(sorry couldn't resist)

Edited 16 January, 201115 yr by JLneonhug

I have 6 points currently, not 9. I saw the van and checked my speedo and it said 72ish- I didnt feel any need to slow down. Im a scaffolder so driving isnt the main part of the job I do its just a small part. And my employer (dad) is going to get letters out to everybody explaining the speed rules in our vans on monday.

Thats pretty **** if they are going to be pricks over 1mph. 9 points and counting.

Is it any wonder we're confused?

Still a fairly regular part of you job to be fair. So all these transit vans blasting about actually have the same speed limit as a double decker bus pmsl

matt

Is it any wonder we're confused?

9 once this lot go on. 6 currently.

give us a shout when you get the other three always wanted a nice se

on a serious note though regards to speed awareness u need to have not been on a speed awareness course in last three years and be within 5mph of limit iirc.

i got flashed by a camera not long ago doing 35 in a 30 zone i was so used to going past the speed cameras near work with a 40 limit. lapse of concentration was all it took thankfully i got the speed awareness course.

personally id just take the fine and points because if you choose to go to court then you will end up with a bigger fine and possibly more points soon as you dint know the speed limit that was imposed on you.

The clue is in the word "GUIDELINES"

Some police forces recognize these and others don't.

There is no obligation on any police force to adhere to these guidelines..

In law, there is no excuse at all, even for emergency services, to exceed posted speed limits and drivers doing so leave themselves open to prosecution.

The fact that drivers of emergency service vehicles are rarely prosecuted for speeding is irrelevant.

Not quite right...emergency vehicles have 'lawful authority' to commit 3 main road offences...speed limit (within reason if responding to an incident), ignore keep left signs, ignore red lights and another is not wear seat belts (if the need arises).

Colleagues of mine have been stuck on for driving too fast through static speed cameras, 87 in a 30 zone...went to court and got 6 points I think, despite having lawful authority and being on a blue light run to a violent domestic. At that speed he cant complain.

The lower speeds for vans arent widely advertised and who can honestly say they remember anything from their highway code test?? A big 60mph sticker on the dash board would help, especially in a works/company van.

General rule of thumb for any Police Force is 10% plus three mph over the limit, then they prosecute. Seems generous to me.

I drive a company van and was put on a van awareness course and was taught to remember 50, 60, 70.........................

50 = single c/w roads (in a national speed limit)

60 = dual c/w roads (in a national speed limit)

70 = motorways

I wasn't aware of the above until I attended the course and by the amount of vans/lorrys that overtake me every day there are thousands of drivers on the road that don't know they are actually breaking the speed limit.

I know it has been decided driving a van was the problem, but my mother was fined £60 and given 3 points for doing 31mph in a 30mph zone a few years ago; and that was in her People Carrier.

General rule of thumb for any Police Force is 10% plus three mph over the limit, then they prosecute. Seems generous to me.

For prosecute, read 'issue a fixed penalty'

Prosecution comes much higher up the speed range, usually 20mph over the limit in a 30 and 40 limit, and 25mph over the limit in a 50, 60 and 70 limit

wow - I wasn't aware of this either - been driving for almost 10 years now!

Infact a police car went past me on A21 (D/CW) and we were doing the speed limit, but so was every other bloody van... how weird...

The camera is set a 7Xmph at the end of the A21 so surely it can't tell if a van/car drives past?

ROS53Y - I know it doesnt help but rather than tell you that thats how it is etc. I'll just say I think its utter **** and that they obviously have nothing better to do than spend our money peanalising innocent folks as usual instead of fixing friggin pot holes or catching actual criminals. It really really winds me up to read things like this, and just shows how arse backwards our systems really are, and before all the jerk offs comment I do have a clean license.

Anyway sorry to hear it mate.

. I'll just say I think its utter **** and that they obviously have nothing better to do than spend our money peanalising innocent folks as usual instead of fixing friggin pot holes or catching actual criminals.

Innocent folks ??

He broke the law ??

Albeit just a traffic offence, but they've done their job !

I know I have broke a law but I dont want to hear from anybody saying they never have because we all know for a fact its BO#*OCKS. Danny, Thanks for your sympathy . STE327, Ive been to court as I didnt realise I had to produce in 7 days pay in 28, I thought do it all by the 28th day. I left the court with the same ammount of points and a smaller fine (including court fees) but I did have a barrister on my side.

....I'll just say I think its utter **** and that they obviously have nothing better to do than spend our money peanalising innocent folks as usual instead of fixing friggin pot holes or catching actual criminals. It really really winds me up to read things like this, and just shows how arse backwards our systems really are,

Sorry but since when has it been the police's responsibility to repair the roads?

Not sure how you find the system back wards either, they send a NIP to someone caught going nearly 20% over the speed limit yet you are still not happy.

The law is set out pretty clearly IMO regarding speed limits, if you don't bother to check up on them before jumping into a much larger vehicle than you passed your test in, or simply choose to ignore them, then that's hardly someone else's fault is it.

As I previously said as the driver of a commercial vehicle it is the drivers responsibility to check he has the relevant license, and knows the speed and weight limits of the vehicle.

I get the impression that a lot of people think that speeding whether its 1mph or 10 mph over the limit is o.k., because everyone does it. ( im not pointing at the OP in this statement ), and some will then complain that the police time should be spent catching criminals, maybe these people should actually listen to what they are saying. ( isnt breaking the speed limit breaking the law, thereby making them a criminal ? )

There are a lot of people who despite knowing that they 'could be ' speeding, as they are trying to compensate for the speedo error get caught, i suspect theses people would just say, ' ok 5h1t happens ' & be more careful.

The moral here is really, know what your driving, & keep to the speed on the clock, not what you think it should be. ( someone even tried using the sat nav speed indicator, & failed in thier appeal)

Innocent folks ??

He broke the law ??

Albeit just a traffic offence, but they've done their job !

Missing the point...you make out as if it's so black and white when i dont believe it it.

Sorry but since when has it been the police's responsibility to repair the roads?

Not sure how you find the system back wards either, they send a NIP to someone caught going nearly 20% over the speed limit yet you are still not happy.

The law is set out pretty clearly IMO regarding speed limits, if you don't bother to check up on them before jumping into a much larger vehicle than you passed your test in, or simply choose to ignore them, then that's hardly someone else's fault is it.

As I previously said as the driver of a commercial vehicle it is the drivers responsibility to check he has the relevant license, and knows the speed and weight limits of the vehicle.

I never said police, I dont pay the police direct, I pay NI/taxes to fund emergency services, not for traffic cops to penalise every tom, **** and harry for going over the speed limit by 10mph, which in this case is more of a technicality for any regular driver.

Anyone who claims they never ever break a speed limit is talking crap IMO, everyone does it from time to time, however there is a difference between breaking a speed limit slightly and driving wreckless. If it is truely about safety, why take cash off everyone? why not just give points out? It is an unfair system and a crock of crap as far as I'm concerned, and I feel in this case they've yet again abused this for monetry gains.

The law is indeed set out clearly, this is why there was a full blown discussion about what vehicles have what speed limits earlier in this thread?!

I agree with your final point and I can see your argument, however I disagree, nuff said.

I get the impression that a lot of people think that speeding whether its 1mph or 10 mph over the limit is o.k., because everyone does it. ( im not pointing at the OP in this statement ), and some will then complain that the police time should be spent catching criminals, maybe these people should actually listen to what they are saying. ( isnt breaking the speed limit breaking the law, thereby making them a criminal ? )

There are a lot of people who despite knowing that they 'could be ' speeding, as they are trying to compensate for the speedo error get caught, i suspect theses people would just say, ' ok 5h1t happens ' & be more careful.

The moral here is really, know what your driving, & keep to the speed on the clock, not what you think it should be. ( someone even tried using the sat nav speed indicator, & failed in thier appeal)

You never speed? I do complain it should be spend catching real criminals, i.e. people who steal, murder, mug, basically anyone who is actualy out with the intent of causing trouble...that would include wreckless driving, not 10mph here and there, sigh....see my reply above cba to retype.

Moral of the story, while ever you live in the UK, you're gonna get shafted...and pay for the privelage.

You never speed? I do complain it should be spend catching real criminals, i.e. people who steal, murder, mug, basically anyone who is actualy out with the intent of causing trouble...that would include wreckless driving, not 10mph here and there, sigh....see my reply above cba to retype.

If I had a pound for every time I've heard that old chestnut..............

Lol 3 pages have gone by and none have realised I posted this in the wrong section... Oops

If I had a pound for every time I've heard that old chestnut..............

Is it true?

Employer: The way your going with points you should be off the road

Me: Is it not your responsibility to inform everybody of the rules regarding driving a different class vehicle other than what I am used to?

Missing the point...you make out as if it's so black and white when i dont believe it it.

I never said police, I dont pay the police direct, I pay NI/taxes to fund emergency services, not for traffic cops to penalise every tom, **** and harry for going over the speed limit by 10mph, which in this case is more of a technicality for any regular driver.

Anyone who claims they never ever break a speed limit is talking crap IMO, everyone does it from time to time, however there is a difference between breaking a speed limit slightly and driving wreckless. If it is truely about safety, why take cash off everyone? why not just give points out? It is an unfair system and a crock of crap as far as I'm concerned, and I feel in this case they've yet again abused this for monetry gains.

The law is indeed set out clearly, this is why there was a full blown discussion about what vehicles have what speed limits earlier in this thread?!

I agree with your final point and I can see your argument, however I disagree, nuff said.

You never speed? I do complain it should be spend catching real criminals, i.e. people who steal, murder, mug, basically anyone who is actualy out with the intent of causing trouble...that would include wreckless driving, not 10mph here and there, sigh....see my reply above cba to retype.

Moral of the story, while ever you live in the UK, you're gonna get shafted...and pay for the privelage.

Couple of notes here :-

- The Law is Black & White

- Technically breaking the speed limit is breaking the law, whether it is by static camera, or traffic police.

-They dont always take cash for speeding, there is an option for doing speed awareness courses.

- I have only ever had to date 3 points on my licence in 35 years of driving, but I did learn a lesson, However if a driver doing 5 or 10 mph over the limit, knocked over & killed or severly injured one of your relatives, wouldnt you see them as criminals for breaking the law ?

- With your moral, where would you live ? - I would think long & hard & do lots of research before answering that question, as i have lived in countries where just dropping litter gets you an on the spot fine of £1000, & unmarked police cars are more in number than marked.

For prosecute, read 'issue a fixed penalty'

Prosecution comes much higher up the speed range, usually 20mph over the limit in a 30 and 40 limit, and 25mph over the limit in a 50, 60 and 70 limit

Sorry, yes thats what I meant. Driver reported for speeding and then 'dealt with' by words of advice, ticket, awareness course or court.

Just a shame it was a camera van, any 'proper' police would have adopted a more sensible (words of advice) approach.

Couple of notes here :-

- The Law is Black & White

- Technically breaking the speed limit is breaking the law, whether it is by static camera, or traffic police.

-They dont always take cash for speeding, there is an option for doing speed awareness courses.

- I have only ever had to date 3 points on my licence in 35 years of driving, but I did learn a lesson, However if a driver doing 5 or 10 mph over the limit, knocked over & killed or severly injured one of your relatives, wouldnt you see them as criminals for breaking the law ?

- With your moral, where would you live ? - I would think long & hard & do lots of research before answering that question, as i have lived in countries where just dropping litter gets you an on the spot fine of £1000, & unmarked police cars are more in number than marked.

If the law is so black and white, it isnt technically, it just is....but either way its still BS, the law is meant to be their to protect the public, a van doing 71mph is hardly causing a major risk to the general public IMO.

Have you ever seen the cost of the "Speed Awareness Course"? its about 1.5x the speeding fine... reiterates my point about it being a cash cow.

If someone knocked over my relatives I would be outraged, as would anyone, however i know that everyone from time to time speeds, and that if they werent being wreckless I wouldnt blame them forever, it would be hypocritical of me, however if some chavvy boy racer come doing 50/60 in a 30 mph n hurt/killed a relative, I'd want blood.

TBH I would probably go to Germany, you insure the driver not the car, so you dont expect silly premiums all over as an upside as well as they are much more logical in their approach on the roads.

I do love this speeding argument. If you speed theres the chance you'll get caught. Its just a shame ROS53Y was driving a van. Im sure he's a careful driver and the different speed limit for vans isn't well known, widely abused and rarely publicised.

Its also a shame the camera vans arent used as they should (at accident blackspots to help educate drivers). They are often Camera Partnerships so not 100% police, if they are police they are often officers working on after retirement or traffic officers with 25years plus service winding down before their retirement, basically the 'shouldnt they be catching criminals or burgulers' argument doesnt stack up...they would struggle to catch a cold

If a speeder is caught by the police there is a lottery of how much disgression that officer will use. Its often the attitude of the driver. Ive issued tickets, Section 59 Police Reform Act warnings (basically act anti-socially again in that or any other car and your car will be seized and cost you £150 min. to get back) but often suitable words of advice will suffice.

I deal with speeders with respect but take the pi55 and I'll have your car. we all love our cars and need them to get around, police know what 6 points or disqualification will do to peoples jobs/relationships but if the law wasn't enforced society would be a mess.

We all speed and I occasionally let rip the 170 horses and drive like a **** but I do 30 in a 30 zone, no more than 80mph on the motorway, stick to that and the police wont bother you (unless you're very unlucky and driving a van).