A55 in a bloody Mitsi Charisma FFS! Hurtling home and then these lovely blue side-to-side lights appear like a UFO behind me!

 

Pulled over, got out...usual "Do you know why I've stopped you?" sorta questions. In fairness Mr Plod was alright, he said he'd been following me since Bodelwyddan and that my speed had varied. At one point he had me doing 102mph! But said he would put it down as 95mph to save me from a Court appearance. Couldn't argue with that, take it on the chin I suppose!

 

If I'd kicked off about speedo calibration etc. he would have just got the arse and probably slapped me for the 102 instead! So I decided best be nice and bite my lip for a change.

 

Unmarked Vectra with more aerials than me Z...ROFL

 

Listen to this though, I pull out back onto the A55 heading towards Colwyn Bay where it's a 50mph limit until you are through Colwyn towards Llandudno. He flies past me at warp factor 10 and as I pass him he's pulled someone else within the space of 2mins from driving away from doing me! FFS!

 

So work it out, 60 squids and troi poines for me and he's just about to do someone else for the same! I make that at 120 pound for less than five minutes work.

 

We think that the Govt. deciding to agree that all Gatsos should be painted luminous colours, removing hidden Gatsos and banning unmarked cars is a saving grace? I think not! I put it to you that since increasing the penalties especially fixed fuckers from 40 to 60 squids means that they(the Police) are the ones taking the piss out of us and are the ones laughing!!!

 

All I can say is that it was a damn good job I wasn't in the Jap Dustbin, coz what I usually do when some fucker flies up behind me is floor it! I reckon I could've been on the slab for more like 130/140/150 MPH instead!!! Gulp!!!

 

 

 

------------------

Bummer mate.

 

As I understand it, they wont be able to do what they did to you as of 55 minutes ago.

 

Must have been last orders.

 

Originally posted by Timmy_Turbo:

A55 in a bloody Mitsi Charisma FFS! Hurtling home and then these lovely blue side-to-side lights appear like a UFO behind me!

 

Pulled over, got out...usual "Do you know why I've stopped you?" sorta questions. In fairness Mr Plod was alright, he said he'd been following me since Bodelwyddan and that my speed had varied. At one point he had me doing 102mph! But said he would put it down as 95mph to save me from a Court appearance. Couldn't argue with that, take it on the chin I suppose!

Just one guy? Any video evidence?

 

 

I reckon if youd of been in the jap dustbin and floored it you'd have got away. Hard luck pal. Just one thought you could contest it now cos they cant increase the spped youve been done for now can they? Gotta be worth a try.

Dave I understand what you're saying, but man if I'd spouted off about "When was your speedo last calibrated and have you got any vid evidence?" you can guarantee he'd of slapped me for 102mph! I was between a boulder and a bloody hard place mate.

 

Gutted if what Cos has posted is true, makes sense if so. Hence why he was obviously on a Mission from Plod!!!

 

------------------

 

[This message has been edited by Timmy_Turbo (edited 01-06-2002).]

Yes. I thought that you cant get done by unmarked police cars now. Wait a few days then go to the police station and ask when was the dead line and say that you was stopped by one. Or did this happen before 12?

 

Stuart

Originally posted by Timmy_Turbo:

Dave I understand what you're saying, but man if I'd spouted off about "When was your speedo last calibrated and have you got an vid evidence?" you can guarantee he'd of slapped me for 102mph! I was between a boulder and a bloody hard place mate.

 

True, but when I got stopped, I was shown the video evidence. I thought that there had to be 2 of them to corroborate their story, or there had to be video evidence. (That may be wrong though).

 

If you didn't hand over your license, you haven't admitted anything yet, so think about the options before paying up.

 

Gutted if what Cos has posted is true, makes sense if so. Hence why he was obviously on a mission!!!

 

I don't know what Cos is saying really. If he's referring to the 'ban' on unmarked cars, I think that only applies to 'safety camera' cars and vans, not to normal unmarked traffic cars.

 

[This message has been edited by Dave Marley (edited 01-06-2002).]

Oh FFS is this true then? From today they can't use unmarked? Oh FUCK FUCK FUCKIN' HELL!!! Yeah Stu, was at about 10:30 bud! What a shite day, me Rotties have tried to kill each other, me aerial isn't in the scheme of things on me Z and to top the motherfucker off I get to go down in history as probably one of the last people to get done by an unmarked plod car!!!

 

 

 

------------------

Originally posted by Timmy_Turbo:

Oh FFS is this true then? From today they can't use unmarked?

No

 

 

Cheers for that Dave, I might make further enquiries and see where the ground lies! Still gutted though.

 

I did get done years ago on the A55 up at Chester though in the same scenario. Traffic cop on his own in a Discovery!

 

 

 

------------------

"Conspicuity, visibility and signing

 

Conspicuity of fixed site enforcement cameras (including digital cameras)

The camera housings in most circumstances should be yellow. This might be achieved by using paint, or self-adhesive retro-reflective material applied to the front and rear faces of the housings;

The national project board will not accept the use of alternative colours on an area basis. However, if for any reason highway authorities consider that there are special circumstances for some site locations, for example in areas of outstanding natural beauty, then a case needs to be made to the

project board.

 

Visibility of fixed site enforcement cameras (including digital cameras)

 

All camera housings (existing and new) should be visible to road users and

not hidden behind bridges, signs, trees or bushes. The minimum visibility

distance should be 60 metres where the speed limit is 40 mph or less and 100

metres for all other limits.

 

Visibility of Mobile enforcement sites

 

Camera operatives at the mobile camera sites should wear fluorescent

clothing and abide by all Health and Safety requirements;

Vehicles should be clearly marked as camera enforcement vehicles with

reflective strips (uniquely identifying them as speed camera enforcement

vehicles).

Covert operations can in exceptional circumstances be allowed but must be

recorded by the partnership

 

Signing

 

Camera warning and speed limit reminder signs must be placed in advance of

fixed or mobile speed enforcement taking place. Ideally these should be

placed within 1 km of fixed camera housings and at the beginning of a

targeted route for mobile enforcement sites

Signs must only be placed in areas where camera housings are present or

along routes where mobile enforcement will be targeted;

Any signs on routes that are not enforced (less than one visit every two

months) should either be removed or retained and the frequency of visits

increased.

 

Communications

 

The location of both fixed and mobile cameras should be well publicised via

local web-sites, public sector announcements on radio stations and in local

newspapers.

 

Sign design

 

Signs must comply with those specified in Traffic Signs Regulations and

General Directions or specially authorised by DTLR.

 

Site review

 

Each site must be reviewed on a six-monthly basis to ensure that conditions

on conspicuity, visibility and signing have not changed or do not require

alteration

 

Timing

 

All new cameras should meet the new visibility criteria

All existing cameras must comply with the new visibility criteria within 6

months of the ministerial announcement"

 

This seems to only apply to fixed sites and mobile speed checks, not to traffic cars driving on the motorway.

 

Secondly, I think this only applies to the hypothecation areas (although North Wales is one)

 

And finally, I think the deadline is the end of June, not the start anyway!

Timmy try buying a radar detector,at least 3 yrs since i last got caught speeding,touch wood!

Originally posted by jaylox:

Timmy try buying a radar detector,at least 3 yrs since i last got caught speeding,touch wood!

 

Jay, I had a Snooper for years. Only thing it ever seemed to alert me to was B&Q sliding doors and bugger all else bud! LMFAO

 

No mate, nowt could have saved me tonight! No vid, no radar and he was just going on speedo I suspect.

 

What's your MSN address mate, don't seem to have you on my contact list?

 

 

 

------------------

dave whats the website called for the location of speed camaras?

is it on the net yet?jay

http://www.abd.org.uk/cameras/map.htm (Although they don't seem to be updating it any more)

 

All part of the excellent ABD web site!

 

You are all members, aren't you?

 

[This message has been edited by Dave Marley (edited 01-06-2002).]

'nother good site for advice on speeding, law and detectors...

http://www.speed-trap.co.uk/Home/Menu1.htm

At least it wasnt the big 129MPH i got caught with two weeks ago though eh bro! Solicitor reckons it will be six months before they get me into court and i will definately get a ban. Ooops! I'd count yourself lucky bud.

Tim,

 

Go for one of the detectors where you can switch off each band selectively. I had the Bel 990i international - still get some false alarms but not so many that I ignored it every time. Doubt that model is still available as it was a while ago. I think the valentine has similar features too.

 

Re yellow cameras, I nearly got done yesterday going past a yellow one - my brain is conditioned for grey ones at the moment and even though I was aware it was there, the automatic reaction of braking didn't happen like it does with grey ones.

 

We're gonna have to be careful until we're used to them !

 

Dave

I got busted this time last year, for speeding on the M74. Being on 9 'premium' points, I though shit thats me fucked.

 

I was caught at 93.8 mph (maybe 98.3, can't remember) by an unmarked black Beemer. The copper did his usual speel and took my details.

 

The usual processes happpened, the letter from the Proc Fiscal 'offering' 3 points, blah, blah etc... of course this was withdrawn when they saw my DL.

 

On the day of the court hearing, I confirmed my name. The next detail was my DOB, 26/07/77 was the one given. This was a month out!!!

 

The PF, said 'Case dismissed' and threw it out!!

 

This turns out to be a loop hole in the prosc system (I don't know about England). It only works with DOB and if the desk clerk accepts the copper's slip.

 

It won't help you now..sorry, but I hope it helps someone in the future!!

 

 

Cheers for the responses guys!

 

Am pissed off now! Have been to a BBQ tonight for me Mums birthday and one of me Mums friends is a copper and has worked traffic in the past. So I asked him about where I stand if I contest it. He said "well at the end of the day you were speeding!" well my point is this...

 

Point 1 Copper was on his own

 

Point 2 He has no recorded evidence of what speed I was doing

 

Point 3 I have signed the fixed penalty form under duress as I was faced with 102mph

 

I say all this as I have been advised to produce my docs. However, I am not accepting what has happened!

 

Having spoken to a close friend who knows a thing or two about life...reason he has made out he did me a favour by putting me down at 95mph is that he wouldn't stand a chance in court with 102mph!!! Apparently they need two coppers and recorded evidence that you were travelling at that speed!

 

Am fucked off with this, Jack Straw gets stopped(his driver) in his Jag a while back exceeding the national limit and is let off! FFS! What is that all about?

 

Gonna fight this all the way! Not joking either!

 

Cunting Copper was up my arse aswell, as me Dad said tonight...if I had braked he would have gone into the back of me risking the lives of other road users! Entrapment, and why has it been sanctioned to ban unmarked cars?

 

 

 

------------------

Sorry man but to contest it is a waste of money.

 

Essentially you are saying either :

 

a) the copper was incompetent and incapable of measuring your speed correctly, or

 

b) he's lying.

 

 

I'd have a serious word with your solicitor asking his advice (bearing in mind that he could be on a nice earner if you do contest).

 

If you are contesting on anything other than a point of fact you are basically going for your word against the coppers. You don't need me to tell you who is going to win that one....and, c'mon....you suggested that you knew you were doing over 90 anyway.

 

It's not fun getting busted for it....but, let's face we ALL have got away with a lot...I mean, stories of 150 plus on public roads?? Got to be 'kin mad mate.....you were unlucky...but don't make it any more expensive than you have to.

FFS tim what a bummer i saw a blue vectra unmarked by the one stop garage on the bottom of the hill where u turn off 4 bethesda was it the same one this was tue about 7pm. not sure what advice to give with the ticket bud, just have a good think first and get all the facts u can 2gether c u soon bud!!!

Cheers Dewi mate, Mrs T has seen that many unmarked cars you wouldn't believe it! She saw a mixture of unmarked and T-5's, well five in total, just on Anglesey the other day!!!!!!! FFS!!!!

 

Oh and to the guy above who said that I have bragged about doing speeds of 150+ on public roads...where did I mention a unit of speed?

 

Not that stupid mate! FFS! LMFAO

 

 

 

------------------

No mate.....I never meant that you had mentioned doin' 150....thing is we all boot it now again. The point that I was trying (unsuccessfully) to make was that you were clearly unlucky....whereas people that DO boot it to 150+ on a public road must be 'kin mad...IMHO.

 

 

If you want a good radar detector, get a Valentine One. You can extensively program them and they can tell you the direction of the signal/signal count. Only downside is they are build for left hand drive cars so the display is perhaps not ideal although it certainly makes enough noise. You casn however get a remote display to mount where you wish on the dash.

 

A warning though. They are sold for about approx. £550 by numerous companies such as Demon Tweaks. You are effectively buying a gray import and will not get any after sales service if it goes wrong (words of the sales guy in the US).

 

You can only officially buy direct from the manufacturer for about £300 at the current exchange rate. Downside is that they will not ship outside of the US or Canada. I was lucky since I was working part time in Calgary.

 

Another good point is that when they update the technology you can get a new one for a heaviliy discounted price. When they recently added full European support I paid just over a 100 quid for a barnd new repalcement for my four year old unit.