Appealing speeding ticket

Valli

I'm asking on behalf of a colleague who was 'snapped' while following an ambulance to the hospital (in which her mother was being transported, having had a stroke).

She isn't denying that she was speeding but are there any grounds for appeal?

How would you appeal a ticket?

(Sadly her mum didn't make it and died.)

Flearoy

Hi

Sorry to hear of your friends loss. I don't think that the courts would accept this as an 'excuse' for speeding - perhaps if your friend was driving her mother personally, they might have been lenient, as it would have been a medical emergency. The police also take a dim view of people following emergency vehicles at greater than the speed limit, due to the fact that the emergency vehicle drivers are trained, and most 'private citizens' are not trained in 'high speed' driving.

My feeling is that your friend should not contest this, unless of course a driving ban might result, and just accept the 3 points and £60 fine, for fear of incurring greater costs in the event of losing.

Someone with experience in this field will doubtless clarify / correct me if I'm wrong.

Best regards

Cool_Username

I know this sounds harsh but in light of the devastating loss suffered is the fine and three points really that important?

gilbert_and_sullivan

This is the trouble with automated policing, a real policeman would probably have used discretion depending on the circumstances/dangers to issue a telling off.

It also shows why if possible close relatives shouldn't drive if they can avoid it under such circumstances as by not seeing/registering the camera something more important could have been missed.

Sad tale though and i know i'd have probably ended up in the same boat as the colleague.

WTTM

Following an ambulance does not give you a right to drive dangerously and speed - doing so could have caused another death.

Not being harsh but doing so is crazy, did the driver think they had special rights or something as they knew someone inside the ambulance.

Ambulance drivers are well trained, run of the mill drivers aren't.

Accept the fine and points and see it as a lesson learnt - next time travel inside the ambulance and keep others safe.


MOMENT

Valli

who said she was driving dangerously? (Not that I know I just never said it)
it's perfectly possible to drive dangerously within the speed limit, judging by some of the incidents I see ...*rollseyes*

all I was asking was if they were possible to appeal?

WTTM

Valli wrote: »

who said she was driving dangerously? (Not that I know I just never said it)
it's perfectly possible to drive dangerously within the speed limit, judging by some of the incidents I see ...*rollseyes*

all I was asking was if they were possible to appeal?

You can appeal anything.

Will your colleague be successful? - NO

Following a speeding ambulance is driving dangerously so you said she was driving dangerously.


MOMENT

Valli

well then I will advise her to take it on the chin; it seems to be unlikely that the circumstances which led to the offence being committed will affect the outcome of the appeal and TBH she'll probably think it's not worth the added stress.

(Bring back flesh-and-blood coppers I say - I know of people who've been sent on their way with a flea in their ear before, told not to do it again and that's been the end of it!)

Hadeon

Hi Valli.

I echo most of what G&S has stated above - in times not so long gone by, a police officer would have probably given your colleague a 'blues & twos' escort to the hospital, or given her a lift there.

What stage has this matter reached?
Has your colleague already received the combined NIP/Section 172 Notice, and if so, has she already returned it naming herself as the driver?

WTTM

Valli wrote: »

(Bring back flesh-and-blood coppers I say - I know of people who've been sent on their way with a flea in their ear before, told not to do it again and that's been the end of it!)

Totally agree - changed days.


MOMENT

Valli

Hadeon
dunno - first time back at work since it all happened. Gone through the mill these last couple of years, she has, but this was a bolt from the blue.
And the funeral has had to be delayed because - according to the staff at the crem

'we've only got one oven working right now'

classic customer service that (NOT!)