News
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