Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > 150 Not Dangerous (with conditions)

[Ains.]

Driving at 150 mph not dangerous, says judge
By Stewart Payne
(Filed: 27/01/2006) In: Daily Telegraph

Driving a high-performance car at 150 mph on a country road does not constitute dangerous driving, a judge ruled yesterday.


Nicholas Whittle, 21, was behind the wheel of his father's Porsche Boxster, and travelling at more than twice the legal maximum speed limit on the only long stretch of straight road on the Isle of Wight.

But because he braked when necessary, the road had no significant hazards, was clear of traffic and away from houses, his driving was not a danger, said Recorder Caroline Lister. She directed a jury at Winchester Crown Court to return a not guilty verdict to a charge of dangerous driving.

The court was told that a traffic officer calculated that the Porsche was travelling at up to 149.9 mph on a road with a 60 mph limit.

Whittle, a carpenter from Totland, denied the charge.

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One to remember when your hacking along at 150mph on an empty motorway.

Ains.

[dickieducati]

yeah i read that this morning, sounds good. not that i do that speed on public roads obviously

might print it out and keep it filed away though, just in case.

[Totto]

160mph on a motorway fine (maybe) but on a 60 thats pushing it a bit
I am against the speed fixation in this country but think 160 in a 60 is behond reasonable ,only my two cents though

[AK]

That military road is just right for upping the anti on - with a couple of rather nice twisties on it too
First place AK & I really had a head to head.....

[Jools]

Originally posted by AK and CK

First place AK & I really had a head to head.....

Too much information CK

[AK]

Tart!:P

[twpd]

I'm 100% sure a motorcyclist wouldn't get away with it. Let's face it - if you're 21 and driving Daddy's Porsche then the likelihood is that Daddy is well connected/respected too.

Whereas a biker with loud pipes is a "menace to society".

[Ains.]

Originally posted by twpd
I'm 100% sure a motorcyclist wouldn't get away with it. Let's face it - if you're 21 and driving Daddy's Porsche then the likelihood is that Daddy is well connected/respected too.

Whereas a biker with loud pipes is a "menace to society".

Know exactly what you mean; but hasn't the precident been set?

[twpd]

Every time a copper has got off with 100+ whilst not on a job a precedent has been set....still hasn't stopped bikers getting banged up for it. Has it?

This will not make the blindest bit of difference to you or me if we end up on a speeding rap.

[jeff st4s]

After speaking to a magistrate friend of mine the following questions were raised;
When this case came to court how many charges were brought against the individual.
If they only brought a dangerous driving charge against him, thinking they had no problems in getting a result and he got off on a technicality then so be it.
But normally they would bring a group of charges and still give out fines and bans even though they could not get him on a dangerous driving charge.
So as in all cases without knowing all the facts be careful, the initial concept of using it to get off with the odd mph over the limit may not be a good ploy.
I was stopped the other day, 'the man' following in a van says he was doing over 95 to catch me, the fact he was slightly speeding to catch me was not a discussion worth really having.
I fell back on what I had read in a bike magazine; I apologised, owned up to going a few miles (only a few) faster than the limit, ate a LOT of humble pie and was given a caution and told to be careful.