I really hate this country ....

The fine is just about acceptable but giving him a driving ban as well? That's just taking the p*ss. I'd appeal if I were him.

Steve

Me too this is insane, we already live in a police state (almost)
Martin
Dont look at this below, you'll be really pissed off.
http://www.shamedagain.blogspot.com/

I really love this country myself but there are some serious problems.

We can contrast our speed control system (cameras, police, etc.) with that of Germany. It is quite clear that in Germany the goal is to reduce speed and increase road safety. For instance, you see electronic warning signs encouraging you to slow down. Here the goal is to 'catch motorists', turn citizens into criminals and fill up the government coffers.

I believe that this attitude alienates the police from the populous. It helps no one.

Steve Margolis
defy convention - make music

Then there's that whole starting wars, invading other countries and torturing people thing.

Then there's that whole starting wars, invading other countries and torturing people thing.

Yawn, yawn !!

Matthew, give it a rest......its at least 10 years ago since Hussain invaded Kuwait, and he hasn't been in a position to torture anybody for about 6 months.....although I appreciate the figure before then was about 1,000,000.....

Cheers

Don

PS that is what you were refering to, isn't it ?

Now which one was that AA or RAC

Catching motorists while speeding does not "turn citizens into criminals". They were already criminals while speeding.

Judd

Welcome to the nazi police state of the United Kingdom.

It's little wonder that there is little respect for the police and judiciary.

The specific case mentioned clearly demonstrates that speed cameras have nothing to do with reducing speed but are purely revenue generating devices.

A fine and a ban for the fellow in question - that is outrageous. He probably did more for road safety than all the local police/camera safety partnerships (who are you kidding?) /councils etc etc have done in a life time.

Cheers

Mike

After my trip to America, I seriously love England.

After my trip to America, I seriously love England.

After living/working 5 years in the middle east, I seriously love England, Europe, Australia and all of North America.

But there is plenty to be put right here nevertheless, and this is a case of police and beaurocratic stupidity gone mad!

Cheers

Don

Where was the Automobile Association in all of this. Wasn't that their founding raison de etre, warning motorists of police "speed traps" (such that they were in those days) by which way round their badges were worn?

Madness. What about a fighting fund for the poor chap - that's a nasty preceident set in law if its unappealed, surely?

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Harsh though this sounds, he really was obstructing justice.

The law is not at fault really.
What seems out of order is that the punishment really doesn't fit the 'crime', nor the accused.

Sounds like the judge was being a prat.
The law allows a degree of interpretation, which was obviously misinterpreted here.

quote:

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Originally posted by garyi:
After my trip to America, I seriously love England.

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You didn't enjoy your time in SF?

In hushed tones, Jethro the local farmworker in the Red Parrot warns a tourist standing at the bar next to him who happens to be camping nearby that the police quite often use a handheld device just after the 30mph sign upon entry to the village, especially around 3pm on a Monday...

"Oi just thart Oi'd let yer knoow tha's all!"

Detective Constable Stazi puts down his pint of alcohol free beer, flashes his badge and arrests Jethro on the spot for obstructing police in the course of their business...

Kevin is driving his car into a 40 zone on a fast dual carriageway with his wife Tracy sat next to him. Just as they pass the 40 signs, Tracy sees an officer holding the handheld laser device and shouts "40! 40! whilst frantically gesticulating that he should reduce his speed.

Kevin hits the brakes, his bonnet dips slightly and PC Catchit records a speed of 39.9mph.

"Rats we nearly had him then! If it wasn't for his girlfriend who'd already spotted us..."

"Not to worry," PC Nailham replied, "pull 'em over!"

"We can't, his speed was below the limit."

"I know, but we can do her for obstructing police business."

Kevin gets away with it whilst Tracy gets a driving ban as a passenger.

Now substitute Kevin and Tracy for 65 year-old grandmother and 12 year-old grandchild sat in the passenger seat...

Without having to sign the Official Secrets Act we are all sworn to secrecy regarding police revenue collection activities, and as such we may not help even our nearest and dearest to reduce their speed so as to avoid penalties.

Loyalty to state must precede loyalty to kith and kin.

An alarming precedent has been set.

Driving bans or points on licence should only be handed out for driving offences.

Next, someone shouting loudly in the street late at night will have their mobile phone, or worse, their Naim system confiscated.

Regards,

Steve.

[This message was edited by Steven Toy on Sat 05 June 2004 at 5:30.]

Steve T,

Nicely exposed.

Cheers

Don

"Welcome to the nazi police state of the United Kingdom"

Get a grip puh-lease.

What we have (if one take the report at face value) is a hasty prosecution (although we don't know that -- he may given the police no choice) followed by a seemingly severe and/or innapropriate punishment from a magistrates court (which happens all the time, frankly). But from this you all hate your country and start talking about Nazis and police states? This is like some bizarre parody of angry retired majors from Cheltenham.

Personally I love this country despite all its faults and, indeed, in many cases becuase of them. I'd also never use a word like Nazi for something as trivial as a motoring offence (especially as we approach the anniversary of D-Day).

Matthew

How can anybody hate a country, you might, with good reason dislike some of the people[prats] who reside here. We generally enjoy
a freedom of speach and access, that others can only dream of, health care,resonably good working conditions and pay fought for by our forefathers,Naim. Yes I think most things here are not to bad. Remove some of the idiots in goverment and the parasites in Buck house and it could almost be paradise

"What we have (if one take the report at face value) is a hasty prosecution (although we don't know that -- he may given the police no choice) followed by a seemingly severe and/or innapropriate punishment from a magistrates court (which happens all the time, frankly). But from this you all hate your country and start talking about Nazis and police states? This is like some bizarre parody of angry retired majors from Cheltenham."

True, but the Police only had to warn the bloke, surely they didn't have to book him?

Mr Tibbs

Ludwig I loved my time in America. However I did feel that there was a very serious issues with Americas obsession with food, in its advertising on how to eat it and stay away from it.

Everything just seemed so over blown, it was a great time and I loved the people, but the crap they were being fed on TV and in magazines was disturbing. Just my opinion of course.

I cannot see how a driving ban has any relevance to the charge. He presumably wasn't in his car or anywhere near it, and so his "offence" was carried out as a pedestrian. If he was someone who didn't drive anyway, what would the charge be then? The driving ban should be overturned and the charging officer sent back for re-training.
I hate this counry too! It is just too hard to maintain any standard of living, and it just isn't worth it. I would bugger off abroad tomorrow if my wife would just grow up and stop thinking about her family ties.

quote:

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I would bugger off abroad tomorrow...

---

Where would you like to go?

Steve B

Australia sometimes appeals, but I love live music and none of my fave bands go there, and the whole cultural thing is missing. I could get into the lifestyle, but imagine it would be like dumbing down (apologies to ozzies here). My best mate is there and I would love to be with him again. He went for the sake of his kids (he lived in Sheperds Bush before), and his wife is Australian anyway and wanted to go back. (he does admit to being bored sometimes - he loved London)
My dream would be middle America for the lack of pace, the space & land, but the availabilty of a drive or quich flight to a major city. Florida would appeal if all the old people were booted out and there was something going on - but it's dull. San Francisco would be too expensive for me, but up the coast to Marin or Sonoma, some little town would be the ultimate.
We can only dream...

Rasher,

It actually seems that on balance you actually like quite a lot about the country you currently live in..... (England....?)
Cheers

Don

quote:

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We generally enjoy
a freedom of speach and access, that others can only dream of,

---

Indeed, but these cherished values are being steadily eroded. The magistrates confiscated the old chap's licence only because they had been granted new powers to do so. So Matthew, don't blame the magistrates for doing as they have been instructed, look elsewhere.

Give Crony B.Liar just one more term of office and things can only get worse...



Regards,

Steve.

quote:

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Driving bans or points on licence should only be handed out for driving offences.

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Don't agree with this - depending on what other charges the accused faces.

Don't agree with the ban for the sign poster tho - but again he would not have to do it if the speed 'limit' (and thats what it is - the maximum one should be travelling at on that road at that time) was adhered to.

Also perhaps the speed camera's were there for accident reduction - we dont know the answer to this from the press cutting do we?

andy c!