|
News blog
Any excuse will do! (or will it??)
A police force has revealed a list of "astonishing" excuses motorists give when they are caught breaking the law.
Dorset Police said they were amazed at what some drivers say when they are caught red-handed - including blaming officers for using unmarked patrol cars.
One man, when stopped for using a mobile phone while driving, stated the obvious to the police officer: "Well, I wouldn't have used my mobile if I knew there were policemen in an unmarked car behind me."
Another motorist, a woman who had already served a driving ban after being repeatedly caught speeding, told police when she was stopped again in Bournemouth: "The use of the laser in an unmarked car to catch people is criminal."
One driver, who was stopped travelling at 50mph in a 40mph zone in Poole, admitted to police: "I'm on my way to an eyesight test and didn't see the speed limit sign."
A biker apprehended in Weymouth for speeding thought it was unfair the police positioned themselves at the bottom of a hill because his bike goes faster downhill. Another driver, nabbed doing 53mph told police: "Sorry, I thought it was a 40 miles per hour zone."
In another incident, police stopped a woman for using a mobile phone while driving. She denied the offence and said police must be mistaken because she did not have her phone with her and was instead eating a prawn cracker.
The motorist provided the mobile number to the officer and when the officer rang the number unsurprisingly her phone rang in the car. The lady immediately apologised and offered the officer a prawn cracker. She was issued with a ticket.
Oh well!!
New Highway Code App
One of Britain's most iconic publications is undergoing a digital revolution as Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, marks the Highway Code's 81st year by launching it as an interactive app for smartphones.
Now a new app for the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch will make it even easier to keep up to date with the rules of the road through a more intuitive, interactive format.
The new app includes the complete contents of the Highway Code with a search facility, making it easy to find rules and information. There are also interactive features like quizzes, a stopping distance calculator and a tool to help users identify road signs.
The Official Highway Code app is available on iTunes for £3.99.
Fuel strike averted!
A strike by fuel tanker drivers will not go ahead after they narrowly voted to accept a deal, the Unite union announced. No more panic buying at petrol stations. Hooray!
It's never too late!
A 74 year old Cumbrian grandmother recently passed her driving test at her 3rd attempt, 58 years after taking her 1st driving lesson! The determined lady passed with only 4 minor faults. How about that? If this lady can do it who can't?
Subsidy for taking Pass Plus
Staffordshire County Council is offering a subsidy to newly qualified drivers, to encourage them to obtain the Pass Plus qualification. This very worthwhile cost-saving of either £70 or £90 (depending on where in the county you live) allows drivers, who have recently passed the driving test, to continue to develop their driving skills (including motorway driving). Please contact me for further details.
Learner drivers to be allowed on motorways?
It has been suggested by the government that learner drivers may soon be allowed to take lessons on motorways, to enable them to develop their high speed driving skills before taking a driving test. Currently learner drivers are not allowed to drive on motorways. It is expected that learners would have to be accompanied by a qualified driving instructor for any motorway tuition to take place.
Good news for drivers!
Utility companies who take too long to complete their road works will face higher charges, Transport Minister Norman Baker announced recently.
All utility companies who dig up the road must agree a time frame for their works with the local council. If a firm overstays this period and has not agreed the additional time with the local council, they may face an ‘overrun charge’ for the additional time they spend on the road.
|
