Caught speeding - first offence

matttye

alastairq wrote: »

In the 1960's, to be precise [when I started driving].....with a good many cheap family cars able to exceed that speed comfortably.

The problem lies not with the car, but with the abilities if the human being behind the wheel. And their ability to cope with problems occurring, and the time it takes them to respond.

Sadly over the years, whilst cars and technology have improved considerably..the abilities of human beings [as drivers] have not. Evolution still lags behind technology.






Whilst ignoring the speed limit [which is a 'cap' on overall speed, not the safest speed to be driving at] to overtake may seem a reasonable course of action, what you describe actually demonstrates what amounts to careless or dangerous driving, in the eyes of the law. The LAw is quite specific regarding overtaking ....overtake only 'when safe to do so'....which means...if you need to exceed the speed limit in order to pass safely, you have made a mistake.

If a driver cannot pass another, safely, without having to resort to exceeding hte speed limit, then they should not overtake.

Whilst as an individual, you may feel competent at coping at speeds in excess of the limit, what about other drivers having to cope with you?


If a bunch of traffic is encountered, travelling at, or close to the speed limit....why not simply ease off a bit, and see what develops with that bunch? Then pass them further up, without having to resort to breaking the Law?

That is not simply 'my view'.....but ask yourself, what would a Magistrate [or Prosecutor] ask if such a circumstance was presented before a Court?

Ask yourself, if you were undergoing a driving test at the time, would you expect to receive a 'pass'?

Thinking as a Driving Assessor [one of my professional hats].....I would ask myself, [based on what is described], whether that driver was actually as safe and competent at those higher speeds, as they imagine? Or, are they mislead by the comfort, security and insulation provided by their car?

Overtaking in excess of the speed limit isn't necessarily careless or dangerous driving but it is speeding and would be charged as speeding. It would normally only be charged as careless/dangerous driving if an accident was caused or someone had to take evasive action or something.

Tilt

Middle lane hoggers is one of my pet hates so I have a bit of sympathy for the OP. What I do when I come across them and they are doing slightly under the speed limit is slowly overtake them. Had the OP done this, maybe the police would of pulled the hoggers under the new inconsiderate driving rules. Must admit though since the new rules came in, I haven't spotted much improvement.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-penalties-for-careless-driving-come-into-force

AdrianC

The OP made no mention of whether L1 was empty or not, just that L2 was occupied by a number of cars all doing about the same speed, and L3 was clear.