Should i contest- speeding

frosty03

frosty03

frosty03

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Joined
14 Jul 2004
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England
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?
 
This is the first good example of the "sometimes you need speed to get out of trouble" argument I've seen.

Unfortunately, that's not a defense for speeding (they'll probably throw the "need to be more observant and read the road better" back at you) so I think you'll just have to take it on the chin if a letter arrives.
 
[TW]Fox;14064950 said:
How is it? He could have achevied the same thing by braking.
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He was in the fast lane. I'd say the other driver was more likely to see him if he was in front and not behind, he could have totally missed him and swiped his front wing
 
The 30mph fast lane? :p

I reckon you'll be alright, dunno why, just feeling optimistic today :D I'd at least wait until you get the notice through until deciding whether to pay or contest it!
 
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monkeyspank said:
He was in the fast lane. I'd say the other driver was more likely to see him if he was in front and not behind, he could have totally missed him and swiped his front wing
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It's far more likely its all a load of rubbish and the other guy would, had he not have accelerated into a speed camera van, simply waited for a gap.
 
Rich_L said:
The 30mph fast lane? :p

I reckon you'll be alright, dunno why, just feeling optimistic today :D I'd at least wait until you get the notice through until deciding whether to pay or contest it!
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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.
 
[TW]Fox;14065055 said:
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!
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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? :D
 
frosty03 said:
true. But i wasnt about to just sit there and find out when a safe and quick alternative was possible.
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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 :eek:
 
In future, if the van starts to move in you could always use one of these

horn800.jpg


It's actually what it's there for rather than venting anger or letting people know you're at their house to pick them up :p

#The Highway Code - Rule 92
The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence.
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[TW]Fox;14065108 said:
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 :eek:
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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 said:
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.
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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?
 
Too right Frosty, you can't assume ANYONE else on the road knows what's going on around them. So many times I see people indicate as they begin a manoeuvre, not as an indication that they intend to.
Don't know what sort of perfect fairy land you drive about in fox, but it's obviously not on the same roads I do.
 
I check my mirrors and if there is a car coming up to my rear quarter I put the indicator on so that they can pass and hopefully the next car will be nice and let me out, as do most people I see on the roads. I don't know where you drive monkey as that hardly ever happens when I'm on the roads. :/

In the OP's situation I'd not have accelerated, I'd have maintained my speed and used the horn had the person tried pulling into my lane without looking. So if he gets a fine, it's perfectly fair, there was no need to speed up.
 
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