Grimsby driver defends warning others of speed gun

[4me2]

Grimsby driver defends warning others of speed gun





Thompson said he was trying to prevent other motorists from braking dangerously



A driver prosecuted for flashing his headlights to warn motorists of a mobile police speed gun has defended his actions as his "civic duty".
Michael Thompson, 64, was pulled over by officers in Grimsby in July after warning several oncoming cars.
He was fined £175 and ordered to pay £250 costs after being found guilty of wilfully obstructing a police officer in the course of her duties.
Thompson said: "I flashed motorists to warn them of a hazard."
Thompson, of Augustine Avenue, Grimsby, was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge at the hearing at Grimsby Magistrates' Court.


'Right and lawful'

He said he was "very surprised" when he was pulled over by police.



"I explained I was doing my civic duty and the court found me guilty and I now have a criminal record."
He added: "I believe that speed traps cause vehicles to brake harshly at times.
"I stand by what I did. What I did was right and lawful.
"I believe it is a total waste of police time. The court time is now at a premium and this case took the best part of a day. It is a total waste of public money."
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has defended its decision to prosecute.
A CPS spokeswoman said: "Cost is not a consideration in our decision to prosecute.
"When a file is provided to the CPS from the police, it is our duty to decide whether it presents a realistic prospect of conviction and whether a prosecution is in the public interest.
"In accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors a prosecution was deemed appropriate."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-12115179

[Over Carl]

I think a better line to have used is that the police must have been doing this in a known black spot, and he generally wanted to slow people down through the blackspot so in fact he was actually aiding the police in doing their job of preventing/reducing crime.

[losttoy]

Bad luck he got busted blatantly doing what most of us probably do when we've driven past speed 'traps'... Suck it up

What was the victim surcharge about though? Was the WPO traumatised?

Edit.. ok I just googled it seems fair enough http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6431401.stm

[Owl]

Would the same apply for those clowns that take it upon themselves to enforece a speed limit that make fake speed camera's / have dummy coppers (Insert own joke) in their gardens?

Can't really see what he has done wrong (apart from cost the police a few speeding fines). Does the highway code not say something that you flash your lights to show other road users you are there.

[super mike]

Always try to do it and always will. Good on him for standing by his principles.

[cbrookes]

Just goes to show how the cops are really bothered about road safety and not cash generation

[4me2]

I think a better line to have used is that the police must have been doing this in a known black spot, and he generally wanted to slow people down through the blackspot so in fact he was actually aiding the police in doing their job of preventing/reducing crime.

I'd have just said "I thought it was someone I knew so flashed them to say Hello" now prove me wrong Plod.

[MsDG]

I'd have just said "I thought it was someone I knew so flashed them to say Hello" now prove me wrong Plod.

Then you would be done of incorrect use of headlights. Flashing headlights are only to be used as a warning.

However, you state that you were mearly warning drivers of your current position because the on comming traffic looked hazardous... that would be difficult to prove otherwise.

Its a case of the silly pratt was convicted via his own statement!

[evilsatan]

To be fair, by flashing his lights he was slowing motorists down and achieving the same effect as the coppers without anyone incurring any points or charges. They must have been annoyed they were failing to hit targets or, dare I say it, it was that time of the month

He was fined £175 and ordered to pay £250 costs after being found guilty of wilfully obstructing a police officer in the course of her duties.

[Mule]

Just goes to show how the cops are really bothered about road safety and not cash generation

To be fair, by flashing his lights he was slowing motorists down and achieving the same effect as the coppers without anyone incurring any points or charges.

Rubbish. Issuing fines and points is intended as a deterrent to make people drive within the speed limit on a regular basis, not just for a few seconds while they pass a police car. Whether it works or not is a different matter.

[super mike]

Whether it works or not is a different matter.

It's fairly obvious it doesn't, so they need to find another method.

[Over Carl]

Rubbish. Issuing fines and points is intended as a deterrent to make people drive within the speed limit on a regular basis, not just for a few seconds while they pass a police car. Whether it works or not is a different matter.

But are these things not normally situated at accident blackspots as I earlier mentioned, with the claim that they are trying to improve drivers behaviour in such areas?

Also I don't see any mention of him inciting drivers to behave badly, all I can see is him hinting to them to slow down, i.e. he is helping the coppers by calming traffic. If he was encouraging them to speed up after, then I can totally agree he is helping people to subvert the law but I see no mention of this.

[HELPERS]

I find it very hard to take all of this in from the bullshit police AGAIN

so if i flash my lights i can get nicked for fuck all ?

this nation is fucked-i think he needs to take it to the high court-he has not committed any crime-its a disgrace of English Law-i see nothing in black and white about flashing your lights being a traffic problem and carried points and fines ?

[doughboy]

Easy to get out off....Claim your 2nd car is an import and you were trying to wash your windscreen, forgetting which car you where in....simple