scoobynutta555

Got caught by a cop speeding on the A1M the other day just before Baldock services. He reckons he timed me between 2 bridges at 100.3 mph distance covered being 0.223 miles in a 70 mph limit (2 lane dual carriageway). Policeman was alone, no radar/laser used, just basically a digital stopwatch in the dash, he was parked a good way from these bridges yet reckons i was accuratly timed.

He couldnt/wouldnt tell me how far in relation to the bridges he was, and refused to put this in writing.

Basically im looking for peops that have similar experiences to this, and what the outcome maybe in court. I have a clean licence at the moment with no previous convictions. Will i be looking at a ban?

Im not interested in do-gooders that post anti speeding comments.

hades

Were there white squares painted on the road? IIRC they use them for time/distance type things. There are also on-line sites (speed trap bible etc) that may be able to help.

Sith

Try advice at 5ive-o.com

Luke

Tell them you have just been called up to go and fight the war.. Then increase your speed by 40mph

Mice_Elf

If they marked you between 2 solid items (the bridges) then they have timed it at 70mph to get what it should be.

It is acceptable for him to have used a stopwatch, although would have thought that he would have needed some kind of backup, bearing in mind how fallible human reactions are.

Ask for advice over on 5ive-o when it's back up.

Popeye P1

100 mph- TUT TUT. LOL

Katana

You aspire to get up to that speed one day eh Pops?

Mice_Elf

5ive-o is now back up.

scoobynutta555

siad i was over the prescribed threshold for fixed penalty, said i would hear from court. And he was alone.

MartinM

Almost exactly the same circumstances as me about 10 years ago...an alleged 80.1 mph in a 50mph limit in a contraflow.

I still believe it wasn't me or or the policeman made it up, but because it was over 30mph over the limit had to go to court.

Clean licence until then but got a one week ban and £140 fine...10 years ago remember.

The policeman didn't attend court, the prosecuting solicitor admitted he didn't know exactly where the alleged offence occurred and my claim that had the measuring equipment been 1% inaccurate I would have had a fixed penalty rather than a court appearnce fell on completely deaf ears...

...in fact, in my speech to the court I told the beak that I would suffer difficulties at work if I was banned. He listened to what I had to say and then said "I'm sure you are aware that you may be banned for this offence (over 30mph over the speed limit) so would you suffer difficulties at work if you were banned"

30mph over the limit is generally ban territory, so I wish you the best of luck

jimi

Sorry to hear that mate.

JIM

Chrisgr31

I would have a look at one of the specialist speeding sites. Also do you have any legal help cover with your accident and breakdown policy, or your car insurance policy? Might be wise findiong out, as legal help is an advantage I suspect.

Mind you part of me says that you are without pleading mitigating circumstances to be looking at a ban for a month or so. However at least you then have a licence with no points, which may be better than the alternative of 6 or 9 points and no points, but the prospect of a ban for a second offense under the "totting up" rules.

LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

i got done about 5 years ago, 99mph m62, appeared in court without solicitor and gave my reasons (car up my ****) and got 6 points and fine £???

SiDHEaD

Sorry to hear
I got busted for 90 in a 60 on a 2mile straight road in a nice dry sunny afternoon, with no cars around. A bike cop hiding behind a post at top of a hill timed me between 2 spots. Mad? i was livid. It was the middle of the bloody countryside, no kids or pedestrians and if there were you woulda easily seen them!

On a plus note: This is good to see, the "ScoobyNet high-horse brigade" aren't botehring to post.

Andy

RichiW

You cAn bet it wont be long before they stick their unwanted noses in though!

RaZe-=Buzz=-

damn right, PC to55ers...

I have done 140 in my scoob, but I DID think the 4 blokes in the Tavia RS behind me were after stealing the car... They didnt get it.

Sigma

Just registered, long time lurker

Someone who I know well was caught over exactly the same stretch about 4 years ago for over just the ton going northbound. From what I recall of his circumstances that it is one of the shortest distances in Herts; he got of with a large fine and 6 points, but pleaded the use of a car was require to keep his employment.

At that sort of speed and with the bridges, there must be someway to argue the accuracy of the ‘event’; previously they used the shadows of the bridges as there start and end points of the measured distance.

Out of interest where you travelling north or south? If it was north, where you pulled after the bend?

TelBoy

Can i ask a question?

If you're done in this manner, are they obliged to stop you to inform you, or could you get a letter on the doorstep without any prior notification?

12LEE

There's a book somewhere out there called "The Motorist and The Law" which gives some good examples of mitigation letters, etc., to use in front of magistrates.

I got tugged for 111mph on the M4 several years ago (in an automatic Audi A6 1.8 - how???) by laser. Already had an SP30 and really didn't want to sit on 9 points but didn't want a huge ban (sales rep).

I looked at the cost of a brief (having had friends who had gone this route) and decided to represent myself in court. Lots of grovelling, very sorry, should know better, (key phrase) loss of the ability to drive will cause significant hardship as job is dependent upon it.

Net was £400+costs, 7 day ban (while I was on gardening leave between jobs!) and *no* points. From the day I had in court, the pattern seemed to be fine and points OR ban. No one got points and a ban (although I was cacking myself when I heard the three mag's whispering "four" and I second guessed it to be four weeks.)

A 1 week ban is survivable and IMHO again, better than points. Part of the mitigation pitch I made was that I'd spent a fortune on driving lessons with HPC and really should know better. I took along all the receipts and course notes. Slowed me down no end for a good few years. The odd thing is that now I have a non-performance car, the progress rate is increasing. Odd.

I think that if you grovel like mad, get support from your employer (letter, boss appearance, etc) and can build a case for a ban causing significant hardship, you may, just may, get away without a ban.

Good luck!

hail-hail

Exactly the same place, and probably the sames cops that got me about 6 months ago. Got done for 98.3, 5 points and £400, I already had 3 points on my license.

They told me there and then that it would be refered to the Fiscal, and my charge duly came through.

best of luck.

TurboKitty

Members of the police have been done for speeding in the past, despite having 'licence savers'. One case that was mentioned on here involved a policeman being stopped for speeding and being told it made no difference and he, in particular, should have known better.

Remember that as police run board, 5ive-o cannot be seen to condone speeding. I am glad you also got helpful information there.

supertouring

I got banned many years ago on a quiet Sunday afternoon on the M1 northbound. Unmark police car had followed the group of cars I was in for miles, and was happy that we were all doing 80-85ish. He pulled me when I decided to go upto 100 to get ahead of the group before my turn-off. Stupid me!!!!
I got a 1 month ban (I think), no points. My question is, does this affect your insurance more or less than say 6/9 points? I recall that the insurance company was only worried about points, and did not know what to do about the ban. I do not remember my insurance going up more than, say, what 3 points would have got me. Does anyone else have a similar experience or know how the insurance companies handles this?

yoza

I would rather take a 3-6 week ban,than 6 points and a big fine,are you allowed to choose?

What is worst in our insurance companies point of view 6 points or a 3-6 week ban?

A 3-6 week ban is done and dusted in the time given,6 points lasts for an eternety.........

Ian E

iTrader: (1)

Got nicked on the bike (by Pro laser) for 98 in a 60 a couple of years back. The legal cover on my insurance covered Solicitors bill (£400). I ended up with 6 points £555 fine but no ban Insurance hasn't been too expensive since - I guess a ban would have meant a greater increase.

Scoobs_4ever

I recently got caught 35mph above a 40mph limit and received 6 points and a £265 fine plus £35 court costs. Increased the insurance by £157 a year aswell. The duty solicitor I had said I was lucky as he would have given me 9-points so next time I got caught I would be banned whereas now I can still get a fixed penalty and keep my licence. (mental note to self - you jammy git)

The two best pieces of advice I got from a mate who is a magistrate were;
1. Use the duty solicitor. They are free and are familiar with the court and the magistrates so less likely to pi$$ them off.
2. Be sorry, be very sorry. Apologise profoundly and be very humble. Do not argue technical points or show any disregard for the police.

For this type of offence, the maximum penalty you can face is a ban, with points and a fine. Your individual circumstances will dictate the level of punishment you will receive. Magistrates have guidance notes to follow but they can listen to how much you depend upon your vehicle in terms of business miles per year - personal mileage doesn't carry much consideration. You could argue 'due cause' i.e. if everyone else was doing 100mph, then why pick on you - not worth it IMHO more likely dig yourself in a hole.

I found the worst part was waiting for the court appearance, not knowing if was a ban or a fine.

Andy.

Gooner

Got caught on Witney by-Pass 116mph in 1991, £280.00 fine, 28 day ban and got my licence back clean, had got 3 points on it at the time. As with all the other advice, you will not get off on a technicality, just admit the offence and be SOOOOOOOOOOO Sorry for your out of character irresponsible moment, and don't forget to tell them that you intend to be extremely careful in the future so as to never do this again.
Best wishes for the appearance before the BEAK.

beemerboy

go and get your car restricted to 70mph and then ask the plod to have it independantly tested!!!

pigs get right on my hooters!!!!!

they should be getting cats down from tress, or drinking tea at an old peoples home instead!! - you know, something useful,
unlike my post, of course.

Good luck...

BB

Scooby-Newbie

Got pulled for doing 105 on the M5 a few months ago - was 00:30 at night, and there was just me on the road. Wasn't driving my Scooby at the time - was using my other car, a Mondeo. Saw another car behind me, and realised I wasn't losing him, so backed off with the speed, at which point the blues came on. He'd been following me from a distance for several miles - said he was timing me between key points, such as bridges, and marks on the road.

Had 6 points already, and had to go to court - got a 21 day ban, and approximately £200 fine. Got no extra points, though. Blo*dy inconvenient for a few weeks, I have to say.

In my experience, the ban didn't affect my insurance, as I received no points. Fully comp on my WRX is about £850.

And yes, the worst part is waiting to go into the court - I was sitting in the waiting room with people who were up for assault, robbery, etc. Not very pleasant!

hail-hail

Don't insurance companies ask for any points/convictions. A ban will count as a conviction. You may get away with it now, but try claiming 20K of an insurance company when the find out you have not been telling the whole truth.

Just my tuppence worth.

PiNkEyE69

If they don't stop you don't they have to prove it's you driving the car?
I thought that was realted to al the hoo-har about cameras that take pics of the backend of the car, as there's no proof you are the driver (and anyone with good fully comp insurance can drive another persons car)