Speeding Fine

[gilf]

In this weeks issue of Motorcycle news there is an article about 2 bikers who have been convicted of speeding at over 150Mph. I would never condon this or try to justify this but as a biker I know how easy it is to do this kind of speed in a short burst. Anyway the point is they have been banned for 2 years but also been given a 28 prison sentence. I'm not saying this is wrong but the story also points out that a recent conviction of a peadophile who had 500 images on his PC only recieved a 1 year suspended sentance, a white collar fraud for �10,000 resulted in 200 hours community service and we all know the story of how 3 people tried to con a TV company out of �1 million and only got a suspended sentence. The point is we are all capable of breaking the speed limit so is it really a worse crime than peadophilia, large scale fraud and many other crimes which get a suspended sentance.

[darth vader]

Whilst not condoning any of the peadophile, and two fraud crimes mentioned, none of these put other members of the public in any (physical) danger, whereas plummeting down a highway at 150 is almost certain death for the rider (and posaibly innocent victims) in the event of an accident and i am assuming this bore gravity on the sentence. IMHO of course

[darth vader]

sorry i meant paedophile. A peadophile has an interest in peas.

[sft42]

Darth your carnal knowledge of small round green vegs notwithstanding I think it's ironic that someone who travels round the universe at hyperspace speeds should be so harsh on someone not even near the speed of sound.....Bike riders tend to be one the most highly disiplined group of road users due to the extra training and whilst I don't condone these speeds (My bike doesn't go that fast - boo hoo) you'll find that 95% of bike accidents are caused by car drivers who DON'T see bikes. In summary they should have been made to re-sit the test, the paedophile should have been made to undergo phycatric evalutation and councilling, then treatment, fraud for various amounts sorry I don't know where they stand in custodial terms but your right in the main point that our justice system seems to be getting it's priorities slightly screwed up.

[gilf]

I'm sorry but firstly they were on a clear road with no other traffic and it was only for a few seconds they reached anywhere near 150 mph (bad I know but not a treat to the public), and secondly to suggest that peadophile's present no danger to the public is just plain madness, so I guess your saying you'd rather your kids grow up in a street full of peadophile's rather than those bikers. I never said riding down the road at 150Mph was a good idea and I agree that the should get a 28 day sentence its just you see all these other conviced criminals getting community service or suspended sentences.

[j2buttonsw]

I understand your argument gilf, but the footage I saw of the two motorcyclists showed them overtaking a lorry on a left hand bend doing this very impressive speed.

[gilf]

I'm not defending the bikers, period. As far as i'm concerned they got what they deserved, and in fact possiblly less than that, I think a longer ban may be would have been better. I wont go over old ground again, maybe I shouldnt have mentioned the bikers because my intention was never to defend them. I guess the recent public Hysteria has subsided and were all mates with the Peadophiles again.

[darth vader]

A child can be warned and know how to keep clear of paedophiles. A child has no chance whatsoever, against a motorbike travelling at high speed. Have you seen the latest govmt advert where the car is shown in slow motion skidding into a kid crossing the street? That was at 35mph. a vehicle travelling at 150pmh "only for a few seconds" will cover a great distance and have a HUGE stopping distance. Anyway we're digressing and if you talk in general terms (rather than specific cases) then yes i agree the law is quite flawed - perjury carries a stutory 5 year sentence so how come a guy can lie in court (and claim major damages as a result) then get sent down and serve only 2 years in an open prison where he's allowed to drive home in his car each weekend and quaff champagne like nothing ever happened - then sue the courts the moment he's let out (early) on parole?

We're not mates with the paedophiles and never were - the Press are the people to blame for this one for stirring up a hornets nest to sell papers "for the common good" as they always call it - people think that this crime is on the increase but in fact child abuse and child sex has declined quite considerably overall, over the last century, it is simply that we are more publicly aware of it nowadays.

[gilf]

My earlier comments were silly so I appologise. I was writing a response but there's no point I think you've summed it up nicely.

[LeMarchand]

I agree that the sentences seem out of whack, but I'd like to address the "bike riders are safer drivers than car drivers" idea that was mooted. I don't doubt that a lot of them are - but the reason that accidents are caused by car drivers "not seeing them" must sometimes, at least, be caused by the car driver not expecting a bike to appear at double the speed limit?

[gilf]

Just try riding a bike for an hour and you will understand. Road saftey to most car drivers is never really an issue as they are protected in their little bubble. There are plenty of car drivers on the roads doing speeds way over the limit.

[catgate]

The answer to your question is that crimes fall into categories that have nothing at all to do with the offence. Generally speaking the most fierce sentences are dished out to those commiting crimes "against the state". These include avoiding taxes or misappropriating 'Govt.' money, or even flouting the laws created, to put the gov. in a favourable and thus re-electable position, in answer to the most vocal 'environmental' pressure groups. It is also in the case of "motor offences" an easy money maker, it gives the chief constables greater kudos as far as 'crimes solved' go and also a lever to claim more money from the gov. with which to further persue the motorist.Can I suggest you go and look ar the contents of www.angelfire.com/realm3/accord. The contents of the section on Crime is particularly relevant but so is the rest of the site.

[the_dipsey_1]

blame the government they have had an unprecedented 31 changes to the statutory guidelines on sentancing and yet can still not get it right - and joy of joy they are proposing another!!! viva labour the abolishers of law and the advocates of guilty until proven innocent!!