[R0B]

I was out today seeing some clients on Friday, something I don't get to to much anymore by car. I do a lot of trade shows and foreign travel, but a good old day in the car is very rare.

As such I'd got it cleaned and looking fun, filled up, and headed out. My first meeting was in Bedford, not the most wonderful place. All fine. I then had to get across to Peterborough / Cambridgeshire border. Problem was, it took a f*cking age getting out of Bedford, and I found myself with a sat nav sating I would be some 37 minutes late. I HATE being late.

Music on, foot down time. Headed for the A428 which can be stop start, but also has long stretches where you can put your foot down, which I did. I was passing Cambourne and had made up a good 12 minutes, and had been moving very fast. As I turned off and into a 30mph zone, I was slowing down / calming down, when blue lights came on behind me. I had no idea whether he had been following me for 10 yards or 10 miles, I had been so in the zone.

I signal that I am going to stop without issue, and within a minute or so reach a parking zone / lay-by. I decided the best thing to do was to get out and show that it's not some lunatic, just an honest businessman going about his day. At this point I thought it would be my dual carriageway driving. The copper gets out, and says "Nice car, but you drive like an idiot." I couldn't really argue.

He asks me to join him in his car, and shows me footage. The footage is of me doing 37mph in the 30mph zone. We get talking about the engine power and I get the impression he is a car enthusiast. So whilst I'm in trouble, but for less speed than I could have been, he's being a nice bloke about it.

Anyway, the conversation progresses and he tells me about his own BMW, a 440i in snapper rocks blue. He seemed to really know his stuff and said he was a member of an online forum. At this point I thought, hold on, I think I could know who he is. I ask if he's part of the F30 post and he says yes.

You guessed it, it was only TouringPleb

Unbelievable luck.

Or so I thought. We had a nice chat but the result is the same, that I accepted a fine and points for speeding. To be fair I respect his position, just because we have some random online connection, it doesn't mean the law shouldn't be upheld. I was open that I thought he was pulling me for the dual carriageway speed but he wasn't, and very kindly said "I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

He has a selfie on his phone which he is going to post today (please do not share outside the forum) but wanted to let me air my side of the story first - it's a great picture just with a sad ending.

So I just wanted to say: A) don't drive this fast folks, it's not worth points and a fine, and B) TouringPleb is a really decent fella and I don't want any sh*t towards him for not letting me off, even if it was a few MPH over the limit.

[evdok]

If you were driving stupidly or huge difference in speed id understand but 37 in a 30 doesn't do it for me sorry, he could have lectured you & a warning but to issue a ticket personally I think is a tad harsh...nothing personal to either of you just my opinion.

[JNW1]

I do tend to take more notice of 30mph limits - it's a cliche but it's 30 for a reason - but in isolation 37mph doesn't sound like idiot territory! Having said that it is illegal and beyond any likely allowed tolerance so, as you've done, you just have to hold your hands up and accept the punishment.

Went past one of our fleet of camera vans last week and, although I was far from tanking along, I was above the 60mph limit when I first spotted it; think (and hope) I got my speed down in time to avoid a NIP but will be slightly anxious when the post arrives for another week or so!

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by evdok

If you were driving stupidly or huge difference in speed id understand but 37 in a 30 doesn't do it for me sorry, he could have lectured you & a warning but to issue a ticket personally I think is a tad harsh...nothing personal to either of you just my opinion.

My thoughts exactly.

If it was a camera, fair enough; they have no sense of judgement.

But 37 in a 30 and a 'pull' should result in a clear reminder IMO, not automatic points and a fine. Driving like an idiot ? I don't think so. Over 40 would be a different matter, or if the incident was in a narrow residential street or near a school.

At least you were both pleasant about it, and it's not the end of the world (unless you already had 9 points).

[R0B]

Originally Posted by Watsey

My thoughts exactly.

If it was a camera, fair enough; they have no sense of judgement.

But 37 in a 30 and a 'pull' should result in a clear reminder IMO, not automatic points and a fine. Driving like an idiot ? I don't think so. Over 40 would be a different matter, or if the incident was in a narrow residential street or near a school.

At least you were both pleasant about it, and it's not the end of the world (unless you already had 9 points).

I see what you mean, but different places have different tolerance maybe. I don't know. In a way, dealing with someone 'I know' made it easier to swallow the penalty, even if it seemed tough. Honestly, he was / is a very nice chap.

[MashinBenzin]

Great thread a fine for 37 in a 30 is also easier to accept if you know you've been moving more swiftly.

TouringPleb always strikes me as a good guy and one to take a reasonable view.

Now just need to accidentally have a forum meet in Sanctuary T, Rob. (That was another small world moment when you knew that place).

[simon.]

Originally Posted by evdok

If you were driving stupidly or huge difference in speed id understand but 37 in a 30 doesn't do it for me sorry, he could have lectured you & a warning but to issue a ticket personally I think is a tad harsh...nothing personal to either of you just my opinion.

Maybe he's working on a 10% + 2mph, 37 in a 30 is +20% over so I'd suck up the points / fine / speed awareness course ideally if offered & lesson learned.

The OP seems happy enough with the end result.

[bishbosh]

I presume when the NIP arrives you might have the option of a speed awareness course? I got done at 36 in a 30 several years back and took the course option.

[Wills2]

37mph in a 30 zone isn't driving like an idiot, a fair cop and all that but a harsh comment IMHO I've been pulled over for 50 in a 40 and the police officer didn't call me names.

Anyways he's only doing his job, reminds me of my trip to Scarborough at the weekend to my parents, that's a quick road in places the A64 (I was late as always) and they are waiting for you on that road so it was speed limiter time and yes the scamera van was there.

[F30Andy]

Quality!

[isleaiw1]

Good story. And a fair cop. 37 in a 30 is 23.33% over the limit. On a motorway that would equate to almost 87 - and again at 87 you would expect to be done.

And as someone said earlier, its 30 for a reason...

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by Watsey

My thoughts exactly.

If it was a camera, fair enough; they have no sense of judgement.

But 37 in a 30 and a 'pull' should result in a clear reminder IMO, not automatic points and a fine. Driving like an idiot ? I don't think so. Over 40 would be a different matter, or if the incident was in a narrow residential street or near a school.

At least you were both pleasant about it, and it's not the end of the world (unless you already had 9 points).

My thoughts as well, 37 in a 30 could just be a ticking off at the police officers discretion.

[mikeoz]

To be fair where do you draw the line..? i hear people saying its not much over but its on the high side towards 40mph. im sure if it was 33 he probably would of..
Im guessing it was a marked car behind you as he is a Response cop rather than Traffic last i knew??
Im no saint we have all done it but just unlucky mate.

[mikeoz]

Originally Posted by R0B

I was out today seeing some clients on Friday, something I don't get to to much anymore by car. I do a lot of trade shows and foreign travel, but a good old day in the car is very rare.

As such I'd got it cleaned and looking fun, filled up, and headed out. My first meeting was in Bedford, not the most wonderful place. All fine. I then had to get across to Peterborough / Cambridgeshire border. Problem was, it took a f*cking age getting out of Bedford, and I found myself with a sat nav sating I would be some 37 minutes late. I HATE being late.

Music on, foot down time. Headed for the A428 which can be stop start, but also has long stretches where you can put your foot down, which I did. I was passing Cambourne and had made up a good 12 minutes, and had been moving very fast. As I turned off and into a 30mph zone, I was slowing down / calming down, when blue lights came on behind me. I had no idea whether he had been following me for 10 yards or 10 miles, I had been so in the zone.


I signal that I am going to stop without issue, and within a minute or so reach a parking zone / lay-by. I decided the best thing to do was to get out and show that it's not some lunatic, just an honest businessman going about his day. At this point I thought it would be my dual carriageway driving. The copper gets out, and says "Nice car, but you drive like an idiot." I couldn't really argue.

He asks me to join him in his car, and shows me footage. The footage is of me doing 37mph in the 30mph zone. We get talking about the engine power and I get the impression he is a car enthusiast. So whilst I'm in trouble, but for less speed than I could have been, he's being a nice bloke about it.

Anyway, the conversation progresses and he tells me about his own BMW, a 440i in snapper rocks blue. He seemed to really know his stuff and said he was a member of an online forum. At this point I thought, hold on, I think I could know who he is. I ask if he's part of the F30 post and he says yes.

You guessed it, it was only TouringPleb

Unbelievable luck.

Or so I thought. We had a nice chat but the result is the same, that I accepted a fine and points for speeding. To be fair I respect his position, just because we have some random online connection, it doesn't mean the law shouldn't be upheld. I was open that I thought he was pulling me for the dual carriageway speed but he wasn't, and very kindly said "I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

He has a selfie on his phone which he is going to post today (please do not share outside the forum) but wanted to let me air my side of the story first - it's a great picture just with a sad ending.

So I just wanted to say: A) don't drive this fast folks, it's not worth points and a fine, and B) TouringPleb is a really decent fella and I don't want any sh*t towards him for not letting me off, even if it was a few MPH over the limit.

ON another note making up 12mins is pretty impressive for these Cambs roads....must of been doing at least...71??

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by mikeoz

To be fair where do you draw the line..? i hear people saying its not much over but its on the high side towards 40mph. im sure if it was 33 he probably would of..

I'm sure he'd have turned a blind eye if the OP's speed had been 34 or less....

[TouringPleb]

Selfie as promised..














April Fools Day!

[planemad]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

Selfie as promised..

April Fools Day!

I fell for it

[TodmordenLad]

FYI, i opted for a speed awareness course a few years ago for 36mph in a 30mph zone - in a London Borough

[mikeoz]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

Selfie as promised..














April Fools Day!

NICE HELMUT mmmhhhhh

[R0B]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

Selfie as promised..














April Fools Day!

Well done partner. (Only time I'm ever partnering with a rozzer )

[JustChris]

Bad form chaps. Isn't it only AM for April fools and this was posted in the afternoon....

[R0B]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Bad form chaps. Isn't it only AM for April fools and this was posted in the afternoon....

Oh fuck off or you'll be under arrest yourself