The Mighty

[Dryce]

This appeared on the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7821816.stm

I wonder sometimes if there's not an implicit understanding among senior police officers that one of their number should be occasionally caught for speeding simply to reassure the public that the law is fair.

 

[mattc]

but he did get caught, did get the fine and points and admitted he was in the wrong???

 

[Dieselman]

but he did get caught, did get the fine and points and admitted he was in the wrong???

Now that would be trully newsworthy in itself on this forum of late...

 

[kjay]

Did I read the OP's post wrong?

I thought the OP was saying it 'was' a bit heavy handed?

Depends on the stretch of road (I don't know it) but, It wasn't a massive amount over the limit- ish? I would of thought that may of been a caution? Though what do I know? I drive like a granny now after that 2p thread! - Eye opening!

.

 

[Dieselman]

The O/p was commenting that every now and then a senoir Policeman is caught speeding and takes the punishment.

 

[kjay]

The O/p was commenting that every now and then a senoir Policeman is caught speeding and takes the punishment.

Yes, I understood that. But I took it, that he wasn't gloating - more that it was a question as to wether they were trying to make an example of them?

.

 

[st4]

I know the stretch of road in question and have driven on it numerous times

72mph is admittably over the speed limit but for the visability/quality of the road its not a massively dangerous act unlike some police stories. His car probably gave an indicated speed of 75mph or thereabouts - given the road its not a massive breach, hence the FPN and not a more serious charge. I reckon he was not in the 15% highest catagory for speed. 100mph+ is easily attainable on the A9 when the traffic is light and the visabilty clear.

Much as I'd love to have a "go" a lot of traffic travels about that speed on that stretch of road. Drive @ 60mph on the single carriage way of the A9 and you'll be frequently overtaken.

Its refreshing to see that "they are only human" and that he has taken it on the chin. Naughty boy, but not as naughty as some. I doubt the police deliberately set this up. If he got off with it then I might be suspicious.

 

[Dryce]

Yes, I understood that. But I took it, that he wasn't gloating - more that it was a question as to wether they were trying to make an example of them?

No. I was wondering if the whole thing is a setup just to prove to the public that the law is fair. Maybe they draw lots every so often at ACPO to figure who is this year's fall guy.

 

[Dryce]

72mph is admittably over the speed limit but for the visability/quality of the road its not a massively dangerous act unlike some police stories.

There are two problems on the A9 north of Drumochter.

Number one is other drivers. Every time I drive it there will be several occasions where I see other drivers make poor overtaking decisions. Some are diabolical. Two accidents involving people I knew were fatal head-ons.

A second recent innovation is the poor road surface. The trucks and weather wreck it very quickly - and it's remarkably difficult on some sections to read the road surface condition.

 

[219]

Another factor with the A9 is that it frequently alternates between sections of single carriageway with a limit of 60 mph and dual carriageway with a limit of 70 .

It is all too easy on a long journey to leave a section of dual carriageway and find yourself still doing 70 ....... shouldn't be , but a lot of people do it .

 

[wemorgan]

Much as I'd love to have a "go" a lot of traffic travels about that speed on that stretch of road. Drive @ 60mph on the single carriage way of the A9 and you'll be frequently overtaken.

Not directed towards you, but I wonder if the 'fear' of being overtaken is a reason why some motorist exceed the speed limit? I know some people who do see being overtaken as some kind of personal insult, it's bizarre to me, we all need to sit back, relax and drive safely.

 

[st4]

There are two problems on the A9 north of Drumochter.

Number one is other drivers. Every time I drive it there will be several occasions where I see other drivers make poor overtaking decisions. Some are diabolical. Two accidents involving people I knew were fatal head-ons.

A second recent innovation is the poor road surface. The trucks and weather wreck it very quickly - and it's remarkably difficult on some sections to read the road surface condition.

The other problem with the A9 is the level of tourist traffic in high summer. Several fatal accidents, on the stretch in question have involved LHD cars and foreign drivers. Bear in mind that the A9 is a fast road, and therefore any accident that does happen is likely to be fatal, especially if they are head on as your likely to have a 2*60mph scenario.

 

[oldcro]

Another case of damned if you do and damned if you don't for/against our Police force.

 

[st4]

Another case of damned if you do and damned if you don't for/against our Police force.

Its now a police "service" these days

I am not being (for once) critical of the policeman in question or the constabulary in question. They caught one of their own, and he is being punished like anyone else who would have comitted the same offence.

Even the very best of us make mistakes, and this fella has admitted he has done so and taken it on the chin. Good for him. He'll probably not do it again.

 

[Dryce]

Not directed towards you, but I wonder if the 'fear' of being overtaken is a reason why some motorist exceed the speed limit? I know some people who do see being overtaken as some kind of personal insult, it's bizarre to me, we all need to sit back, relax and drive safely.

A lot of drivers don't seem to know how to overtake.

And they don't understand the concept of leaving gaps for those who do want to overtake to work their way up a queue.

 

[Dryce]

Another case of damned if you do and damned if you don't for/against our Police force.

Well he wasn't going to be damned if he didn't speed.

 

[crockers]

Being a Police Office - he should lose his job for breaking the law....



Now being realistic....my immediate thought was ...so what....

 

[Dieselman]

Now being realistic....my immediate thought was ...so what....

Amen..!

 

[Uberwagon]

It's a non story.

Dave!