Safe Speed Forums

I've just read the following article posted on www.onethirdlie.org.uk website.

www.telegraph.co.uk

It's an article about an old guy who was working as a marshal at a local car boot sale. Police were operating a manual Speed Check site about 300yrds down the road from when the man was. So he, made up a placard saying "Speed Trap 300 Yards" to inform oncoming drivers. The police saw the sign and charged the old guy. He's been through the magistrates court and been fined and banned for driving for a year for obstructing an officer in his duties.

Two things:

1. Why has this poor guy been banned from driving when he wasn't even commiting a traffic offence.

2. The prossecution stated: "In displaying this sign the defendant was giving motorists advanced warning of a road safety camera being operated by the police 300 yards further along the road". The police have to ensure appropriate signs are displayed within at least 1km of any speed check site. (ACPO Guidelines, Version 2.1, December 2003).

This storey is yet another fine example of the police being allowed to avoid sticking by the rules purely to hammer a member of the public. This is a particularly frustrating example at that!

PS: Is it a coincidence that the officer involved's surname is Cashman??

Yes, this happened in Farnborough. It's actually worse than you think, because the magistrate refused to suspend the ban pending appeal. Of course, by the time the appeal is heard the ban will be over. Very petty, and does Hampshire plod no favours. BTW, another local magistrate wrote in to the local paper expressing some concerns over the handling of the case. I can't remember exactly what was said, but I'll try to find a link.

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