Traveling south this morning on the M1 thru the road works in a coned off single lane with nothing in front of me, see blue lights coming up fast
behind, ambulance, I cant get out way as its steel rails both sides, only option left was too accelerate until I started too leave him, 80mph+, as we
go out of roadworks he gives me the thanks nod and goes on his way.........
Where does that leave me, average speed cameras on that section, traveled over 2 miles at speeds up too double the 40mph limit, maybe he will have
took my number ?
Here's hoping.
I suspect that if the cameras did record you then you are shafted and they won't believe a word you tell them.
At least you did the right thing and might have saved someones life though.
if you ever got done over that....
with that explanation..........
Id make a massive thing about it with press news etc
if they clocked you then they must have also got the ambulance...
Well, if your number is captured, then surely HIS number will be captured. As the camera should log time of day, showing both vehicles exceeding the speed limit over that stretch of road. You may also be able to cross-reference the emergency call time of day! Long shot but wortha try if it comes to it?
I've heard stories in the past about people being snapped by red-light cameras because they were getting out of the way of blue-lights. As far
as I understand they're not easy to wriggle out of. The plod want their cake and eat it
If they try and do you for that Jon, you should fight it.
Quite frankly, 40 is too slow even through the roadworks. Think 50 is reasonable.
Still I'm sure if you were in front of a police car with blues on and you refused to speed up, bet they would nick you for obstuction or
something.
You just can't win can you.
Mike
i would say that that leaves you in a good position, as said the camera with have caught both of you, and if the police want to persue the matter, id try your best to get hold of the driver, who im sure will give a good testament for you, especially if he gave you a nod, he should be a nice guy. also it must have been fairly safe for you to travel at those speeds- there obviously werent any cars right in front, so it was in the public's interest for you to break the law. im currently a law student im sure my tutor could shed some light on it if worst came to the wost...
You broke the law; see what the highway code says about it; looks like you're scuppered unless a speed camera and red light camera are treated
differently
quote:
Also in rule 213 on Emergency vehicles, it is proposed that the following wording be added at the end:
… or break traffic laws by, for example, pulling forward across a stop line at a red traffic light. Recent court cases show that facilitating the passage of an emergency vehicle is not regarded as a valid defence to a prosecution brought with evidence obtained by a red-light camera.
the sun would love the story jon, if it does go t*ts up. The alternative is to send off the v5 NOW in a new keepers name, backdated. Hide the vehicle and get a friend to reapply for a new v5 in a few months. Obviously not possible with valuble or company cars!
quote:
Originally posted by Donners90
Well, if your number is captured, then surely HIS number will be captured. As the camera should log time of day, showing both vehicles exceeding the speed limit over that stretch of road. You may also be able to cross-reference the emergency call time of day! Long shot but wortha try if it comes to it?
Another case where law abiding decent citizenship is punished.
However, if you were one of the millions of illegal drivers - you would get off scot free...
I'm agreed - go with the 'Sun' newspaper angle, argue it in court etc. The least you can do is make it difficult for them.
I can't for the life of me believe that a judge wouldn't be lenient in this situation if it went to court? If they aren't - its a
shocking testament to just how low this country has become.
so on a different angle if you where at the traffic lights on red and an police car came behind with the blue lights flashing and you refused to move,
could they do you.
i doubt they could.
mmmmmm, if I have any probs would fight it on principle anyway, I maybe should have took the number of the ambulance but I know the time and I'm sure there will be a record of who was driving it at the time, it was actually the passenger not the driver that gave me the thumbs up so should be two witness's at least.
I fought something vaguely similar to this except I was more in the wrong than you & the case was withdrawn b4 it ever got to Court. If I were you I would write out the details of the "offence" in a letter & send it to yourself recorded delivery. When it arrives DO NOT OPEN IT!!! You can then produce this in court to prove your story is not something you conveniently invented AFTER the summons arrived (if it does). Hope this helps & best of luck.
russbot,
A very, very cunning idea 
I like it very mucho!
The court of law recognises a postal date as fact.
Great idea - perhaps we should diversify and open a new forum:
Locost Legal Advice
Payment via cortina/sierra bits
Thats all Ok, but most people confuse 'Law' and 'Justice' as being one and the same , where in truth they are excact opposites
The alternative is to try to turn things around so as to proportion some of the blame onto the ambulance driver!
"He's a professional driver who was signalling for me to get out of the way. He knew I was unable to do anything other than speed up and he
must have had a very good reason to do so"
And on the third side of the coin....was there any workmen working around the contraflow? It could be argued that the speed limit was there for their
benefit. If the roadworks were workman-free, you did a risk assessment and made the desision to help the ambulance guys.
quote:
Originally posted by owelly
The alternative is to try to turn things around so as to proportion some of the blame onto the ambulance driver!
"He's a professional driver who was signalling for me to get out of the way. He knew I was unable to do anything other than speed up and he must have had a very good reason to do so"
And on the third side of the coin....was there any workmen working around the contraflow? It could be argued that the speed limit was there for their benefit. If the roadworks were workman-free, you did a risk assessment and made the desision to help the ambulance guys.
I believe that as you wer travelling at over 30mph above the speed limit, you wll get an automatic ban!!!!!
BUT, my mates dad got done for speeding, but the points he wouldhave got would have meant that he would lose his licesence!, with that his job!, so
the courts let him keep his licesene and gave him a big fine.
So there is hope, plus if the camareas were working, calibated to 40mph and not 70mph (70mph *10, +2mph =79mph, about what you were doing....) Lots of
variables. AT 5.30 may just be getting light...?
There is a bloke on ebay who sells for about £3 various details about how to save your license etc etc, may be worth a punt.
Recent program on BBC last week, driver escaped any conviction by proving he was driving under duress and thats why the accident occurred. Supposedly
a number of celebs and footballers have got off using this one when photographers have been chasing them.
Steve
That's what I was about to say. If it comes to it, you were being forced down the carriage way by the nasty man in the big van. Not your fault you were fearing for your life etc etc
As a matter of interest are you certain there were operational cameras?
If there was the ambulance close enough to block its view of your rear plate. Of course if it was a forward facer that doesn't help.
I'd wait for a NIP and hope they miss the 14 days they have to get it to you. With maybe the postal story just in case.
Final backup plan is to contact the red tops and sell your story for the value of the fine.
i think i would be inclined to take some photos of that stretch of road whilst the roadworks are still there. At least then you can prove there was no
way to pull over.
It would have been interesting if it was a copper behind you instead of ambulance. You wouldnt have known if he wanted to pull you over so most people
would stop. The following conversation would be good to have on tape!!!