Done For Speeding

[Durzel]

To be honest I'd of done exactly the same. But then I guess I've got a court appearance too.

When I got my summons it clearly says on there that I am not eligible to plead guilty by post. I'd of prefered to do that, simply because I would be saving courts time. I really dont see the point in the whole 'show'. Just give me the default sentence and be done with it. Dont need some cloth headed old git telling me what a bad man I am.

True, but if you turn up looking like you're sorry (even if you're not) and have the chance of a better outcome wouldn't it make more sense to do that, especially when the fine/points/ban is pretty much discretionary?

Pleading by post might sound like "saving the Courts time", but they still have to go through the same process (give or take) whether you're there or not - and by not turning up you're basically demonstrating that you a) don't care either way about the verdict/punishment, b) haven't learnt any lesson from being caught and c) don't hold the due process/Courts time in any sort of regard.

Just my 2p.

 

[Fr0dders]

Is it possible for me to plead by post? I was going to plead guilty either way, there's not much i can say to defend it as its pretty much indefensible. Although might i get a slightly more lenient sentence doing it face to face in court?

yes you can, but they cant revoke your license (ban you) if your not present. Expect a hearing, then they will decide your punishment, if your banned, you will be summoned to appear on a given date where you will be banned. Dont appear, and the court bailiffs come looking for you.

And i would seriously advise you attend. Dress smartly, apologise for your actions, and cite your previous unblemished record.

The magistrate can ban you for between 14 - 56 days. If the judge is feeling leanient, and you attend and dress smartly, and appeal to his better side, its possible you may only get banned say 20 days, instead of 30 or whatever. If your really lucky, you may get off a ban alltogether. For this though, you would have to proove loosing your license would mean loosing your job.

Pleading by post might sound like "saving the Courts time", but they still have to go through the same process (give or take) whether you're there or not - and by not turning up you're basically demonstrating that you a) don't care either way about the verdict/punishment, b) haven't learnt any lesson from being caught and c) don't hold the due process/Courts time in any sort of regard.

Just my 2p.

agreed. Theres also the fact they cant ban you if your not present. So if they do ban you (which they're highly like to do so if they think you dont care enough to turn up) you will only be summonsed again to have your license taken off you.

 

[Fr0dders]

I think I should get a job where I need my car then I can speed with impunity

honestly your like a broken record

the only reason you dont get banned for repeated trolling and thread de-railing is because your a long time regulars

newer members would have been shown the door long ago for your unhelpfull argumentative, and often spitefull comments.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Promise me one thing - one day you'll actually pop into Wiki or something and find out what a troll actually is? It isn't someone who you dont like on a forum, and it isn't someone who disagrees with what you post.

Do you ever get bored with moaning about me? Thread de-railing?

Well lets see... whats the offtopic comment - my comments on job-loss through speeding in a thread about a potential driving ban which could involve job loss, or your silly little dig at me?

Answers on a postcard..

 

[Fr0dders]

Promise me one thing - one day you'll actually pop into Wiki or something and find out what a troll actually is? It isn't someone who you dont like on a forum, and it isn't someone who disagrees with what you post.

no its somebody who posts derogatory comments in an attempt to bait people into arguing with them

exactly what you're doing with your "i wish i had a job that enabled me to speed without punishment" comment

the comment servces no other purpose but to bait people into arguing with you. The reason we have magistrates is to decide what is a fitting punishment for the crime. If the magistrate decides that revoking the license would cause hardship beyond the crime, then the person is not banned

who are you to say you know better ? you arent, so your comment serves no purpose other than to antaganoise people.

 

[[TW]Fox]

no its somebody who posts derogatory comments in an attempt to bait people into arguing with them

Actually a traditional troll was someone who would make a single but very controversial post, often crossposted between two or more opposing Usenet groups, with the express intention of causing the groups to start fighting amongst themselves in the thread. A troll would make just one post, and not return, instead sitting back and watching.

exactly what you're doing with your "i wish i had a job that enabled me to speed without punishment" comment

It annoys me, so I commented. People seem to think that it's ok to speed if they rely on their car becuase OMG, I NEED MY CAR, DONT BAN ME. This is, in my opinion, ridiculous. I am allowed to think this, becuase it is my opinion. I am allowed to voice it here, becuase it is my opinion, just that it's your opinion that I am a ****. The difference being my opinion on license-loss is ontopic for this thread yet your opinion that I am a **** is not.

The reason we have magistrates is to decide what is a fitting punishment for the crime. If the magistrate decides that revoking the license would cause hardship beyond the crime, then the person is not banned

I see, and we are not allowed to question the logic and way in which official bodies go about deciding things? Best we close all the political threads in SC then...

who are you to say you know better ?

Who is anyone with an opinion on authority to say they know better? Doesn't stop people every day questioning government policy for example, or infact questioning speed limits themselves...

you arent, so your comment serves no purpose other than to antaganoise people.

In your opinion. Whereas your comments have done what? Oh... start what I'm sure will escalate into a petty shouting match. Congratulations.

 

[Dogbreath]

Fortunatly its not your opinion that counts. The limits are there for the benifit/protection of all not just an inconvenience to a few.

Odd how the speed limit is almost universally ignored on motorways, with the majority of traffic doing 80mph+, and yet motorways are still the safest roads to drive on. Have you ever considered that, legalities aside, a static limit cannot possibly always represent the safest maximum speed for any given conditions? If the speed limit was really for the benefit of all, why are they not variable as they are in France, with a lower limit being in force under wet conditions etc?

Many autobahns in Germany are actually of worse quality than typical UK motorways, yet they still seem to manage to drive considerably quicker than 70mph without continuous carnage.

 

[djcj]

To the OP, what have you received from the police officer that pulled you ? did he take your license or anything like that ?

im currently awaiting prosecution for the same offence (i was doing 107) but its been 3 months and ive still heard nothing, and only have a tiny white slip of paper to show that anything has in fact happened, which has in big writing at the bottom "this does not signify that proceedings will follow". So im well confused ...

He filled out a form and give me 2 copies, a blue one which is my copy, and a yellow one which i have to take to my local police station along with my driving license within 7 days.

Any idea of how far away the court date would be? And in that case when a ban would start? I have taken most of July and August off work for holidays etc, would be nice if the ban fell then to have a minimal impact.

 

[Fr0dders]

He filled out a form and give me 2 copies, a blue one which is my copy, and a yellow one which i have to take to my local police station along with my driving license within 7 days.

Any idea of how far away the court date would be? And in that case when a ban would start? I have taken most of July and August off work for holidays etc, would be nice if the ban fell then to have a minimal impact.

how big is the blue form ?

i got a tiny white form, smaller than a postcard, and nothing else.

As for the court date, i was told the summonse could take up to 3 months (im 5 days away from 3 months to the day so bricking it). But it seems common to be under a month (somebody got summonsed in 2 weeks)

as for when the ban starts, the moment they take your license off you. As i posted above, they cant take your license away from you without you present, so if you plead by post and get banned, you'll get summonsed to have it revoked.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

I didn't get any paperwork at all. Just a summons through the post last week. Perhaps because I was on a bike

1 thing. If I get banned for 20 odd days, does that mean it doesn't effect my insurance. Ie I will have no points?

 

[Overlag]

M25/M11 you have got to be joking. They are at a standstill most days. I drive on the M25 daily and it has got to be the most unpredictable road. You are lucky to average 30mph on that road nowadays let alone talk about raising the limit.

they are at a "standstill" probably 4hours of a 24hour day. What about 10pm when theres 2 or 3 lorries on the road?

But the raising limit ideas.... Im all for REDUCING the speed limit, like M25/M4 sections during busy periods... Doing even 70mph in heavy traffic (nose to tail) is a terrible idea. However once traffic has cleared to "normal" levels 80-90 should be the limit.... And no im not a Child killer

 

[megakid]

If your license is so important to you that you can't live without it what on earth were you doing hammering along at an indicated 110mph+?

Out of complete curiousity, why is this argument always used? Does this mean that because I'm about to sell my car to move to London (looking at a good 3 years before I'll think about getting another) it's OK for me to do these sorts of speeds?

Maybe I should direct this query at the OP, I don't know, just interested in people's views

 

[cheets64]

People seem to think its ok to do 100mph in there brand new high tech BMW, but the fact is, anybody with a licence and a insured car can use the motorway and everyone has to stick to the LAW, which is 70mph, if everyone drove at 70 mph even trucks the motorways would run smother and be more safe.

But you have Mrs Old Scared lady in lane 1 doing 50 and Mr BMW get out of my way in lane 3 doing 100+mph.

Also bringing in undertaking would help a lot of people get passed middle lane hoggers.

 

[Dashik]

Odd how the speed limit is almost universally ignored on motorways, with the majority of traffic doing 80mph+, and yet motorways are still the safest roads to drive on. Have you ever considered that, legalities aside, a static limit cannot possibly always represent the safest maximum speed for any given conditions? If the speed limit was really for the benefit of all, why are they not variable as they are in France, with a lower limit being in force under wet conditions etc?

Many autobahns in Germany are actually of worse quality than typical UK motorways, yet they still seem to manage to drive considerably quicker than 70mph without continuous carnage.

First of all lets be clear. I am not against speed, the use of speed or infact of increasing speed limits. However the fact is that the law at the moment is as it is and unless you want to lobby parliament then theres not much you can do.

As for the fact that people choose to ignore the law does not make it right. As for variable limits they have them in this country when neccesary (M25 etc) and you are expected to use a little judgement in adverse conditions. they are limits and not targets.

Just because the limits 70 does not make it safe to do 70. Equally I agree that it can be perfectly safe to exceed 70mph but thats not the point. the law states you cant and you agree to the law when you apply for your license.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

People seem to think its ok to do 100mph in there brand new high tech BMW, but the fact is, anybody with a licence and a insured car can use the motorway and everyone has to stick to the LAW, which is 70mph, if everyone drove at 70 mph even trucks the motorways would run smother and be more safe.

But you have Mrs Old Scared lady in lane 1 doing 50 and Mr BMW get out of my way in lane 3 doing 100+mph.

Also bringing in undertaking would help a lot of people get passed middle lane hoggers.

So you're against doing 100, but for undertaking.

 

[Bobbler]

Also bringing in undertaking would help a lot of people get passed middle lane hoggers.

I have never understood why its not possible to do this, after driving in the states a fair few times it makes the traffic flow much less agressive IMO.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

I have never understood why its not possible to do this, after driving in the states a fair few times it makes the traffic flow much less agressive IMO.

It is. I dont even hesitate to undertake. If some fool is sitting in the outer lane going slower than I am, and I'm confident they're going to sit there regardless, zip I'm past on the inside.

I will only do it if I feel it is safe to do so, and if a policeman sees me do it, he will have to judge whether what I did constituted dangerous driving or not, as undertaking itself is not illegal.

 

[jimblowscash]

Well, I'm in exactly the same boat. Got caught doing 116 average on my bike a while back.

The police were fine about it. There wasn't much traffic around and it was a 4 lane section of motorway. Its usually a very fast bit of road, so I can see why the police patrol it. They must stop loads of people.

I have received my court appearance date now, been told I must attend. I'm pleading guilty and I dont plan to make any arguments or any form of defence. I'll take whatever punishment they give on the chin and carry on with my life.

good on you, the way it should be... i do get narked with the " i need my car for the job " argument.. if it really is that inportant to you dont speed, or at least dont get caught, im not digging at anyone, and im not saying stick to the limits ( i dont as a rule) but if your nicked doing 100+ face the music.
99.9% of the courts have herd the same excuse and it actually makes a refreshing change for a magestrate to hear.." yes im guilty i was speeding" youll find your more likley to receve a large fine and points as opposed to a ban, I know it was the case for me.

 

[Fr0dders]

Bug One

how long was it before you got your summonse ? its been 3 months since mine, and still nothing....

 

[Dashik]

It is. I dont even hesitate to undertake. If some fool is sitting in the outer lane going slower than I am, and I'm confident they're going to sit there regardless, zip I'm past on the inside.

I will only do it if I feel it is safe to do so, and if a policeman sees me do it, he will have to judge whether what I did constituted dangerous driving or not, as undertaking itself is not illegal.

Your right its not illegal. Your just gambling that the guy in the right lane actually uses his mirrors before he moves left........

I take it your happy to let other drivers decide if you live or die.........