chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Basically I have just posted the following on Pepipoo forums asking for advice, and thought I would ask the knowledgeable folk on here also.

"Hi guys and girls. I've known of this forum for a while through word of mouth and being an active member on several car enthusiast sites. It's a shame I've joined up for this reason, but here goes.

This a.m. (approx 7.45) I was on my way to give my mum a lift to work (favour, as you do). I was travelling up a road called the A18 in S****horpe, which is a 2 lane duel carriage way with a 40mph limit. I usually keep vigorously to this limit as I know camera vans can be dotted around anywhere. Anywho, I went to over take a slower moving car and it was then I saw the van - small Police Transit van with orange striped backend facing me, one window open with a big ol' lens pointing out. I instinctively looked at my speedo (which is very accurate at 40mph, usually over reads about 1mph so my true speed would be about 39, GPS proven), and saw I was doing approximately 44mph. This was about 150-200 yards away from the van as I was approaching, so I stuck my anchors on and slowed to dead on 40mph.

I felt a bit of a wally for the obvious reasons, and it's playing on my mind now. I would assume my genuine speed if it read 44 (max 45) on my speedo to be 43mph. I do understand this is speeding whichever way you look at it.

I'd like to ask the knowledgeable heads on here if it's common to be prosecuted for doing 43 in a 40 limit? Hopefully that doesn't sound naive and as though I wish to get off scott free, this certainly isn't my intention. I here rumours, pub talk etc. about the Powleece giving you 10% +2mph grace depending on the circumstances. Dunno how much truth there is in this, hense my queries.

Also, if the worst did happen and I got a NIP through the post, for the speed I was doing (and would admit too), is it common to have the opportunity to do a speeding course rather than get hit wth three points?

For the record, I have had my driving licence 3 years and have 3 points for a TS10 offence, which I didn't contest.

Regards

Andy"

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

You are going down big boy !!! Reckless speed and a danger to other road users

douglasb

I'm pretty sure that the speed awareness courses are only offered for exceeding a 30 limit.

ACPO guidelines are limit + 10% + 2mph for prosecution so under 46 in a 40 should be OK.

Minitrue

Some disregard the ACPO guidelines completely and others prosecute 'on' the figure (ie 35 in a 30 and 46 in a 40), but you should be alright.

You are still a menace to society, get a job, etc...

Hoppy

A friend got done for 46 in a 40, which is 10% plus 2.

Having more than a few points, he took advice from a specialist solicitor contacted through pepipoo. He was told quite confidently that this is the speed you get done at, and that he would have got away with 45.

It's only a guildeline, and 41 is still an offence, but most enforcement agencies stick to it, so he was assured.

Maybe the officer saw you further on up the road, moving apparently quickly and overtaking, so he tracked you. When the speed came up low, he thought two can play at that game, you've obviously hit the brakes, so if you can cheat a bit, so can I. That'll learn 'im.

I guess at the end of the day, you were caught breaking the limit and had been driving even faster before you were clocked. Sounds petty, but there you are

I also think the speed awareness thing is only for 30mph offences, but that is also discretionary depending on area.

austinwrx

I got done ages ago- 44 in a 30.

on a duel carriageway that was 40--- 18 mths previously speed had been lowered to 30. but who knew- no signs etc.

duel carriageway, as in chuffing massive wide road with double lanes on, but still suburban.


I was surprised in all honesty I was only doing 44......... normally me and everyone else would be doing 50- 60 etc as so big/wide, long, empty etc.


anyway 3 points, 60 squid fine. pointless going to court and chancing fines/fees. 3 points will make no difference to me or ins either to be honest.


doubt you'll hear anything for 44 in a 40 though.

john banks

My wife was done for 80 in a 70.

GC8WRX

Its about time speed limits were raised, most modern cars can cope with the extra speed, either that or the figures for braking distance need to be re assessed, cos evey car ive driven will beat them by a country mile!

Why cant i do a ton on the motorway?

I did a 700 mile round trip two weeks ago and i sat in the fast lane at about 80-85, and people were constantly flashing me to move over, then flying past at 100 plus with no problems at all, so why cant we legally do those speeds?

Cos of the pc ******* who are outraged by any speed, or the concept of making progress!

Minitrue

...and also because the people who are a liabilty at the present speed will be damned dangerous at 100mph.

austinwrx

damn right and well said.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Thanks for the infomation and experiences guys. At the end of the day I did speed, regardless of whether it was intentional or not so will be prepared for the consequences.

Hoppy, I read your reply a couple of times and couldn't desipher the bit I've quoted in bold.

I was doing under 40mph when behind the car infornt, maybe 36-37mph. So pulled to the inside lane and accelerated slightly. As said while level with said car infront I noticed the camera van and looked at my speedo instinctively. Was over, which I admit, but it wasn't intentional and I slowed slightly to exactly 40mph. Carried on at 40mph (as I normally do on said road) until my turning.

I don't get the tracking thing about the Police? Can they follow me via camera after I have passed them, as this one was pointing to the front of my car (obviously for driver/number plate certification). No flashes or anything, but I gues nowadays that means nothing with the technology involved.

Thanks again for the input, nervous 2 weeks.

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't worry personally.

Hoppy

What I meant was, maybe he'd seen you visually up the road and for whatever reason reckoned you were speeding, but when he got a camera fix on you and the speed came up low, he concluded that you must have braked. That's twice the crime in his eyes, you're not getting away with that trick, you're an extra naughty boy and need teachning a lesson

Since he had you at over the limit anyway, he knew he could still do you, so he did. It's nothing more than a hunch that might explain why you got done for being over the limit, but under the guideline presecution speed, human nature being what it is if you're a speed camera operator and feel you're being challenged.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Thanks for elaborating. Thing is though, I dunno if I have been done, so what you're saying is one possible outcome out of several. Thats what I didn;t understand unless you were having a crystal ball moment. Can understand the Rozzer may see it this way, but it certainly wasn't as if I was doing 50+ and braking sharply. "Hit the anchors" was an exaggeration in all honesty, I calmly slowed from 44 to 40 on my speedo which hardly takes any braking at all. Again having read what I have on here and Pepipoo, I would feel a bit peaved if I got done for double the offence, especially considering the 35 everywhere brigade that resides round here.

Shall wait and see, but no camera van there this a.m.

Spooky Mulder

When you get sent down to the Big Brother House and you are allowed to take your one item - make sure it is a family size tube of Vaseline

Hoppy

^^^ Haha

Maybe what the guy saw was your road language - you pulling out, seeing him, then pulling back in again. Obviously an admission of outrageous guilt

billythekid

Round these parts if its a police operated van then its posted limit + 9mph.

SCPs tend to stick to ACPO guide lines... or under!

hodgy0_2

The speed awareness courses are not offered in every district

I was offered one in Dorset, but not in Cambridge, simply because Dorset do them and Cambridge don’t

I don’t think they speak to each other either i.e. I would prob get points in Dorset if was caught again -- but if I was caught in another area that offered them then I may be offered one -- circumstances dependent

ps I don’t want this to sound like I speed everywhere because I don’t -- driving 24 years and only ever been "done" three times

Kev_turbo

Humberside definately do the speed awareness course for 40mph limits provided you were less than 20% over and have no other speeding convictions, my mum and brother got done on the same camera a week apart and went to the same course

Kev