Safe Speed Forums

i pulled over in side road to look at map then put map down and carried on down road .pulled over by traffic cop in unmarked car told me that he had watched me pull over with map in hand look at map then drive off with map still in hand /map being apiece of a4 paper he gave me fpt £60 and 3 points have been told that offence does not carry any points just 60 fine also the bobby didnt bother to video alleged offence probably because i didnt have map in hand is it worth fighting in court or will magistrates just take his word as evidence just as an extra while cop was watching me look at map he was parked on double yellow lines one rule for them and one for us me thinks

When dealt with in court under s26 Road safety Act 2006 failure to maintain proper control carries 3 points. I assume a ticket also has points but don't know for sure.

The court will not automatically believe a police officer. His or her evidence would be tested by cross examination in exactly the same way as any other person. The advantage always lies with the defence as the prosecution have to prove beyond reasonable doubt, the defence only have to raise a reasonable doubt and (in this sort of case) don't need to prove anything.

Yes it is one rule for us and one for them. That goes right through society. Someone who has qualified as a doctor can possess, without penalty, drugs that would get you or me locked up. A person who has passed a driving test can drive a car, a person without a licence is not allowed to do so. The police are allowed to ignore some road traffic rules if it is necessary for the proper execution of their duties.

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I am not a lawyer and can't give legal advice. I do have experience of the day to day working of courts and use that knowledge to help where possible. I do not represent any official body and post as an individual.

why don't you just consider how fortunate you are?

for a mere £60 you've helped a hard pressed trafffic policeman take another step closer towards meeting his monthlt target.

Honestly, some people just don't know they're born!!

It would appear strange to me that you took the precaution of pulling over to look at the map.... then set off driving with the map in hand!

Good luck!

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Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!

Take your right to a day in court.

If you ever receive a summons (and that's a big if).

Tell your story exactly as it happened.

Say you think the officer was mistaken (if asked).

Stay calm.

summon the officer as a witness.

ask him to describe the map, size, colour etc.

And how long he took to see this - by looking/observing you ( take it he was only person in car ??) --he was as guilty /possibly mere so than you ?

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lets bring sanity back to speed limits.
Drivers are like donkeys -they respond best to a carrot, not a stick .Road safety experts are like Asses - best kept covered up ,or sat on