Safe Speed Forums

Hi all. First, and only query I hope. I have posted this on another forum but it's had over 60 views and no comments. Are there any other sites to try if this one draws a blank also. Really after some help as I have until next Friday to make up whether I'm going to fight it.
I drove up a particular unfamiliar hill today (two lanes my way going up, one lane coming down opened up from a single lane A road.)
Half way up in the left hand lane was a 6 wheeler lorry crawling up at about 15 mph and I was travelling at about 50 (A road so not fast)
I didn't speed up to overtake the lorry (wish I had now)
I reached the crest of the hill with the lorry on my left and inbetween the second of the "two lanes into one" sign.
Unfortunately the lane closed down on the crest of the hill also and to get by the lorry I had to cross the white line. (still at 50)
I could see there was a marked car in a large layby on the left up ahead which started pulling off just as it saw me so I pulled into the "exit" and got out to speak to the Policeman. He gave me a fixed penalty 3 points and £60 fine. (first in 20 years)
He said that there was enough space so I should have slowed down and pulled in behind the lorry but there wasn't enough space and was a stupid suggestion.(I didn't tell him so) I did tell him the second of the signs imo was too close to the end of the dual lane bit and it was hard to see where the lane ended. He then told me there were markings on the road, but the roads were covered in that white residue after snow has melted.
I drove to Peterborough and back to Wiltshire this afternoon and I saw, underneath each of the same signs the distance marked to the end of the dual lanes.
I have some questions if anybody can give me some advice.
The ones I drove past didn't have distances marked on them. Should they? It would make it easier to appreciate where the two lane section ended.
The Copper in the car was parked 50 metres past and above the end of the two lane section, close into the left hand side of the layby and was parallel to and pointing in the direction of traffic. He would've been looking quite far back over his right shoulder to observe the section of road. There was no camera facing me and I think he had just pulled into the layby to start his vigil. Does he need to have camera evidence? It was just him on his own. Do you think he'd be able to give convincing evidence considering his position in the layby.
Due to his height in relation to the curve at the crest of the hill I don't think he could've been able to see the road markings. Would he need to?
Also, he went through all his chat and when we finished only then did he give me the "anything you say can be taken in evidence etc" just before me getting out of his car. Is this right. Would that mean anything we discussed previous to this couldn't be used as evidence. Is there any lack of " following procedure" if you know what I mean.
Help and advice appreciated. I do intend to take some photos tomorrow.

Was it like this one here in Cumbria?




There should have been a road narrows and bend warning sign here....


however it had been knocked down in October the previous year, and not replaced
Just a 10 days after I took these pictures last January, an 18 year old youth was killed when he was unable to pass the car he had been overtaking, before he crossed the line, and hit an oncoming vehicle.
The road narrows and bend sign I showed was put back up 3 days AFTER the accident!

I guess that's why this sort of "mistake" is viewed so severely by some.
Perhaps if you had seen this, and read of the aftermath, you would have been a bit more cautious.

That said, I do feel that the Highways Authorities have to shoulder some of the blame at some sites, (such as the one I illustrated) by failing to mark or sign the road adequately, or put back signs demolished in previous accidents - a wake up call if ever one were needed!

Put your pictures up for an iformed comment on your own case, then why not stay and browse the forums and share experiences with others.

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

Thanks for the comments.

This is the hill.
As I suspected the PC can't even see the lines on the road if he's sitting in his car. I took the photos from the spot he was sitting at. He would have been looking back over his right shoulder at a really neck aching angle and I can't see how he could make a judgement as to whether I was over the white line.




Also, I think the narrowing starts exactly by the side of the second "road narrows" sign, which is why I got caught out. Does anybody know anywhere I can find out the rules and regulations regarding the positioning of signs etc.
Any ideas also on the likely "cost" if I lose if I decide to fight it.

I'm confused.

You are saying he didn't stop you?

What exactly did you say? (I fear you may have incriminated yourself).

As soon as I passed the lorry I saw him start to move off so pulled into the "exit" of the layby and got out. He then asked me if I was aware that contravening a white line was an offence. I said yes and he asked me to sit in his car for a chat. I didn't once say that I'd crossed the white line. He lectured me and then told me he was going to give me the fixed penalty etc.
Only after filling in the ticket and handing me my part did he then issue me with a caution. Is this the correct way to caution me about what I may say. Surely that should be given just after he informs me he's giving me the fixed penalty.