Posts Tagged ‘vehicle’

Motoring Offences And Their Penalties

July 24th, 2010

The UK has an abundance of road laws, and if you’re a driver on the UKs roads then chances you have at some point fell fowl of one of them. Surprisingly most of the UKs drivers are not actually aware of what they are being charged with and why when they are stopped. In this article, you will find a short list of the most widespread traffic offences, shedding light on the details and penalties you can look forward to for some of the more frequent motoring offences.

Speeding or exceeding the speed limit: The offence here is clearly defined as ‘Driving on a road exceeding the prescribed speed limit’. For this type of motoring offence you can expect a 60 fine up to a maximum of 1000 and an endorsement of 3-6 points on your licence, and a discretionary disqualification also applies. If you are driving at more than 30 miles an hour over the speed limit then you are likely to be disqualified.

If caught speeding and you are offered a fixed penalty then you are almost certainly best off in the long run to take this option as the compulsory fine is likely to be less than what any court would inflict. On the other hand if you do decide to contest a speeding fine, then possible reasons consist of; you were simply not speeding, it wasn’t you driving, or that you were driving an exempt means of transport due to emergency.

Failing to stop: This crime is clear; ‘A driver of a mechanically propelled means of transport in attendance when a road traffic accident occurred where personal injury or damage was caused to another person and or vehicle’. Further to this, if you also fail to stop after injuring an animal not in the vehicle or properties on or near the road and fail to stop then you break the above law. Penalties for this type of offence are strict, with at least 6 months in jail and a fine of a 5000 likely.

Motorway speeding: if you are caught exceeding the national speed limit in the UK on a motorway then the maximum penalty is a fine of 2500 and six driving licence points. If you a caught in excess of 100mph then the probably outcome is a ban coupled with the fine.

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The Dangers Of Driving Unsafe Commercial Vehicles

July 22nd, 2010

One reason that a teenager is so excited to get their driver’s license is because of the ultimate freedom that it grants them. But as their parents never cease to remind them, it also includes a lot of responsibility and needs to be handled with caution. This holds true for anyone on the road, which is why all drivers must always make sure that their cars are safe. When it comes to driving unsafe commercial vehicles, the dangers are even greater.

Anytime someone is out on the highway, even when conditions are ideal, it can be a slightly dangerous proposition. People like to multi-task and often, will change the music or the volume as they drive, creating a small amount of time when they take their eyes off of the road. A lot of people take bigger risks than this in the car, however, such as eating multiple foods or drinking while driving, sending someone a quick text message, or chatting on their cell phones for a long time. Even simply talking to the passenger who is right next to might be enough to take your mind off the road and cause you to miss certain key signals.

Sometimes, people are not sure exactly where they are going and may change lanes at the last minute, swerving their car to the side. This can be extremely dangerous to the cars behind or next to them, who might also have to quickly swerve or stop.

These things can happen under optimal conditions, but it is an even worse story if the conditions are not great to begin with. When someone is operating an unsafe car, they pose a risk not only to themselves, but to anyone driving near them or behind them.

Sometimes, the driver of the vehicle will notice that their car is acting funny, but will not be able to move to the side to address the problem. If they end up stopping suddenly in the middle of the road, they can damage themselves and the car behind them, who might not be able to stop on time. This can affect the next few cars and cause a major accident.

Operating a car like this is not right to the people on the road with you and it is also against the law. If it is discovered that you took out a vehicle that you knew was not working properly, you will not only gain multiple traffic ticket Durham or any kind of traffic ticket Ontario and points, but you might have your license suspended indefinitely.

The government created certain standards that every vehicle must meet in order to be legally allowed out on the roads. By always going to your annual inspection and making sure that the sticker inside your car has not expired, you can be sure that your car is safe enough to drive.

By driving unsafe commercial vehicles, you are taking a risk not only with the law, but also with your life and the lives of those around you. It can be guaranteed that whatever reason you thought you needed to do such a thing is not as important as saving a life.

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Britain’s Most Lucrative Speed Camera

July 12th, 2010

It has materialised that a new speed camera erected on a road where there has been just one severe accident in over ten years, has brought in over 1.3m pound in profits from speeding motorists per year. It has been daubed Britain’s most lucrative speed camera and has been named and shamed by an angry local community.

The controversial camera, which has been described as one of the most lucrative in Britain, has captured on average 1,843 motorists per month. And with the average fine for speeding 60, that equates to 1,327,140 each year.

The cameras location is Poole in Dorset on a 30mph section of road on a dual carriageway. The camera was initially erected to catch motorists jumping the red lights nearby; however the camera has since been converted to also trigger when motorists speed through the green light and is one of the first in the country to do so.

Official statistics show that only one serious accident has taken place on this road in over ten years with no fatalities. This has led to fears by motoring groups who are concerned that the only reason the camera has been converted is to ‘milk the motorist’, they also believe the low 30mph speed limit on a dual carriageway that usually commands a 40mph limit adds to the high number of issued tickets.

As a result of the cameras positions, the low speed limit and the fact it works regardless of green or red lights, drivers who thought they were driving legally have been caught travelling just a few miles over the limit. The road the camera is situated upon is a wide dual carriageway, with an industrial estate on one side, and a harbour on the other. The revenue generated by this one camera dwarfs the amount generated by other cameras, delivering evidence that something is seriously wrong with the setup.

A temporary Camera at road works on the A1139 in Peterborough earlier this year was, on average issuing 3000 tickets per month, generating 3.2m per year.

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The Serious Consequences Of Driving Under Suspension

July 9th, 2010

If you happen to be driving without a permit to drive because your permit has been confiscated then you are driving under suspension. The system of government has removed it for a specific amount of time and it is prohibited that you operate any vehicle. You may be liable to be guilty of another offence by driving at this time.

Different provinces in Canada have different laws for this offense. The amount of the penalty is determined by the frequency of this offense. There is also a possibility of a term of imprisonment. There can be more serious penalties depending on the reason of the offense.

The driver who is stopped by the police and is found to have a suspended license may be detained and arrested. It is possible that the vehicle will be seized awaiting the results of a trial. At trial the length of time in custody is determined.

You can be disqualified everywhere for these kinds of infractions. You cannot drive on private property or in any province in Canada. You are banned from operating any type of vehicle including electrically power vehicles or heavy equipment of machinery. When arrested you are in custody for an undetermined length of time. The location of the infraction will be taken into consideration when evaluating the offence.

The license can be suspended when you have neglected to pay family support that had been previously ordered by the court. If the driver makes the necessary payment to the court then the license is reinstated. As in a traffic violation suspension there is a fine and further infractions are dealt with a possible prison term.

If a driver has an accident and has no liability insurance coverage then it is probable that the authorities will confiscate the permit because the driver cannot pay the damages. The only way to redeem the permit is to pay the damages. However in the meantime if the driver drives a vehicle then he is liable for fines and if this is not the first infraction of driving without the permit there is a chance of imprisonment.

If you have been stopped for speeding or anything that would be considered stunt driving you would lose your license. If you decide to drive after suspension for these reasons then you can be liable to fines or imprisonment. If there are subsequent infractions there may be a term of imprisonment of up to ten years. In some provinces a license can be suspended because there is a point system in place and you have lost all your points.

Possibly while your permit is suspended you may be up for renewal. However, since you are under suspension unless you pay the penalty or fine, or complete the term of imprisonment you will not be in a position to renew you license. This may also be the case if you have accumulated the maximum number of demerit points. Generally the rule for any of the violations is that as a first offender you would not go to jail.

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Pensioner On Drunk Driving Rap

June 20th, 2010

An elderly disabled pensioner has been arrested and convicted of dink driving whilst speeding at 4mph on his mobility scooter. He was arrested after 8 policemen in three cars made the road side stop.

The man was pulled over when he failed to stop after being ‘blue lighted’ by police. Police then took further action which resulted in one car mounting the pavement to block the driver’s path. Only then were police able to seize the vehicles keys.

The disabled pensioner, who has the scooter thanks to blocked arteries in his legs, was pulled over after an evening playing dominoes with his friends and had consumed around six or seven pints before setting off home.

The pensioner was understandably shaken and somewhat peeved after the incident, he commented “I can’t believe how they treated me – anybody would think that I was a bank robber or a member of Al-Qaeda,” Donohoe told the Daily Mail. The pensioner was kept in police cells for 12 hours, fingerprinted and had his DNA taken.

He continued; “They must have known, like I did, that the rules of the road don’t apply when you’re riding a mobility scooter down the pavement at three and a half miles an hour, but it didn’t seem to matter one jot.”I didn’t stop at first because I wanted to get home, and I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

Mr Donohoe was found to be three times over the legal UK drink driving limit after he failed a roadside breath test. He has been banned from driving; however he has not been banned from driving his mobility scooter as it is not actually classed as car.

There are several unusual cases of drink driving, including a milk man charge with driving his float whilst under the influence and a Welsh rugby player driving a golf buggy down a busy motorway.

If you have been convicted of Speeding, then visit Freeman Keep On Driving expert Speeding Solicitors.


Why Fight A Speeding Ticket?

June 14th, 2010

Any driver that has had a speeding ticket knows that the experience is both annoying and costly. Many people will just pay the fine and be done with it, not thinking about the implications. If you find yourself with a speeding ticket, before decide to accept the fine, you may want to consider if the ticket is worth fighting.

If you get a speeding ticket, you will have to pay a fine that can be quite costly, especially if you have had previous tickets. It can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars. You will also have demerit appoints applied to your driving record. The accumulation of demerit points can have serious effects. The more points you acquire, the more severe the penalty.

Speeding tickets also affect your insurance premiums. If you get a speeding ticket, the insurance company may raise your rates because you will be considered a high risk driver. If you make a habit of getting caught speeding, the insurance could possibly cancel your policy and it would be very difficult getting insurance from another company. If you do get insurance, the premiums will be quite high.

If you feel that the speeding ticket you received was incorrect, you may want to consider fighting the ticket. For example, sometimes a police officer may make a mistake recording how fast someone was driving. Also, you may have been traveling above the speed limit, but it could have been due to the weather and road conditions. You may have been traveling above the speed limit to avoid an accident, or you had mechanical problems such as a gas pedal problem. As well, the officer may have made a mistake on the ticket or the officer’s radar may have been malfunctioning.

It is important to be aware that if you choose to fight the ticket, it will be your responsibility to prove that you were driving at a safe speed for the particular situation. If you are unsure about your rights and what you have to do to defend yourself in court, it is a good idea to consult with an attorney that specializes in speeding ticket cases. You will then be able to decide if it is worth it go to court and what you need to do to prepare your case. If you are facing severe penalties, it may be worth having an attorney represent you in court.

If you plan to go to court, you will need evidence to support your defense. For instance, you will need such documentation as traffic tickets issued by the officer, any witness statements, officer’s badge number, pictures of the area where you were stopped to show road conditions and weather conditions, road signs, power lines, documentation supporting the condition of your vehicle,…etc. You will also likely need to create a large diagram indicating important objects such as your car, where officer was positioned, any obstructions such tree branches hanging over the posted speed limit sign…etc.

It is important to be aware that sometimes objects such as power lines, power stations, and other vehicles, can interfere with a radar reading. If you want to subpoena the radar device, it is a good idea to have lawyer representation. As well, you should also have an attorney if you want to prove that the officer was not properly trained to use a radar detector.

Fighting a traffic ticket may be the best solution if you feel you have a case. The assistance of an attorney specializing in fighting speeding tickets can be beneficial as this type of attorney has the expertise, understands the law, and will know if you have a chance of winning.

In need of professional and affordable representation for your DUI Durham and traffic tickets Durham. As Ontario’s leading legal services provider, they are commited to providing effective legal services that you can afford.


Apply The Brakes To Drink Driving

June 14th, 2010

1 in ten deaths on UK roads are caused by drunk drivers, and in 2008 269 of these where a direct result of drivers being found over the limit. There where over 11,000 recorded drink or drug related incidents in the UK in 2008.

The road safety charity, Brake, has recently conducted some research into these findings. The findings reveal that up to 14 per cent of these incidents are caused by driver ‘at work’. An ‘at work’ driver is one that attends a meeting or corporate event and consumes alcohol before getting back behind the wheel either same day or the morning after.

The at work drivers admitted to consuming up to three times the legal drink drive limit before taking control of their vehicle, when in comparison just 6 percent of other driver made the same claim.

The findings from the research should get managers thinking about the role they play and the responsibilities they have to their employees the next time an event, ceremony or marketing conference or other ‘off site’ event is organized. Many of our UK workforces have attended such an event, where the common procedure is to consume alcohol after the meeting or event is wrapped up.

It is of course the responsibility of the individual to retrain themselves with regards to alcohol consumption; however the managers can play a role in organizing public transport to and from the event, and even allowing the employee the morning off work the day after the event.

Brake is doing its bit by launching a new campaign called ‘Face Facts’. Posters and e-guides are available to assist managers in alerting company drivers of the risks of drunk driving.

If you have been convicted of speeding, then visit Freeman Keep On Driving Road Traffic Solicitors.


Arrested For Drunk Driving Behind The Wheel Of A Bus

June 11th, 2010

Passengers on board a Blustar-run bus have spoken of their shock after the driver of the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

25 passengers were on board the double decker bus, ran by Blustar at the time of the incident. The passengers onboard included children and elderly people when the police pulled over the vehicle before breathalysing and then arresting the driver for drunk driving.

One shocked passenger who does not want to be named commented: “We couldn’t hear the police officers after they had stormed in and were talking to the driver. We all panicked but did not know what to think. We just didn’t have a clue what was happening when we saw the blue flashing lights.”

One passenger travelling on the bus said: “We just didn’t have a clue what was happening when we saw the blue flashing lights. We all panicked but did not know what to think. We couldn’t hear the police officers after they had stormed in and were talking to the driver.

After the driver had been detained by police, the company sent over a replacement drive that arrived within minutes. Chris Harris, public relations manager at Blustar said because of the serious nature of the incident the employee was suspended immediately.

He continued:” The consumption of alcohol while on duty or reporting for duty while under the influence of alcohol is expressly forbidden. It is a strict rule that all Bluestar employees are required to be completely sober at all times when on duty. ”

It is important that companies such as Bluestar act quickly in response to drink driving allegations in order to reassure customers and take potentially dangerous drivers off the road. The safety of passengers aboard Blustar vehicles is paramount to their operations, so it is important to reassure passengers through swift response to issues such as this one that they are willing to do what is necessary to ensure safety.

The driver has been bailed until later in the year.

If you have been convicted of drink driving and been given a Driving Ban, then visit Freeman Keep On Driving expert Road Traffic Solicitors.


Stay Cool And Get Out Of Traffic Tickets

June 10th, 2010

There is nothing more frustrating than getting a traffic ticket. There are many reasons why you can get a ticket and most of them include speeding, running lights, rolling through stop signs as well as broken lights on your car. If you are worried about getting a ticket or trying to get out of a current ticket, this guide is your best best. Look here in order to avoid traffic tickets and save money!

You do not want to draw too much attention to your car. Many people like to custom paint their cars or add flair in order to make it unique. This will only make you stick out even more to police officers looking to give out tickets. Try to make moderate changes to your car so that you do not become a target to get pulled over.

When you are driving around town, speed limits tend to change depending on where you are. Make sure that you are paying attention to all of speed limits. Some people can get confused and can essentially get a ticket for speeding or suspicious driving.

Traffic cameras have become a very big trend in cities across the country. If the police cannot catch you speeding, these cameras easily can get you. There should be signs posted in order to warn you about these cameras. Once you see a camera, simple take your foot off of the gas and slow down a little bit. This will help you to avoid receiving a speeding ticket in the mail.

In the event that you do get pulled over, you need to sty as calm as possible. Try not to get too flustered or upset, this will only make you look suspicious. Look the police officer and make sure that you can provide everything that they ask for. If you get too upset, you could end up getting a ticket anyway simply because you could not cooperate the way the officer requested. Take a deep breath, smile and greet the officer.

People often feel that they have been pulled over unjustly and will give attitude to the officer. If you are rude and you mouth off, you will lose all hope of getting out of your ticket. Even if you feel you have been wrongly pulled over, keep it to yourself and see what happens. Remember, you can always take the ticket to court and see if the judge will drop it for you.

Keep your voice steady and talk with the officer in a reasonable manner. When the two people can communicate within this situation, there is less likely to be a ticket issued. If you get mad or upset, you are only causing problems for yourself. Let the officer explain what you were doing to get stopped in the first place and go from there.

Getting numerous traffic tickets can lead to a bunch of financial issues. Try to keep your nose clean and be careful when you are driving on the roads. Remember, police are not here to scare or hurt you in any way, they are here to make sure that you are safe and protected at all times. When you are breaking the law, you are putting people around you in danger!

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Driver Blames UFO To Get Off Paying A Parking Fine

May 30th, 2010

Are you one of the many UK motorists that believe they have been the victim of an unfair motoring charge? If you are currently nodding your head, then don’t despair, try using one of these genuine explanations given to one London borough council in the hope, albeit slim, that you may be able to overturn your motoring conviction.

However, you can’t blame them for trying as fines for illegal parking in the City of London reach an incredible 120 per ticket. Furthermore, if you do have a valid pay and display ticket, remember to remove your previous day’s ticket, as they will also fine you for that!

One of the more inventive motorists, trying to avoid a fine for driving in a bus lane came up with a UFO for his failure to pay his fine. The driver was so captivated by what he described as a UFO he inadvertently drove into the bus lane and was subsequently fined.

Are you colour blind? If so you may want to try this one; another unjustifiably fined motorist stated that they were unable to distinguish colour, and the yellow line they were parked upon was actually green at the time.

A spokesperson for the London borough for Southwark Council said that the imagination of some motorists was “quite impressive”. Some of the other reasons submitted by desperate motorists include “It was raining. I thought I could park anywhere if the weather was bad.” Another fined driver stated: “I don’t know what the yellow lines mean.”

Director of environment and housing at Southwark Council, Gill Davies said: “The imagination of some of these drivers is quite impressive, but UFOs and colour blindness unfortunately do not count as legitimate reasons to overturn a ticket.”

Director of environment and housing at Southwark Council, Gill Davies said: “The imagination of some of these drivers is quite impressive, but UFOs and colour blindness unfortunately do not count as legitimate reasons to overturn a ticket.”

Westminster City Council has recently stated those of us that park illegally in central London could receive written or verbal warnings instead of the current 120 fine.

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