police letter

nadie88

a couple of weeks ago i got a letter from the police saying i was caught on my phone while i was stuck at temporary lights but letter there was an offer to go on a course instead of getting points on my license but apparently now that isn't an option for the offence but i sent off the form asking to be put on the course but they haven't contacted me regarding that it's not an option. i don't know what to do ? also i pretty sure it was a guy on his bike that took the picture of me on the phone not an actual police officer 

tacpot12

I would just wait until the police contact you again. I can't see much point in worrying about it, they will do what they are going to do and you can't influence it beyond what you have already tried.

The fact that it was not a police officer that took your picture doesn't matter - the police have evidence of the offence and are required to follow up on it. 

There is no specific law against using a mobile phone when riding a bike, unlike there is for using a phone when dirivng a car, so I doubt the person who photographed you will be in trouble. 

droopsnoot

If you've had a letter offering you a course, why do you now think that it's not an option? Have they replied to you at all since you asked to go on the course?

How do you know it was "a guy on his bike" that took the photo, and that guy wasn't a police officer? I'm not sure that even matters - a photo of you committing an offence is still the same photo, regardless of who took it. CCTV footage of someone breaking into next door's shed is still valid even if it's not council or police CCTV. I don't know the law, though.

MX5huggy

CyclingMikey is probably the most prolific of the YouTube cyclists that report driver phone users. He gets many convictions. 

https://youtu.be/_s3pWt3cXoQ 

nadie88

droopsnoot said:

If you've had a letter offering you a course, why do you now think that it's not an option? Have they replied to you at all since you asked to go on the course?

How do you know it was "a guy on his bike" that took the photo, and that guy wasn't a police officer? I'm not sure that even matters - a photo of you committing an offence is still the same photo, regardless of who took it. CCTV footage of someone breaking into next door's shed is still valid even if it's not council or police CCTV. I don't know the law, though.

 i tried to book the course and my 

 reference number and pin i couldn't log into the site to book the course so i emailed them and that's when i found out the course wasn't an option but i don't know what that was an option on the letter if it wasn't an option 

user1977

tacpot12 said:

There is no specific law against using a mobile phone when riding a bike

Nobody said the cyclist took the photo using a phone...

Flight3287462

Here is mickeys claims

lisyloo

nadie88 said:

droopsnoot said:

If you've had a letter offering you a course, why do you now think that it's not an option? Have they replied to you at all since you asked to go on the course?

How do you know it was "a guy on his bike" that took the photo, and that guy wasn't a police officer? I'm not sure that even matters - a photo of you committing an offence is still the same photo, regardless of who took it. CCTV footage of someone breaking into next door's shed is still valid even if it's not council or police CCTV. I don't know the law, though.

 i tried to book the course and my 

 reference number and pin i couldn't log into the site to book the course so i emailed them and that's when i found out the course wasn't an option but i don't know what that was an option on the letter if it wasn't an option 

Best advice is to call them up and ask them for an explanation.

If they say it's not an option then it isn't an option.

If someone has hard evidence then that's hard evidence.

What advice is it you are looking for?
Have you got home insurance? Can you confirm if it has legal insurance included?

TonyMMM

Driver training courses were offered for mobile phone use offences in the past, but no longer. The fixed penalty is £200 and 6 points.

You have the option of defending the allegation in court if you wish - what constitutes "use" is usually the legal point that can be argued ... losing would still be 6points, but with an income related fine and costs/charges ( which will be much higher than the £200 fixed penalty).

lisyloo

TonyMMM said:

Driver training courses were offered for mobile phone use offences in the past, but no longer. The fixed penalty is £200 and 6 points.

You have the option of defending the allegation in court if you wish - what constitutes "use" is usually the legal point that can be argued ... losing would still be 6points, but with an income related fine and costs/charges ( which will be much higher than the £200 fixed penalty).

Just done a quick google and says if the engine is running you cannot touch your phone.
Free professional advice may be available if the OP is insured.

Speculation but I'm guessing the policy on courses changed after the letter was sent out.

Car_54

lisyloo said:

TonyMMM said:

Driver training courses were offered for mobile phone use offences in the past, but no longer. The fixed penalty is £200 and 6 points.

You have the option of defending the allegation in court if you wish - what constitutes "use" is usually the legal point that can be argued ... losing would still be 6points, but with an income related fine and costs/charges ( which will be much higher than the £200 fixed penalty).

Just done a quick google and says if the engine is running you cannot touch your phone.
Free professional advice may be available if the OP is insured.

Speculation but I'm guessing the policy on courses changed after the letter was sent out.

Google isn’t necessarily your friend - that info is not correct.

The policy on courses changed many months ago.