Life doesn't get any sweeter........ not

[Paul A]

Hi,
Well, just to add to my catalogue of problems (unemployed, desperate for a job, no luck despite everything I've tried).
Last night (about 17:20) I got pulled over.
Policeman in an unmarked car who reckoned I wasn't wearing a seat belt and speeding.
I WAS wearing my seat belt however, but he says to me "you've just put it on".
How the hell he could possibly have seen that I was or wasn't wearing a belt is beyond me......
He was behind me, it was raining,his car way lower than mine, on his own, and my car has the rear windows tinted!
There is NO WAY that you could possibly see!!
I'm actually not too tall and the angle that the belt sits at is obscured by the door pillar from the side, so from a side view you wouldn't know!
Interestingly, he didn't do me for speeding, probably because I wasn't!
Is it worth contesting this? It's only his word against mine and I think I have a good case that there is no way he could have seen one way or the other.
Oh.... he also told me he owned a Frontera..... so if you happen to be reading this "Steve" ........ shame on you!

[Road Hog]

First port of call should be ......Citizens Advice Bureau .

[Paul A]

Thanks!
Great Idea, I hadn't thought of that one!

Paul

[drinksoptional]

I would see you lawyer

[domino]

Have you been charged with the offence?

[Paul A]

Hi,
Yes, got a £60 Ticket!

[domino]

In that case, contest it.

It's his word against yours and he has no evidence.

[ashbrear]

contest it or move to scotland as there has to be 2 coppers
to do you up here.

[bobbinsjob]

if you were in the right then deffo contest it.

[4x4 bobby]

There has got to be two officers down here aswell unless he's cctv to proove it?

[FronteraGirl]

Just out of curiosity, did he show you any ID? I was reading a topic on a bike forum a while ago where a biker pulled away from the lights, lifted the front wheel a bit (a fraction off the ground he said) but was riding safely and not speeding. An unmarked car pulled alongside, 1 copper in it. Wouldn't show any ID but stopped the biker and gave him a lecture and said he would be doing the paperwork to arrange a court hearing about his dangerous driving.

It was suggested he wasn't a copper but merely looking for bikes to nick - the guy gave over his address and all personal info

Anyway, contest it, his word against yours.

[Paul A]

Thanks all,
Getting worried about this coppers eyesight!
Just noticed he even managed to get my car reg wrong on the ticket!
So he's crossed it out and corrected it!
Wonder if that's legal...........

[Road Hog]

Yep that will be,check what it is on the summons though

[Frenchfarmer]

Contest it. Look the Judge/Magistrate square in the eyes and tell him the truth. Judges don't like people who can't look them in the eye.
Probably be a refreshing change for him to meet an honest person.

[furball]

Create an account and post a query on here... http://forums.pepipoo.com/

There are many clever people on there who will be able to give lots of useful advice. They tend to specialise in speeding offences but they should be able to help you out with this too

[dodge]

just a note on the wrong reg, i had something similar a while back and it was pointed out that the officer should initial and mark his badge number againts the mistake. dont know if this is still the case.
BUT as pointed out call C.A.B take a photo or 10 with you, from someone else in a similar sized car to the copper, showing you wearing seat belt and not wearing seat belt, from behind, and from the side to see if it is at all plausible. go well armed and you should see it through. all i will say is it seems to be the thin blue line must have targets to meet,

Good luck buddy

[Sooty]

Unfortunatley, I disagree with the majority. I'd pay the fine and try and forget it.

I think that you'll be wasting your time and money appealling against it. If it gets to court then the Magistrates will take the copper's word, that's the way it goes.

However, I hope I'm wrong

[marlbororman]

you wont win against them i never, pay the 60 quid and forget about it mate, i only drove 200 ft and they got me, i got blacked out windows all round very dark too :( even had me in the back for 1/2 hour, and there was 2 of em too :( Trouble is were easy targets to boost the figures. its same on my motorbike.

[N1ova]

Better paying it and forgetting about it.The filth always win.Then they wonder why the majority hate them?They must get a bonus for stitching so many drivers up.

[drinksoptional]

God you lot are so easly to give up if you feel its unjust then fight it!! why should you "JUST PAY" that`s the kinda attitude that got this country into the mess its in " No point fighting it makes no difference" speech heard it all before!! here why not roll over and die while your at it cause to be honest there is no point living you only die in the end Nah mate dont listen to that lot fight it your lawyer will tell you if you have a case if he is worth his pay packet