Safe Speed Forums

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/n ... eared.html

159mph police driver cleared

A POLICE constable who reached speeds of up to 159mph while "familiarising himself" with a new patrol car was today cleared of dangerous driving and speeding after a magistrate criticised the decision to prosecute him.

District Judge Bruce Morgan, sitting at Ludlow Magistrates' Court, acquitted Pc Mark Milton of the charges after describing the 38-year-old as the "creme de la creme" of police drivers.

The court had heard that the officer, who is trained in advanced driving and the use of firearms, was recorded travelling at 159mph on the M54 near Telford, Shropshire, by an on-board video camera in the early hours of December 5, 2003.

Giving his verdicts, Mr Morgan said: "I can't help but see the irony that those that brought this prosecution are those very people who have purchased cars that go at this speed and paid for him (the defendant) to go to learn to drive at these speeds."

Pc Milton, from Bratton, Telford, left the court with his wife without comment other than to say he was relieved at the outcome of the case.

The officer, who qualified as a Grade I advanced driver in 1995, told the court at a previous hearing that he had taken the newly-commissioned, unmarked 3.2-litre GSI Vauxhall Vectra on to the road to assess its capabilities.

Criticising the investigation into the alleged offences, Mr Morgan told the court that he accepted that Pc Milton had driven at "eye-watering" speeds while on duty.

Vehicles

But the magistrate expressed deep concern at West Mercia Constabulary's "total lack of policy" on when and where police drivers should practise driving at very high speeds.

Summarising the policy as being one of "do your own thing", Mr Morgan also questioned why officers were permitted to drive at high speed to familiarise themselves with vehicles or as an act of self-training without informing senior officers or making any written record of their actions.

"This is most surely a remarkable state of affairs. The situation is simply not satisfactory for the police officers concerned or for the public," he said.

He added: "At the end of the day, those who get their (advanced level driving) certificates are the creme de la creme of police drivers. They are simply the best the West Mercia force has to offer."

Speaking after the case, a police spokesman revealed that the West Mercia force is clarifying the guidance issued to advanced drivers.

The spokesman said: "Inappropriate speed is one of the biggest contributing factors to death and injuries on our roads.

"Officers are trained to the highest standard and there are exemptions in law in relation to the speed limit.

"However, any breach of a speed limit must be justifiable on every occasion a speed limit is exceeded."

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign, said: "Here's a clear and proper admission that in suitable circumstances even 159mph need not be dangerous.

"If 159mph can be safe enough not to endanger the public, then surely this is a clear official admission that driving a few miles per hour over the speed limit isn't necessarily dangerous either."

_________________
Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety