August 29, 2004

The Cost of Truth

Surely they thought they were witnessing a miracle. West Yorkshire police (yes it's them again) clocked a Fiat Punto on the motorway at 115 mph. After all, the Punto doesn't even do 115. Not deterred by the laws of physics or the protestations of the driver (after he realised it wasn't a joke), they were determined to throw the book at him, get an automatic driving ban and an fine of up to £2,500 - not to mention sending his insurance premiums through the roof.

They picked on the wrong law student. It cost Steve Lucas £2,000 - cash he couldn't really afford - and 18 months, but he won his case when magistrates finally tossed the case. He had to hire a solicitor, a road traffic consultant, and a test track. They proved that the car in question, with a 1.2 litre engine, had an absolute top speed of 104 mph. That was only possible downhill assisted by a tailwind. At best, the cops were just plain wrong. More likely, they exhibited the level of integrity that we have, unfortunately, come to expect of our police.

Steve may have proved he was in the right, but the cops can at least boast that to beat them at their game is a Pyrrhic victory. The costs were such that he had to sell the car and drop out of his second year of university. He also had to plead guilty to overtaking a vehicle in the wrong lane, for which he was awarded three penalty points and £120 in fines and costs.

This story made most of the national newspapers here. You would think that West Yorkshire police would be a bit embarrassed. You would think a public apology might be in order. No, the police don't make mistakes here. They don't own up to anything. Several papers noted that the spokesman for West Yorkshire police refused to comment.

Posted by david at August 29, 2004 02:12 AM | TrackBack
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