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[Dishevelled Den]

There are speed limits imposed for very good reasons and I can see no excuse for exceeding them on public roads.

To be honest, I really don't think there is one day in my entire driving career where I haven't exceeded the speed limit.

However, there is a big difference between exceeding the speed limit and driving at excess speed.

....that's a very fair point K with which, on the basis of good sense, I agree.

There is a level of reasonable conduct that can be applied to most activity and whilst that level can be dealt with by some, others may be incapable of adhering to it thus extending their conduct to the unreasonable.

There needs to be an arbitrary cut-off – which one would hope to be realistic, fair and appropriate -  and in the case of road behaviour this comes in the form of various regulations one of which is of course, speed limiting. 

Many people using the road network can, and do, step outside the terms of the regulations and yet remain quite safe relative to their ability to deal with any unforeseen consequences resulting from their actions – others are not so capable and it’s the duty of those charged with assessing such excessive behaviour to decide to nature of the forfeit.

To remove the element of chance in these circumstances I would suggest that it’s easier to follow the regulations, especially where speed is concerned, but each to their own - however when making the decision to move outside the boundaries of, in this case road traffic regulations, the person doing so must submit to ‘big boys rules’ and take whatever penalty is deemed appropriate in the circumstances. 

[Squealey]

I was involved in a serious crash about 14 years ago. I was in a Ford Sierra with my mates on our way to a nightclub. I was driving like a complete knob, you know, 19 years old, 2.0 engine, thinking I was Michael Scumacher. Rounded a corner far too fast and lost control. Hit an Astra head on which was also full of people.

10 people (inc myself) were admitted into hospital. Luckily everyone made a full recovery with no what I would call serious, life threatening, injuries. (Cuts and bruises and a compacted knee bone were the worst)

At the time of the crash It was proven that I actually wasn't speeding, but my driving was inappropriate for the road.

I went to court about six months later where I was sent for reports. Once back in court I recieved a 3 month jail term (in a Cat B prison!) and a 3 year ban with the proviso I take an extended test before my licencse was returned.

Now personally (and im sure im opening myself up for a kicking here) I feel my sentance was unjustly harsh. My car was 100% legal, my speed was under the stated roads speed limit, I didn't have a drop of alcohol in me and when I went out that night it was not with the intention of hurting anyone.

Maybe if everyone recieved the same sentance for the same crime then I could maybe understand it better, but I, like im sure most of you, watch Traffic Cops, Road Wars etc and am always amazed at the sentances handed out.

How could I have been such a larger risk than someone who breaks into a house, steals a car, has a chase with a police car, ends up totalling it into someones living room and then only get a suspended sentance and an extension to the driving ban they were already serving!!!!

Like I said earlier, im sure most people think I got what I deserved, I just wish the courts were a bit more black and white!!!

By the way, 14 years on and not a day goes past when I don't regret my actions that night and realise what a lucky SOB I am for not killing anyone inc myself. This is much stronger than any prison sentance could every be!!!!

[Mr Skrunts]

I was involved in a serious crash about 14 years ago. I was in a Ford Sierra with my mates on our way to a nightclub. I was driving like a complete knob, you know, 19 years old, 2.0 engine, thinking I was Michael Scumacher. Rounded a corner far too[size=12] fast[/size] and lost control. Hit an Astra head on which was also full of people.

10 people (inc myself) were admitted into hospital. Luckily everyone made a full recovery with no what I would call serious, life threatening, injuries. (Cuts and bruises and a compacted knee bone were the worst)

At the time of the crash It was proven that I actually wasn't speeding, but my driving was inappropriate for the road.

I went to court about six months later where I was sent for reports. Once back in court I recieved a 3 month jail term (in a Cat B prison!) and a 3 year ban with the proviso I take an extended test before my licencse was returned.

Now personally (and im sure im opening myself up for a kicking here) I feel my sentance was unjustly harsh. My car was 100% legal, my speed was under the stated roads speed limit, I didn't have a drop of alcohol in me and when I went out that night it was not with the intention of hurting anyone.

Maybe if everyone recieved the same sentance for the same crime then I could maybe understand it better, but I, like im sure most of you, watch Traffic Cops, Road Wars etc and am always amazed at the sentances handed out.

How could I have been such a larger risk than someone who breaks into a house, steals a car, has a chase with a police car, ends up totalling it into someones living room and then only get a suspended sentance and an extension to the driving ban they were already serving!!!!

Like I said earlier, im sure most people think I got what I deserved, I just wish the courts were a bit more black and white!!!

By the way, 14 years on and not a day goes past when I don't regret my actions that night and realise what a lucky SOB I am for not killing anyone inc myself. This is much stronger than any prison sentance could every be!!!!

Speeding maybe not.

But thaqt was either careless or even dangerous driving.

I am not going to make comment regards all of the above, but mix what you have said with the thought of the same accisent at 2.5 times the speed of that road (as per the biker doing 166 in a 60)

Neither of you intended going out and having an incident.

You had the accident and injured 10 at low speed.

He did excessive speed and managed to evade collisision. (this particular time)


I will say one thing for you matey, that took some balls to admit and post on a public forum and as you get older and wiser you will understand that 3 months was really noting compared to 10 possible fatalities.  Your sentice will live with you for life, sadly the biker will be on the road looking for the same thrill the next time he rides a bike.

[HolyCount]

Having spent a little (too long) time in morgues and the like  I think it would be a salutory lesson for offenders to pay a visit to see the ugly side of "joy"riding and the like, up close and personal.

[KillerWatt]

There needs to be an arbitrary cut-off – which one would hope to be realistic, fair and appropriate -  and in the case of road behaviour this comes in the form of various regulations one of which is of course, speed limiting.

We don't need "speed limiting" Zulu, we already have more than enough laws to cover what's going on out there and have had for god knows how many years.....it's called "what any reasonable person considers"

To remove the element of chance in these circumstances I would suggest that it’s easier to follow the regulations, especially where speed is concerned,

Rules are for the obedience of fools, and the guidance of the wise!

but each to their own - however when making the decision to move outside the boundaries of, in this case road traffic regulations, the person doing so must submit to ‘big boys rules’ and take whatever penalty is deemed appropriate in the circumstances. 

Couldn't agree more....you make the choice, you live by the consequences (if there are any).


Edited because the so called security features of the forum (which ain't worth crap), quoted the wrong person.

[Dishevelled Den]

There needs to be an arbitrary cut-off – which one would hope to be realistic, fair and appropriate -  and in the case of road behaviour this comes in the form of various regulations one of which is of course, speed limiting.

We don't need "speed limiting" Zulu, we already have more than enough laws to cover what's going on out there and have had for god knows how many years.....it's called "what any reasonable person considers"

To remove the element of chance in these circumstances I would suggest that it’s easier to follow the regulations, especially where speed is concerned,

Rules are for the obedience of fools, and the guidance of the wise!

but each to their own - however when making the decision to move outside the boundaries of, in this case road traffic regulations, the person doing so must submit to ‘big boys rules’ and take whatever penalty is deemed appropriate in the circumstances. 

Couldn't agree more....you make the choice, you live by the consequences (if there are any).


Edited because the so called security features of the forum (which ain't worth crap), quoted the wrong person.

We are not far off in agreement on this K - a place I seem to occupy quite regularly in relation to the majority of the opinions you post.

The only point I would make in specific reply is that there seems to be a prevalence of fools over wise men abound at the moment and I would suggest, that if wise men led by example, the task of dealing with the fools would be made much more achievable by those charged with doing so.


I should also add that the speed limiting I referred to was relevant to the presently regulated limits as posted on the road network and not any additional restriction.