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Gwyn Lewis now writes for Performance BMW magazine!
Gwyn Lewis now writes for Performance BMW magazine on issues relating to road traffic law and motoring offences, further recognition of his and the firm's expertise in this area. He can be contacted on Freefone 0800 069 6000 or email: gwynlewis@burtoncopeland.com
Think You Have a Valid Licence? Think Again
Most of us carry our photocard licences with us in our purses or wallets and never give our entitlement a second thought, but did you know that due to no fault of your own, you could have had your license revoked without being aware of it?
The reason is that in 1998 the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre introduced photocard driving licences and those either applying for the first time or making any changes to the licence, such as moving address or having the licence endorsed were required to apply for the new photocard version. Most of us are aware that unless medical conditions apply, a person is entitled to drive in the UK until their 70th birthday, when re-application is necessary and usually, the new licence will be valid for a shorter period of time. However because the DVLC need to ensure that the person is still recognisable from their photograph, licences are only actually issued for a 10 year period. If you are unsure, look at Section 4B on the front of your driving licence. Since photocard licences were first issued in 1998, some are now being revoked on the basis that they have expired.
The DVLC will write to a driver to remind them that their licence is due to expire, but of course if the notification does not arrive for whatever reason and is not acted upon, then it is entirely possible that a driver can be unaware that they are no longer the holder of a current driving licence.
Our advice? Check Section 4B of your driving licence and if necessary re-apply by getting the relevant form from your local post office.
Top this for a speeding ticket...
Two British traffic patrol officers from North Berwick, east of Edinburgh, were involved in an unusual incident, while checking for speeding motorists on the Al Great North Road.
One of the officers (who are not named) used a hand-held radar device to check the speed of a vehicle approaching over the crest of a hill, and was surprised when the speed was recorded at over 300mph. The machine then stopped working and the officers were not able to reset it.The radar had in fact locked on to a NATO Tornado fighter jet over the North Sea, which was engaged in a low-flying exercise over the Borders district.
Back at police headquarters the chief constable fired off a stiff complaint to the RAF Liaison office.Back came the reply in true laconic RAF style. "Thank you for your message, which allows us to complete the file on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Tornado had automatically locked on to your 'hostile radar equipment' and sent a jamming signal back to it. Furthermore, the Sidewinder air-to-ground missiles aboard the fully-armed aircraft had also locked on to the target. Fortunately the Dutch pilot flying the Tornado responded to the missile status alert intelligently and was able to override the automatic protection system before the missile was launched."
Blues drivers 'top speeding list'
Drivers who listen to blues music in their cars are the most likely to be caught speeding, according to a survey. They are followed by country music listeners and then reggae and hip-hop fans. A total of 49% of drivers who listened to blues and 45% of those who tuned in to country said they had committed a speeding offence.
The poll, by Saga Motor Insurance, found that Meat Loaf's Bat Out Of Hell was the most popular driving song. Read more...
Another “Urban Myth” on Cameras is Shattered
On the 29th June last year the European Court of Human Rights finally decided the case of O’Halloran and Francis –v- the United Kingdom. This concerned the claims of two drivers that their rights under the European Convention were broken, in that they had to provide details as to who was driving a vehicle which had been caught on a camera. The Court felt that the requirement to disclose the identity of the driver did not breach an individual’s right to either a fair trial or right to silence to give this information, as the authorities were only asking for who was the driver, not whether the person driving the vehicle was speeding, as defences would still be available to the driver if they felt that they were not travelling at the speed being alleged by the camera.
Dangers of “Swapping Points” made clear by the Courts
Seventy-seven year old Robert Logue and his fifty-one year old son were both sent to prison for three months by Lincoln Crown Court in early July 2007, as a result of Mr Logue senior claiming to have been the driver of a vehicle that was caught by a speed camera, when he was not. Judge Michael Heath told the men that they had “struck at the fabric of justice” – more evidence, if it were needed, that information provided in request for information cases must be both honest and accurate.
Using a mobile phone ‘not hands free’ will lead to points
Motorists caught using a hand-held mobile will risk points on their licence as well as facing disqualification. If the police or the driver do not choose a fixed-penalty notice and go to court, the judge has the power to disqualify. A maximum fine of £1,000 to £2,500 can be imposed for the driver of a bus, coach or goods vehicle.
Read more at... timesonline.co.uk
Police speed gun's wrong reading
A driver's speeding conviction was overturned, after he disputed the findings of a hand-held speed gun. Brian Wiltshire, 48, from Lancashire, said he was travelling at less than 30mph, despite being recorded at 39mph.
Lancashire Police admitted an officer failed to check the device before use.Read more at... news.bbc.co.uk
