J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

What are the kind of offences that consitute careless driving ?

To be honest, if I get one then fair do's I was probably doing something wrong, I dont do much driving, I concentrate, I dont use my mobile when driving or eat, drink whatever, I park considerately, I do exceed speed limits sometimes but thats already covered, I indicate every time I make a maneuver, I dont make illegal U turns, I use my mirrors, I am considerate to other drivers. I am far from the best driver in the world but I make an effort to not cause any agro so for me, its a fairly outside risk unless for some reason coppers just have to stop middle aged blokes in Saabs for not doing much wrong.

However, some of the selfish and irresponsible behaviour I see when I do drive needs stamping out, I will take the risk of getting three points on my otherwise pristine licence, I can afford sixty quid and should I get stopped I have the gift of the gab to perhaps convince an undecided officer that I am a decent bloke and that he may not really want to give me that ticket.

I shall take my chances with the coppers, maybe naively but would love to see some of the ***** who really misbehave get isntant justice.

CrisPDuk

If somebody gets pulled over by the police, and it actually gets as far as them being written up/charged/fined, they fully deserve it IMO

Generally, in my (quite extensive experience, because of the aggravation involved, officers really can't be bothered with putting someone through the system just for a minor motoring offence.
They would much rather give someone the traditional stiff lecture, and send them on their way

If a copper has gone to the extent of breaking out the paperwork on someone, then either the offence was just a bit more serious than the norm, or the person in question really needs to learn the art of knowing when to shut the f**k up


Macclesfield Magistrates court is a perfect example of this

the entrance is at the side of a main road, I've often wondered what would happen to the local crime rates should a 'runaway' HGV happened to mount the footpath at that point

CrisPDuk

One the other side though, some coppers, and especially PCSOs, really could do with brushing up on their knowledge of the law, and the highway code

I got pulled by a womble the other day for jumping a red light whilst turning left, even though left hand filter was clearly marked as being controlled by a Give Way sign, not the traffic lights

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

The fixed penalty system only allows 1 ticket to be issued for an offence.



Yet drivers who really do drive awfull but within the speed limit will not be stopped
It is these drivers the legislation can be used for. Rather than fill out reams of paperwork, officers can issue a £60 ticket to them...

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Basically it covers incidents of driving which fall below that expected of a careful and competent driver.
In a nutshell, the opposite of the way in which you describe your driving!!
Deliberately driving through a puddle to soak people at a bus stop,
driving into the back of a stationary car, mounting the kerb due to looking at the scenery, losing control of a car on a bend due to excessive speed are obvious examples.

Leslie

How much is it likely to cost to take it to court to try to clear yourself when you start off on the back foot from an unfair charge because the copper is chasing targets or just feels in that kind of mood?

Les

Anger

iTrader: (4)

I got pulled over by a copper for not letting him go when it was my right of way

So i'll get a fine next time just because he was being a dick

Felix.

Les

It shouldn't cost anything. In anycase, it will still have to go through CPS before it gets to court

StickyMicky

This is probably a really bad thing IMO

After the way they seam to abuse the hell out of the Section59 thing (why did i never get any paperwork at all about this?)

I know a good few of the tyneteesscoobies group have them now.

Not sure if anybody ever got any paperwork about them, other then just being told by some bellend copper that they were getting served with the section 59 nonsense

ScoobyWon't

Aw. I'm obviously doing my job wrong as I've not section 59d anyone either

I did, however bring in an Impreza driver tonight (only his second night out of prison) who went on a 110mph+ blast across north Notts. He was rattling from the Amphets and was another uninsured provisional licence holder. He covered a good distance before ditching the motor. Mansfield, Woodhouse, Spion Kop, Warsop, Meden Vale, Walesby and Ollerton. Needless to say, he didn't get a ticket for his driving

r32

I have a problem with the police being given even more powers. If or when its used sensibly as its intended then no problem. But its like lots of things when used badly it can be a very bad thing.
I understand most police officers dont have too much time to concentrate on minor road issues. But just think how the North Wales force will use this new power. They already have a displace policy towards motorcyclists, stopping over 400 each weekend. Now these are people who have not commited any motoring offence. They are even using the asbo system to try and drive motorcyclists from their area, not what it was intended for. This widening of police powers is likely to allow them to continue to harrass and persecute a small sector of the motoring public.