indicated 80mph still prob means you were speeding. He wasnt happy with that so had a word with you.
You didnt get booked so whats the problem?
Anyway if it was a new car then perhaps you should leanr its handling for a bit longer first and also improve your observation skills so that you dont speed when bib are about!
SpudGunner said:
You lot are unbeliveable!
Indicated 80mph still prob means you were speeding. He wasnt happy with that so had a word with you.
You didnt get booked so whats the problem?
Anyway if it was a new car then perhaps you should leanr its handling for a bit longer first and also improve your observation skills so that you dont speed when bib are about!
Saw plod before I entered bend - have done the IAM thing - wasn't speeding according to plod - it's an A3 (my 3rd in a row) which allthough not razor sharp, is very predictable.
RS3 on order
<rant>As for the whole current focus on speed - in over 300k miles in the past 10 years I've been booked for speeding 4 times - all unmarked cars in NSLs!(I don't spped in town) Yet I've exceeded the posted limt oon M'ways,DCs on numerous occasions, when conditions and traffic allow - Only accident is when I was rear ended once by dozy git lighting a fag at <5MPH in a queue. I feel that the whole focus on catching speeding motorists on DC's and motorways is just a cynical money making scam</rant>
nonegreen said:
Ergo the policeman was a tosser for pulling him.
Whats that I see? Oh its a BIG CHIP on someones shoulder! Calm down!
I would have thought indicated 80mph would mean you were definitely going over 70mph though unless your speedo was knackered. So i guess it was marginally over the limit and thats why he did not mention it.
Alternatively it could have just been that he fancied you or your car and wanted to stop you to get a closer look
>> Edited by SpudGunner on Wednesday 28th April 07:45
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