Should I get banned from driving?

Question

I got stopped for speeding on the M6toll road. Ok, I was going quickly 114Mph. However, as the police man told me, my driving was good, the conditions were good and the car I was in was good. Speed limits have been 70mph for years.... however, cars have been improved since the speed limit was introduced. They are much safer, they handle better and have more safety features than the older car. I normally drive at 70 if its possible on motorways (depending on traffic) , but the M6toll I pay to go on so that I can get to London quicker from Manchester. If I lose my license, I lose my job. To use public transport to get to work would be a 3hour journey on 2 buses and a tram. Thats 6hours travel a day. (By the way, watch out for a dark blue Volvo S70 on the toll road, they are there cos its easy pickings... They cant catch you on any other motorway as there is too much traffic, you can hardly get over 65!)

Hmm, response so far is interesting. For those who have not driven on the M6toll, It is very similar to the German Autobahns, where 40% of the autobahn has an unrestricted speed limit. (Very low traffic volume) Also it is a private road, the olny speed signs are next to the toll booths where you have to pay for the privelage of driving on the road,

hmmm, more good comments, I would like to add, The police car followed me for over 2Km to get an average speed. (Is this safe?) Also, I know I did wrong, it was a fair cop, as soon as they flashed their blue lights, I pulled over and stopped. Im not asking what you think of me as a driver, I am simply asking should I get banned? Im still awaiting Court summons...

3 Hour journey is from my house to Work, both of which are in Manchester. no direct route, so its 2 buses then a tram, then a 20minute walk. I know I can get to london quickly by train or 40mins on the plane.

Answer 1

This is where police patrols are preferable to speed cameras as they can use discretion rather than simple black and white rules.
The road was clear, visibility good and you were driving smoothly and safely, (Eratic driving is dangerous, not fast driving)
Did the copper issue you a ticket? If so you get minimum 3 points and a fine. Possibly more if they take you to court. If he used his brain and deemed that despite going quick you werent actually being dangerous and he just gave you a roadside ticking off, then count your lucky stars and keep an eye on your rear view mirror next time you put your boot down.
My answer is NO you should not get banned from driving as you are obviously capable of choosing the correct time and place to go quick and therefore a good driver.

Answer 2

First, I am from the US and have never driven on the M6, so I can't comment on the road for certain. Have driven many roads in Europe and North America though, and also provide high speed driving instruction for events at race tracks (as well as some racing myself)... and while I would not want to admit so in front of law enforcement, I probably can be a little heavy footed at times myself.

114mph is fast. And despite how good a driver you may think you are, or how good your car might be, this is fast! I have seen roads in the middle of nowhere that disappear straight off into the horizon without another car visable (or likely to appear for hours)... and I think maybe here, that kind of speed or even faster works ok. But once you introduce other traffic?

Even if the road can support a certain speed, the biggest problem you are likely to face is that other motorists need to be expecting cars moving at that rate. If they look to change lanes, and see you a certain distance back and don't look long enough to see you are moving so much faster than the limit, you could easily wind up in a spot that will quickly reveal both your and your car's limitations.

As I said though, I don't know the M6. While I think 114mph sounds like it is probably too fast, maybe it is a reasonable speed, as long as it is a pace that other drivers around you would reasonably expect, and one that other drivers are keeping as well. Barring all factors being right though, it would be too fast.

Answer 3

you might get banned or a big fine for this type of speed dont forget there are classic cars older cars lorrys buses vans that do not handle that well you could get a warning but do it again and get a ban it's better to keep to the speed limit rather than loosing your job

and 3 hour journey NO Way the train form manchester to london is under 2 hours with these new tilting trains

Answer 4

44 mph over the speed limit? If I were the judge, you would be walking.

Yes, cars have been improved, both in handling and in safety. But driver's haven't. Your behavior potentially put others at serious risk, and it warrants the loss of your license and driving privileges. If you were running late, you should have called ahead and let your boss know, and either worked late that day, or taken vacation or holiday time to make up for the missed time. But from how I read this, you were speeding only to avoid an inconvenience. You made the choice to do so, you should face the consequences like an adult.

Answer 5

Yes - You knew the law
You chose to break the law.
Now take the consequences.

You could have killed others or even yourself.

No matter how good your car, you travel a hell of a long way at 114 mph during your reaction time.

At that speed, a slight twitch on the steering to avoid a hazard in the road could see the car turned over.

Answer 6

Yes. You were speeding, and pretty seriously in my book.

I'm fed up of motorists such as yourself whingeing and whining whenever they get caught for breaking the extremely fair laws of driving. The bottom line is, you are a danger both to yourself and the general public, and not only should you be banned for life but you should also be jailed.

I don't necessarily agree either with the tactics used to catch law-indifferent motorists but all the same, if it gets more killers like you off the road then I'm all for it.

Answer 7

Technically the answer is yes. Pretty much anything over 100mph will get you a ban. But you could plead guilty explain about your job, road conditions etc, and ask the copper to be a witness about your driving standards.
But between you and me, I should be banned too, cos i regularly go over 150 on my bike on the m3. Only ever seen 1 cop car on there and it was an astra, so he didnt have a hope in hells chance of catching me anyway. Good luck and I hope you get away with it!

Answer 8

I think there is a fair chance that you will be banned.

If you speed at, say, 80 MPH, the police may turn a blind eye (provided you slow down immediately when a police car approaches), but you were 44 MPH over. That may be construed as taking the p**s.

Answer 9

It's not the speed of any one vehicle that is dangerous, it is the hazard created when some vehicles are going much slower or faster than others.

Since you don't see anything wrong with what you did, you exhibit a severe disregard for the laws and for the safety of others. You are only concerned about yourself and your own convenience.

You should be banned.

Answer 10

I got pulled over for driving 145+ mph on freeway near Fresno California few years ago by police helicopter and a CHP camaro. Luckily the CHP who was in charge at the time was one of my older brother's close friends. He let me go. Now, I am older, married and I don't drive like that anymore.