lost my licence

[Landy Smurf]

hey i got caught doing 59 in a 60 zone at branxton but it was at 855 so it was a school zone but honest to god i didnt see the sign weather i just missed it or wether i was looking in my rear vision mirror at the guy tailgaitin me. i was driving the white defender but he wrote it down as a white jeep. i got 5 points and a $253 fine i will contest it because i did not know that there was a school there and i will need my licence to get to work experience and to get home from school as i do after school classes im ****ed as because i am a sensible driver but and i do scan the road and i have never had an infringement before but it was 100% accidental.by the way i was on my way to maitland to by shoes for school.not a good day or week :mad:

[Grover-98]

I don't know if it is as easy for a speeding ticket... but for parking tickets and things of the like if they get the slightest detail wrong about your vehicle you walk free :)

So him putting down Jeep rather then Land Rover should work in your favor.;)

[Landy Smurf]

yes if he got that wrong he may of got something else wrong. but he got the number plate and everything

[Landy Smurf]

i dont know whether i can be bothered going to court but i am going to write a fairly in depth letter
btw if you knew the road where i was done at you might understand how stupid of a school zone it is

[cucinadio]

Well mate if you do they don't have a hope in Hattie's (no pun intended)...in going through with it ..and if it means your not losing your license then its worth the bother

cheers

[Landy Smurf]

another interesting fact did you know that you are suppose to check your rear vision mirror every 5 seconds so it would be easy to miss a sign.also another thing that ****es me off about 2 months ago the defender got broken into and the cops said they were going to come out and finger print the car every day they said they will come out the next day but that never happened so how is it fair that they dont come out when it is their duty to but i get fined.

[FenianEel]

I don't know if it is as easy for a speeding ticket... but for parking tickets and things of the like if they get the slightest detail wrong about your vehicle you walk free :)

So him putting down Jeep rather then Land Rover should work in your favor.;)

That's actually a fallacy, and hasn't been the case for years.
You can contest it, but that's more money and time than the ticket - even the large speeding ones.
More often than not, now they will actually "re-issue" the infringement notice, with the correct details.

Schmeirer - School zones are there for a reason - pay more attention, and if you've got an issue, get a tissue:p (Just kidding mate)

They will sometimes waive points or penalties, believe it or not.
Write a short succint letter, stick to the facts, and mentioned that you've never had a speeding fine or infringement notice, and that you need your licence for work.
Also, send a copy to your State MP, and ask them for a letter of support on your behalf. ;)

Good Luck mate

[Landy Smurf]

Well mate if you do they don't have a hope in Hattie's (no pun intended)...in going through with it ..and if it means your not losing your license then its worth the bother

cheers

true that.does it cost anything to go to court though

[Landy Smurf]

makes us angrier people:mad:

[seano87]

Tony, sorry to hear your having a crap week.

I know exactly where the school zone is that you speak of, but I am stunned you didn't know it was there, it is pretty clearly sign posted, and unluckily for you, its a big favourite with the police, they patrol that one on average at least a few days a week.

As others have said, take it to court, admit you made a mistake, and you recognise the need for the school zones, and point out this is your first offence, I believe you can apply for exceptional circumstances if you genuinely need a vehicle, but since it was a school zone, it might be a tough ask.

Good luck with it.

Seano

[Sleepy]

good luck with it.

[Grumbles]

You've got everything to gain and nothing to lose by going to court.

[Hoges]

You mention it's 5 points and a fine...doesn't that leave you with 7 points? Why not cough up the $$$:( and move on? Life ain't fair all the time. Just need to be ever vigilant!

[Xul]

I'm guessing he's on his P's Hoges.

Sorry to hear mate but it is tough luck. Ignorence is no excuse for breaking the law. I've been in the same situation as well mate. I was visiting my Aunty and turned left into a road which is a no turn left between 4 and 6pm. My clock said 3:55pm. The cops clock said 4:01pm. $390 or so later and I was very angry.

I believe you could easily keep on driving if you can prove you need a car for work purposes. I know people who have kept it after drink driving at .1 (on their P's). Heck this guy got caught twice for drink driving in 18 months. On that note I think the above is absolutely terrible.

He still drink drives to this day.

[Fluids]

Sorry to hear that ! :(

My 19 yr old son went thru the same thing last year ... didn't know it was a school zone, driving in an unfamiliar area (Central Coast), photographed and fine mailed out .... and THEN, AGAIN 2 weeks later ... by the time the first fine was recieved, the second offence had already been done :(

No leniency what so ever ... P plater. School Zone (with a not very noticeable 40 speed sign). The nice lady on the phone at the office of state revenue (or who ever it was) told me how to :eek:, and we did this ...

Ignore the first infrigmrent notice. It expires 3 weeks after the issue date. They then send another reminder ... that took 2 months to turn up! Ignored that one as well, and the recieved the default notice ... another 6 weeks. Then I filled out the form to say it wasn't me driving, it was my son in my car (car's rego'd in my name) .... took nearly another 2 months for the fine to be re-issued in his name .... recieved and ignored :cool: .... 2nd notice issued .... waited until the 11th hour (3 weeks after date of issue), paid the fine/s, and he lost his licenec for 3 months ... but in the meantime, he'd got his green P's.

Is the sign clear & visbile ? Take photo's if it's not. There's SO MUCH roadside signage we have to keep an eye on it starts to become too much to take in ... any other signage around the 40/School Zone Sign ?? Does it have flashing lights ?? (Ones here in Nelson Bay do). Was it flashing ??

... and what did you do with that JEEP you were driving ? :D Swapped the plates to a Land Rover !!!! :D:D ... that's another techicality.

You can run them in circles pretty easily if you need too to create some extra time ... or, employ some legal counsel to represent you based on your need to retain your licene. We have an acquaintance here who's an absolute **** pot ... she's been driving WELL over the limit for years ... she finally got busted .... and the judge let her off !! FFS !!!! :eek::eek: ... She needed to get to work and take/pickup the kids from school.

All that said, School Zones are usually a Go To Jail, Go Directly To Jail event ... and, the state Government's broke, and the Police are in revenue collection mode.

Good luck with it mate!

Kev..

[MickS]

As has already been indicated Tony...ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the judicial system. Your choices are simple..

1. Pay the fine;
2. Take it to court;
3. Write a letter to the IPB but DO NOT try and make an issue of the fact he wrote down Jeep...they will just send the fine back.
4. Just ignore and eventually your licence is cancelled, rego cancelled etc. (bad move that :eek: but many do make that move).

As was evidenced in another similar thread regarding a P plate not being visible. You get caught, the above are your choices.

On Saturday morning, I saw and followed a female P plate driver for about 4 kilometres on the Princes Highway...the entire way she was speeding, changing lanes without indicating (from lane 3 to lane 1 in one movement) but what was worse, she was texting the entire time. I finally caught up with her at a red light and tore her a new arsehole...she gave me the finger and drove off...still texting. Never a cop when you need one :Rolling:

[MickS]

You can run them in circles pretty easily if you need too to create some extra time ...

Thus avoiding responsibility??

It's everyone's else fault these days...we do something wrong and try to apportion if not all, at least some of the blame, to someone or something else. Or try to find a glitch or a technicality...even for a speeding blister. We then go "woohoo I beat the system" but no lesson is learnt. Sad really.

[Ausfree]

Yeah, mate I was travelling to Singleton today on private business, I was going the "back" way to Greta through Camp Rd leading onto Mansfield St, when a car going the other way "flashed" me, on reaching the 60 zone there where two cop cars parked in Tuckers Lane checking traffic, a green one and a red one. I drive for a living and I have never seen them there before. this was about 10am today.
On the way back from Singleton at about 11.30am I passed the red one near Branxton. So there must have been some revenue raising campaign in the name of "Road safety" going on in your area today. I know the school zone near Branxton. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!!:):)

[101RRS]

As others have said, take it to court, admit you made a mistake, and you recognise the need for the school zones, and point out this is your first offence, I believe you can apply for exceptional circumstances if you genuinely need a vehicle, but since it was a school zone, it might be a tough ask.

Good luck with it.

Seano

In NSW if you plead guilty in court, the magistrate has NO discretion with respect to the points - no matter what the magistrate's finding (even not guilty) you still loose your points.

Garry

[Fluids]

Thus avoiding responsibility??

It's everyone's else fault these days...we do something wrong and try to apportion if not all, at least some of the blame, to someone or something else. Or try to find a glitch or a technicality...even for a speeding blister. We then go "woohoo I beat the system" but no lesson is learnt. Sad really.

No, no responsibility avoided. Never tried to blame someone else. Dumb mistake. We all make them. New driver. Dumb mistake. He's a good kid (better than alot I know). We just played the system to gain some extra time to get him to his green P plates, which got him 3months instead of 6. He kept his job ... so he could make his car repayments and pay board ... and pay his fines ... and I only had to drive him to work for 3 months instead of 6 .... he works night shift.

He paid the fines, and was disqualified for driving for 3 months ... and the pizzling he got from me for 3 months of being driven to work at 12 midnight and picked up at 6am more than made up for the 3 months saved ... good lesson learned :mad:. He didn't beat the system, and accepted the fact that he'd broken the law. No arguement there from him.

Kev..

[Xul]

I support this statement 100% mate.

You break the law? Deal with it. I was really angry about my fine. As an unemployed student at the time it was pretty hard on me. But to avoid it you aren't even learning your lesson.

I hope you can keep driving for work etc. mate but don't try and flaunt the system.

To me getting out of a speeding fine or what not is the same as people who get out of murder due to a 'drug induced psychosis' or 'insanity'. (I don't want to turn this into an argument over that, just making my point.)

[mudmouse]

G'day mate. That's a bugger, particularly for a young bloke on his (red) P's.

Just a few points in relation to the ticket and your options.

1. The reference to 'Jeep' has nothing to do with it. 'Jeep' is a generic term - don't get started on it. A Fender is a 4WD and could be reasonably recognised as a 'Jeep'. That notation is only a reference to the issuing officer for his notes should the matter be defended. The proofs of the offence are; a driver: of a motor vehicle: on a road: in NSW: did exceed the speed limit - end of story, you don't even have to the rego plate recorded correctly - it just has to be a 'motor vehicle'.

2. School Zone (variable) speed limits: I think they're crap! If the Government was fair dinkum about protecting young'uns from deadly dangerous cars, then tunnels and bridges would have been built, but they cost money and they don't return money?? And they would separate kids from cars. I agree there is too much signage about the place and that's wrong - it's a clear distraction.

3. Demerit points: The Courts in NSW have no duristiction over demerit points and it doesn't matter if you plead guilty at the first instance or not guilty and are found to be guilty. The only was points are not applied is if the matter is dismissed due to no evidence, ie: if the matter is not prosecuted by Police. You may have heard of a Section 10. That's an option of the Judicial Officer (Magistrate) to say the offence is proved but no conviction will be recorded (on your traffic record - well it's actually recorded but no fine is awarded). Unfortunately again, the demerit points are added. As a 'red' provisional licence holder, any exceed speed offence means a licence suspension.

You are lawfully able to continue driving until you have received notice from the Authority (RTA) that your licence is suspended from one date to another date OR you are stopped by Police for any reason (whilst driving) and are issued a licence suspension advice. The (further) downside to this is if you get caught driving after receiving notice of your suspension, you'll be looking at a Court notice (so you'll be charged) and a straight up 12 month disqualification.. and any period of disqualification is a red rag to an (Insurance Company) bull.

4 Having a go at Court. There's two (2) stages and three (3) options. Stage one is the 'Mention' date. That's your first day in Court and an opportunity for you to enter a plea (Police and their evidence will not be there). A plea of guilty (option one) will have the matter finalised there and then. The Magistrate may ask you what your side of the story is and decide on a penalty - largely based on your attitude, presentation and traffic history (how many tickets you've accrued). Option two, is a plea of guilty with an explanation. This is rarely explained and is similar to a straight out plea of guilty, but some Magistrates don't ask if you've got a reason, so if you want to do this you've got to say the words, 'I'd like to enter a plea of guilty with an explanation'. They might roll their eyes, but at least you're having a go. Option three is a plea of 'not guilty' which is basically 'I didn't do it'. In this instance you would have to prove the Police officers observations were in error and or the instrument (Lidar or Radar) was not used correctly or inaccurate (good luck with that). If you or anyone want's to have a shot at the last option, bear in mind on those word's 'Not guilty' being uttered, the penalty on the ticket ($253 or whatever) dissappears and, for speeding matter is class A vehicles (Landys etc), a maximum penalty of $2200 can be applied in addition to a period of disqualification. Anecdotally, I saw a bloke (with a pretty crap driving record) defend a $179 pill and his only defence was 'But I need my licence' (Well who the hell doesn't). The Magistrate lost it and handed him a $1000 invoice, as well as Court costs ($79 for administration).

Stage two - If you enter a plea of not guilty, a Hearing date will be allocated and that's when Police will attend with their evidence and you'll need to have your bases covered. You can always change your plea on the day - and most do after seeing any In Car Video from the Police vehicle.

That's all I can remember from your intital post. I hope it helps and if you've got any specific questions, let me know - your questions might help someone else with their questions. I can't offer legal advice because I'm not a qualified legal practitioner, but I can tell you how things work and the duristiction or the various agencies (Police, RTA etc).

All the best mate. It seems like a simple mistake with may prove quite costly. Take it easy.

Matt.

[scarry]

Buggar,not again is what i say,
Good luck with it all,
One of my sons tried to contest a speeding ticket once,the details will bore you,& he didn't succeed.It was the officer's word against his & you can guess who they believed.

My wife wrote letters etc about stopping in a clearway,to the Brisbane city council,as they were the one's who posted her a ticket.She had stopped to pick someone up.

They cancelled the ticket after it was pointed out to them that the vehicle she was driving was not a Range Rover,which was written on the ticket.
She was in the D2

[slug_burner]

It will not cost you anything to go to court and represent yourself and I suggest that for something like this you should just turn up and the Magistrate will let you have your say.

Be prepared, I took a written statement that I read out. I did this when on Ps and I had to make a $50 poor box contribution and got a 6 month good behaviour bond.

You might be allowed to drive to and from your commitment related locations but have no licence on weekends at worst.

[LandyAndy]

Sorry to hear you may loose your licence over it man.
BUT
I have a child,who goes to school.
Them school zones are there to protect our kids Im afraid.
I asume you havent had your licence long,just how long has the school been where it is????
Is it on your daily trip to work?????
Andrew

[Psimpson7]

hey i got caught doing 59 in a 60 zone at branxton but it was at 855 so it was a school zone but honest to god i didnt see the sign weather i just missed it or wether i was looking in my rear vision mirror at the guy tailgaitin me. i was driving the white defender but he wrote it down as a white jeep. i got 5 points and a $253 fine i will contest it because i did not know that there was a school there and i will need my licence to get to work experience and to get home from school as i do after school classes im ****ed as because i am a sensible driver but and i do scan the road and i have never had an infringement before but it was 100% accidental.by the way i was on my way to maitland to by shoes for school.not a good day or week :mad:

Sorry to say I have abosolutely zero sympathy for you.

Speeding and without due care and attention by the sound of it, in a school zone.

Genius. Oh, and on your P's aswell, so probably no driving experience most likely.

Man up and take the rightly given punishment.

Maybe you will learn a lesson from this.

Just to add I generally dont really care about people driving quickly in suitable places, in suitable conditions but in no way was yours either by the sound of it. Look at the amount of killed and injured P plate heros in the news every week.

[TimNZ]

The 40 zone around schools is a great idea, but I find it very poor that all the speed limit signs don't have lights to indicate when the 40km/h speed is in force.

[ADMIRAL]

The 40 zone around schools is a great idea, but I find it very poor that all the speed limit signs don't have lights to indicate when the 40km/h speed is in force.

Most down our way do. The red circle on the 40 sign is lit up during school zone times.

We have all been guilty of inattention to our primary objective when in a motor vehicle ( driving the damn thing ) and yes it would be great not to have school zones, ( and traffic lights, and speed limits etc etc ) but the alternatives are all going to cost more ( taxes ).

Take it on the chin and learn from it

[MickS]

What young drivers need force fed down their respective throats is that there is only, in most cases, a strip of white paint separating them from life or death...yet they drive in a manner that suggests they just don't give a rats arse.

When we park in a carpark, we drive slowly and make sure we park between the pretty white lines, and our tyres aren't touching them or the council knob will take a photo with his digital camera and give you a blister. But we are happy to hammer along in excess of the speed limit and cross the white line that stops us going on to the wrong side of the road - but in many cases doesn't - with often tragic results.

[mike 90 RR]

i was driving the white defender but he wrote it down as a white jeep. i got 5 points and a $253 fine i will contest it

You could always argue that it is a "time relevant" speed zone ... in which you did not know the "time was in effect" at the "School Zone" .... and back it up with ... even the booking officer didn't know what time it was, as he /she had to look at their watch
(as they always do), when writing down "the time of offence" :angel:

But: just one of those deals .....

[BMKal]

My young bloke lost his licence for what he thought was basically trying to do the right thing when he was on his "P"s.

He had gone to a party with his mates - did the right thing and left his car at home. While at the party, he had hardly anything to drink, and when it was time to go, it was obvious that the mate he had gone there with had had a few too many to drive. The young bloke drove his mate's car for him - got nabbed by the coppers and blew 0.018 - not enough to get most of us booked, but for him on his "P"s, an automatic three months walking.

It was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Up until that time, while he rarely drank and got behind the wheel, he was known for speeding, showing off to his mates, and a regular in the local street drag racing scene.

Fortunately for us all, he took his suspension on the chin, learnt from the experience and now NEVER drives if he's had a drink, and has also changed his driving habits (and his circle of friends) for the better. While he now has a very recognizable car that is probably amongst the fastest in Kalgoorlie, the only time that he tries it out has been at organized events - the rest of the time he just laughs at all the ******* who try to take him on - he wouldn't have done that a few years ago. The local cops all know him and his car, and about the only thing he has been pulled up and chatted for in a long time now is popping blue flames down Hannan Street on a Thursday night. He even has all his points back on his licence now (was down to one point at one stage) and intends keeping it that way - his job relies on him having a current licence.

So - don't go looking for excuses or someone else to blame, or some way to try and get around the system. You won't win. Admit that you've stuffed up, and hopefully learn from it. Don't think that you're on your own in that either - none of us is perfect. I've also learnt the hard way - just been fortunate that I never had any serious accidents during the "learning process". ;)

[MickS]

You could always argue that it is a "time relevant" speed zone ... in which you did not know the "time was in effect" at the "School Zone" .... and back it up with ... even the booking officer didn't know what time it was, as he /she had to look at their watch
(as they always do), when writing down "the time of offence" :angel:

But: just one of those deals .....

Everyone knows the time period - ignorance is no excuse.

They have to check their watch to record the "time of offence". They would be asked in court, "How did yo know what time it was constable?"
"I looked at my watch".. That's how paltry defence lawyers can be..

[Xul]

My young bloke lost his licence for what he thought was basically trying to do the right thing when he was on his "P"s.

He had gone to a party with his mates - did the right thing and left his car at home. While at the party, he had hardly anything to drink, and when it was time to go, it was obvious that the mate he had gone there with had had a few too many to drive. The young bloke drove his mate's car for him - got nabbed by the coppers and blew 0.018 - not enough to get most of us booked, but for him on his "P"s, an automatic three months walking.

It was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Up until that time, while he rarely drank and got behind the wheel, he was known for speeding, showing off to his mates, and a regular in the local street drag racing scene.

Fortunately for us all, he took his suspension on the chin, learnt from the experience and now NEVER drives if he's had a drink, and has also changed his driving habits (and his circle of friends) for the better. While he now has a very recognizable car that is probably amongst the fastest in Kalgoorlie, the only time that he tries it out has been at organized events - the rest of the time he just laughs at all the ******* who try to take him on - he wouldn't have done that a few years ago. The local cops all know him and his car, and about the only thing he has been pulled up and chatted for in a long time now is popping blue flames down Hannan Street on a Thursday night. He even has all his points back on his licence now (was down to one point at one stage) and intends keeping it that way - his job relies on him having a current licence.

So - don't go looking for excuses or someone else to blame, or some way to try and get around the system. You won't win. Admit that you've stuffed up, and hopefully learn from it. Don't think that you're on your own in that either - none of us is perfect. I've also learnt the hard way - just been fortunate that I never had any serious accidents during the "learning process". ;)

Yeah I've had to do a similar thing when I was on my P's (didn't get caught thugh). A good friend of mine had a bit too much to drink (by a long shot - needed to go to hospital asap) but my phone was out of batteries and the others were mostly out of reception so I thought bugger it will just drive her the half an hour there myself. At my best guess I was probably .03-.04 when I was on my P's. Didn't get caught but there wasn't much else I could do.

Never had a drink and drive since then though. Had my full licence for years now and I usually limit myself to a flat 0 when driving.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I don't believe in the way we police speeding in Australia. It has got everything to do about state revenue and has little effect (if any) on the actual road toll.

However around school zones I do think it's a good idea to slow significantly. Look around. Consider what is going on. If there are things around that can hide kids and that obscure your vision, slow to a speed where you have time to react. If the safe speed happens to be above the posted limit decide whether you want to slow down more to be compliant. This should be the procedure everywhere.

I know it's a lot of work but if you aren't constantly doing this stuff then you aren't paying enough attention.

I'm sorry you got pinged. In my version of road safety you would have gotten a good talking to and been sent on your way most likely...

[MickS]

I don't believe in the way we police speeding in Australia. It has got everything to do about state revenue and has little effect (if any) on the actual road toll.


How else can it be done? The offence is detected...be it by camera, radar etc..the penalty is issued and if necessary enforced.

Driving is one of the singularly most dangerous things we can do in our life...yet we only ever get tested once at 17, then maybe again at 85.

Education doesn't work. A stern talking to will only fall on deaf ears. The hip pocket nerve is the only thing that will possibly stop them from offending again. But in many cases it won't because the "it will never happen to me" thought is rampant. Until it does.

Every person on this forum would have seen idiotic driver behaviour plenty of times whilst out driving...and we think, "Jesus Christ, what a dickhead..." "P" plater or not...

The biggest single thing that has affected the road toll was the introduction of RBT. Overnight it was halved. Then continued to go down. We speak of the road toll as statistics, which saddens me...because they are someone's father, mother, daughter or son...

As it stands now, in the 12 months leading up to February 2010, excessive speed was a 43% factor in fatal crashes, with alcohol coming second. If there is a better way that can be found to stop people speeding, short of taking their cars off them, I'm all for it.

But as long as there are young people, especially young males, who are prepared to drive in a manner that endangers other road users lives and thus flaunt the rules that are deemed reasonable by most peoples standards...well, book them, fine them, gaol them...whatever it takes.

[Fluids]

A point I have hammered down the throats of my son, and L plate daughter is that the speed limit is just that ... it's a LIMIT. It's the MAXIMUM speed you are allowed to drive at ...

... doesn't mean you HAVE to drive at the LIMIT. Observe/know the limit, and THEN asses the conditions you are driving in.

Due to traffic conditions, and a few examples demonstrated by me, they have realized that driving 5-10km below the limit gets you there just as fast / almost as fast as the idiot who's driving on/over the limit, and being continually slowed down/held up by the traffic flow. I encourage them both to use the cruise control to avoid speeding, and to sit at least 5kmhr under the limit. They get it (now).

It's also cheaper on the fuel bill and vehicle wear & tear. I've seen idiots, in defence of thier actions claim it was OK to drive at 80 because the speed sign said 80 ... forget about the fog, poor visibility, rain, traffic conditions .... "why were you doing 80 in a pea soup fog?" ... "because the speed sign SAID I could do 80" :angel: ... what's happened to common sense ?

Most of us could already drive a motor vehicle long before we got our licences. We drove on the farm, the bush, the beach, crown land, state forest, etc ... and we could/did do this without fear of prosecution ... we developed some motor vehicle handling skills long before we got onto a public road ... most kids of today don't seem to have the same opportunity to develop those skill sets prior to getting a licence ... and IMHO are far less equiped to handle a motor vehicle ... they develop thier skill sets AFTER they get a licence and spend a year or two driving on our roads ... quite often at someone elses expense. :(

Kev..

[stevo68]

Sorry to say I have abosolutely zero sympathy for you.

Speeding and without due care and attention by the sound of it, in a school zone.

Genius. Oh, and on your P's aswell, so probably no driving experience most likely.

Man up and take the rightly given punishment.

Maybe you will learn a lesson from this.

Just to add I generally dont really care about people driving quickly in suitable places, in suitable conditions but in no way was yours either by the sound of it. Look at the amount of killed and injured P plate heros in the news every week. X 2.....I am utterly surprised at all the "sorries" you got a ticket....and you poor bugga etc with many of you. THIS IS A SCHOOL ZONE...........what if we read in the paper that some bloke in a defender...on P's....was distracted...not paying attention to his driving and plowed into a bunch of school kids....possibly your own children. Would we still have all the sorries and poor bugga comments?

Bottom line...you made the mistake....wear it like a man and stop whinging about it. I'll bet my bottom dollar unless you are on the dense side......that you will be 100% more wary on the road and that is a good thing....we all cop it at some time....difference is some cop it on the chin....others want to complain and weasel their way out of it,

Regards

Stevo

[Chucaro]

A GPS with the zone alarmas helped me a lot.
Some times w have a "tunel vision" and we do not see the signs that it is when the GPS or signs painted on the road help.

[banjo]

A point I have hammered down the throats of my son, and L plate daughter is that the speed limit is just that ... it's a LIMIT. It's the MAXIMUM speed you are allowed to drive at ...

... doesn't mean you HAVE to drive at the LIMIT. Observe/know the limit, and THEN asses the conditions you are driving in.

Due to traffic conditions, and a few examples demonstrated by me, they have realized that driving 5-10km below the limit gets you there just as fast / almost as fast as the idiot who's driving on/over the limit, and being continually slowed down/held up by the traffic flow. I encourage them both to use the cruise control to avoid speeding, and to sit at least 5kmhr under the limit. They get it (now).

It's also cheaper on the fuel bill and vehicle wear & tear. I've seen idiots, in defence of thier actions claim it was OK to drive at 80 because the speed sign said 80 ... forget about the fog, poor visibility, rain, traffic conditions .... "why were you doing 80 in a pea soup fog?" ... "because the speed sign SAID I could do 80" :angel: ... what's happened to common sense ?

Most of us could already drive a motor vehicle long before we got our licences. We drove on the farm, the bush, the beach, crown land, state forest, etc ... and we could/did do this without fear of prosecution ... we developed some motor vehicle handling skills long before we got onto a public road ... most kids of today don't seem to have the same opportunity to develop those skill sets prior to getting a licence ... and IMHO are far less equiped to handle a motor vehicle ... they develop thier skill sets AFTER they get a licence and spend a year or two driving on our roads ... quite often at someone elses expense. :(

Kev..


Well said we let our daught (15 nearly 16) have a go any chance we get wether it in a big car park in the industrial area on a sunday while i go looking for scrap metal or up the bush.she is getting & now knows what each pedal is for & is comfterble with them.We dont want the kids to lean after they get a licence. They wont be doing it in an auto either they will be both doing it in a manual..something you have to drive not just sit in .

[d@rk51d3]

I think having a set of red & blue's pemanently attached to crossing signs, and flashing, (esp. during times of crossing use) would have the desired effect.

Much more visible than just a plain old sign.

Sounds like a win-win, unless you're counting on revenue, which shouldn't even be an issue for a school crossing.

[mike 90 RR]

Everyone knows the time period - ignorance is no excuse.

They have to check their watch to record the "time of offence". They would be asked in court, "How did yo know what time it was constable?"
"I looked at my watch".. That's how paltry defence lawyers can be..


.... my answer won't get him out of it ... But it'll at least, give the judge something to :confused: as he still fines him ;)

even judges need a "reasonable argument" to make their day ....

Mike

[BMKal]

I think having a set of red & blue's pemanently attached to crossing signs, and flashing, (esp. during times of crossing use) would have the desired effect.

Much more visible than just a plain old sign.

Sounds like a win-win, unless you're counting on revenue, which shouldn't even be an issue for a school crossing.

Have to agree with this. In Kalgoorlie, I don't know how many kids school crossings there are (quite a few). There is only one set I can think of which has flashing orange lights activated during the hours of use by school kids, and this is by far the most visible of them all. Next would come those manned by crossing attendants, dressed in cricket umpire's uniforms and carrying their red flags. But there are too many which are identified ONLY by a sign which is there all the time, in amongst the myriad of other road signs that we're obliged to take not of (and some that we're not). These are generally the hardest to be aware of, especially for drivers not familiar with the area.

Surely the cost of a set of flashing lights on every crossing is a far cheaper option than the life of a child.

[midal]

another interesting fact did you know that you are suppose to check your rear vision mirror every 5 seconds so it would be easy to miss a sign.also another thing that ****es me off about 2 months ago the defender got broken into and the cops said they were going to come out and finger print the car every day they said they will come out the next day but that never happened so how is it fair that they dont come out when it is their duty to but i get fined.

Mate you stated that you were going to submit an "in depth letter" to the court.....I hope for your sake that you don't include the likes of the inane drivel you have written above.

WTF has one thing got to do with the other and how do you relate "fair" into the equation?????

Have a can of concrete and suck it up....you committed the error, nobody else is to blame, welcome to the world of responsibility associated with having a driver's license.
It's not bad luck, it's bad judgement on your behalf.

[Frenchie]

A school zone was established on a busy dual carriageway in Perth, well after the introduction of school zones elsewhere, there were no advance warning signs, the small signs just went up one day and the cops were there having a field day. I'm really glad I didn't drive through there in the first few days because it was a real shock to me when I noticed the signs had appeared. :mad:

Now there are flashing lights, like there should have been in the first place.

[dobbo]

just cop the fine and learn from your mistake, get a pushbike and ride. For work experience commute or stay in share accomodation or something.

Whinging wont change anything

[Ausfree]

Well, I guess most of the above comments sum it all up really, I guess the answer is to man up and face the consequences, every time I have been caught (quite a few now as I am a professional driver) its been through lack of attention and straying over the limit and getting caught. You do get angry, but that's life I guess, nothing is fair!!!:(

[werdan]

I don't know why they don't just have different coloured lines painted along the road to indicate the speed of the area you are in (eg blue for 60, orange for 80, red for school zone etc). It would save heaps of people from the 'I didn't see the sign' situation.

[d@rk51d3]

I don't know why they don't just have different coloured lines painted along the road to indicate the speed of the area you are in (eg blue for 60, orange for 80, red for school zone etc). It would save heaps of people from the 'I didn't see the sign' situation.

Good idea................. or even those rumbling strips you get on the side of the freeway.

[midal]

Good idea................. or even those rumbling strips you get on the side of the freeway.

Very good idea......rumble strips.

Cheers
Mick

[StuRR80]

I don't know why they don't just have different coloured lines painted along the road to indicate the speed of the area you are in (eg blue for 60, orange for 80, red for school zone etc). It would save heaps of people from the 'I didn't see the sign' situation.
They used to have the speed marked on the road when the limit changed. Dunno why they stopped doing that - oh, hang on.... revenue?!

[MickS]

I don't know why they don't just have different coloured lines painted along the road to indicate the speed of the area you are in (eg blue for 60, orange for 80, red for school zone etc). It would save heaps of people from the 'I didn't see the sign' situation.

If people can't see a sign in front of them that says "40" in red and white, I doubt they will see something painted on the road, or at least something that will flick a switch in the brain to tell they are in a school zone. Especially in the wet. The answer for school zones is simple and effective...flashing lights for the duration of the times....solar powered etc etc..you can see the ones around where I live flashing from a mile away. I'd be happy to pay another $5 a year in my registration to fund it.

[Tombie]

I don't know why they don't just have different coloured lines painted along the road to indicate the speed of the area you are in (eg blue for 60, orange for 80, red for school zone etc). It would save heaps of people from the 'I didn't see the sign' situation.

Cant see a sign, and now you want people to pick up colour in a 3" line down the edge of the road...???

It wouldnt happen. Good concept, but most motorists are morons.

Flashing idiot lights is about the limit of it and even then some will miss them.

Ironically, most speedsters I've seen in school zones are the Mums....

[bobslandies]

Years ago a friend in the Special Traffic Patrol (forerunner of the NSW Highway Patrol) pulled over a lady who had rolled through a "STOP" sign at what was even then a fairly dangerous intersection with a tally of fatals. (Now lights - still accidents).
She: "But constable, I nearly stopped"
"Madam, if it meant "NEARLY STOP" I feel sure they would have put up a sign that said "NEARLY STOP", says he with a smile.

She complained about his attitude to her friend the then Police Commissioner, who lived locally. My friend received a reprimand.

Prior to that they were HALT signs. Some smart**se tried to get off as it was a German word and he did not speak German - so that's why they are STOP signs.

We've come a long way since then.

School Zones are generally 8.00 AM to 9.30AM and 2.30 to 4.00 PM.
There is one outside our place and I am looking out on our street now, school kids everywhere. Nearly all drivers doing the right thing BUT idiots "on their way home" or some other very important thing occupying their minds are darting through the slower moving, law abiding drivers.
If it was "revenue raising" as many of you think the local Highway Patrol could balance the NSW Budget if they put their mind to it.

So the question to the original poster really is:
If there was a reasonable amount of traffic were you all doing the same speed - and all got booked?
Or did you not only not see the sign but if there were other cars on the road did you not observe some were going slower for some unknown reason?
Time: School hours - be alert.

Bob

[Drover]

Sorry to hear that Tony,

It is a shame as I know that you’re a sensible young bloke and wouldn’t be hooning around. After all, you were driving a D’fer:D.

There is not a person on here that can claim that they haven’t broken one of the Road Rule at one time or another.

Court elect, plead guilty with an explanation and appeal for leniency.

Cheers

[werdan]

Cant see a sign, and now you want people to pick up colour in a 3" line down the edge of the road...???

It wouldnt happen. Good concept, but most motorists are morons.

Flashing idiot lights is about the limit of it and even then some will miss them.

Ironically, most speedsters I've seen in school zones are the Mums....

The problem with a sign is that you pass it by. It's 'now you see it, now you don't'. Having a continuous visible line allows people to know exactly what the speed zone is.

Sure, it wont help morons but how many times have you been driving down the road and wondered 'Hang on. What's the limit here?'

[drifter]

<snip>

So the question to the original poster really is:
If there was a reasonable amount of traffic were you all doing the same speed - and all got booked?
</snip>

A friend in the US is a now retired highway patrol officer.

I was talking to him one day and mentioned something similar.

His response was: "When you go fishing, do you manage to catch every fish that goes past?"

In further reference to the above - there used to be an excuse of "I was just following the line of traffic".

As the number of drivers and vehicles has increased, those tasked with monitoring the laws now have to be stricter.

As for the watching a rear-view mirror every 5 seconds - think about it. Your eyes should be constantly engaged - watching ahead, watching to the sides, watching your rear - and watching your instruments.

And, all the while, controlling your vehicle to within the parameters of the law.

That's the responsibility that comes with having a license.

[Landy Smurf]

Sorry to say I have abosolutely zero sympathy for you.

Speeding and without due care and attention by the sound of it, in a school zone.

Genius. Oh, and on your P's aswell, so probably no driving experience most likely.

Man up and take the rightly given punishment.

Maybe you will learn a lesson from this.

Just to add I generally dont really care about people driving quickly in suitable places, in suitable conditions but in no way was yours either by the sound of it. Look at the amount of killed and injured P plate heros in the news every week.
i am an observant driver but even an observent driver can not see everything
i have been driving for 2 years.i didnt no there was a school there.and i didnt see the sign.i have learnt my lesson.but what annoys me with what you said and im not having a go at you is just because a few dickheads on their Ps speed and carry on stupid doesnt mean that all do it is just alot of stereotyping.if you knew me you would know i am sensible.much more then most

[isuzutoo-eh]

Isn't everyone an above average driver?
:D

[Landy Smurf]

i am sure what i am about to say will start an arguement but it is ****ing me off.there are some absolute *****s on here with nothing better to do then start an argument.alot of yous are saying man up to it and just take it.well i am manning up and doing something about it i have the right to do so and if i can possibly get my license back and maybe even get the fine so then i can spend it on my land rovers(joking) i will do so.i am not whinging when i started this the reason i started this thread is so i can get a variety of peoples knowledge so i can aproach this correctly. further information is that it does not have flashing lights.i honestly did not know there was a school there hence i didnt know there was a school zone there.if people did not chase them up on it they would just fine every one.and by the way the guy who said i hope you dont put that thing it your letter because it is absolute bull**** it has nothing to do with fair.well the point i was getting at is how is it fair that they dont do their job on this ocassion when i am the victim but then they get me for this.
all in all dont assume anything
ps i like and agree with the coloured lines down the road if people knew that the colour of the lines on the side of the road they can check it anytime.

[Psimpson7]

Maybe it did come across as harsh, but you say you are observant? You missed a school zone?!! a school!! Kids!! which of those is hard to see!?

Is this a road you use a lot? You imply it is? In that case it makes even less sense!

I wont deny I have been done for speeding more than once over the years but never in those circumstances.

[Landy Smurf]

im sure some of you will probably say yeah *****s like me.but in saying that there are some absolute great people on here.which even though i dont know most of you, you still lighten my day up so i thank you to those that are well mannered

[Landy Smurf]

i have only driven through there probably 6 times and this was my first during school times as the other time i passed through were during the holidays.a lot of people dont know that there is a school there specially since the school was on the other side(i know, no excuse)there are no bus stops there(where i was driving) and i didnt see any kids.there were no cars in front of me and i had a car up my ass

[WhiteD3]

I haven't bothered to read all the posts but you got caught speeding through a school zone so tough luck, you'll have to cop it (pardon the pun).

I consider myself a good driver and have never had an at fault accident. BUT I'm not proud to say that at the age of 47 I've collected my fair share of demerits (Mostly for speeding) and got down to 1 point :eek: for 2 years which was scary.

The law's the law, the cops are doing what they're paid to do. Imagine your attitude to speeding drivers if you've spent years booking them and heard all the excuses, arguments, threats, etc.

[Fluids]

Isn't everyone an above average driver?
:D


HEY .... I resemble that remark ;)

Kev.. :D

[Landy Smurf]

lol that is a pretty good pun.

[Stuck]

I know people who have kept it after drink driving at .1 (on their P's). Heck this guy got caught twice for drink driving in 18 months. On that note I think the above is absolutely terrible.

That bloke obvoiusly got a more lenient judge than the one I got. 0.1 and the judge threw the book at me and that was years ago.
What I'm getting at is, I've only had my licence for just short of 25 years and I reckon I've had a few more fines than the average bloke. I've copped all of them, bar 2, on the chin because I knew I was guilty. The 2 that I contested in court were found in my favour but it was costly and it didn't and still doesn't seem right to me that even though I was innocent, I ended up at a financial loss for someone elses error. It's your right to explore different avenues of appeal but from my own experience I can only wish you luck. What really hurts is when you've copped yours and then you see someone else probably more famous / affluent than yourself get away with worse for less but that's life. I reckon if ever again I have to go before a judge around these parts, I'm wearing a blue and red footy jumper to court. I swear those blokes grow a halo when they walk into a Newcastle courtroom.
Cheers,
Anthony.

[EchiDna]

my goodness there is some seriously dodgy *cough* advice *cough* in this thread.

To the OP, you admit you were going above the posted speed limit for the given time period, just you weren't aware of the time... so be it - you were in the wrong unintentionally but that doesn't mean the copper was wrong to book you. Cop it sweet, pay the fine and learn from the experience.

[Landy Smurf]

lol yeah it is annoying.yeah it is stupid how you had to pay considering by the sounds of it you shouldnt have even been in court defending urself

[Ausfree]

I don't know why they don't just have different coloured lines painted along the road to indicate the speed of the area you are in (eg blue for 60, orange for 80, red for school zone etc). It would save heaps of people from the 'I didn't see the sign' situation.YES!!!!I have been saying that for years, how many times are you in an unfamiliar territory and you think **** what is the speed limit here, a coloured centre line soon reminds you of what the speed limit is. On Pennant Hills Road down the Parramatta end there is a school zone going past Kings College that goes on for at least 10 kilometres, you are driving along and you think, I must be out of the school zone now when you see another sign. VERY EASY TO GET BOOKED! I sympathise with Schiemrer at Singleton and I get VERY angry when I am booked, I also believe the signs on the side of the road can be hard to read, but as I have said before, thats life, its not fair get used to it!!!:(

[Landy Smurf]

also for those that might be confused i am not writing the letter because i got booked for speeding and i am cut about it. i am writing this letter because i need it to get to work expereince which is 30kms away and so i can get to my after school maths classes.otherwise i reely wouldnt care so much that i cant drive for 3 months i would just catch the bus but i do NEED to be able to drive.because if i cant get to work expereince then i wont pass metal therefore i wont get a atar(uai) so therefore i wont be able to go to uni and hopefully become a primary school teacher-i know a few of yous will laugh at that

[Ausfree]

I sympathise with Schmerier at Singleton, he is a young bloke, not a hoon (after all he drives a Landrover) and I think some of the posts have been very severe on their criticism of him. He made a mistake through inattention and quite naturally he is angry and being a "P" plater is worried about his licence. Again I say lesson learnt, be more attentive (Gee's I have been court out on that one) and use it as a lesson in life!!:):)

[rmp]

How else can it be done?

....

Education doesn't work.

....

As it stands now, in the 12 months leading up to February 2010, excessive speed was a 43% factor in fatal crashes, with alcohol coming second. If there is a better way that can be found to stop people speeding, short of taking their cars off them, I'm all for it.

But as long as there are young people, especially young males, who are prepared to drive in a manner that endangers other road users lives and thus flaunt the rules that are deemed reasonable by most peoples standards...well, book them, fine them, gaol them...whatever it takes.

Mick

Why don't you think education works, and specifically, what education isn't working and why?

Re the 43%. If the car was travelling at the limit then the crash wouldn't have happened? Can you elaborate on the stats?

[Captain_Rightfoot]

The biggest single thing that has affected the road toll was the introduction of RBT. Overnight it was halved. Then continued to go down. We speak of the road toll as statistics, which saddens me...because they are someone's father, mother, daughter or son...


Yeah... well... there you go. They have been hammering speed in Australia for the last 20 years and it hasn't made any difference.

I don't for a moment propose a free for all... but speed limits are being obsessed about now in order to repair state budgets.

Before the introduction of cameras in QLD they had a reporting system that said 4% of accidents were caused by speed, and there were another 8% where it was a contributing factor in the accident. Now they all record things differently and they are up to 40+% now... LOL.


A point I have hammered down the throats of my son, and L plate daughter is that the speed limit is just that ... it's a LIMIT. It's the MAXIMUM speed you are allowed to drive at ...

... doesn't mean you HAVE to drive at the LIMIT. Observe/know the limit, and THEN asses the conditions you are driving in.


Hang on.. the speed LIMIT is so low that in daily life in the city that it is safe for people to travel at the limit or above it most of the time. So people just look at the sign and go that fast. So now you want them to make a decision about what is safe? You can't have it both ways?

I can drive up the 4 lane divided Bruce highway but only travel at 100kph. I can drive up a single lane dirt road in the boondocks at 100kph. Clearly there is a vastly bigger safety margin in one of those activities.

The reality is that the dirt road is only just safe at 100k, and I know that I have to slow down on bends, at dusk, in the rain, when the surface is uneven, for corrugations etc.

Yet on the highway, when it's deserted, the road is clear, it's absolutely not OK for me to travel at 110k because that's the limit and you can't be trusted to make the decision that it's safe above 100k. However we expect you to make the decision to go below the limit when appropriate????

I'll be teaching my kids to spend the time looking for hazards to determine what speed is safe, and when they have done that to check with the signs.

[Siska]

I don't know why they don't just have different coloured lines painted along the road to indicate the speed of the area you are in (eg blue for 60, orange for 80, red for school zone etc). It would save heaps of people from the 'I didn't see the sign' situation.


Good idea................. or even those rumbling strips you get on the side of the freeway.

Or how about the Government supply us all with an individual driver, that way we personally are never to blame? :mad::wasntme: You did the wrong thing, you lost your license, so, catch a bus, ride a bike or bum a lift. Get over it!

Individuals need to accept responsibility for their actions and Society needs to stop looking for band aid solutions for the stupidity of Individuals! I'm sick and tired of hearing it's not my fault because......

[isuzutoo-eh]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/1010.jpg
;)

[rmp]

Captain RF, I agree. Speed is of course a contributing factor in every accident as clearly a vehicle has to be moving in the first place. If it was excessive speed....different story.

However, what about lack of observation? Where is that in the stats? What about all the crashes that happened while under the limit?

Please note I am not condoning reckless speed. I am not even saying speed limits should be done away with -- I regard them like democracy, the least worst of the possible alternatives.

[Landy Smurf]

so many of yous are missing the point that i am making and that i have made

[MickS]

Mick

Why don't you think education works, and specifically, what education isn't working and why?

There isn't any.

They have to do 120 hours (20 hours night time) with a parent or instructor..even then, the figures get fudged.

There are programs available for schools to implement but they don't...must be done after hours blah blah. So they get taught driver/choices education through their PDHPE course leading up to the age they get their "L"s. Yet sit outside any secondary high school at 3.00pm and watch the "P" platers, with a bees dick's worth of driving experience, peel off to Maccas with their mates on board, sounding horns...speed, nobody thinks big of you...just doesn't sink in.

Re the 43%. If the car was travelling at the limit then the crash wouldn't have happened? Can you elaborate on the stats?

May still have happened, but with less traumatic consequences...you don't have to be Einstein to work out that a car travelling at 100kph will take longer to stop than a car travelling at 60kph. Add to that driver incompetence re. braking skills, having the vision to steer away from the danger etc.

I'm the biggest lead foot out. But I know that there are rules and I follow them. If I want to go really fast, I'll spend a hundred bucks and spend a day at the race track. If I speed and get caught, I'm the fool. I pay the fine and wear it.

This sort of topic has been brought up before on other threads and ultimately goes around in circles, invoking emotional responses. Ultimately, that serves no real purpose.

I don't for one minute think Tony is a hoon, a rev head - whatever. But he was pinged doing something which any of us have been guilty of in the past.

[stevo68]

i am sure what i am about to say will start an arguement but it is ****ing me off.there are some absolute *****s on here with nothing better to do then start an argument.alot of yous are saying man up to it and just take it.well i am manning up and doing something about it i have the right to do so and if i can possibly get my license back and maybe even get the fine so then i can spend it on my land rovers(joking) i will do so.i am not whinging when i started this the reason i started this thread is so i can get a variety of peoples knowledge so i can aproach this correctly. further information is that it does not have flashing lights.i honestly did not know there was a school there hence i didnt know there was a school zone there.if people did not chase them up on it they would just fine every one.and by the way the guy who said i hope you dont put that thing it your letter because it is absolute bull**** it has nothing to do with fair.well the point i was getting at is how is it fair that they dont do their job on this ocassion when i am the victim but then they get me for this.
all in all dont assume anything
ps i like and agree with the coloured lines down the road if people knew that the colour of the lines on the side of the road they can check it anytime.Here's a learning lesson....if you are not prepared for a multitude of responses....then don't post. Its that simple. Sometimes the advice or response you receive that you like the least, is sometimes the advice that is most true. You will get sympathetic advice and empathetic advice and some advice that will be right down the line.

I'll give you an example....my missus isn't a hoon......but went through a stage of getting fines....she wanted me to wear one otherwise she would lose her licence. I didn't wear it....she had to do what your doing and she ended up getting her licence with 1 point for 1 year. Am I harsh or am I doing her a favour? Has she lost any points since...nada.....its also why I tell her to drive the diesel instead of an XR6.

Also I hope you do become a primary school teacher, I have 4 children......no way could I look after a class full.....but here's another learning lesson...take it as you wish. If you want to get into Uni......I'd be getting extra lesson's on learning how to spell and use grammar....because if what you have show cased to date in this thread alone....mate you wouldn't get a foot in the door....especially in that profession. Sometimes advice is harsh......how nice would it be if it was always given through rose coloured glasses ;). I hope your letter does get you some leniency,

Regards

Stevo

[350RRC]

so many of yous are missing the point that i am making and that i have made

Couple of things I'd say......... in Vic you have to somehow know what are 'school days' and what aren't. They even started enforcing the school limit 2 days before school went back this summer, so you might know what the school terms were and you could still be intending to obey the law and get pinged because you hadn't read the paper or watched TV.

I've been let off from going over 80 at a level crossing crossing (that I've crossed 30 times in the last 10 years) when it changed from 100 recently because I told the cop I don't watch commercial TV and don't read the papers much. (was pushing it a bit but he accepted my lack of knowledge about the new 80km limit in Vic)

It should be plain as day what the speed limit is in any given location, at any given time, without the need for a driver to be distracted by looking for signs, looking at the time, or googling term dates on the mob.

I reckon half the accidents on the Western Ring Rd are caused by drivers trying to watch when the speed limit changes (constantly variable) rather than trying to just drive.

cheers, DL

[Landie_Addict]

Sorry to say I have abosolutely zero sympathy for you.

Speeding and without due care and attention by the sound of it, in a school zone.

Genius. Oh, and on your P's aswell, so probably no driving experience most likely.

Man up and take the rightly given punishment.

Maybe you will learn a lesson from this.

Just to add I generally dont really care about people driving quickly in suitable places, in suitable conditions but in no way was yours either by the sound of it. Look at the amount of killed and injured P plate heros in the news every week.

If you did in fact read the original post I'm sure you would have seen that he was doing 59 in what he honestly though was a 60 zone.

As dangerous as it was to have missed the school zone signs, he though he was doing the right thing (infact, even with someone tailgating him he resisted the urge to speed up). Hardly sounds like a 'P plate hero':glare:

Now by all means chastise him about not paying attention and how dangerous that can be (although I have a sneaking suspicion it unfortunately happens to the best of us).

Whilst I agree "I didn't see it" is no excuse, I believe the OP's claim of "it was an honest mistake that won't happen again" doesn't deserve your condescending response.

A bit quick to tar all P platers with the same brush.

Perhaps you've been watching too much Today Tonight up in your ivory tower.:angel:

[bobslandies]

Here is the latest analysis:

The RTA has reviewed approximately one quarter of NSW school zones. This analysis shows that road crash casualties – fatalities and injuries - involving school age pedestrians between 5 and 16 years decreased significantly between 1998 and 2008.

The number of school zone casualties is small, ranging between six and 29 each year in the sample reviewed, equivalent to an estimated 60 annually in all NSW school zones. By comparison, on average there were 2,000 school age casualties each year on the NSW road system.

The analysis of school zone casualties found that the largest reduction over the ten years was for school aged pedestrians. This reduction was greater than for overall road casualties and all pedestrian casualties.

In the last decade two child pedestrian fatalities in school zones have been recorded. Another occurred where a school zone was subsequently installed. None of these fatalities was caused by speeding, and one was at least partly due to unsafe parking practices.
Source - Auditor-General's Report, NSW Audit Office:
NSW Audit Office - Performance Reports - 2010 - Improving Road Safety: School Zones - Executive Summary (http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/publications/reports/performance/2010/school_zones/execsum.htm)

"The 65 speed cameras in school zones generated fines worth $31.1 million in 2007-08 and $22.3 million in 2008-09."
You should read the RTA response and it is interesting that there is less than 1% of the traffic being fined for speeding in those zones with the variable speed cameras and yet millions of dollars are raised in those fines.
Does this equate to 99% obeying the school zone speed limit where there is a fixed variable speed camera?


"The RTA does not support the introduction of higher fines for speeding infringements in school zones" apparently believing they are adequate as they are on average 50% higher than for other similar offences in normal road zones.

Interesting reading.

Bob

[Landy Smurf]

finally someone has read and taken in what i have been saying.

[Psimpson7]

If you did in fact read the original post I'm sure you would have seen that he was doing 59 in what he honestly though was a 60 zone.



Pretty sure I can read thanks.

But it wasn't a 60 zone at that time was it......... Irrespective of what he thought....

And I don't watch today tonight either. ;)

ETA Fair enough too, He isnt a hoon. My P plate comment wasnt aimed at him as such, more a comment on the frequency of accidents involving them as a group.

[Mick_Marsh]

Tony,

Cheer up. It's not the end of the world (that comes later).

I lost my license years ago. I survived. My social life picked up during that time as I didn't have to worry about a car.

I recently worked with a fellow who was done for lots over 110 on a country road. He found some lawyer who delayed the court case quite a while. In the end, it was argued that it was so long since the offence, that justice would not be seen to be done. It cost him lots of money but he kept his license. Search the net for some solutions.

My advice to you would be, cop it sweet and pay the fine.


As others have said, take it to court, admit you made a mistake, and you recognise the need for the school zones, and point out this is your first offence,

This is good advice but don't take it to court (that's just throwing good money after bad).
Write a clear, succinct and to the point letter admitting you made a mistake and you recognise the need for the school zones. Point out this is your first offence and you are sorry. Send this with a cheque for payment of the fine.

Then cross your fingers and wait.

Best of luck
Mick



https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/1010.jpg
;)
I bet you wasted hours looking for that photo.
Now, find one of a big hairy chook.

[dullbird]

Painted lines wont work in NSW because the roads are so badly made here....the standing water on roads when it rains is atrocious and you can not see the lines on the road when in heavy rain especially when it is sunny..........

[Landy Smurf]

ok im sick of this and people being a pain in the a-hole so thanks for those who have given me helpful advice and thanks for those who have understood what i have said and understood why i started this thread in the 1st place which was for help. so if a mod sees this feel free to close it

cheers tony

[crump]

ok im sick of this and people being a pain in the a-hole so thanks for those who have given me helpful advice and thanks for those who have understood what i have said and understood why i started this thread in the 1st place which was for help. so if a mod sees this feel free to close it

cheers tony
I must be becoming a soft touch!;)