Need Some Advice!
 

Hi all. Are there any policemen online today?
If any of you have any advice for me I'd be very grateful :) I was driving to work on Wednesday morning when my engine temp shot right up to the top - it's sorted now, but I went past a mobile speed camera and am pretty sure I was over the speed limit (about 35mph). The thing is - I was just trying to get to somewhere safe to stop (ie work) before my engine blew up (possibly taking me with it!) I was going over the motorway bridge on Helmshore Road (?) and was letting it speed up because, lets face it, no-one is likely to jump over the bridge wall and run into the road, are they? A totally inappropriate place to 'get' people, methinks?
I know I shouldn't have been speeding, but do you think I would get any sympathy from the powers that be?
Thanks in advance!

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

I don't think you would no, speeding is speeding. I think they would suggest you should have stopped on a safe straight section of road as soon as your car over heated. Out of interest what car do you have?

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Yeah, dont think I've got much of a leg to stand on with this one, eh?! Had my son in the car and it was freezing so I just wanted to get him to nursery and me to work for some advice. Stupid girl, I'm really annoyed with myself.
It's a Nissan Almera - completley gorgeous compared to the knackered old Nova I used to have :)

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

You didn't mention whether the camera flashed, or maybe too concerned to notice >> think you 'would' have noticed though, so maybe, hopefully, no worries.

Problem is speed cameras aren't selective, but you do get an advice whereby they may just give you a warning in special circumstances, however, after being flashed at 36 mph last year and clean driving licence for 42 years (Gt. Harwood one, yeh know) >>> still got 3 points and £60 fine. Could have pleaded Grandaughter forgot lunch and had to catch bus up, going downhill, chatting to passenger, concerned would be late for work myself, but concluded it wouldn't work, so you will just have to take what comes.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

I hope you have had it sorted out properly. Over heating is one sure way to knacker an engine which will cost plenty pennies to have repaired.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

It was a mobile camera unfortunatley, I don't think they flash. They got me a few years ago parked in between two other cars - would have been taking those points off my licence next year. Oh well, can't win 'em all. Will just have to hope the policeman in the back was having a rest at that particular moment, though I doubt it!
All the idiots I see every day who obviously never get caught... it makes me so mad....... :mad:
Neil - I took it back to the garage I bought it from - water very low in the pipes (can you tell Im very knowledgeable about car engines?) but water tank full. Might need a new thermostat if it happens again :( Looking good so far though, so keeping my fingers crossed.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Oh yeh, sorry Rach.. as usual not reading things properly.
The waiting will be the worst won't it? to see if anything official is behind your letter box in the mornings. Don't exactly know when you will be clear, think about 7/10 days, but have no experience on mobile notifications.

Will keep my fingures crossed for you. Keep us posted.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Someone at work told me they have two weeks to fine you or it's too late. Don't know how true that is, but I'll let you know!

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

They must serve a NIP(Notice of Intending Prosecution) with 14 days of the offence. It must be delivered by 1st class mail(Not registered or 2nd class or its null and Void). It is sent to the address that is registered in DVLA for the car. If you haven't updated it then as long as they sent it to the other address you will be done for it.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Sorry, forgot to add teh actual fine an be anything up to 6 months from teh offence as long as the NIP was served correctly

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

So if nothing has been heard within 14 days of being flashed, is that it then?

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

yep, unless as mentioned they have sent it to a previous address that the car is still registered to. or they can prove teh NIP was sent within the 14 days.

Something you are worried about Sarah?

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

I have been, but maybe not quite as much now........thanks.


Just to get another left passenger door now......anyone got a spare grand?

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

A door for that thing of yours should be no more than £200 from a scrapyard. add another £200 for painting tops

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Thanks for clearing that up Entwisi.... only 9 more days to go!
What happened to your car Sarah? Sounds pretty bad if you need a whole new door :eek:

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

The answer is in your question :)

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

No need to be nasty about it KIPAX - you drive at 29mph all the time? :)

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

oh so now i know hu that slow ****** is l:)l

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

i do but only when pasisng speed cameras :D

btw

you can question tha acurecy of the device used to catch you and ask for a copy of teh certificate of when it was last callebrated

i think they have to be calebrated every 12 months and if it hasnt been they cant fine you

just google advice on mobile speed cameras , a lot of sites will charge for the inforemation but if you fish through the results there are free ones

they used a gun exactly the same as what the police use on trevor mcdonalds show a few months ago and when they pointed it at a stationary car it said it was traveling at 8mph so they arnt the most acurate devices and thousands of motorists are been wrongly prosecuted but rather than admit teh devices are no good they stubbornly refuse to acknoledge they are inaccurate despite plent of proof that they are useless

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

IIRC they have to be calculated weekly not annually. also teh operator has also to be authorised to use teh device on a weekly basis. If the Police cannot supply all teh relevant documents to teh court it will be thrown out. However you do need to go to court to do this and if they do present, teh magistrate will look on you far more harshly than £60/3points.

The point about the stationary vehicles causing problems stems from teh lser uses doppler shifting to check speed. a vibrating panel or shimmy from heat can cause teh same doppler shift giving the impression of speed when none is present. It has also been shown that at no time has any speed camera used in teh Uk been tested or certified for use against motorcycles.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Dont think there's much chance of that in Haslingden!!!

Thanks for all the info though - I really appreciate it. Don't think I'm brave enough for court tbh. Knowing my luck, I'd get the only calibrated camera and fully qualified police bloke in all of Lancs!!! (No offence :D to any qualified policemen/women who may be reading)

Can you get child-seats for motorbikes..........

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

if you consider superglue a form of child seat then yes :D

or buy a side car

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Uh-Oh, I just had a vision of George and Mildred :D

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

kids can ride pillion from teh time they can reach both pillion footrests.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Got a ways to go then Entwisi - he's only 2½ !!
You wouldn't get me on a bike anyway, at least when my amazing invisibility cloak™ suddenly activates, I'm a bit safer in the car.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

With most sports bikes hes not long off being able to reach! :)

I'm up for giving pillion rides to anyone who wants a go on the back of a bike. I'm a very safe rider partcularly with new passengers.

Go On, if you've always wanted a go but never had teh opportunity nows your chance

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

A wall made contact with my car. It was either that or a Range Rover hit me head on. The bastard left me with nowhere to go. A guy at one of the garages that I have been to for a quote said to me that I'd done the correct thing, cos if the Range Rover had hit me head on, chance were that I wouldn't be in a fit state to drive my car again.

Such is life.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

You probably did.

Small cars, I've never been a fan, I see far too many accidents on the motorways where the driver in the big car has opened their door and walked away and the firemen are cutting them out the small car. I wouldn't even like to think what sort of a mess a wagon would make of one.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

It's true.....but my car isn't all that small......just abit more compact on the rear left!

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Its a tiddly little thing. I wouldn't go below focus size

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

I'm too scared, I think (I know - I'm a wimp:rolleyes: ) but what kind of bike you got? Stupid question, but is it fast?!

Sarah -> OMG! I think I would have chosen the wall too. I'm surprised you even want to get in a car again!! I see loads of people driving that kind of car (school run included) that obviously shouldn't. They are way too big to get out of the way if the driver (of the land rover) isn't experienced. Having said that, I did once witness a very short chinese man reverse park a HUGE 4 x 4 into a space just about big enough for a fiesta (or so I thought) AND he got back out again - very impressive :D
Glad you're OK after that, and your car sounds like it will make a full recovery too - hope you sued him?

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Choice of 3 at the moment.

Honda Varadero, Big comfy trial bike, 1000cc V twin, top speed alledgely 145 ish :) 0-100 is very quick though

Classic Moto Guzzi, 950cc but a lot slower than the Honda, A nice 'potterer'. not as comfy but still not bad

honda CB250 'Rat' bike, ugly, slow, noisy, the anti social member of the garage.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Sorry, forgot to say, I can't ride sports bikes anymore as I was knocked off 3 years ago and broke my back. I miss them a bit but don't miss the agony that I would be in after 30 mins.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

:eek: !! :eek: must have been one of those 'good' breaks I hear about!? Does something like that give you the "live life to the fullest" attitude? I suppose if you go in for that kind of sport, the risks are there for everyone to see - good obviously outweighs the bad though. I don't know, I seem to be getting more and more wimpy in my old (!) age.:rolleyes:
Just checked your profile and we live quite close, maybe I'll catch you riding one day (- ooops! I'm not allowed in the over 18's bit yet :D ) If you look safe I might take you up on the offer.
You're not an axe-weilding maniac, are you........?

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Err. come to the meet and find out :)

Live life to the fullest? yes I guess I do, but I did before the accident as well. I've bungee'd twice, parachuted, white water rafted, did rallying and other motorsport. Most people forget this is not a rehersal for another life, what you see is what you get.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

He never stopped, so I've got to sort it all out. Could have been worse.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Unbelievable. Cant imagine forcing someone into a wall and then just carrying on with my day as if nothings happened?!?
Lucky for him that you are OK - jailable offence, leaving the scene of an accident. Git.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Well, it's been 2 weeks and four days since my 'offence' and - even allowing for the postal service - it's too late to send a NIP now. :engsmil:
Thanks for all your support, it's much appreciated! And apologies to anyone who gets stuck behind me in traffic now - I haven't even been speeding up to let people out behind me (I know what I mean!!) Although I'm sure the cat that I missed last night appreciated the short burst of speed I put on so that it ran behind my car and not straight under the wheels :) - sometimes speeding is justified, eh?

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Glad to hear everything is okay Rach.

Since my 'scare' with the speed camera, I have been driving everywhere about 5mph less than the speed limit just to make sure, or in fact last weekend I just handed my keys over, and got someone else to drive.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Glad your clear Rach!

It does slow you down a bit though doesn't it :)

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

It is over 40 years since I last rode pillion....1963 to be exact.....my boyfriend(now hubby) had a BSA 500 Gold Star. It was his pride and joy. I liked riding pillion, but I often wonder if I would have had the same arthritic problems with my hips and knees if I had not got petrified with cold on the back of the bike so many times. It WAS fun though!

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

:alright: Well, that's a relief.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Interesting that most of the GATSO cameras in Lancashire are not in operation due to the high running costs, will be totally different when the next generation digital ones replace them. The Drivers Survival handbook, the one the boys in blue wanted banning coz it was written by a former Yorks traffic cop, offers the information that if you have genuinely never been in trouble before, write to the traffic inspector stating your record & that had you been given the opportunity, you would have accepted a caution. This applies when being pulled & booked for a motoring offence too. As for the mobile guys, with their dinky orange lights- they are breaking the regs as the sign warning of camera operating has to be aprox 100 metres from the vehicle & how many have I seen with the sign hiding the operator-aprox 100%. Should be good for court but don't think it has been challenged yet. If so I am sure someone will let me know.

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Thanks big al, will remember that for the future. The sign was in the back of the police car - as are all the signs I've seen before with the mobile units. I wasn't aware that they had to be further away, but I am now :D

Re: Need Some Advice!
 

Actually if it was a technical problem and you got it fixed show them your bill for repairs and explain what happenned you could get away wi it then