Speeding - by being followed

Edwood_Woodwood

Retrogamer wrote: »

If they say it was the cars speedometer, that's still not a get out
.

Ok, I'll give my experience of the one and only time I have been pulled over by cops accused of speeding, which resulted in a get out.

Pulled over in a 30 zone, two cops in the car, one gets out with his pad and pen in hand.

He asked was I aware I was driving "over 35mph?"

I replied no, I believe I was driving at 30. Last time I glanced at my speedo it was at 30. This was my honest belief.

The cop said I had been followed for a short distance at over 35.

Again, I replied I could not confirm this, it was my belief I was driving at 30.

After a bit of a chit chat, the cop informed me to watch my speed more closely in future and I was free to leave.

Wasn't reported for any alleged offence.

However, no doubt, had I said I accept what you say officer and I apologise, I would have.

Herzlos

Edwood_Woodwood wrote: »

However, no doubt, had I said I accept what you say officer and I apologise, I would have.

In my experience it's been the opposite. Acceptance and apology usually results in a a casual warning.

Edwood_Woodwood

Herzlos wrote: »

In my experience it's been the opposite. Acceptance and apology usually results in a a casual warning.

So does, from my experience, believing I was driving within the legal limit.

Just how often are you pulled over for speeding?:eek:

Herzlos

Personally? Never. I've been in the car a few times though.

I was stopped once for dropping a passenger off in a taxi bay though.

Mercdriver

Edwood_Woodwood wrote: »

Right, so there are times you have no idea of your speed, yet you are quite happy to admit to a speed you cannot possibly confirm!??

You simply accept what a cop says without even knowing how he determined your speed?

What do you think the court is going to do?

What reason does the cop have to lie? There is no pecuniary interest in it for him/her at all. You on the other hand.

Encouraging people to risk being out of pocket to the tune of £1k + is irresponsible. What actual defence do you see here?

brat

A lot will depend on the officer and his/her attitude to the offence. I wouldn't offer any general advice other than being polite and honest.

Minrich

If people are apologetic they will get a better response for themselves than being dumb anti or abusive , that is fact .

brat

Minrich wrote: »

If people are apologetic they will get a better response for themselves than being dumb anti or abusive , that is fact .

I tend to agree, if the person being apologised to is the person who deserves the apology.

I usually stop speeders who also exhibit aggressive driving, like aggressive tailgating to try to bully other road users into submission so that they can pass. When I point out this aggession to them, they always apologise, but they really should be apologising to the person they've been bullying, not me.

To apologise to a traffic cop for speeding can sound like they're sorry for being caught, rather than for committing the offence in the first place.

Richard53

Mercdriver wrote: »

It still has to be within the law. If you wanted to enter someone's property and decided it was safe and reasonable to just walk in without knocking, would that suddenly mean you aren't trespassing? Of course not. The offence is absolute at 31 in a 30. You either are or you are not. It is your responsibility as a driver to drive within the law as prescribed by parliament. If you choose to contravene them, then you have to accept the consequences of your actions.

That's not really the argument, though. Speedometers help us stay within the law, sure, but they don't of themselves make us safer drivers. Hermione was arguing that without a speedometer a driver would not be able to judge a safe following distance. I say you can. I wasn't talking about the legality or morality of driving over the speed limit.