Should i contest- speeding

[frosty03]

Got done today. Situation as follows.

"4" lane with no central reservation, ie 2 lanes each way. I was in the right lane, since there are always people turning left. Merrily going at about 30.

Saw obstruction up ahead, though it was a construction vehicle. Noticed people indicating right to merge into my lane. I was at the passenger door position of a car in the left lane (in his blind spot).

Thought he would not see me, and decided to speed up to just under 40 to get past him, or at least so he can see me in the lane.

Just then, realised that the "constuction vehicle" was a speed van. Pretty sure i'll be done.

Points: yes i was "speeding" but only to get out of a bad spot.
2) The speed van actually parking at the side of the road, obstructing one lane and causing everybody to move is a particularly cheeky thing to do.

Should i just pay up or see them in court?

 

[frosty03]

The 30mph fast lane?

I reckon you'll be alright, dunno why, just feeling optimistic today I'd at least wait until you get the notice through until deciding whether to pay or contest it!

yea, hope the van men show some common sense, although they must know where they parked up would have caused the eventual chain of events.

Anyways, I was in the "fast" (right) lane because people turn LEFT, and that lane is as such much slower traffic.

Braking would have been a bad idea, already in his blind spot, people behind ME, unless i slammed on the brakes (dangerous) it would have been faster to get in a safe position by speeding up a bit rather than slowing down, since if I had slowed down to allow the left person to merge, it would have required me to be at least "behind" by a car length for it to be safe for him to move in, and the obstruction which was the van was fast approaching. The way the cars were stacked (both lanes) he would have ended up needing to STOP behind the van before then merging in.

I made a judgement call. Right call for the situation, but i think i'll pay the price (60 squids and 3 points) for it.

 

[frosty03]

Well no not really, or this thread wouldnt exist. All the guy was doing was indicating his intention to move into your lane, it doesnt mean he was going to do it regardless!

true. But i wasnt about to just sit there and find out when a safe and quick alternative was possible.

Does it help if i say that the fact the driver was a woman caused me to want to get out of the blind spot ASAP?

 

[frosty03]

And now you've been nicked as a result.

The guy was using his indicators correctly - you put them to to signal your intention to move lanes. You dont put them on then simply move lanes. Every day when driving on multi lane roads you will come across people indicating, are you seriously telling me you fly off at 25% over the speed limit every single time you see somebody put an indicator on?

I'd hate to be in the car with you on a Motorway journey

Technically, you're right. Practically, i'm sure many will attest that people do exactly that. Indicate and move, in one.

When i see people indicating, either by letting them do what they want, by me slowing down and giving them room, or the converse, getting out of their way. But what i dont do, is assume/presume they will look out for me.

On a motorway journey, as a passenger, you'll prolly be fast asleep, since i do about 65 (save fuel) and mind my own business.

 

[frosty03]

It's good to be aware of what somebody may do and prepared to take action if they do but taking reactive steps because of what somebody MIGHT do is ridiculous and will get you into trouble - you know, like 3 points on your license.

If you are driving along and see somebody in a side turning indicating to you perform an emergency stop incase they dont look out for you and pull out?

If there are 2 lanes, i move over to the right, let them out or incase they dont see me. If just 1 lane, i actually will slow down to the point that i can stop if the person actually pulls out in front of me. Obviously if he pulls out just when i'm 1 foot away there is nothing i can do, but i do prepare for the odd person pulling out.

You can judge how someone is going to behave, ie if they are actually stopped and looking as opposed to someone doing a "rolling stop".

 

[frosty03]

But the OP didn't say he accelerated JUST because the other driver was indicating. The OP also made an assessment of the situation and thought the other driver wouldn't see him. There are other factors the OP hasn't mentioned which may have influenced his decision - density of traffic, closing speed on the obstruction etc.

For example - if the obstruction seems to "appear" suddenly, i.e. around a bend then people are much more likely to swerve to avoid the obstruction BEFORE checking theer mirrors etc - which is exactly what someone did when they hit the side of my car a few years ago.

I do agree in principle though - someone indicating to move into your lane doesn't necessitate the person in that lane taking avoiding action.

The obstuction did "just appear", since it was just past a small incline. They parked there so people wouldnt see them and slow down!

Thanks for all the useful pieces of advice. But the situation was just that. I judged it to be a situation where there was a high possibility of the person just indicating and pulling out AND i was in their blind spot (so there are 2 presumptions. 1 is that they wouldnt have bothered to even look, 2 is that even if they did check the mirrors they wouldnt have seen me). My experience is that most people dont look to check the blind spot before pulling out, just mirrors, which would have definately not have seen me. I could have maintained speed (presuming the person knew i was there), and if they did end up hitting me it would have sent me onto the oncoming traffic, and even not hitting me would have caused me to swerve abit and even if i didnt hit the oncoming lot, it would have freaked them out abit and possibly caused problems that side.

The risk odds were high enough that in that split second i thought that simply going faster a little bit would have been the best, least disruptive action to take. Going from 33ish to maybe 38-39 to make yourself seen isnt dangerous driving. Speeding it is, but it isnt dangerous.

I also agree in principle with the need to not always taking action, to a point. If you can help it, it is better to presume the person will do something daft and give them plenty of room, without causing a danger yourself.

 

[frosty03]

As people have said if you get a speeding fine, pay it. you can't contest it. It's not a valid reason for speeding. That's if they even believe you. They will just hit you with 4 points and probably a couple hundred fine.

Yea. Thats what i thought too, it was rather un-defendable in the black/white of the law. Just wanted opinions, and some good points were made. I'll just cough it up when the NIP arrives....