Safe Speed Forums

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/camb ... 120545.stm

The Duke of Gloucester who is president of the Institute of Advanced Motorists has been banned from driving for six months for speeding.

The Duke admitted doing 70mph in a 60mph zone in August on the A47 at Thorney, Cambridgeshire.

A cousin of the Queen, the Duke, who lives in Kensington Palace in London, was also fined £60 and ordered to pay £35 costs.

An Institute spokesman said they would be "taking advice" about his position.

"This is uncharted territory for us really. We are just taking a little bit of advice," said the spokesman.

"Normally somebody who has a 12-point totting up offence loses their licence automatically as well as their membership."

Flynn Jennings, prosecuting, told the court that the Duke's Ford car had been travelling at 70mph on a stretch of road with a 60mph speed limit.

The court clerk told magistrates that the offence was the Duke's fourth in three years.

She said three points had been added to his licence for speeding in November 2001, three for speeding in December 2002 and three for speeding in January 2003.

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Given his high-profile position, I wonder whether anyone from the IAM had a word in his ear once he gained six or nine points - and if not, perhaps they should have.

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

I wonder if there isn't an opportunity for the IAM to make a point by retaining the good Duke as their president?
It may send out a clear message that they are unhappy with the current rigid enforcement of speed limits.

It'd be a bit surprising if they didn't. Six or seven years ago Mrs Gatsobait got pinged, and the IAM sent a "we're very disappointed in you" letter not long after the paid the FPN. This guy is the president of the IAM, isn't he? So you'd think something would have been said.

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein

6 months.....sound a bit harsh!

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Speed camera policy Kills

6 months ban is automatic for totting up. It isn't obligatory, and sometimes the magistrates can be persuaded to waive it. But I don't recall ever hearing about a ban that wasn't 6 months after totting up.

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Paul Smith
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The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

Rumour has it that the IAM are revising their policy on pts.

Based on people I know in my group. I'd say most serious riders (e.g. 12k per year +) have had points or have got points for speeding.

I know one senior observer who was done for driving without due care.

Becasue the IAM still has a large old fart image and a lot of members who do very low mileage. I suspect they still have a lower than avg. membership with points.

Probably Brainstorm getting his own back for a humiliating dress-down from the IAM.

Andrew

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It's a scam........or possibly a scamola


Homer Simpson

Anyone who can't use a bit of restraint with 9 points on their license is obviously a bit dim - to continue to speed in such a position - I think he got off lightly.

Yawn....

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Speed camera policy Kills

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I stole this .sig

Actually, I'm not at all sure how they found out. I reckon that either everything is a big conspiracy and Hampshire plod told 'em or more likely there was a bit on her membership renewal that said "Have you been a good girl this year?" and being an honest type she told 'em. I know, I know, I'm trying to snap her out of it.

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein

There will sadly be more high profile victims before sense prevails.