Cowbit speed camera info required

[afewbeers]

On a recent journey up to Cadwell park (from Surrey) I managed to trip a speed camera on Barrier Bank in Cowbit (Lincs). I've now received the advice, and unfortunately the over speed makes it a Court hearing.

First off, of course it's my fault, and I don't want to get in to a debate about the speed etc, my view is simply error on my part, I should have seen it. I have only had two speeding offences in 40 years of driving and I tend to drive purposefully.

Anyway, my problem is, I can't find out exactly where the speed camera is located as I'd be interested in figuring out how I missed it, and I also have to submit an explanation to the Court. With this in mind, it would be very useful if someone local could tell me exactly where it's located as I'm 180 miles south. A picture or a mark on google maps would be very useful in helping me write a reasonable and articulate account for the Court and might throw some light on the matter for me. I recall over taking a very slow moving vehicle around there, and consequently might have missed the camera.

[afewbeers]

Many thanks Darkside, and yes I'm pretty sure I know where it was on the trip, and what I'd done immediately prior. I over took a slow moving tractor around there and probably sped up to over 40mph and just didn't see the camera.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'says it all really', Sebring. But yes, now I've got the info I required we can let the thread descend in to some righteous indignation and holier than thou rubbish. I'm not bleating about the cameras, it's my error. Am I sorry about the speed, no, am I annoyed at myself for not spotting a bright yellow camera, yes. Do I care what you think -no:-)

[afewbeers]

BertBert said:

Curious as to why you need to submit an explanation. Can you not plead guilty and not attend? Or are you in ban territory?

First off, I was curious to find out where it was, for my own understanding, and secondly for the sake of completeness I'd prefer to furnish the court with a statement explaining the situation and offering any mitigating information. I have a clean license, last speeding offence (88mph) was on the M4 at around 11pm in 1996. 3 points.

[afewbeers]

TonyF1 said:

Travelling at over 50 in a 30 is probably most likely reason.

Compounded by being on a phone call and trying to read a text from #Linda4agoodtime

[afewbeers]

@cowbit - yep, easily done. Obviously you know the road well, it's not a 'natural' 30mph road if you get my drift. I think if you took all the signs down and let people drive at the speed they thought safe I'm pretty sure that most would end up around the 40 mark.

@Sebring - Not sure yet, never been in this position before. 10 years ago a guy drove out of a side turning on to a main road and knocked my wife's car clean across the other side of the road, writing both of them off. The Police didn't even charge him with careless driving, so lets just say my default position is complete and utter contempt for the way our roads are policed.

[afewbeers]

Durzel said:

Except you weren’t doing “around the 40 mark“, were you? Not if it’s going straight to court. That’s 50 and over. Hardly a lapse in concentration.

Also people saying “this is the first speeding offence I’ve had for X years!” doesn’t really make the point they’re trying to make. All it says, in fact, is that this is the first time you’ve been caught in all that time. I mean kudos for going so long “driving purposefully” without getting caught before, in that context getting caught once every 20 years on average doesn’t seem so bad, does it?

You're right Durzel, I am banged to rights as they say. Whether this is the only time I have exceeded the speed limit in 20 years, or whether this is the only time I have been caught in 3,000 instances is immaterial.

Now it is simply a matter of minimising the penalty. Unless of course some of the righteous brothers feel that I should simply give up driving and join a monastery or walk along dual carriageways with a board round my neck stating "Repent ye, for you know not what you do, I am come to you at walking pace and if you want to live four score and ten you should follow me"

I am considering making my defence on the basis that I had a similar momentary lapse in concentration as the driver who punted my wife across the road did, but luckily on this occasion no one was injured and nothing came of it. But thank you for bringing this transgression to my notice, and as with him, there is no need for further action.

[afewbeers]

In fairness Tony, you probably know where I'm coming from. It's frustrating and I'm not happy about what I've done in any shape or form. Ironically I generally hold myself to a very much higher standard than this.

[afewbeers]

I have no points (last was 3 points, 1996) and the speed was allegedly 50 in a 30. I'm still surprised by it, and can't quite figure out why I was going that fast. I know that I overtook a tractor/trailer along that road but really not sure where, hence my original request for anyone having local information. That was now provided but it hasn't really confirmed much for me in terms of why the large over speed. I'd understand if it was 36 or 38 or something but that seems gratuitous by any standards.