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Original poster

Cycling on the motorway

171 replies

Cycling2023 · 14/06/2023 20:43

DH decided to cycle from London to St Alban's today and on his way back, was apparently very dehydrated and had a dead phone so accidently ended up on the motorway.

He called the police for their help to leave the motorway safely and they took down his name and details and said he would be sent a fine. Does anyone know how much it could be and if this would be a FPN (where it doesn't show up on DBS and CRB checks).

This is the first time he has been fined for anything so we are actually quite worried as it is all unknown to us.

Thank you and please be kind.

OP posts:
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5
Otarge · 14/06/2023 22:14

@VWT5 I was just about to say the same thing. That roundabout system is bloody awful and the signage is misleading - it doesn't give you the A road numbers consistently and there's one exit in particular that looks like it not in the place it physically is, from the sign. And that's the do-or-die point where you suddenly are on the bastard M25. Plus ofc what signs there are are completely overgrown with trees and the road markings have worn away. It would be very easy to go wrong there.

OP glad your husband is safe, I guess you just have to wait for communication from then. Don't do anything now, because there isn't anything you can do. Deep breath, cup of tea.

Brandnewshit · 14/06/2023 22:15

101 aren't going to be able to help with anything.
I don't think he's telling you the full story OP

PinkPrincessPhilo · 14/06/2023 22:17

How did he ring the police from a dead phone?

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Driving & parking
Original poster
Cycling2023 · 14/06/2023 22:17

Earthworms · 14/06/2023 22:12

Why are you stressing and ringing round. He fucked up, he should be sorting this shit out, and making it right. If you are going to struggle to afford it, he needs to have a plan … how about he sells the bloody bike to pay the fine.

theres being a kind and helpful partner, but this has strayed beyond that and into shielding him from the consequences of his own damned dumb decisions.

We have the money, I just really want to know. It's so stressful not knowing.

OP posts:
Zodfa · 14/06/2023 22:17

I've a friend who somehow did something similar, it happens. Admittedly he was only 18 at the time.

Getting an impression of some rather anti-cyclist attitudes here. I see trained and licenced drivers ignoring obvious road signs all the time; where are the posts about how they're too unsafe to ever drive again?

Similarly a big fine would be completely unfair given all the dangerous stuff supposedly qualified drivers get away with on a regular basis.

StaunchMomma · 14/06/2023 22:18

Surely anyone with a brain would realise they were on a motorway slip road, stop and turn back?!! It's not like he was in a car so couldn't go back!! He could have picked up his bike and carried it back up the slope, FFS!

Sorry but he sounds like a complete idiot.

AnyaMarx · 14/06/2023 22:18

Op - your obviously worried but even a fine can be paid in instalments.

Try and not stress . It won't be that bad .

Your husband needs to stop
Cycling routes he can't manage , especially if he can't properly prepare.

This is his mess. You can't make it better. The fine won't be terrible - it's a road traffic offence and they don't generally affect dbs.

If you really want to talk to
Someone so who the OIC is - and ask them to give you a call . It's likely gon g to be a traffic officer and they have a lot of experience, they would perhaps be able to help you but he's going to have to deal with this as he's done something immensely stupid and illegal . Accidental could be mitigation but fgs tell him NOT to lie - that never goes well .

Saschka · 14/06/2023 22:18

It’s not normal to get completely disoriented and confused due to dehydration, on a regular basis.

If this is happening often, he is either: old and frail, with pre-existing cognitive impairment/early dementia; getting so dehydrated he is actually getting heatstroke, on a regular basis, which suggests he has no idea of his physical limits and is a danger to himself and others; or finally he is actually hitting the pub on these “all day cycle rides”, and is pissed not dehydrated.

OP, none of these are good options. He really needs to be honest with himself - this isn’t “silliness” or “a mistake”, it is really dangerous behaviour, which apparently happens semi-regularly. I’m a cyclist, and I would not want your DP cycling, or driving for that matter, anywhere near me.

Zodfa · 14/06/2023 22:18

Ironically a properly designed motorway with a continuous standard-width hard shoulder is probably a safer place to cycle than many roads where cycling is legal.

Otarge · 14/06/2023 22:20

LOL that's true! Including roads where cycle paths just suddenly stop.

Itisyourturntowashthebath · 14/06/2023 22:22

He's your DH not your 15yo DS.
Have a small G&T and tell him it is his problem.

In future he needs to think about temperature, food and drinks plus a paper map, any one from the last 2,000 years will do if he is cycling Watling Street. Maybe an eye test also.

Most cyclists have fecked up at some point. You pull over, usually within 50m, clamber over the barriers to safety and discover how heavy modern bikes are to carry.

lljkk · 14/06/2023 22:25

Cycling2023 · 14/06/2023 22:17

We have the money, I just really want to know. It's so stressful not knowing.

Show quote history

It will probably be about £50, OP. It's annoying but if he pays right away then he'll get the very minimum charge. People only get these crazy high possible amounts if they dispute or delay payment (usually both problems).

I'm glad your DH is ok. I can understand ending up in the wrong place, by the time you've watched & avoided all the cars you don't want to collide with, it's easy not to grasp what the signs say. He needs to work on staying better hydrated.

goldenlocks · 14/06/2023 22:25

I think people should stop piling on the OP/hubby . Nobody was hurt. Yes, it's crazy and he will be fined but.... nothing happened. Calm down.

AnyaMarx · 14/06/2023 22:30

It won't be £50 .

And there will be court costs .

I wouldn't be guessing the fine . It's down to the magistrate on the day .

£50 is a low estimate. The op has said they can pay so I'd just not speculate .

I e give my professional advice and suggested the op speaks to the OIC whose reported her husband on summons but even he won't be able to guess at a fine .

EggInANest · 14/06/2023 22:31

OP, If it was as PP suggested, and joining the M25 from a rural area via some mini roundabouts, and your DH gets a summons, I suggest you post in Legal, get a lawyer, and get your DH to photograph the junction showing how easy it is to make a mistake (e.g drive there, the passenger take pics). Also I would suggest that he admits he makes a mistake and was confused and sought official help asap rather than make the situation worse, rather than that he was cycling about in a dangerously dehydrated idiotic state.

I would presume some motorway users reported him? If I saw that and had a passenger to make the call or had hands free I would call 999.

I have sat in magistrates courts. People get tiny fines and paltry consequences for all kinds of assault and horrible behaviour so I wouldn’t think it will be too scary.

1ittlegreen · 14/06/2023 22:31

This post is one of the most genuinely bonkers posts I have ever read.

There's just so much to unpack.

Also, it makes me concerned that such stupidity is let loose on the roads to cause a myriad of dangers.

Overall the thought of a stringy, lycia-clad husband cycling like he's in the tour de france and not stopping for water and calling the police to rescue him gives major ick. 🤑🤣

AnyaMarx · 14/06/2023 22:32

*I've given

Damn phone .

Op the summons will be with you in a couple of weeks so I'd push it to the back of your mind for now

AnyaMarx · 14/06/2023 22:33

EggInANest · 14/06/2023 22:31

OP, If it was as PP suggested, and joining the M25 from a rural area via some mini roundabouts, and your DH gets a summons, I suggest you post in Legal, get a lawyer, and get your DH to photograph the junction showing how easy it is to make a mistake (e.g drive there, the passenger take pics). Also I would suggest that he admits he makes a mistake and was confused and sought official help asap rather than make the situation worse, rather than that he was cycling about in a dangerously dehydrated idiotic state.

I would presume some motorway users reported him? If I saw that and had a passenger to make the call or had hands free I would call 999.

I have sat in magistrates courts. People get tiny fines and paltry consequences for all kinds of assault and horrible behaviour so I wouldn’t think it will be too scary.

Seriously he would only need a lawyer if he tried to plead not guilty.

He did it . If he just hold his hands up he will get a fine and court costs and a slap on the wrist . Lawyering up is madness it will cost more than the fine !

It's a road traffic offence ! Not murder !

Boomboom22 · 14/06/2023 22:36

Well its pointless you worrying and crying. If you can afford it then you know it'll be something between 25 and 1000 max so assume 500, we'll deserved for your dh being such a twat, and forget about it.
I'd tease him mercilessly but not worry. It was dangerous but the police helped him and nothing happened. Most importantly ensure he never ever drives if he's slightly tired or dehydrated and maybe book him an eye test if he's seriously claiming he didn't realise he was joining the m25.

AscensionToCheese · 14/06/2023 22:38

Catbumps · 14/06/2023 22:04

Why are you phoning 101? People have real problems they need to contact the police for not to discuss your idiotic husband

It's the non-emergency line that's precisely what it's for. You might want to look it up...

jellyminelli · 14/06/2023 22:39

You just need to chill out and wait. It'll be £60 or something, don't worry about it.

Worry about your mad head husband fucking bezzing down the M6. Absolute madman 🤣

Boomboom22 · 14/06/2023 22:40

101 is not for inane enquiries!
It is to report non urgent crimes that don't warrant 999.

AngelAurora · 14/06/2023 22:40

He is lucky he never caused a crash, thank god he was not driving a car. Very very dangerous thing to do. Why did he not keep hydrated during the day, especially in this weather?

1ittlegreen · 14/06/2023 22:40

I think you should get off the phone to the police and then change his nappy.

Honestly, why are you enabling this pathetic behaviour? It's one of the most unattractive things I have ever heard.

I get the feeling your on his side but he's a selfish, irresponsible people hater who doesn't deserve you worrying for him.

AscensionToCheese · 14/06/2023 22:40

Crying for an hour?
Does your husband work in a job that requires no criminal record?
Kindly OP, if you have the money to pay. That will be the end of it.
What are you fearing will happen?