Sick Of The Sight (Of Traffic Coppers)

[Semproxion]

Do you need your licence to work? Maybe play on this angle. It's not guaranteed, but if your Sol puts a good case forward stating if you lose your licence you lose your job, the bench may decide to up the fine and give you enough points to keep your licence but also enough that you wouldn't be able to incur another driving offence. That way they know you're going to keep the speed down. An automotive Sword of Damocles so to speak.

I hate this way of thinking tbh. There should be no leniency just because the appropiate punishment would cost them their livelyhood. The defendant should have thought about that before committing the offence in the first place. Why should it be left to the bench to consider the consequences because the defendant was too stupid to do that for themselves.

[noonan mckane]

Do you need your licence to work? Maybe play on this angle. It's not guaranteed, but if your Sol puts a good case forward stating if you lose your licence you lose your job, the bench may decide to up the fine and give you enough points to keep your licence but also enough that you wouldn't be able to incur another driving offence. That way they know you're going to keep the speed down. An automotive Sword of Damocles so to speak.

I hate this way of thinking tbh. There should be no leniency just because the appropiate punishment would cost them their livelyhood. The defendant should have thought about that before committing the offence in the first place. Why should it be left to the bench to consider the consequences because the defendant was too stupid to do that for themselves.

http://www.metro.co.uk/home/19058-polic ... s-off-free

Loads of leniency shown here, and no punishment whatsoever. Stupidity of defendant as yet unknown.

[tyke71]

I was in my truck yesterday in Cumbria and spotted a mobile camera doing 45mph on a 60mph road, but the speed limits for trucks is 40mph on single carriage roads. If i get donefor that on purpose i will drive on all major trunk roads A1-A66-A69 at 40mph on the single carriage lanes and believe me there is alot, if i get pulled over from the traffic cops, i will say blame your force in Cumbria for doing me at 45mph. Sorry but there is nothing worse than following a truck at 40mph because behind thetraffic slows down to 35-30mph but this wayi will get my own back.

[t'mill]

Do you need your licence to work? Maybe play on this angle. It's not guaranteed, but if your Sol puts a good case forward stating if you lose your licence you lose your job, the bench may decide to up the fine and give you enough points to keep your licence but also enough that you wouldn't be able to incur another driving offence. That way they know you're going to keep the speed down. An automotive Sword of Damocles so to speak.

I hate this way of thinking tbh. There should be no leniency just because the appropiate punishment would cost them their livelyhood. The defendant should have thought about that before committing the offence in the first place. Why should it be left to the bench to consider the consequences because the defendant was too stupid to do that for themselves.

I agree. If you can't do the 'time' don't do the crime. But when we get down to brass tacks, our judicial system has a bench (or a jury) for which you can put a defence forward and pay your legal representative handsomely for. And the needing your licence for work excuse is often used.

It's a legal game. You commit crime, then you pay somebody to get you off. Or have the sentence reduced as much as possible. Like it or not, this is how the system works.

[noonan mckane]

I'll agree, too. The day they make the punishment the same for everybody. Be they a policeman, Princess Anne, or just any motorist.

The current record holder, in the UK, for breaking the speed limit is PC Mark Milton (the link, previously), who was clocked at an impressive 159mph. The previous record holder (153mph) was JAILED.

Yes, JAILED. Obviously, 153mph is too fast to ever be safe on a public highway.

But doesn't a jail term start to look a wee bit harsh when a judge decides that someone caught driving even faster deserves no punishment at all? (The judge described PC Milton as "the creme de la creme of drivers", I kid ye not. He must have thought: 'I'll dazzle 'em with a bit of the old French lingo. They'll never notice my spectacular lack of judgement'.)

Don't stride in all moral, like, with 'don't do the crime if ye can't do the time'. Look very carefully at the 'morality' of the 'rule of law' before running to help it hold up it's little banner......

[BrackenFox]

I hate this way of thinking tbh. There should be no leniency just because the appropiate punishment would cost them their livelyhood.

I agree in principle, but I suppose you could also ask the question from the opposite point of view - why should someone who relies on their licence for work be punished far more harshly (loss of job and potential household financial disaster) than someone who doesn't (just a fine and a ban)?

Either way you do it, one set of people comes off worse than the other.

Of course, I suppose that if someone's entire working life revolves around them having a licence, they're a bit of a twonk for getting banned in the first place and should have been extra careful, so maybe they deserve it.

[radddogg]

Usually if the offender can prove their livelihood will suffer because of a ban they will 'just' escape a ban and get a loaded fine.

Personally I doubt that Oop Norf Man will get more than 5 points.

[420gazza]

I want to update you on this, and ask if anyone can tell me what's likely to happen to me..? (I'll be honest: I'm a bit scared now.)

I was pulled on Easter Monday, for 98mph in a 70...(you know all this. It's at the top of the page)

Nearly 2 months had gone by, and I was actually starting to think the PF had thrown it out. No such luck. Middle of June there, I got a letter from the PF. It outlined all the details of the offence, and offered me the options of a court date, to appear in person, or to plead guilty by returning a tear-off slip enclosed with it. This also asked for loads of details about my income, ability to pay the fine, etc. It also asked that I post my driving licence with it, recorded delivery. I did all this, and braced myself for (as the coppers had originally mentioned) about a hundred quid's fine and 4 points. I presumed the matter was closed, bar the fine and pen. points.

Yesterday morning, by recorded delivery, a letter from the PF: (paraphrasing)

'...your case has been continued until July 13th. You must appear in person at the courthouse in Irvine. You may wish to seek legal representation. The reason for this continuance is detailed below.

*the nature of the offence.

yours, etc....'

What does this mean? Like I say, I'm scared now. The cops had said the PF 'may seek to prosecute for the more serious charge of dangerous driving, which could result in a ban'

Is this what's happening? I wonder how the 'nature of the offence' is any different from when they offered me the slip, to plead by post. I keep wondering if it's because my (old style, paper) licence still has 6 lapsed points on it. But they're years old. 3 from 2002 and 3 from 1998. Has the PF got me pegged as a 'habitual speeder'? Sure, it's my 3rd 'tug', but over 13 years? Is that worthy of a ban?

Please, please flood this page with reassuring noises.......

if it's a court summons then it'll state what the charges are, likewise if it's a notice of intended prosecution it'll detail it all anyway.

Have a good look over the letter and you should see what the charge is, if not try phoning the relevant department and asking them what the charge is.

[noonan mckane]

On Monday, I contacted my trade union, because they offer 30 minutes free legal advice to their members. When I spoke to the lawyer they put me on to, he said that it looked like they were indeed looking to disqualify me, and they couldn't do this in my absence, hence the personal appearance.

In his opinion, he said, I should get a lawyer. I asked if his firm could do it and he said yes. 300 quid it's going to cost me.

My wife asked a lawyer she knows through work what she thought, and she (the lawyer) said they can't disqualify a clean licence for speeding under 100mph. She also said that the fact that the police charged me at the roadside with 'speeding', and the fact that it will be heard in a district court (by a 'Justice Of The Peace', and not at the higher, 'Sheriff Court' at Kilmarnock by a Magistrate) means that the worst case scenario is the stiffest available penalty for speeding, which she reckons is 5 points and £100 fine.

I'm still absolutely bricking it.

Wednesday morning, 10am. Wish me luck.

[t'mill]

Sounds like she (the Lawyer) knows her onions! If she's right then at least you'll still be mobile

[radddogg]

I got 5 points for 98 in a 70 (dal carriageway) and a further 3 for 97 on a motorway, then a further 3 for 97 on a motorway.

Personally I doubt that Oop Norf Man will get more than 5 points.

My wife asked a lawyer she knows through work what she thought, and she (the lawyer) said they can't disqualify a clean licence for speeding under 100mph. She also said that the fact that the police charged me at the roadside with 'speeding', and the fact that it will be heard in a district court (by a 'Justice Of The Peace', and not at the higher, 'Sheriff Court' at Kilmarnock by a Magistrate) means that the worst case scenario is the stiffest available penalty for speeding, which she reckons is 5 points and £100 fine.

[noonan mckane]

Radders my man, I just hope your supernatural ability to be right all the time about everything is not about to desert you.....


(Are all those points you mentioned still 'live'? Are you on 11??!!! Who does your insurance? The mafia? )

[radddogg]

Radders my man, I just hope your supernatural ability to be right all the time about everything is not about to desert you.....


(Are all those points you mentioned still 'live'? Are you on 11??!!! Who does your insurance? The mafia? )

I got 3 in 98, 5 in 00, 3 in 01 and 3 in 05. Totally squeaky clean now your honour!

[Bikernut]

I got 3 in 98, 5 in 00, 3 in 01 and 3 in 05. !

You filthy mare !!!!

[noonan mckane]

Well...Wednesday went OK, considering. 6 points, £400 fine. (discounted from £600 for my early plea).

Today went less well. I lost my job.

[radddogg]

Well...Wednesday went OK, considering. 6 points, £400 fine. (discounted from £600 for my early plea).

Today went less well. I lost my job.

Arse.

[t'mill]

How come you lost your job???

[Raistlin]

Interesting thread

[bjrespect]

quess he needed a clean licence

[noonan mckane]

No, it wasn't that.

Schtumm.



(and who gets sacked for having points on their licence?)

[radddogg]

Jizzing over the photocopier?