Heard of this one? Stopped by fuzz while allegedly doing 105mph on motorway. They were very polite and apologetic. BUT police were not behind me, they were behind car behind me! Have pleaded NG as all evidence supplied establishes that they didn't take my speed directly but assumed it from car behind me, which was also pulled (a stranger). Police unable to supply video! Worth a fight? Comments?
Too right. They can't argue they were maintaining a constant distance if there was somebody in between you
I'm afraid it sounds like they got you! It doesn't matter if there's a car in between you. You say that they pulled that one aswell which would suggest you were both going along at the same rate. Besides which, using a VASCAR to monitor speed means you can let a car get away from you completely but you still get the average speed over the recorded distance. We've all done it and we all have to accept the consequences. Sometimes you get away with it, sometimes you don't. All the best with it! Mike
can't help but agree with the above but its got to be worth a fight, hasn't it? After all what is the difference in the end result if provan guilty by your own admission or by 'them'? good luck!
Mh, they got me with one of those, my average was 119.2 in Devon last Easter, (My Mum was so proud) they weren't polite though, in fact, they were far from it! The magistrates in their wisdom did however think that I was such a good driver I didn't require a licence for a couple of months. You'd have to be very unlucky to get a ban though. Best of luck Cal
Dear Comrade Joby M8, You would be best advised to speak to a lawyer with expertise within this field and whom should be able to correctly advise you of your precise legal position. With kind regards, 512 Tea Are - Tea Arse - Tear Arse
Tea Are is right, you should get some professional advice. However, from a keen amatuer (whose sister is a criminal barrister) the normal penalty for >100mph is a short ban and a fine, assuming no previous bans. It could be that if you were to admit to a lower speed they might just hit you with 3 points and a £60 fine? If they stick to their guns that you were doing 105mph then you might still avoid a ban if you can show that you need your licence for work. Though they may choose to increase the amount of the fine to make up for the lack of ban.
Joby - talk us through how they managed to pull over both cars, am i being thick - by the way, i don't mind someone pointing out my lack of intelligence, but they must have been pretty good to do both without either of you driving on
Isn't there a site on the net somewhere run by an ex-traffic cop, who reckons he can find a way through most of the speeding cautions? Anyone remember what it is. Remember reading it in the driving supplement of the sunday times (sorry Stevef, I meant Sunday mirror). I also seem to remember a figure of £3-700 to skip a ban. If my memory is correct (and that is extremely dubious) thats a steal compared to a ban and the reinsurance costs.
Usually they overtake the tail car and tell him to pull in with a time honoured hand gesture (answers on a postcard please) and then take off after the lead car to pull him over as well.
all that i can say about this is the speed limit is 70MPH and if you break the law you deserve all you get no matter who you are its an automatic ban for 100+ on the motorway
Dear Comrade Steve M8, As usual a very amusing post. However, it is not an automatic ban if one is caught at 100+. I have been prosecuted and found guilty of driving at a three figure speed but was not banned. With kind regards, 512 Tea Are - Tea Arse - Tear Arse
So I gather they came up behind the car behind you and: 1) Guaged his speed by following him for a certain period. 2) Had a calibrated speedo on their vehicle. 3) Noted you were infront at approx fixed distance the entire time. I would say the main points to contend would be: 1) Assess the accuracy of their speedo (i.e. when it was calibrated and has it been re-tested since). 2) How long they followed both vehicles. 3) The experience of the officers. 4) The view they had of your vehicle. i.e. how far were they from you, how much did the other vehicle obstruct their view, how long was your vehicle the focus of their attention, what points of reference they had to determine the distance to your car, etc. Also how much traffic was there in the adjacent lanes. You argument would be: 1) Given the obstruction of the other vehicle and the speeds involved, they could not accurately judge the starting and ending distance to your vehicle. You could have been significantly infront and the other vehicle (and they) could have closed. and/or 2) Depending on the amount of traffic in the adjacent lane, you could argue the other vehicle closed rapidly. And you were trying to find a safe way to get out of his way. Your concentration was on finding a gap in the adjacent lane and getting out of the way of this vehicle up your ass, rather then your speedo. I think if you can put these two together you've got enough to atleast have a go in court. But I would consult a solicitor first. Your best chance will be that the CPS will not pursue this given the evidence isn't clear cut. Therefore don't be cocky as you may get their back up. And let a solicitor handle all correspondence as this will show them you mean business. Good luck.
Dear Comrade Steve M8, The post was a very good post. And yes, whilst they do use Vascar, the measurement must be precisely performed over a given distance. i.e. it is my understanding that the white spots strategically placed upon the carriageway are usually the measurement parameter. I believe that it is possibly contentious in that two cars were 'pinched' at the same time. There surely has to be room for the 'proven beyond reasonable doubt' theory. I still believe that the best advice is for an expert lawyer to assess the circumstances. With kind regards, 512 Tea Are - Tea Are - Tear Arse
agree mate but having just defended a speeding case and speaking to the local plod in the lodge, the best advice is to seek expert advice. However vascar measures time/distance and calculates an average speed or the police can use pacing methods such as the white marks, bridges and other stationary objects. The only stipulation is they must be over 3 10ths of a mile apart, the patrol car will probably have video evidence and even if they were following another car, they can still prove that the first car had to have been speeding as it was infront. hope that makes sense fraternally steve
512 a short ban may be preferable to points (i don't think you can be hit with both). you just have to stand tall, take your punishment, and then walk directly to the boozer to start your sentence. it's just like being a student all over again. paul.
