Was in court yesterday on a speeding charge 52mph in a 30 mph limit.
Yeah I know I was a total nob but its not quite as bad as it sounds.
I went to court suited and booted looking suitablely ashamed. Told the judge the truth which was I had just entered a 30 limit after travelling on an unfamilar rural road and failed to see the speed limit change but did slow to 30 mph within 150 yards of entering the 30 which was before I saw the camera van as I genuiely don t speed in 30 limits. I told them it was a momentary lapse of concentration and that I was ashamed my observation was so poor as I had previously been an observer for the IAM and that the incident had highlighted my skills needed a refresh, which I had proactively done myself by paying to go on a bikesafe course with south yorkshire police. I had a charatcer reference off my wifes uncle who is a magistrate and told them I wanted to rejoin the IAM but was awaiting their verdict before applying as I had been told membership is assessed on how many points are on your lience.
I told them that I accepted I was speeding and would take responsibilty for my actions but asked for them to consider I was not just recklessly speeding past a school but for about 150 metres only as I missed the speed limit change sign. I also told them I had a clean lience as I was NOT a speeder or ever convicted of such.
I then went on to challenge the 52mph speed recorded as I believed it in accurate and that the laserscope LTI20.20 used must have had an error called slip error as I was confident I was doing 40-44 mph maximum. The laser caught me as I was rounding a bend and the laser cross hairs were on my narrow front tyre in the photographic evidence they presented which was constantly moving and my bike had a large moving side profile which was open to slip error. I had numerous copies of evidence where this had been proved and magistrates had accepted the fact slip error is a very real problem and that the home office who approved the device stated it was open to erroneous readings.
I was very repsectful and humble the whole time.
They listened to me with patiences and I thought all was going well. They even asked if I had not just been offered a fixed penalty of 3 points and £60 fine which I said no I had nt but I believed that would be a suitable punishment and hoped they would agree.
THEY SAID - 6 points , £341 fine, £35 costs and £15 for the goverement (they always have to have their cut)
I SAID - Thanks but I normally liked to be kissed before I get fooked.
Racing is everything, anything before or after is waiting