72 km/hr in a school zone.

[herja]

On Wednesday I was pulled over for going 72 km/hr along Burwood highway at 9:30 in the morning. The electronic speed signs were not on when I went past them so I was travelling at the last posted speed which was 70. The police officer contended that I must have missed them as they were flashing (they were not!). From the position the officer was in when he pulled me over (he was stationary) he could not see the speed signs in question so can not say beyond any reasonable doubt that they were in operation when he pulled me over. The time on the ticket was 0922 which I think he fudged to make sure it was within the school time. Would this sound reasonable to a magistrate? I really do not wish to get a criminal record. I have a perfect driving record to date and always try to do the right thing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[herja]

Oh and another possible piece of evidence would be the major signal work that went at the set of lights that are between the signs. The lights were down the day after as I drove past and the day after that with police directing traffic. Unsure if this add's any extra credence to the signs not functioning.

[Boki]

Once again, I don't know why people get so worked up about criminal records sometimes. Especially when has no relevance regarding the work you do. In some scenarios (along with an interesting personality), it is actually better for you to have a criminal history as it adds a certain colourful vibe that surrounds you - unlike all the other boring frigid c**ts that apply for the job.

Your story is an interesting one. Based on what you have said, and the way you feel - you should take it to a magistrate. You seem like a genuine, reasonable and law-abiding person that magistrates love - you'll do just fine by yourself.

[Hardy]

If he can see the rear of the sign he can see if it is flashing or not.
Traffic offences don't form part of a criminal record even though you will get a conviction if you don't take it to court.

[Smiling Assassin]

Did you tell the Police Officer that it was 9:30 and that the signs werent showing 40km/h? Or was it 9:30 when he gave you the penalty notice (8 minutes seems like a reasonable duration for an intercept).

[Kofi123]

Did you tell the Police Officer that it was 9:30 and that the signs werent showing 40km/h? Or was it 9:30 when he gave you the penalty notice (8 minutes seems like a reasonable duration for an intercept).

Surely you would have mentioned this to the officer, surely teh officer was recording what you were saying or at the least taking notes.

As you're telling the truth you should definately have this heard in court. The notes/recording taken by the officer/dashcam should clearly show that it was after 9.30am and you'll be let off. If the officer doesn't have notes, or a recording or a dashcam then the Magistrate is sure to believe you!

[oscar]

If he can see the rear of the sign he can see if it is flashing or not.
Traffic offences don't form part of a criminal record even though you will get a conviction if you don't take it to court.

most flashing signs have a repeater light on the rear - come on sean you should know that

[Hardy]

most flashing signs have a repeater light on the rear - come on sean you should know that

Maybe I should have used more simple language so you could understand what I was saying?

[oscar]

oops

misread your post

[Boki]

oops

misread your post

How many times has that happened this year?

[oscar]

that'll be number one

saw a card in a book shop the other day that made me think of you...

it said "sarcasm is your defence against stupid people"

as you regularly state, i'm being the sarcastic one...and yep, you're the other one !

(oh sorry - i should elucidate - a book shop is where people who can read go to, to browse bound manuscripts that are filled with words)

[Boki]

that'll be number one

sorry, just re-read your post
ignore my previous backwards comment

(viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2426&start=18)
Seems like someone needs single digit counting lessons.

saw a card in a book shop the other day that made me think of you...

it said "sarcasm is your defence against stupid people"

No I'm quite sure it said "Stupid people use sarcasm as a defence". Are misreading signs now?.
I think you need to only stick to the picture books while browsing the book shops - that way, you'll never go wrong (due to the absence of words)

[Day]

No I'm quite sure it said "Stupid people use sarcasm as a defence". Are misreading signs now?.
I think you need to only stick to the picture books while browsing the book shops - that way, you'll never go wrong (due to the absence of words)

I dunno. I think Oscar was pretty close:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sarcasm

http://www.amazon.com/Sarcasm-natural-d ... B002F5XLJA

http://www.squidoo.com/SarcasticQuotes

[oscar]

http://www.squidoo.com/SarcasticQuotes

love the "sarcasm: it beats killing people"

[Boki]

Day, what are you doing... You are encouraging his sarcastic behaviour and have just thrown many months worth of progress down the toilet by linking him to all these 'sarcastic' novelty items.

Now he is going to go on a shopping spree to acquire the whole set together with car stickers, t-shirts and coffee mugs.

[Day]

Day, what are you doing... You are encouraging his sarcastic behaviour and have just thrown many months worth of progress down the toilet by linking him to all these 'sarcastic' novelty items.

Now he is going to go on a shopping spree to acquire the whole set together with car stickers, t-shirts and coffee mugs.

Search- Alexie Sayle - Sarcasm - Young Ones.

Besides..... I like Oscar's work.


And yours.

[oscar]

Alexye Sayle - one of my teenage idols

[Smiling Assassin]

Herja - what time were you pulled over? Was he on foot checking speeds or did he pull you over in his car?
If s/he put the offence time as 09:22 then it would take approx 8 mins to check details and issue P/N whih would coincide with you saying that it was 09:30 when you were given the P/N.

[Boki]

Police members are trained to round it up/down the nearest 5 min interval on the infringement notices - under the 'approximate time of offence' section of the notice. (This is only for non-time specific offences such as seat belt, drink driving etc.)

However, since time is a more significant factor in relation to your offence you got the custom-made 9:22am on your notice. And you can be sure that they will emphasise that fact on the summons.

[herja]

I have a good feeling it could well have been just before 9:30. The police officer could not have possibly seen the rear of the sign as he was on the other side of the hill from it. He could see the 40 sign for the traffic going the other direction but not the specific sign that would have told me the correct speed. There are also no permanent school zone signs like other places with electronic signs.

Pretty much just contemplating copping it at the moment. As much as it sucks fighting it is just much to inconvenient. It is not lost on me that they have purposely made it this way.