Take care on "runs".

Whilst it is about a motorcyclist, it basically says it could apply to any run.

'Motorcyclists at the head of a group of riders will face stiffer penalties for speeding under a crown court ruling.

Being the lead rider in a group is an aggravating factor making you partly responsible for speeding offences of those behind you according to the decision.

The ruling can be applied in any future cases where two or more motorcyclists riding together are accused of speeding. The head rider might be only a few mph over the limit but could be given the same penalty as the worst offender behind.

Road traffic solicitor Robert Dobson said: �Any crown court decision can be stated in future cases. This is potentially a very dangerous judgement for motorcyclists.

"Riders in a group change position frequently.

�If you are riding at the front any group at excess speed, then the very fact you�re at the front is an aggravating factor.�

Ken Clark, 49, reached 85mph on his Yamaha R1 while leading a group of three riders on the 60mph A272 near Rogate, Sussex, last June.

The speed is within the usual threshold for a fixed penalty of three points and a �60 fine.

But Chichester Crown Court ruled he should receive the same penalty as a following rider accused of going 103mph.

Barrister notes on the ruling given to Clark after the hearing state: �Although his was the lesser speed, [the bench] found it an aggravating feature that he was the lead motorcyclist, was setting the pace and he knew that the other two motorcyclists would want to catch him up and would be speeding to do so.�

The court rejected Clark�s appeal against six points, a �100 fine and �250 court costs.

Clark said: �This should have been three points and a �60 fine but so far it�s cost me �2,500 including solicitors� bills and I have six points on a licence which has been clean for the last 24 years.�

Clark�s solicitor, Philip Somarakis, said 103mph was the speed reached by a police officer on an unmarked bike while tailing Clark’s two friends, but the prosecution accepted it was not possible to prove from video evidence that Clark himself had exceeded 85mph.

�The gist of the ruling is that to be a lead motorcyclist makes you somehow responsible for the actions of those behind you,� he added. ’

The courts will obviously be able to use this verdict against car drivers as well.

So basically they had no real idea if he had exceeded 85mph or not, and have given him that fine on complete assumption that the other motorcyclists would want to catch him up?

So now the courts can just fine you and give you any amount of points they somehow seem fit to give, basically making up any sort of fine or endorsement on the spot.

Utter Crap, sooner I get out of the country the better…GRRRR

This Government hate motorists but loves the revenue from them, I dread to think what my son will be faced with in 9 years

:cry:

Sorry but this is just more Socialist Police State Bullying. :angry:

What sad individual thinks up this twisted " We are going to get you" nonsense" :astonished:…About time the citizens revolted…most of us are revolting anyway :smiley:

Bizarre legal verdict. Reason I don’t do runs anymore tho’- due to loose canons you can have on board :wink:

Not so sure about the “socialist” but Police State Bullying, yes.It sounds an extraordinary verdict. Wait til Mr Loophole gets involved n a similar case.

The courts seem overly keen to fine and prosecute motorists, shame they don�t share that same enthusiasm for putting real criminals behind bars :frowning:

And Government and Police wonder why respect for them goes down the toilet …

This bunch of ****ers have destroyed the UK and they continue to add nails to the coffin … my choice of wether to look to a longer future in OZ gets easier every day :frowning:

Andy

I thought the Oz traffic cops/speed cameras are worse than those here?

Mind you, the weather is better down there… :wink:

[quote=Mr Pesky]Andy

I thought the Oz traffic cops/speed cameras are worse than those here?

Mind you, the weather is better down there… :wink: [/quote]

Strewth bruce… you must be bleeding joking mate! The oinkers down-under are certainly not tossers! :smiley:

Rob … Exactly :wink: