Middle Lane Hogger Fined

[mushroom25]

wigan decorator ian stephens believes he's been picked on because he drives a white van
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/wigan-driver-convicted-middle-lane-9507181

but he didn't go to court to argue his case -
//I can’t afford nearly £1,000. I didn’t go to court because I have to go to work.//

white van man arrogance? or pragmatism borne of police harrassment?

[alavahalf]

Many thanks for that ... you learn something every day !

Ps ... do you mean a centurion ?

[EcclesCake]

Divebuddy, what use would a SAM be for a ground based target?

[whiskeryron]

/// The maximum speed on UK motorways is 70 Mph. If you do drive at 80Mph I hope YOU soon get nicked."

I knew there'd be at least one. I'm just surprised it took so many posts before it reared its inevitable head!

Unless you are driving dangerously, the Police will not nick you for doing 80 on a motorway. /// Then the police are not doing their job. I repeat, the max speed allowed in the UK is 70 Mph . End of.

[New Judge]

Yes quite so, ron.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has guidelines which say that normally action will not be taken against a speeding driver until his recorded speed is Limit +10% + 2mph (79mph in a 70mph limit). This is mainly to avoid frivoluous arguments about camera calibrations and the like. However, this is guidance only. The limit remains at 70mph and you can be prosecuted for exceeding that limit.

[Old_Geezer]

Undoubtedly; but a more practical approach seems to be taken most of the time. No point in making life a misery for those who are basically decent folk and not doing any harm. It's not the way to be.

[bazwillrun]

" practical approach seems to be taken most of the time. No point in making life a misery for those who are basically decent folk and not doing any harm.2

but its only practical because its too much work for the bill to test the accuracy of the cars theyd nick non stop every day..its not because theyre being nice and reasonable....

[whiskeryron]

divebuddy, what part of LEGALLY do you not understand ?

[Baldric]

What part of

///The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has guidelines which say that normally action will not be taken against a speeding driver until his recorded speed is Limit +10% + 2mph (79mph in a 70mph limit).///

do you not understand?

[Old_Geezer]

Surely it is not just the legality, it is also the practicalities and the morality side of things. If folk can not agree on the meaning of "right" then one is fated to argue over cross purposes without progress. Law should be applied with compassion not rigidly like Judge Dread. If something isn't causing a problem there are more important things for the law enforcers to concentrate on.

[New Judge]

The margin is allowed so that drivers do not contest prosecutions calling into question the accuracy of measuring equipment (cameras, police vehicle speedometers). It has nothing to do with the accuracy of drivers' speedos. (These are allowed by law to over record by up to 10% so an indicated speed of 70mph may mean the vehicle is only travelling at 63.6mph. They must never under record).

In contested speeding cases the prosecution has no responsibility to prove the accuracy of the measuring device unless the defendant calls it into question. He must have a basis for doing so and it is far less likely that a challenge of innacuracy between (say) 70 and 79mph would be launched that one between 70 and 71mph. Hence the leeway.

[New Judge]

The problem is, OG, that therre is no room for compassion when it comes to speeding. With very few exceptions there is no need to excuse somebody for speeding on compassionate grounds. So long as nobody his each other normally speeding as such does not cause a problem. It is the consequences that follow when an incident occurs and vehicles are travelling at excessive speed.

All this is a long way from the "White Van Man" prosecuted for middle lane hogging! :-)

[whiskeryron]

Because I am at a loss to understand why the government pass laws in parliament & you & other people are saying the police ignore drivers who break the law. If the law clearly states that 70mph is the maximum speed I am sorry to be pedantic but I fail to see how travelling above that maximum speed can possibly be allowed.