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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

do people not understand that breaking the speed limit is breaking the law

95 replies

allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 07/02/2011 00:09

Why do so many drivers (NOT ALL! :)) think that they do not have to follow the law?

If you have gotten a fine for speeding, dont say you didnt know the camera was there, its irrelevant. It wouldnt have caught you if you werent breaking the law. The law may be stupid sometimes, but that doesnt mean you can pick and choose which bits are okay to ignore and then moan when you get caught!

Plus, people parking somewhere they shouldnt and complaining when they get a ticket! Its the law, you are aware of it, and you chose to break it.

It would never be okay for a shoplifter to moan about being caught on CCTV. You cant do what you want just cause you think you'll get away with it! And if you do, you should definitely not complain about it

Rant over :)

OP posts:
BeerTricksPotter · 07/02/2011 00:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 07/02/2011 00:14

I swear, every day someone posts on FB -
"Doris got another speeding ticket. Who puts all these fucking cameras out there, just another money making tool for the government"

Grin
OP posts:
BeerTricksPotter · 07/02/2011 00:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 07/02/2011 00:33

Indeedy, tis a conspiracy ...... Hmm
[peeks out of curtains to check evil government arent lurking emoticon]

OP posts:
Penelope1980 · 07/02/2011 06:14

This is a pet peeve of mine too! Especially when people talk about "law abiding" people getting tickets. Um, if you are speeding, you are NOT law-abiding.

LoveBeingADaddysGirl · 07/02/2011 06:19

I really hate it too, especially when there is a news report. Even the BBC go for the poor motorist pov.

ccpccp · 07/02/2011 09:28

Tickets wont be a problem for much longer, as many authorities are removing their sp££d cameras now the funding has been cut.

A long overdue return to the days where you dont get 3 points and a £60 fine for doing 33mph through some whiners village.

Bogeyface · 07/02/2011 09:31

My sisters FIL was fuming when he got caught for speeding. He did the old "Why dont they spend their time finding proper criminals" etc

He said to my BIL that unless he checked his speedo every few seconds he was bound to speed, and BIL said that thats what he does and thats why he has never had a speeding ticket!

It really annoys me. The speed limits are (usually) clearly marked. Speed cameras are signed and have to be clearly visible.

If you choose to drive over the limit then dont whinge when you get caught!

And ccp, I am going to assume you are joking?! Hmm

ccpccp · 07/02/2011 09:38

Nope - most cameras will be going, and about time. They are devisive, hated and pretty much ineffective as a road safety measure, serving only to glue peoples eyes to their speedos when they should be watching the road.

BBC Here

xstitch · 07/02/2011 09:43

Funny you should say that allsquare. I had an argument with DP about speeding yesterday. He called me a dangerous driver for driving at the speed limit when a lot of others were speeding by a lot (motorway). He claimed that it would be a defence in court to say 'Everyone else was speeding so it was safer Hmm. He was even convinced that I would be charged with failing to make sufficient progress because my speedometer showed that I was doing the same as the signposted speed limit.

Bogeyface · 07/02/2011 10:01

Xstitch, tell your DH that "Flow of traffic" isnt and has never been a defence. I know this because XH tried that one when he got his (first of several) speeding ticket!

He is talking out that which he sits on, I fear! :o

ccpccp · 07/02/2011 10:03

Your DP is lining himself up for a driving ban xstitch! The old 'driving at the same speed of the traffic' excuse doesnt work for speeding fines.

However, if you are doing 70 on the motorway I assume you were also obeying the rule that says everyone must drive in the inside lane unless overtaking? You can be done for dangerous driving if you cause an accident by pulling into an overtaking lane without accelerating to match the speed of the traffic in it. Sitting at 70 when everyone else is doing 85 is dangerous.

Plumm · 07/02/2011 10:07

I went on a speed awareness course when I was caught speeding and everyone on the course was trying to justify why they were speeding and why they should be let off (except me, 'twas a fair cop!) Reason like 'it was late and there were no other cars around' doesn't stop it from being an offence.

strandedpolarbear · 07/02/2011 10:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

strandedpolarbear · 07/02/2011 10:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

xstitch · 07/02/2011 10:12

I was in the left hand lane ccp, there were 2 other lanes in which people could overtake.

I know bogey, I think this is the third time we have had this argument.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 07/02/2011 10:19

It's breaking the law, yes, no argument abouut that.

I don't think that speed kills... it's lack of attention on the road that does it. If you drive in Germany the autobahns have no speed limit. I've never seen anybody on the phone, munching a sandwich or reading a map. The driving is fast but I feel safe there as everybody's switched on, no road rage, just fast, considerate driving.

In the UK drivers are now 'managed' with a bewildering array of instructions and modified driving practices and yet the rate of accidents is so high.

I had one set of points on my licence after 20 odd years of driving... my fault I was speeding, I accepted them, paid the fine and the increased insurance.

chickencrisps · 07/02/2011 10:21

i was watching one of the cops programmes the other day and some bloke was stopped for no insurance. he was ranting on, why are you treating me like a criminal, go out and catch real criminals etc etc

he didnt seem to realise he was breaking the law and thus committing a crime

ShinyMoonInAPurpleSky · 07/02/2011 12:46

YADNBU! My best friend was killed by a speeding driver when he was 7 years old. The speed limit on the road was 60 but that wasn't enough for the driver who killed him. After nearly 20 years of campaigning my friends mum has managed to get the speed limit down to 40 in parts of the road and 30 at the residential part. Anyone who says that "Speed doesn't kill, bad driving does" is an idiot as far as I'm concerned.

Onetoomanycornettos · 07/02/2011 12:50

YANBU in built-up areas, happy to go slower in these.

YABU on motorways, where the speed-limit is broken by practically all the drivers (apart from xstich:)) thereby rendering it ineffective anyway.

Abr1de · 07/02/2011 12:53

'and yet the rate of accidents is so high.'

One of the lowest in Europe, I believe.

fiveisanawfullybignumber · 07/02/2011 12:57

ccpccp A long overdue return to the days where you dont get 3 points and a £60 fine for doing 33mph through some whiners village. Shock

Am I reading this wrong? You want to be able to speed through a village and not be caught/fined?
Well, I live in 'some whiners village' where idiots race down the main road. It's bleeding dangerous to cross the main road at times, especially at night, they must be allowed to drive extra fast then!Hmm

Op, YADNBU

wigglesrock · 07/02/2011 13:05

Do you know drives me mad, drivers that stop dead, pull over, put their hazards on, to take that all important phone call. Hazards do not equal the right to stop where you feckin' want. Is it the Pentagon on the phone..? Really is it...?

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 07/02/2011 13:10

Abr1de Mon 07-Feb-11 12:53:18
'and yet the rate of accidents is so high.'

One of the lowest in Europe, I believe.

Well... considering that France and Spain are in Europe and their figures are included, I stand by my statement.

mousymouse · 07/02/2011 13:14

witch the "no speedlimit on motorways in germany" is a myth, though. on most stretches the speed limit is 120 kmh, which is about 75mph. very very few routes left without limit at all. and tbh it is very annoying being stuck behind a lorry because it is too dangerous to switch lanes because the other cars are going 100kmh faster than you...